This application is a 371 of PCT/EP98/07676, filed Nov. 27, 1998.

The present invention relates to novel fungicidal compositions for the treatment of phytopathogenic diseases of crop plants and against infestation on propagation stock of plants or on other vegetable material, especially phytopathogenic fungi, and to a method of combating phytopathogenic diseases on crop plants or for seed dressing.

It is known that certain pyrimidin-4-one derivatives have biological activity against phytopathogenic fungi, e.g. known from WO 97/02262 where their properties and methods of preparation are described. On the other hand azole fungicides, phthalimides, phenylamides, morpholines and aminopyrimidines are widely known as plant fungicides for application in various crops of cultivated plants. However, crop tolerance and activity against phytopathogenic plant fungi do not always satisfy the needs of agricultural practice in many incidents and aspects.

It has now been found that the use of

a) a pyrimidin-4-one of formula I

 wherein

R

1

is hydrogen or halogen,

R

2

is hydrogen or halogen, and at least one of R

1

and R

2

is different from hydrogen;

R

22

is C

1

-C

5

alkyl or —CH

2

-cyclopropyl and

R

23

is C

1

-C

5

alkyl or —CH

2

-cyclopropyl;

in association with

b) either an anilinopyrimidine of formula II

 wherein

R

3

is methyl, 1-propynyl or cyclopropyl;

or an azole of formula III

 wherein

A is selected from

whereby the &bgr;-carbon attaches to benzene ring of formula III, and wherein R

4

is H, F, Cl, phenyl, 4-fluorophenoxy or 4-chlorophenoxy;

R

5

is H, Cl or F;

R

6

and R

7

are independently H or CH

3

;

R

8

is C

1-4

alkyl or cyclopropyl;

R

9

is 4-chlorophenyl or 4-fluorophenyl; and

R

11

is allyloxy, C

1-4

alkyl, or 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy-methyl, and the salts of such azole fungicide;

or a morpholine fungicide of formula IV

 wherein

R

12

is C

8-15

cycloalkyl, and the salts of such morpholine fungicide;

or a strobilurin compound of formula V

 wherein

X is O,

Y is N, and

R

13

is 4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-aza-2-oxa-3-pentenyl;

or a pyrrole compound of the formula VI

 wherein

R

14

and R

15

are independently halo, or together from a perhalomethylendioxo bridge;

or a phenylamide of the formula VII

 wherein

R

16

is benzyl, methoxymethyl, 2-furanyl, chloromethyl or

R

17

is 1-methoxycarbonyl-ethyl, or

Z is CH or N,

R

20

is hydrogen or methyl,

R

21

is hydrogen or methyl;

or a dithiocarbamate fungicide selected from mancozeb, maneb, metiram and zineb;

or a copper compound selected from copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate and oxine-copper;

or sulfur;

or a phthalimide compound of the formula VIII

 wherein

R

18

and R

19

together form a 4-membered bridge —CH

2

—CH═CH—CH

2

— or ═CH—CH═CH—CH═;

or with compound of formula IX

or with a compound of formula X

or with a compound of formula XI

or with a compound of formula XII

or with a compound of formula XIII

or with a compound of formula XIV

or with a compound of formula XV

or with a compound of formula XVI

or with a compound of formula XVII

or with a compound of formula XIX

or with a compound of formula XX

or with a compound of formula XXI

or with a compound of formula XXIII

or with a compound of formula XXIV

or with a compound of formula XXV

or with a compound of formula XXVI

or with a compound of formula XXVII

or with a compound of formula XXVIII

 wherein

n is 0 or 1 or 2 etc, and

R is hydrogen or —C(═NH)NH

2

;

is particularly effective in combating or preventing fungal diseases of crop plants. These combinations exhibit synergistic fungicidal activity.

The combinations according to the invention may also comprise more than one of the active components b), if broadening of the spectrum of disease control is desired. For instance, it may be advantageous in the agricultural practice to combine two or three components b) with the any of the compounds of formula I, or with any preferred member of the group of compounds of formula I.

From WO 97/02262 the following specific species of formula I are known:

Comp.No.

