WO2008122763A1

WO2008122763A1 - Method of pest and fungal control

Info

Publication number: WO2008122763A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Waltham
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations Ag
Priority date: 2007-04-04
Filing date: 2008-04-01
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: WO2008122782A1; TW200906302A; TW200911114A; WO2008122782A8; GB0706665D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of pest and fungal control and more particularly to a method for combating pests and disease of ornamental plants by controlled release of insecticides and fungicides, which method comprises applying to the growing medium in which said plants are grown, a granular composition obtainable by preparing one or more melts comprising: 1-60% by weight of an insecticidal, nematicidal or fungicidal active ingredient or a combination of such ingredients and 20-80% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer to a total of 100% by weight; extruding or co-extruding the melt or melts and granulating the extrudate.

Description

METHOD OF PEST AND FUNGALCONTROL

This invention relates to a method of pest and fungal control and more particularly to a method for combating pests and diseases of ornamental plants by the controlled release of insecticides, nematicides and fungicides. It also relates to a controlled release composition for use therein.

Pesticidal formulations that release their active ingredient or ingredients in a controlled or slow fashion into the environment (generally known as controlled-release or slow-release formulations) are well known. The controlled-release of a pesticide may be required where the pesticide is insufficiently persistent in the soil or on plants, where it is phytotoxic to crops or where, for other reasons, it must be available, or released, over a prolonged period of time.

There is a substantial body of information on controlled-release formulations, including controlled-release granular formulations and their various methods of preparation. These methods typically involve coating a pesticide with, or embedding it in, a polymeric material. One method described for preparing a controlled-release granular formulation involves the melt extrusion of a composition comprising a pesticidal active ingredient and a thermoplastic polymer, and cutting the extruded product into granules. Such a process is described, for example, in US Patent 6,541,425.

It has now been found that a controlled-release granular formulation of a pesticide can be prepared by hot-melt extrusion technology. Surprisingly, when the granules are dispersed within the growing medium in which ornamental plants are grown, they provide season long control of pests and fungal diseases.

US2004/0259736 describes the production of hot melt granules for slow release of crop protection products. However, it does not disclose the use of said granules in growing media for providing season long control of pests and diseases in ornamental plants.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling pests and/or fungal diseases of ornamental plants, which comprises applying to the growing medium in which said plants are grown, a granular composition obtainable by preparing one or more melts comprising:

1-60% by weight of an appreciably water-soluble insecticidal, nematicidal or fungicidal active ingredient, or a combination of such active ingredients, and optionally one or more other insecticidal or fungicidal active ingredients, 0-70% by weight of at least one inert carrier, 0-50% by weight of one or more organic or inorganic additives and 20-80% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer, to a total of 100% by weight; extruding or co-extruding the melt or melts; and granulating the extrudate.

In one embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is water-insoluble.

The granular composition is added directly to the growing medium before planting or sowing. Over time, the active ingredient is gradually released into the growing medium, thus ensuring a continuous supply of pesticide and/or fungicide for the plants growing therein. The granules therefore eliminate the need for repeated applications of conventional spray pesticide formulations, and provide long-term control. Typically the granules of the present invention provide control for at least 1 week, preferably at least 1 month, more preferably at least 3 months, more preferably at least 6 months, most preferably more than 1 year. In one embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 3 to 12 months. In another embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 3 to 6 months. In a further embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 6 to 12 months. In a further embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 12 to 18 months.

The granules can be added to any growing medium that is suitable for growing ornamental plants. Typically, the growing medium will be a mixture of more than one component. For example, for ornamentals, the growing medium may comprise one or more of the following components: light peat, dark peat, perlite, vermiculite, bark, loam, sand and coconut fibre. The precise composition of the growing medium depends on the plant species to be grown. For example for bedding plants, the growing medium may comprise 60% loam, 30% peat and 20% sand. Preferably, the granules are mixed into, and thoroughly dispersed throughout the growing medium to ensure a good distribution of active ingredient as it is released.

The number of granules to be added per litre of growing media is calculated based on the dose of active ingredient required, and the size of the granules. Typically, between 100 and 1000 granules are added per litre of growing medium.

