FUNGICIDAL COMPOSITION

Abstract: An aqueous composition of acetic and citric acid in combination with surfactant, for use as a fungicidal composition. The composition may be used in the treatment of fungus on vegetables, flowering plants and trees.

Description: TITLE: FUNGIC1DAL COMPOSITION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of acetic and citric acids in combination with a surfactant that may be used as a fungicide on plants. The composition has no or minimal herbicidal activities, and is especially intended to be used as a fungicide on plants. Background of the Invention Synergistic combinations of acetic and citric acids are known for use as a herbicide, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,573,997 and 5,705,455. Such compositions consist essentially of acetic acid and citric acid in weight ratios in the range of about 10:1 to about 0.5:1 , and with concentrations of acetic acid that are up to about 10 wt.%. The herbicidal compositions can be formulated to effectively and rapidly kill all vegetative growth, including both normally hard-to-kill weeds and grasses. Alternatively, the herbicidal compositions may be formulated as a selective herbicide, for example, to kill common lawn weeds, leaving the grass unaffected. The herbicidal compositions may also be used as defoliants. In contrast, fungicidal compositions are required to control the growth of and preferably kill a fungus that infests a plant, without killing the plant. Thus, fungicides are required to have a complete absence of herbicidal activity, or at most only slight herbicidal activity, so that the host plant of the fungus is not killed. If any significant wilting of the plant is observed by the user of the fungicide, then the fungicide may be deemed to be unacceptable. Furthermore, it may be important that the fungicide also exhibit properties such that it may be applied to edible material e.g. vegetables, or be capable of being safely applied to vegetation without risk of harm to animals, including humans. Summary of the Invention A fungicidal composition has now been found that is effective against a variety of types of fungus, with no or minimal herbicidal properties. The fungicidal compositions are capable of being applied to edible material and other vegetation without risk of harm to animals, including humans. Furthermore, the fungicidal compositions are friendly to the environment. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides an aqueous composition comprising acetic acid and citric acid in combination with a surfactant, said composition being effective as a fungicide. Another aspect of the present invention provides an aqueous fungicidal composition of acetic and citric acids in combination with surfactant, said composition being more effective as a fungicide than either acetic acid or citric acid at the same concentration. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of acetic and citric acids with surfactant is such that the composition does not exhibit herbicidal properties on cucumbers or tomatoes. A further aspect of the present invention provides an aqueous fungicidal composition of acetic acid and citric acid in combination with surfactant, the ratio of acetic acid to citric acid being in the range of 10:1 to 1 :1 on a weight basis, preferably in the range of 4:1 to 1 :1 on a weight basis, the concentration of acetic acid being less than 8 g/l and the amount of surfactant on a weight basis being at least equal to the amount of citric acid. Another aspect provides for use of aqueous fungicide compositions defined herein for treatment of fungus on vegetables, especially tomatoes and cucumbers, on flowering plants and on trees. In particular, the fungus to be treated is mildew. In another aspect, the present invention provides an aqueous composition comprising an anionic/non-ionic surfactant, optionally with propylene glycol and citric acid and/or acetic acid. A further aspect provides a method for the treatment of a fungus on a vegetable, flowering plant or tree comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous fungicide composition described herein and applying an effective amount of said aqueous composition to said fungus. Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to aqueous fungicidal compositions of acetic and citric acid in combination with surfactant. The combination of acetic and citric acids with surfactant exhibits synergistic effects as a fungicide, with the resulting composition being more effective as a fungicide than a corresponding composition of acetic acid, citric acid or surfactant alone at the same concentration or a combination of only two of acetic acid, citric acid and surfactant. In addition, the fungicidal composition may be formulated such that the concentration of acetic and citric acids is such that the composition does not exhibit herbicidal properties with respect to a particular plant, especially herbicidal properties with respect to cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, roses and peppers, broad leaf plants and/or other vegetation. The composition of the invention comprises a synergistic combination of acetic acid and citric acid, with surfactant, in aqueous solution. The acetic acid component is conveniently provided by domestic white vinegar while the citric acid is conveniently provided by lemon juice or juices of other citrus fruits. It is understood, however, that industrial sources of either or both of these components may be used. For instance, the composition may be formulated using glacial acetic acid. The weight ratio of acetic acid to citric acid in the fungicidal composition may vary over a wide range, for instance, in the range of from about 10:1 to about 1 :1 , preferably in the range of 4:1 to 1 :1 , on a weight basis. In embodiments, the weight ratio of acetic acid to citric acid is in the range of 4:1 to about 2:1. The fungicidal composition in use may contain up to 100 g/l of acetic acid and 50 g/l of citric acid, with the preferred amount of acetic acid being up to 10g/l and especially up to 4 g/l. The composition should contain at least 1 g/l of acetic acid and 0.5 g/l of citric acid. Preferred compositions contain about 4 g/l of acetic acid and 2 g/l of citric acid. The fungicidal activity requires the combination of acetic acid and citric acid with at least one surfactant. The amount of surfactant should be at least equal to the amount of citric acid. It is believed that a wide variety of surfactants may be used. However, as exemplified herein, it is known that some surfactants exhibit herbicidal activity when used alone and such surfactants should not be used in the compositions of the invention. A particularly preferred composition contains acetic acid, citric acid and a surfactant available as Sponto™ 300T. This surfactant is understood to be a blend of anionic and non-ionic surfactants. Other surfactants may be used. The amount of surfactant should be in the range of 0.1-40 g/l, preferably 1-5 g/i- The fungicidal composition may be formulated so as to be effective on one or more of a variety of fungus. In particular, the composition may be used in the treatment of powdery mildew. The composition may be used on a variety of plants, including vegetables and flowering plants, as well as on trees. The present invention is illustrated by the following examples. EXAMPLE I Materials and Methods: Tomatoes: Mature greenhouse tomatoes of the variety Cobra were allowed to develop powdery mildew infection on their own. Once several spots per leaflet were present and spreading, the whole leaflet was sprayed with a fine mist. Since powdery mildew grows mostly on top of the leaf surface, no attempt was made to cover bottom portion. Each experiment was duplicated four times, and average numbers are present in Table 1. Cucumbers: Young cucumber plants of the variety Straight 8 were planted in 4 inch plastic pots using a standard peat based mixture. The young plants were observed for powdery mildew symptoms on the cotyledons. Once infection became visible, it was allowed to spread until a majority of the cotyledon surface was diseased. Each experiment consisted of four replications and average numbers for control as well as plant damage are given in Table 2. All concentrations are in g/l. The results obtained were as follows: Table 1 Powdery Mildew Control on Mature Tomato Leaves Sample Solution* 7 Days Post Spraying 1 Water 0.0 2 4 g aa + 2 g ca 3.5 3 8 g aa + 4 g ca 6.0 4 16 g aa + 4 g ca 9.5 5 4 g aa 0.0 6 8 g aa 0.0 7 4 g aa + 2 g ca + 10 g Sponto 7.5 - no new infection 14 days post spray 8 4 g aa + 10 g Sponto 6.25 - no new infection 14 days post spray 9 2 g ca + 10 g Sponto 7.5 - no new infection 14 days post spray 10 10 g Sponto 7.25 - no new infection 14 days post spray 11 8 g aa 3.75 12 16 g aa 4.25 - leaf damage wilted 13 4 g ca 1.0 14 8 g ca 0.5 5 5 g Sponto 4.5 - no leaf damage 6 5 g SN-90 7.0 - leaf damage wilted, dying 7 10 g SN-90 8.25 - leaf damage wilted, dying 8 4 g aa + 2 g ca + 10 g SN-90 9.25 -wilted leaves, severe damage on fruit 9 4 g aa + 2 g ca + 5 g SN-90 5.75 - no leaf damage, no fruit damage 0 4 g aa + 2 g ca + 10 g Sponto 7.5- no leaf damage, no fruit damage Notes: aa = acetic acid ca = citric acid Sponto = Sponto™ 300T from Witco, an anionic/ no-ionic surfactant blend SN-90 = Witconol SN-90 from Witco, an ethoxylated alcohol 0.0 indicates no control 10.0 indicates 100% control Table 2 Powdery Mildew Control on Cucumbers Sample Solution* Cotyledons 7 days Leaf Damage Post Spraying (%) 1 4 g aa 0.0 0.0 2 8 g aa 0.0 3.25 3 16 g aa 0.0 75.0 4 2 g ca 0.0 0.0 5 4 g ca 0.0 0.0 6 8 g ca 0.0 0.0 7 4 g aa + 2 g ca 0.0 7.5 8 8 g aa + 4 g ca 0.0 17.5 9 16 g aa + 8 g ca 3.0 93.75 10 5 g Sponto 0.0 0.0 11 10 g Sponto 0.0 0.0 