R

1

R

2

R

22

R

23

I.1

Cl

H

n-propyl

n-propyl

I.2

Br

H

n-propyl

n-propyl

I.3

H

Cl

n-propyl

n-propyl

I.4

H

Br

n-propyl

n-propyl

I.5

Cl

H

n-butyl

n-propyl

I.6

Br

H

n-butyl

n-propyl

I.7

H

Cl

n-butyl

n-propyl

I.8

H

Br

n-butyl

n-propyl

I.9

Cl

H

i-butyl

n-propyl

I.10

Br

H

i-butyl

n-propyl

I.11

Cl

H

n-propyl

i-butyl

I.12

Br

H

n-propyl

i-butyl

I.13

Cl

H

—CH

2

-cyclopropyl

n-propyl

I.14

Br

H

—CH

2

-cyclopropyl

n-propyl

I.15

H

Cl

—CH

2

-cyclopropyl

n-propyl

I.16

H

Br

—CH

2

-cyclopropyl

n-propyl

I.17

Cl

H

n-propyl

—CH

2

-cyclopropyl

I.18

Br

H

n-propyl

—CH

2

-cyclopropyl

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by those combination which comprise as component a) a compound of the formula I wherein R

1

is chloro or bromo, R

2

is chloro or bromo, R

22

is n-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl and R

23

is n-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl.

Among the mixtures of present invention most preference is given to the mixture of compounds 6-chloro-3-n-propyl-2-n-propyloxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.1), 6-bromo-3-n-propyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.2), 7-chloro-3-n-propyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.3), 7-bromo-3-n-propyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.4), 6-chloro-3-n-butyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.5), 6-bromo-3-n-butyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.6), 7-chloro-3-n-butyl-2-n-propyloxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.7), 7-bromo-3-n-butyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.8), 6-chloro-3-i-butyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.9) and 6-bromo-3-i-butyl-2-n-proplyoxy-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (compound I.10) with the compounds of component b), especially the commercially available products falling within the given ranges, i.e. the commercial products mentioned throughout this document.

Salts of the azole, amine and morpholine active ingredients are prepared by reaction with acids, e.g., hydrohalo acids such as hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid and hydroiodic acid, or sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or nitric acid, or organic acids such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, oxalic acid, formic acid, benzensulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, salicylic acid, p-aminosalicylic acid and 1,2-naphtalenedisulfonic acid.

The active ingredient combinations are effective against phytopathogenic fungi belonging to the following classes: Ascomycetes (e.g. Venturia, Podosphaera, Erysiphe, Monilinia, Sclerotinia, Mycosphaerella, Uncinula); Basidiomycetes (e.g. the genus Hemileia, Rhizoctonia, Tilletia, Puccinia); Fungi imperfecti (e.g. Botrytis, Helminthosporium, Rhynchosporium, Fusarium, Septoria, Cercospora, Alternaria, Pyricularia and Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides); Oomycetes (e.g. Phytophthora, Peronospora, Bremia, Pythium, Plasmopara).

Target crops for the areas of indication disclosed herein comprise within the scope of this invention e.g. the following species of plants: cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, sorghum and related crops); beet (sugar beet and fodder beet); pomes, stone fruit and soft fruit (apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries and black-berries); leguminous plants (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans); oil plants (rape, mustard, poppy, olives, sunflowers, coconut, castor oil plants, cocoa beans, groundnuts); cucumber plants (marrows, cucumbers, melons); fibre plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute); citrus fruit (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins); vegetables (spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika); lauraceae (avocados, cinnamon, camphor); or plants such as maize, tobacco, nuts, coffee, sugar cane, tea, vines, hops, turf, bananas and natural rubber plants, as well as ornamentals (flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees and evergreens, such as conifers) and their seeds. This list does not represent any limitation.

The combinations of the present invention may also be used in the area of protecting technical material against attack of fungi. Technical areas include wood, paper, leather, constructions, cooling and heating systems, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and the like. The combinations according the present invention can prevent the disadvantageous effects such as decay, discoloration or mold.