The present invention also includes a granular composition as described above for use in combating pests and/or fungal diseases.

The invention includes the use of any insecticidal, nematicidal or fungicidal active ingredient that is suitable for the control of pests or diseases of ornamental plants. A complete list of suitable active ingredients can be found in The Pesticide Manual (14^th edition, British Crop Protection Council, ed. CD. S. Tomlin).

For example the invention includes the use of one or more of the following insecticides or nematicides: abamectin, acetamiprid, Bacillus thuringiensis products, benfuracarb, bensultap, beta cyfluthrin, carbosulfan, chloranthraniliprole, clothianidin, cyanoimine, cypermethrin, cyromazin, diafenthiuron, diazinon, dinotefuran, disulphoton, etofenprox, fenoxycarb, fipronil, fluxofenime, furathiocarb, imidacloprid, lambda cyhalothrin, lufenuron, nitenpyram, nitromethylene, permethrin, profenofos, propaphos, pymetrozine, pyripfoxyfen, spinosad, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and thiodicarb. Particularly preferred insecticidal or nematicidal active ingredients include abamectin, acetamiprid, beta cyfluthrin, chloranthraniliprole, clothianidin, cyanoimine, dinotefuran, fipronil, imidacloprid, lambda cyhalothrin, nitenpyram, nitromethylene, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and thiodicarb. Particularly suitable are abamectin, fipronil, lambda cyhalothrin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.

For example the invention includes the use of one or more of the following fungicides: azoxystrobin, bitertanol, carboxin, carpropamid, Cu₂O, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dichlofiuamid, diclocymet, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, fluquiconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furalaxyl, - A -

furametpyr, guazatin, hexaconazole, hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, isoprothiolone, kresoxim-methyl, mancozeb, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metconazole, myclobutanil, orysastrobin, oxadixyl, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, probenazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, pyroquilone, (±)-cώ-l-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(lH-l,2,4-triazol-l- yl)cycloheptanol, spiroxamin, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, thifluzamide, tiadinil, tolifluamide, triazoxide, triadimefon, triadimenol, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triticonazole, uniconazole, a compound of formula I røc

and a compound of formula II

(π).

Particularly preferred fungicidally active agents include azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, trifloxystrobin, tritaconazole, a compound of formula I and a compound of formula U Particularly suitable are azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, fludioxonil and mefenoxam. .

Further, the invention includes the use of other active ingredients such as plant growth regulators and plant activators. Suitable plant growth regulators include paclobutrazol and trinexapac-ethyl. Suitable plant activators include acibenzolar-S-methyl.

Preferably, the active ingredient is selected from the list consisting of thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, azoxystrobin, paclobutrazol and acibenzolar-S-methyl. Suitably, the active ingredient is thiamethoxam. Suitably, the active ingredient is mefenoxam. Suitably, the active ingredient is fludioxonil. Suitably, the active ingredient is azoxystrobin.

Preferably, the insecticide, nematicide or fungicide is water-soluble, or essentially water- soluble. Water-soluble insecticides, nematicides or fungicides have a solubility in water of more than 0.5g/l at ambient temperature and a partition coefficient between w-octanol and water, K_<,_wlogP, of 2 or more. Suitable water soluble active ingredients include thiamethoxam and mefexonam. The present invention includes active ingredients that are systemic or non-systemic. Systemic active ingredients may be taken up and transported around the plant, while non-systemic active ingredients are useful for example for the control of soil-borne pests and diseases. Preferably, the insecticide, nematicide or fungicide is systemic.

The invention is of particular interest for the control of pests of ornamental plants using thiamethoxam.

The amount of insecticide or fungicide, or combined amount of insecticide and fungicide, used may be from 0.1 to 60% by weight, for example, from 0.5 to 25% by weight, suitably from 0.5 to 15% by weight and typically from 0.5 to 5% by weight. In particular, the amount of pesticide or fungicide is from about 2% to about 3% by weight. Preferably, the amount of pesticide or fungicide is about 2% by weight. The amount of pesticide or fungicide will depend on the size of the granules, the number of granules per litre of growing medium and the dose of granules desired for the particular active ingredient.