12 5 g SN-90 0.0 43.75 13 10 g SN-90 7.5 73.75 14 4 g aa + 2 g ca + 5 g Sponto 3.0 1.25 15 4 g aa + 2 g ca + 10 g 7.5 5.5 Sponto 16 4 g aa + 2 g ca + 10 g SN-90 10.0 88.75 17 4 g aa + 10 g Sponto 3.0 2.5 18 Water 0.0 0.0 *Notes: aa = : acetic acid ca = : citric acid Sponto = Sponto 300T from Witco, an anionic/non-ionic surfactant blend SN-90 = Witconol SN-90 from Witco, an ethoxylated alcohol 0.0 indicates no control 10.0 indicates 100% control Leaf damage of 10% or lower is preferred. This usually occurs as leaf curling or leaf tip burn on older leaves but not on new ones. The results clearly indicated that low rates of acetic or citric acid are ineffective as fungicides. Moreover, the toxicity of acetic acid to leaves increases substantially as its concentration increases. This is not evident using citric acid alone. It is also evident that the plant toxicity of combinations of acetic acid and citric acid at the highest rates tested is higher than for the individual acids. The highest rates of acetic and citric acids also show synergistic control of powdery mildew compared to the highest rates of those acids when used alone, which show zero control. When two surfactants were tested alone in control of the fungus at 10 g/litre, Sponto 300T showed no disease control whereas SN-90 at the same rate showed good powdery mildew control. However, even at a 5 g/litre rate, SN-90 is too phytotoxic to be suitable for plant application. Combinations of acetic and citric acid with Sponto 300T surfactant showed good fungicidal action with minimal herbicidal action. EXAMPLE II The procedure of Example I was repeated on perennial pea, which is a flowering plant. The composition used was 3 g citric acid + 5 g Sponto 300T + 5 g propylene glycol, the concentrations being in g/l. It was found that there was 100% control of powdery mildew, with no damage to leaves.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. An aqueous composition comprising acetic acid and citric acid, in combination with surfactant, said composition being effective as a fungicide. 2. An aqueous composition of Claim 1 in which the composition has fungicidal and non-herbicidal properties towards plants. 3. The aqueous fungicidal composition of Claim 1 or Claim 2, said composition being more effective as a fungicide than any combination of one or two of acetic acid, citric acid and surfactant at the same concentration. 4. The composition of Claim 3 in which the concentration of acetic and citric acids and surfactant is such that the composition does not exhibit herbicidal properties on tomatoes. 5. The aqueous fungicidal composition of any one of Claims 1-4 in which the ratio of acetic acid to citric acid being in the range of 10:1 to 1 :1 on a weight basis, the concentration of acetic acid being less than 8 g/l. 6. The composition of Claim 5 in which the ratio is in the range of 4:1 to 1 :1 on a weight basis. 7. The aqueous composition of any one of Claims 1-6 in which the surfactant is an anionic/non-ionic surfactant blend. 8. The aqueous composition of Claim 7 in which the surfactant is Sponto™ 300T surfactant. 9. The aqueous composition of any one of Claims 1-6 in which the surfactant is an ethoxylated alcohol. 10. An aqueous fungicide composition comprised of an anionic/non- ionic surfactant blend. 11. The aqueous composition of Claim 10 in which the fungicide comprises citric acid, propylene glycol and an anionic/non-ionic surfactant blend. 12. The aqueous composition of Claim 10 in which the fungicide comprises acetic acid, propylene glycol and an anionic/non-ionic surfactant blend. 13. The aqueous composition of Claim 10 in which the fungicide comprises acetic acid, citric acid, propylene glycol and an anionic/non-ionic surfactant blend. 14. The aqueous composition of any one of Claims 10-13 in which the surfactant is Sponto™ 300T surfactant. 15. Use of aqueous compositions of any one of Claims 1-14 as a fungicide. 16. The use of aqueous compositions of Claim 15 in treatment of fungus on vegetables. 17. The use of aqueous composition of Claim 15 in the treatment of fungus on tomatoes or cucumbers. 18. The use of aqueous compositions of Claim 15 in treatment of fungus on flowering plants. 19. The use of aqueous compositions of Claim 15 in treatment of fungus on trees. 20. The use of any one of Claims 15-19 in which the fungus is mildew. 21. A method for the treatment of a fungus on a vegetable, flowering plant or tree comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous composition of any one of Claims 1-14 and applying an effective amount of said aqueous composition to said fungus.

Inventors: LOJEK JOHN S, LOJEK MARGARET ANNE, LOJEK, JOHN, S., LOJEK, MARGARET, ANNE
Applicants: ECOVAL INC, LOJEK JOHN S, LOJEK MARGARET ANNE, ECOVAL INC., LOJEK, JOHN, S., LOJEK, MARGARET, ANNE
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A01N37
IPC codes: A01N37