The combinations according to the present invention are particularly effective against powdery mildews and rusts, pyrenophora, rhynchosporium and leptosphaeria fungi, in particular against pathogens of monocotyledonous plants such as cereals, including wheat and barley. They are furthermore particularly effective against downy mildew species, especially against plasmopara in vine.

The amount of combination of the invention to be applied, will depend on various factors such as the compound employed, the subject of the treatment (plant, soil, seed), the type of treatment (e.g. spraying, dusting, seed dressing), the purpose of the treatment (prophylactic or therapeutic), the type of fungi to be treated and the application time.

Particularly preferred mixing partners of the compounds of formula II are those in which R

3

is methyl or cyclopropyl. These compounds are commonly known as pyrimethanil and cyprodinil.

Particularly preferred mixing partners of the compounds of formula III are those in which R

4

and R

5

are Cl, R

6

and R

7

are H, R

8

is ethyl and A is the moiety (ii) (commonly known as etaconazole); those in which R

4

and R

5

are Cl, R

11

is allyloxy and A is the moiety (ix) (commonly known as imazalil); those wherein R

4

is chloro, R

5

, R

6

and R

7

are H, R

8

is n-butyl and A is the moiety (xiv) (commonly known as myclobutanil); and those wherein R

4

is phenyl, R

6

, R

7

and R

8

are methyl and A is the moiety (xv) (commonly known as bitertanol).

Particularly preferred mixing partners of the compounds of formula IV are those wherein R

12

is cyclododecyl (commonly known as dodemorph). Predominantly, the cis-positioning of the methyl groups at the morpholine ring is present in the compounds of formula IV when used in the combinations of the invention.

Particularly preferred mixing partners of the compounds of formula V are those wherein X is O, Y is N and R

13

is 4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-aza-2-oxa-3-pentenyl.

Particularly preferred mixing partners of the compounds of formula VI are those wherein R

14

and R

15

are both chloro (commonly known as fenpiclonil); or wherein R

14

and R

15

together form a bridge —O—CF

2

—O— (commonly known as fludioxonil).

Particularly preferred mixing partners of the compounds of formula VII are those wherein R

16

is benzyl, R

20

and R

21

are methyl and R

17

is 1-methoxycarbonyl-ethyl (commonly known as benalaxyl); or wherein R

16

is 2-furanyl, R

20

and R

21

are methyl and R

17

is 1-methoxycarbonyl-ethyl (commonly known as furalaxyl); or wherein R

16

is methoxymethyl, R

20

and R

21

are methyl and R

17

is 1-methoxycarbonyl-ethyl or is (R)-1-methoxycarbonyl-ethyl (commonly known as metalaxyl and R-metalaxyl); or wherein R

16

is chloromethyl, R

20

and R

21

are methyl and R

17

is

whereby Z is CH (commonly known as orfurace); or wherein R

16

is methoxymethyl, R

20

and R

21

are methyl and R

17

is

whereby Z is N (commonly known as oxadixyl); or wherein R

16

is

and R

17

, R

20

and R

21

is hydrogen (commonly known as carboxin).

Particularly preferred mixing partners of the compounds of formula VIII are those wherein R

18

and R

19

together form the bridge —CH

2

—CH═CH—CH

2

— (commonly known as captan); or wherein R

18

and R

19

together form the bridge ═CH—CH═CH—CH═ (commonly known as folpet).

The compound of formula IX is commonly known as prochloraz.

The compound of formula X is commonly known as triflumizole.

The compound of formula XI is commonly known as pyrifenox.

The compound of formula XII is commonly known as acibenzolar-S-methyl.

The compound of formula XIII is commonly known as chlorothalonil.

The compound of formula XIV is commonly known as cymoxanil.

The compound of formula XV is commonly known as dimethomorph.

The compound of formula XVI is commonly known as famoxadone.

The compound of formula XVII is commonly known as fenhexamide.

The compound of formula XIX is commonly known as fluazinam.

The compound of formula XX is commonly known as fosetyl-aluminium.

The compound of formula XXI is commonly known as quinoxyfen.

The compound of formula XXIII is commonly known as spiroxamine.