The inert carrier or carriers will normally be solid carriers which do not react with any of the other ingredients and which are essentially insoluble in water. Suitably, they are natural mineral fillers such as oxides, hydroxides, silicates, carbonates and sulphates of calcium, magnesium, aluminium and titanium - for example, chalk, gypsum, bentonite, kaolin, zeolite, calcite, talc, montmorillonite, attapulgite, clay minerals in general, and mixtures of mineral fillers. A particularly suitable carrier is aluminium silicate in the form of kaolin powder. The amount of inert carrier used may be from 0 to 70% by weight, for example, from 10 to 70% by weight, suitably from 15 to 60% by weight and typically from 20 to 50% by weight.

One or more organic or inorganic additives may be used to prepare the composition of the invention. Such additives include customary auxiliaries used in extrusion technology, for instance lubricants (such as waxes); additives which affect release of the active ingredient or ingredients, for instance, water soluble inorganic salts (such as sodium chloride, sodium sulphate and calcium sulphate); buffers to stabilise the active ingredient or ingredients (such as citric acid and polyaspartic acid); and surfactants and dispersants of the type commonly used in pesticide formulation technology, which may be non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic, having good emulsifying, dispersing or wetting properties. Normally, there will be included a waxy lubricant, an example of which is a wax acid mix of montane acid esters containing from 24-34 carbon atoms.

The amount of organic or inorganic additives used may be from 0 to 50% by weight for example, from 1 to 40% by weight and typically from 5 to 35% by weight. If only an extrusion lubricant is present as the additive, then this will normally be used in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight, typically about 5% by weight.

The polymer used in the composition of the invention is a polymer or mixture of polymers which can be processed thermoplastically, i.e. as a viscous melt. It may be water-insoluble, (having a solubility in water of less than lOOmg/1 of water at 2O⁰C), or water soluble (having a solubility in water of more than lOOmg/1 water at 2O⁰C). Examples of water-insoluble polymers that can be used in the composition are polyvinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, waxes such as carnauba wax, ethyl cellulose, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, butadiene-styrene copolymer, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose propionate, polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, vinyl pyrrolidone-styrene copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone- 1-eicosene), polyvinylpyrrolidone- 1-hexadecene), tetradecyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymer, starch esters, starch ethers, poly-acrylamide docosyl, poly-acrylamide hexadecyl, poly-acrylamide octadecyl, poly-acrylic acid butyl ester, poly-acrylic acid docosyl ester, poly-acrylic acid hexadecyl ester, poly-acrylic acid octadecyl ester, polyadipic anhydride, poly-7- aminoenanthic acid N-methyl, poly-12-aminolauric acid N-methyl, poly-11- aminoundecanoic acid N-methyl, poly-azelaic anhydride,poly-l,3-butadiene(l,4-)-alt-methyl methacrylate, poly-butadiene-oxide, poly-l,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene azelaate trans, poly- 1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene dodecanedioate trans, poly-l,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene glutarate trans, poly- 1 ,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene oxymethylene oxide trans, poly- 1 ,4- cyclohexylenedimethylene pimelate trans, poly-l^-cyclohexylenedimethylene sebacate trans, poly-l,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene suberate cis, poly-l,4-cyclohexylidene- thiohexamethylene sulphide, poly-cyclopropylidinedimethylene oxide, poly-decamethylene 1,2-dichloro, poly-decamethylene carbonate, poly-decamethylene 3,3-dibenzoate, poly- (decamethylenedioxy)-dihexamethylene oxide, poly-decamethylene disiloxanylene- dipropionamide tetramethyl, poly-decamethylene disulphide, poly-decamethylene didithioethylene disulphide, poly-decamethylene didithiohexamethylene disulphide, poly- decamethylene dithioladipate, poly-decamethylene dithiotetramethylene dusulphide, poly- decamethylene furamide, poly-decamethylene glutaramide 3-carboxyl (diacid), poly- decamethylene isophthalate, poly-decamethylene malonate, poly-decamethylene 3,3'- methylenedibenz amide, poly-decamethylene (methylene-2,5-tetrahydrofuran)- dicarboxamide, poly-decamethylene oxydiacetate, poly-decamethyleneoxymethylene oxide, poly-decamethylene pimelate, poly-decamethylene succinate d-l,2-dihydroxy (diacid), poly- decamethylene sulphide, poly-decamethylene thiodivalerate, poly-decamethylene thiohexamethylene sulphide, poly-dodecamethylene 1 methyl, poly-dodecandioic anhydride, poly-dodecylvinyl ether, poly-eicosamethylene adipate, poly-eicosamethylene adipate 3 methyl (diacid), poly-eicosamethylene azelaate, poly-eicosamethylene glutarate, poly- eicosamethylene isophthalate, poly-eicosamethylene malonate, poly-eicosamethylene oxalate, poly-eicosamethylene oxydiacetate, poly-eicosamethylene phthalate, poly-eicosamethylene pimelate, poly-eicosamethylene succinate, poly-eicosamethylene thiodivalerate, polyethylene p-(carboxyphenoxy)-butyrate, poly-ethylene p-(carboxyphenoxy)-caproate, polyethylene p-(carboxyphenoxy)-heptanoate, poly-ethylene p-(carboxyphenoxy)-undecanoate, poly-ethylene p-(carboxyphenoxy)-valerate, poly-ethylene 2-2'-dibenzoate methyl (diol), poly-(ethylenedioxy)-diethylene 2-2'-dibenzoate, poly-(ethylenedioxy)-diethylene 3-3'- dibenzoate, poly-(ethylenedioxy)-diethylene isophthalate, poly-(ethylenedioxy)-diethylene sebacate and poly-(ethylenedioxy)-diethylene terephthalate and a mixture of any of these polymers. Examples of water soluble polymers that can be used in the composition are alkylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxybuytlcellulose, hydroxyalklyalkylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, carboxyalkylcellulose and metal salts thereof, carboxymethylcellulose and metal salts thereof, carboxyalkylalyklcellulose, carboxymethylethylcellulose, carboxyalkylcellulose ester, pectin, carboxymethylamylopectin, starch, chitin derivative, chitosan, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylenoxide, polyvinylacetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer and a mixture of any of these polymers.

Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone vinylacetate copolymer, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyhydroxyvaleric acid, polyalkylene terephthalate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyamide, polyester amide, polycaprolactam, collagen, gelatin, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, starch, starch derivatives, or a combination of any of these polymers. Suitably, the water-insoluble polymer is polyvinyl acetate or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or a mixture of these polymers.

The total amount of polymer used is from 20 to 80% by weight, for example 25 to 75% by weight, typically from 30 to 60% by weight.

The amounts of the ingredients used in preparing the granular composition of the invention may vary within the ranges specified and will depend on the required efficacy and the desired release rate of the composition and the processability of the melt. The only condition is that the formulation is still thermoplastically processable.

Conveniently, the granular composition of the invention is obtained as follows. In a first step, the active ingredient or ingredients and the inert carrier or carriers are ground if necessary, either separately or together. The active ingredients, carriers and other ingredients are loaded into a hopper from which they are fed into the screws of an extruder, where heat is applied in one or more, for example three, heating zones. Under the heat and screw pressure, some or all of the components of the formulation soften and melt. The hot melt is then forced through a die (or multiple dies) and extruded into long strands which, after cooling with air or water (or both), are mechanically cut into granules. In forming the melt, it will be appreciated that it is only necessary for the polymer to melt. The active ingredient or ingredients may or may not melt, depending on the temperature to which the extruder is heated and the melting point(s) of the active ingredient(s). Where an active ingredient does not melt, it will be distributed through the molten polymer. In the case of thiamethoxam (melting point ca. 139⁰C), the extruder is kept below 100⁰C; hot enough to melt the polymer but cool enough to avoid degradation of the thiamethoxam. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention the insecticidal or fungicidal active ingredient or the combination of both active ingredients is present in the melt or melts as solids (that is, the active ingredients themselves are not in molten form).

Typically, the residence time in the extruder is 1 to 5 minutes (depending on the composition), giving a throughput of 1.2 to 4.8kg/hr. The size of the die through which the melt is extruded is, for example, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0mm in diameter.