The compound of formula XXIV is commonly known as carbendazime.

The compound of formula XXV is commonly known as thiabendazole.

The compound of formula XXVI is commonly known as ethirimol.

The compound of formula XXVII is commonly known as triazoxide.

The compound of formula XXVIII is commonly known as guazatine.

The specific compounds b) mentioned in the preceding paragraphs are commercially available. Other compounds falling under the scope of the various groups of component b) are obtainable according to procedures analogous to those known for preparing the commercially available compounds.

It has been found that the use of compounds of formulae II to XXVIII in combination with the compound of formula I surprisingly and substantially enhance the effectiveness of the latter against fungi, and vice versa. Additionally, the method of the invention is effective against a wider spectrum of such fungi that can be combated with the active ingredients of this method, when used solely.

Specific preferred mixtures according to the present invention are understood to be represented by the combinations of active ingredients of formula I, or any of the subgroups of formula I, or specifically mentioned members of the subgroups with a second fungicide selected from the group comprising pyrimethanil, cyprodinil, etaconazole, imazalil, myclobutanil, bitertanol, dodemorph, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, zineb, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, oxine-copper, sulfur, methyl 2-{2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-aza-2-oxa-3-pentenyl]-phenyl}-2-methoxyimino-acetate, fenpicionil, fludioxonil, benalaxyl, furalaxyl, metalaxyl, R-metalaxyl, orfurace, oxadixyl, carboxin, captan, folpet, prochloraz, triflumizole, pyrifenox, acibenzolar-S-methyl, chlorothalonil, cymoxanil, dimethomorph, famoxadone, fenhexamide, fluazinam, fosetyl-aluminium, quinoxyfen, spiroxamine, carbendazime, thiabendazol, ethirimol, triazoxide and guazatine.

From this group a subgroup b1 is preferred comprising combinations with prochloraz.

A further preferred subgroup b2 comprises combinations with comprising cyprodinil, methyl 2-{2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-aza-2-oxa-3-pentenyl]-phenyl}-2-methoxyimino-acetate, acibenzolar-S-methyl, chlorothalonil, famoxadone, quinoxyfen and carbendazime.

From this group combinations with cyprodinil, methyl 2-{2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-aza-2-oxa-3-pentenyl]-phenyl}-2-methoxyimino-acetate and acibenzolar-S-methyl are of particular interest as preferred embodiments of this invention as subgroup b2a.

Further combinations of interest are the following:

compound I.1 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a;

compound I.2 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a;

compound I.3 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a;

compound I.4 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a.

compound I.5 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a;

compound I.6 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a;

compound I.7 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of groups b2a;

compound I.8 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a;

compound I.9 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a;

compound I.10 with any member of groups b1 and b2, or with any member of group b2a.

The weight ratio of a):b) is so selected as to give a synergistic fungicidal action. In general the weight ratio of a):b) is between 100:1 and 1:400. The synergistic action of the composition is apparent from the fact that the fungicidal action of the composition of a)+b) is greater than the sum of the fungicidal actions of a) and b).

Where the component b) is an anilinopyrimidine of formula II the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:2 and 1:36, especially 1:2 and 1:18, and more preferably 1:3 and 1:8.

Where the component b) is an azole fungicide of formula III the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 10:1 and 1:20, especially 5:1 and 1:10, and more preferably 2:1 and 1:4.

Where component b) is a morpholine fungicide of formula IV, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:2 and 1:30, especially 1:3 and 1:15, and more preferably 1:3 and 1:10.

Where component b) is a strobilurin fungicide of formula V, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 2:1 and 1:10, especially 1:1.5 and 1:8, and more preferably 1:2 and 1:5.

Where component b) is a pyrrole fungicide of formula VI, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 80:1 and 1:30, especially 10:1 and 1:7, and more preferably 10:1 and 1:5.

Where component b) is a phenylamide fungicide of formula VII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 3:1 and 1:12, especially 2.5:1 and 1:6, and more preferably 2:1 to 1:3.

Where component b) is a dithiocarbamate fungicide, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:3 and 1:120, especially 1:4 and 1:60, and more preferably 1:7 and 1:25.

Where component b) is a copper compound fungicide, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:1.5 and 1:100, especially 1:2 and 1:50, and more preferably 1:5 and 1:30.

Where component b) is a sulfur fungicide, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:6 and 1:400, especially 1:8 and 1:200, and more preferably 1:10 and 1:100.

Where component b) is a phthalimide fungicide of formula VIII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:3 and 1:80, especially 1:4 and 1:40, and more preferably 1:8 and 1:20.

Where component b) is the compound of formula IX, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:2 and 1:25, especially 1:4 and 1:12, and more preferably 1:5 and 1:8.

Where component b) is the compound of formula X, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 3:1 and 1:16, especially 2.5:1 and 1:8, and more preferably 1:1 and 1:4.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XI, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 8:1 and 1:4, especially 2.5:1 and 1:2, and more preferably 2:1 and 1:1.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 6:1 and 1:2, especially 6:1 and 2:1, and more preferably 5:1 and 2:1.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XIII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:3 and 1:40, especially 1:4 and 1:20, and more preferably 1:5 and 1:10.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XIV, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 3:1 and 1:8, especially 2.5:1 and 1:4, and more preferably 2:1 and 1:2.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XV, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1.5:1 and 1:12, especially 1:1 and 1:6, and more preferably 1:1 and 1:4.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XVI, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1.5:1 and 1:10, especially 1:1 and 1:5, and more preferably 1:1 and 1:3.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XVII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 2:1 and 1:30, especially 1.5:1 and 1:15, and more preferably 1:1 and 1:5.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XIX, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1.5:1 and 1:12, especially 1:1 and 1:6, and more preferably 1:1 and 1:4.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XX, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:3 and 1:80, especially 1:4 and 1:40 and more preferably 1:1 and 1:25.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XXI, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 2:1 and 1:5, especially 1.5:1 and 1:2.5, and more preferably 1:1 and 1:2.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XXIII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:2.5 and 1:30, especially 1:3 and 1:15, and more preferably 1:3 and 1:10.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XXIV, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1.5:1 and 1:10, especially 1:1 and 1:5, and more preferably 1:2 and 1:4.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XXV, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:2.5 and 1:30, especially 1:3 and 1:15, and more preferably 1:3 and 1:10.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XXVI, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:2 and 1:30, especially 1:3 and 1:15, and more preferably 1:3 and 1:10.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XXVII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:5 and 1:30, especially 1:3 and 1.15, and more preferably 1:3 and 1:10.

Where component b) is the compound of formula XXVIII, the weight ratio of a):b) is for example between 1:2.5 and 1:30, especially 1:3 and 1:15, and more preferably 1:3 and 1:10.

The method of the invention comprises applying to the plants to be treated or the locus thereof in admixture or separately, a fungicidally effective aggregate amount of a compound of formula I and a compound of component b).

The term locus as used herein is intended to embrace the fields on which the treated crop plants are growing, or where the seeds of cultivated plants are sown, or the place where the seed will be placed into the soil. The term seed is intended to embrace plant propagating material such as cuttings, seedlings, seeds, germinated or soaked seeds.

The novel combinations are extremely effective on a broad spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi, in particular from the Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes classes. Some of them have a systemic action and can be used as foliar and soil fungicides.

The fungicidal combinations are of particular interest for controlling a large number of fungi in various crops or their seeds, especially wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, maize, lawns, cotton, soybeans, coffee, sugarcane, fruit and ornamentals in horticulture and viticulture, and in vegetables such as cucumbers, beans and cucurbits.

The combinations are applied by treating the fungi or the seeds, plants or materials threatened by fungus attack, or the soil with a fungicidally effective amount of the active ingredients.

The agents may be applied before or after infection of the materials, plants or seeds by the fungi.