Whilst one object of the present invention is to simplify the manufacture of granules by avoiding the need for a multi-coating process, nevertheless it is possible to further control the release rate of the extruded granules by applying a coating after extrusion. Suitable coatings include polymers and waxes (for example a PVA latex).

Optionally, the granules of the present invention are dusted with one or more dusting agents in order to prevent individual granules from sticking to one another; the dusting agents adhere to the surfaces of the granule so that a non-sticky external surface is presented by each granule to adjacent granules. Suitable dusting agents include talc and fumed silica (for example Aerosil 200).

The dusting step may be used on all granules of the present invention, whether or not they have had a coating added after extrusion. Suitably, the diameter of the granules is in the range from 0.25mm to 2.0mm; more suitably from 0.5mm to 1.Omm. The length of the granules is suitably in the range from 0.5 mm to 6mm.

It is possible to further control the release rate by using alternative granule shapes. In some cases, spherical granules or disc-shaped granules may be prepared; these have the advantage that such granules do not have sharp edges, which could damage any coating that may be present on adjacent granules. Additionally, certain granule shapes (for example, spherical granules) enable consistent release rates, particularly if a coating is applied to the granules, since spherical granules will enable a totally uniform coating.

After extrusion, a variety of cutting techniques may be used to obtain the granules, including an under-water cutting technique, which may be used to obtain for example spherical granules.

Where more than one active ingredient is to be present in the composition of the invention, they may be combined in the same melt or they may be processed in separate melts, which may be co-extruded or extruded separately and the extruded granules mixed to form a combined composition. An advantage of co-extrusion is that one active ingredient formulation may be contained within another, allowing for further variation in the release rates of the active ingredients. Processing more than one active ingredient in separate melts also has the advantage that the other ingredients may be varied to suit the particular active ingredient. For instance, different polymers may be used for different active ingredients to provide granules with different release rates. Likewise, different shapes and sizes of granules may be used to provide granules with different release rates. Granules with different release rate profiles may be sold together in a single pack so that a grower or consumer may apply a single product containing more than one active ingredient, where the different active ingredients are released at different times. Alternatively, granules having differing release rate profiles, but containing the same active ingredient, can be applied together to ensure continuous release of the active ingredient over a prolonged period of time, such as an entire growing season. Such granules may be sold pre-mixed in a single pack. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, more that one active ingredient is used in separate melts, for co-mixing into the growing medium in appropriate amounts to achieve the desired dose rates.

Depending on the insecticide or fungicide chosen, the method of the invention can be used to combat a wide range of pests and diseases of ornamental plants. For example, it can be used to combat insect pests such as scale insects, mites, thrips, lacebugs, mealybugs, aphids, whitefly, fungus gnats, shore flies, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, leaf miners, weevil and borers. Examples of common insect pests of ornamental plants include Aphis spp. (A. rosae, A gossypii, A.fabae), Bemisia spp. (B. tabaci), Bradysia spp., Ceroplastes spp., Choreutis spp. (C. pariana), Coccus spp. (C hesperidum), Corythucha spp. (C ciliata, C. Cydoniae, C. arcuata, C. pergandei, C. pallipes, C. pruni, C. celtadis), Diaspis spp., Fiorinia spp. (F. theae), Frankliniella spp. (F. occidentalis), Gargaphia spp. (G. tiliae), Myzus spp. (M. persicae), Naupactus spp., Otiorhynchus spp. (O. sulcatus), Parthenolecanium spp., Phytonemus spp. (P. pallidas), Planococcus spp. (P. citri), Polyhagotarsonemus spp. (P. latus), Popillia spp. (P.japonica), Pseudococcus spp. (P. longispinus), Pulvinaria spp., Scatella spp., Sciarra spp., Stephanitis spp. (S. pyriodes, S. rhododendri, S. takeyai), Tetranychus spp. (T. urticae, T. cinnabarinus), Trialeurodes spp. and Unaspis spp.. Preferably, the present invention is used to control aphids, whitefly, black vine weevil, leaf miner, scales, and/or fungus gnats.