The novel combinations are particularly useful for controlling the following plant diseases:

Erysiphe graminis

in cereals,

Erysiphe cichoracearum

and

Sphaerotheca fuliginea

in cucurbits,

Podosphaera leucotricha

in apples,

Uncinula necator

in vines,

Puccinia species in cereals,

Rhizoctonia species in cotton, rice and lawns,

Ustilago species in cereals and sugarcane,

Venturia inaequalis

(scab) in apples,

Helminthosporium species in cereals,

Septoria nodorum

in wheat,

Septoria tritici

in wheat wheat,

Rhynchosporium secalis

on barley,

Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides

in wheat and barley,

Pyrenophera teres

in barley,

Phytophthora infestans

in potatoes and tomatoes,

Fusarium and Verticillium species in various plants,

Plasmopara viticola

in grapes,

Alternaria species in fruit and vegetables.

When applied to the plants the compound of formula I is applied at a rate of 25 to 150 g/ha, particularly 50 to 125 g/ha, e.g. 75, 100, or 125 g/ha, in association with 20 to 3000 g/ha, particularly 20 to 2000 g/ha, e.g. 20 g/ha, 30 g/ha, 40 g/ha, 75 g/ha, 80 g/ha, 100 g/ha, 125 g/ha, 150 g/ha, 175 g/ha, 200 g/ha, 300 g/ha, 500 g/ha, 1000 g/ha, 1200 g/ha, 1500 g/ha, 2000 g/ha, or in some cases like sulfur up to 10000 g/ha of a compound of component b), depending on the class of chemical employed as component b).

Where the component b) is an anilinopyrimidine of formula II for example 300 to 900 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is an azole fungicide of formula III for example 20 to 350 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is an morpholine of formula IV for example 300 to 750 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is a strobilurin of formula V for example 75 to 250 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is a pyrrole of formula VI for example 200 to 750 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is a phenylamide of formula VII for example 50 to 300 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is a dithiocarbamate for example 500 to 3000 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is a copper compound for example 250 to 2500 g a.i. is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is sulfur for example 1000 to 10000 g a.i. is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is a phthalimide of formula VIII for example 500 to 2000 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula IX for example 400 to 600 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula X for example 50 to 400 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XI for example 20 to 100 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XII for example 20 to 40 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XIII for example 500 to 1000 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XIV for example 50 to 200 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XV for example 100 to 300 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XVI for example 125 to 250 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XVII for example 100 to 750 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XIX for example 100 to 300 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XX for example 500 to 2000 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XXI for example 75 to 125 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XXIII for example 375 to 750 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XXIV for example 125 to 250 g a.i./ha is applied in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XXV for example 5 to 200 g a.i./100 kg is applied for seed dressing in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XXVI for example 200 g a.i./100 kg is applied for seed dressing in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XXVII for example 2 g a.i./100 kg is applied for seed dressing in association with the compound of formula I. Where the component b) is the compound of formula XXVIII for example 40 to 80 g a.i./100 kg is applied for seed dressing in association with the compound of formula I.

In agricultural practice the application rates of the combination depend on the type of effect desired, and range from 0.02 to 4 kg of active ingredient per hectare.

When the active ingredients are used for treating seed, rates of 0.001 to 50 g a.i. per kg, and preferably from 0.01 to 10 g per kg of seed are generally sufficient.

The invention also provides fungicidal compositions comprising a compound of formula I and a compound of component b).

The composition of the invention may be employed in any conventional form, for example in the form of a twin pack, an instant granulate, a flowable or a wettable powder in combination with agriculturally acceptable adjuvants. Such compositions may be produced in conventional manner, e.g. by mixing the active ingredients with appropriate adjuvants (diluents or solvents and optionally other formulating ingredients such as surfactants).