Further, the invention can be used to combat fungal diseases such as, but not limited to, anthracnose (Colletotrichum coccodes), corky or brown root rot (Pyrencochaeta lycopersici) , downy mildew and late blight (Phytopthora infestans), early blight (Alternaria solani), fusarium crown rot (Fusarium oxysporum), fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxyporum), grey leaf spot (Stemphylium solani), grey mold (Botrytis cinera), gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae), leaf mold (Fulviaβlva), phoma rot (Phoma destructiva), powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica), Puccinia spp. (P. recondita, P. striiformis, P. hordei), Pyricularia spp., scab or gummosis (Cladosporium cucumerinum), sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia scleotiorum), septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersica), sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani), sooty blotch (Gloeodes pomigena) and several fruits rots, among other fungal diseases. Preferably, the present invention is used to control Colletotricum, Fusarium, Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and/or Sclerotinia. Most preferably the invention is used to control Phytophthora or Pythium.

The compositions and/or methods according to the present invention may be used on any ornamental crops, including flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees and evergreens. For example the invention may be used on any of the following ornamental species: Ageratum spp., Alonsoa spp., Anemone spp., Anisodontea spp. {A. capsenisis), Anthemis spp., Antirrhinum spp., Begonia spp. (B. elatior, B. semperflorens, B. tubereux), BeMs spp., Bougainvillea spp., Brachycome spp., Calceolaria spp., Canna spp., Canna spp., Capsicum spp. (C. annuum), Catharanthus spp. (C. roseus), Chrysanthemum spp., Cineraria spp. (C. maritime), Crassula spp. (C. coccinea), Cuphea spp. (C. ignea), Dianthus spp. (carnation), Dicentra spp. (Z). spectabilis), Dorotheantus spp., Eustoma spp. (E. grandiflorum), Forsythia spp., Fuchsia spp., Geranium spp. (G. gnaphalium), Gomphrena spp. (G. globosa), Helianthus spp., Heliotropium spp., Hibiscus spp., Hortensia spp., Hypoestes spp. (H. phyllostachyά), Impatiens spp. (7. walleriana), Iresines spp., Kalanchoe spp., Lantana spp. (Z. camara), Lavatera spp. (Z,. trimestris), Leonotis spp. (Z. leonurus), Lilium spp., Mesembryanthemum spp., Mimulus spp., Nemesia spp., Nicotinia spp., Ornamental Brassica, Oxalis spp., Parthenocissus spp. (P. quinquefolia, P. tricuspidata), Pelargonium spp. (P. peltatum, P. zonale), Petunia spp., Plecthranthus spp., Poinsettia spp., Primula spp., Ranunculus spp., Rhododendron spp., itosα spp. (rose), Salvia spp., Scaevola spp. (S. aemold), Schizanthus spp. (iS¹. wisetonensis), Solanum spp., Surfinia spp., Tagetes spp., Tagetes spp., Verbena spp., Pϊo/α spp. (pansy), Zinnia spp. and other bedding plants. Preferred within this class of ornamental crops are Begonia, Chrysanthemum (including from cuttings), Fuchsia, Geranium (including from seeds and cuttings), Hortensia, Impatiens, Petunia, Poinsettia, Ranunculus, Rosa (including pot plants and from cuttings), Salvia, and Fzo/α.

Further, the invention may be used on any of the following shrubs and trees: Λfoes «/6«, /4cer spp., Aesculus hippocastanum, Alder, Alnus glutinosa, Apple, Ash, Beech, Betula spp., Birch., Black Spruce, Blackthorn, Box, Hornbeam, Broom, Buckthorn, Buddleia spp., Z?UXMS sempervirens, Carpinus betulus, Castanea sativa, Cherry spp., Clematis spp., Cornus sanguinea, Corylus, Crab Gorse, Crataegus spp., Cytisus scoparius, Daphne laureola, Dogwood, Elder, Elm, Euonymus europaeus, Fagus sylvatica, Fir, Frangula alnus, Furze, Hawthorn, Hedera, Hippophae rhamnoides, Holly, Honeysuckle, Horse-chestnut, Ilex aquifolium, Juniper, Laburnum spp., Larix decidua, Laurel, Ligustrum vulgare, Lilac, Lime, Lonicera spp., Mains sylvestris, Maple, Norway Spruce, Old-man's-beard, Osier, Pear, Picea spp., Pinus spp., Platanus x hispanica, Plum, Populus spp., Privet, Prunus spp., Pyrus communis, Quercus spp., Rhamnus cathartica, Rhododendron, Robinia pseudoacacia, Rosa spp., Rowan, Salix spp., Sambucus nigra, Sea-buckthorn, Sitka, Sorbus spp., Snowberry, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Syringa vulgaris, Taxus baccata, Tilia spp., Traveller's-joy , Ulmus glabra, Viburnum spp., Walnut, Whitebeam, Wild Ulex, Willow and Yew.

The invention is illustrated, but not limited, by the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1 - Manufacture of granular composition

The following components were blended together and the resulting mixture fed via a hopper into a conventional hot-melt extruder by means of a screw feeder.

The mixture was heated to the polymer softening point by appropriate adjustment of the temperature (just below 100⁰C) the extruder heating zones and extruded through a die to form a spaghetti-like strand, which, on air-cooling was cut into granules by means of a mechanical cutter. Two different sized granules were made by extrusion through different sized die: "large" granules (0.6 mm diameter x 1.2 m in length) and "small" granules (0.5 mm diameter x 0.5 mm in length).

EXAMPLE 2 - Biological efficacy against whitefly

The following treatments were setup by thoroughly mixing into Scotts Pot and Bedding compost, granules produced in example 1. Different rates were achieved by varying the number of granules added.

For each treatment, 28 pots were filled with treated compost. Abutilon plantlets, var. Cynthia Pyke, were planted in the pots, one per pot. Fourteen days after transplanting, the twenty-eight plants for each treatment were divided into four arenas of seven plants, and each arena was enclosed in a frame and covered with insect-proof polypropylene fleece. Each arena was infested with approximately 500 adult T. vapor ariorum.

At 7 and 14 days after infestation, the number of live adult whiteflies per plant was recorded. By comparing the numbers on the treated plants to the numbers on the untreated controls, a percentage efficacy for each rate was obtained. Twenty-one days after infestation any remaining adults were counted and removed, and plants observed for larval development. When newly hatched adults appeared on the control plants, all empty pupal cases were recorded on each plant within each treatment. A percentage efficacy of larval control for each rate was obtained by comparing empty pupal cases on treated plants to those on the control plants.

Approximately nine and eighteen weeks after starting the trial, all plants were re-infested with adult T. vaporariorum, and re-assessed following the above procedure, using fresh untreated control plants at each infestation. Results

Table 1: First application of whitefly (14/08/06)

The results show that granules according to the present invention provide long term control of whitefly on abutilon plants (var. Cynthia Pyke), when added to the growing medium.

EXAMPLE 3 - Biological efficacy against black vine weevil

Experiments were setup as described in Example 2, to test the efficacy of granules from Example 1 on Otiorhynchus sulcatus present on hosts Primula vulgaris v. Eclipse, and Fuschia spp. The rates used and results obtained are presented in Table 4.

Table 4

The results show that granules according to the present invention provide good control of black vine weevil on Primula and Fuschia plants, when added to the growing medium.

Claims

1. A method for combating pests and/or fungal diseases of ornamental plants, which comprises applying to the growing medium in which said plants are grown, a granular composition obtainable by preparing one or more melts comprising:

1-60% by weight of an insecticidal, nematicidal or fungicidal active ingredient or a combination of such active ingredients, and optionally one or more other insecticidal, nematicidal or fungicidal active ingredients, 0-70% by weight of at least one inert carrier, 0-50% by weight of one or more organic or inorganic additives, and

20-80% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer, to a total of 100% by weight; extruding or co-extruding the melt or melts and granulating the extrudate.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is water- insoluble.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the water-insoluble polymer is polyvinyl acetate or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or a mixture of these polymers.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims in which the insecticidal, nematicidal or fungicidal active ingredient used in preparing the melt is the insecticide thiamethoxam.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inert carrier is aluminium silicate.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the organic or inorganic additive is a waxy lubricant.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the insecticidal, nematicidal or fungicidal active ingredient or ingredients are present in the melt or melts as solids.

8. A granular composition for use in combating pests and/or fungal diseases or ornamental plants as defined in claim 1.