The term diluent as used herein means any liquid or solid agriculturally acceptable material including carriers which may be added to the active constituents to bring them in an easier or improved applicable form, respectively, to a usable or desirable strength of activity. Suitable solvents are: aromatic hydrocarbons, preferably the fractions containing 8 to 12 carbon atoms, e.g. xylene mixtures or substituted naphthalenes, phthalates, such as dibutyl phthalate or dioctyl phthalate, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, alcohols and glycols and their ethers and esters, such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, ketones, such as cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethylformamide, as well as vegetable oils or epoxidised vegetable oils, such as epoxidised coconut oil or soybean oil; or water. The solid carriers used, e.g. for dusts and dispersible powders, are normally natural mineral fillers, such as calcite, talcum, kaolin, montmorillonite or attapulgite. In order to improve the physical properties it is also possible to add highly dispersed silicic acid or highly dispersed absorbent polymers. Suitable granulated adsorptive carriers are porous types, for example pumice, broken brick, sepiolite or bentonite, and suitable non-absorbent carriers are, for example, calcite or sand. In addition, a great number of materials of inorganic or organic nature can be used, e.g. especially dolomite or pulverized plant residues. Depending upon the nature of the compounds of formula I and component b) to be formulated, suitable surface-active compounds are non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic surfactants having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties. The term “surfactants” will also be understood as comprising mixtures of surfactants. Particularly advantageous application-promoting adjuvants are also natural or synthetic phospholipids of the cephalin and lecithin series, e.g. phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol and lysolecithin.

Particularly formulations to be applied in spraying forms such as water dispersible concentrates or wettable powders may contain surfactants such as wetting and dispersing agents, e.g. the condensation product of formaldehyde with naphthalene sulphonate, an alkylarylsulphonate, a lignin sulphonate, a fatty alkyl sulphate, and ethoxylated alkylphenol and an ethoxylated fatty alcohol.

A seed dressing formulation is applied in a manner known per se to the seeds employing the combination of the invention and a diluent in suitable seed dressing formulation form, e.g. as an aqueous suspension or in a dry powder form having good adherence to the seeds. Such seed dressing formulations are known in the art. Seed dressing formulations may contain the single active ingredients or the combination of active ingredients in encapsulated form, e.g. as slow release capsules or microcapsules.

In general, the formulations include from 0.01 to 90% by weight of active agent, from 0 to 20% agriculturally acceptable surfactant and 10 to 99.99% solid or liquid adjuvant(s), the active agent consisting of at least the compound of formula I together with a compound of component b), and optionally other active agents, particularly microbes or conservatives or the like.

Concentrate forms of compositions generally contain in between about 2 and 80%, preferably between about 5 and 70% by weight of active agent. Application forms of formulation may for example contain from 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight of active agent.

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the invention, “active ingredient” denoting a mixture of compound I and a compound of component b) in a specific mixing ratio. Formulations may be prepared analogously to those described in, for example, WO 97/33890.

Slow Release Capsule Suspension

28 parts of a combination of the compound of formula I and a compound of component b), or of each of these compounds separately, are mixed with 2 parts of an aromatic solvent and 7 parts of toluene diisocyanate/polymethylene-polyphenylisocyanate-mixture (8:1). This mixture is emulsified in a mixture of 1.2 parts of polyvinylalcohol, 0.05 parts of a defoamer and 51.6 parts of water until the desired particle size is achieved. To this emulsion a mixture of 2.8 parts 1,6-diaminohexane in 5.3 parts of water is added. The mixture is agitated until the polymerization reaction is completed.

The obtained capsule suspension is stabilized by adding 0.25 parts of a thickener and 3 parts of a dispersing agent. The capsule suspension formulation contains 28% of the active ingredients. The medium capsule diameter is 8-15 microns.

Seed Dressing Formulation

25 parts of a combination of the compound of formula I and a compound of component b), 15 parts of diaikylphenoxypoly(ethylenoxy)ethanol, 15 parts of fine silica, 44 parts of fine kaolin, 0.5 parts of Rhodamine B as a colorant and 0.5 parts of Xantham Gum are mixed and ground in a contraplex mill at approx. 10000 rpm to an average particle size of below 20 microns.

The resulting formulation is applied to seeds as an aqueous suspension in an apparatus suitable for that purpose.

Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

A synergistic effect exists whenever the action of an active ingredient combination is greater than the sum of the actions of the individual components.

The action to be expected E for a given active ingredient combination obeys the so-called COLBY formula and can be calculated as follows (COLBY, S. R. “Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combination”. Weeds, Vol. 15, pages 20-22; 1967):

ppm=milligrams of active ingredient (=a.i.) per liter of spray mixture

X=% action by active ingredient I using p ppm of active ingredient

Y=% action by active ingredient II using q ppm of active ingredient.

According to Colby, the expected (additive) action of active ingredients I+II using p+q ppm of active ingredient is

E

=

X

+

Y

-

X

·

Y

100

If the action actually observed (O) is greater than the expected action (E), then the action of the combination is superadditive, i.e. there is a synergistic effect.

Alternatively the synergistic action may also be determined from the dose response curves according to the so-called WADLEY method. With this method the efficacy of the a.i. is determined by comparing the degree of fungal attack on treated plants with that on untreated, similarly inoculated and incubated check plants. Each a.i. is tested at 4 to 5 concentrations. The dose response curves are used to establish the EC90 (i.e. concentration of a.i. providing 90% disease control) of the single compounds as well as of the combinations (EC 90

observed

). The thus experimentally found values of the mixtures at a given weight ratio are compared with the values that would have been found were only a complementary efficacy of the components was present (EC 90 (A+B)

expected

). The EC90 (A+B)

expected

is calculated according to Wadley (Levi et al., EPPO-Bulletin 16, 1986, 651-657):

EC

⁢

⁢

90

⁢

⁢

(

A

+

B

)

expected

=

a

+

b

a

EC

⁢

⁢

90

⁢

⁢

(

A

)

observed

+

b

EC

⁢

⁢

90

⁢

⁢

(

B

)

observed

wherein a and b are the weight ratios of the compounds A and B in the mixture and the indexes (A), (B), (A+B) refer to the observed EC 90 values of the compounds A, B or the given combination A+B thereof. The ratio EC90 (A+B)

expected

/EC90 (A+B)

obseved

expresses the factor of interaction (F). In case of synergism, F is >1.

Example B-1

Efficacy Against

Erysiphe graminis

f.sp.

tritici

on Wheat

Wheat plants c.v. “Arina”, about 10 days old, are sprayed with aqueous suspensions of the active ingredients or mixtures thereof. One day later, the plants are inoculated by dusting with spores of

Erysiphe graminis.

The tests may also be carried out with curative applications, i.e. application 1-3 days after artificial inoculation of the plants. The plants are incubated in the greenhouse or in climate chambers at 20° C., 70% relative humidity. 7 to 10 days after inoculation, fungal attack on primary leaves is assessed.

Results

TABLE 1

Mixture I.2 + fludioxonil (compound VI wherein R

14

and R

15

together

form a bridge —CF

2

—O—)

cmpd. I.2

Fludioxonil

% activity

% activity

Colby's

ppm

ppm

Ratio

observed

expected

factor

—

—

—

 0 (control)

10

 5

25

 7

50

16

100

10

250

22

100

14

250

20

500

27

10

250

1:25

50

24

2.1

25

250

1:10

56

25

2.2

50

250

1:5

59

33

1.8

50

500

1:10

70

39

1.8

100

100

1:1

40

23

1.7

100

250

1:2.5

61

28

2.2

100

500

1:5

84

35

2.4

250

250

1:1

91

37

2.4

250

500

1:2

94

43

2.2

TABLE 2

Mixture I.2 + cyprodinil (compound II wherein R

3

is cyclopropyl)

cmpd. I.2

Cyprodinil

% activity

% activity

Colby's

ppm

ppm

Ratio

observed

expected

factor

—

—

—

 0 (control)

2.5

 0

5

 0

10

 5

10

 0

25

15

2.5

25

1:10

36

15

2.5

5

10

1:2

28

0

not

calculated

(E = 0)

5

25

1:5

50

15

3.4

10

25

1:2.5

42

19

2.2

TABLE 2

Mixture I.2 + cyprodinil (compound II wherein R

3

is cyclopropyl)

cmpd. I.2

Cyprodinil

% activity

% activity

Colby's

ppm

ppm

Ratio

observed

expected

factor

—

—

—

 0 (control)

2.5

 0

5

 0

10

 5

10

 0

25

15

2.5

25

1:10

36

15

2.5

5

10

1:2

28

0