阅读说明：本技术 新型作物营养与强化组合物 (Novel crop nutrition and fortification compositions ) 是由 阿鲁恩·维塔尔·沙旺特 萨卡帕·瓦达卡库塔 于 2019-05-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种水分散性粒状组合物,其包括重量占0.1％至70％的锰盐,其络合物,衍生物或混合物,重量占1％至90％的元素硫和重量占1％至30％的分散剂,粒度在0.1-2.5mm范围内,并且粒子在0.1-20微米范围内。本发明进一步涉及液体悬浮液组合物,其包括重量占0.1％至5％的锰盐,其络合物,衍生物或混合物,重量占1％至60％的元素硫,至少一种结构剂和至少一种表面活性剂,其中该组合物具有0.1-20微米的粒度范围。本发明还涉及制备作物营养和强化组合物的方法,并涉及用该组合物处理植物,种子,作物,植物繁殖材料,基因座,其部分或土壤的方法。(The present invention relates to a water dispersible granular composition comprising from 0.1% to 70% by weight of a manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof, from 1% to 90% by weight of elemental sulphur and from 1% to 30% by weight of a dispersant, having a particle size in the range of 0.1-2.5mm and particles in the range of 0.1-20 microns. The invention further relates to a liquid suspension composition comprising from 0.1% to 5% by weight of a manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof, from 1% to 60% by weight of elemental sulphur, at least one structuring agent and at least one surfactant, wherein the composition has a particle size range of from 0.1 to 20 microns. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a crop nutrition and fortification composition and to a method for treating plants, seeds, crops, plant propagation material, loci, parts thereof or soil with such a composition.)

1. A liquid suspension composition for crop nutrition and fortification, wherein the liquid composition comprises:

elemental sulfur, which constitutes from 1% to 60% by weight of the total composition;

at least one manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof in a concentration of 0.1% to 55% by weight of the total composition;

at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient; and the combination of (a) and (b),

at least one structuring agent present in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition; and

wherein the composition comprises particles having a size of 0.1 to 20 microns.

2. A water dispersible granular composition of a composition for crop nutrition and fortification, wherein the composition comprises:

elemental sulfur, which constitutes from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition;

at least one manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof, present in an amount of 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition; and

at least one dispersant in the range of 1% to 30% w/w by weight of the total composition; and

wherein the particles of the composition are in the range of 0.1-2.5mm and comprise particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

3. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the manganese salt comprises at least one water-soluble and/or water-insoluble salt or complex or derivative or mixture thereof.

4. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the manganese salt comprises at least one water-insoluble manganese salt or complex or derivative or mixture thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water insoluble manganese salt comprises at least one of the following manganese oxides; manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; manganese (VII) oxide, manganese (VII) heptaoxide; manganous oxide or manganese-manganese oxide or rhodochrosite; manganese hydroxide; manganese dioxide; manganese hydroxide; rhodochrosite; manganese phosphate; manganese phosphate heptahydrate; manganese (II) phosphate; manganese diphosphate; ternary manganese phosphate; manganese carbonyl; manganese dioxide; manganese dioxide, (manganese (IV) oxide), manganese dioxide; manganese diselenide; manganese tetraoxide; manganese carbonate manganese molybdate; manganese selenide; manganese telluride; manganese titanate; manganese nitride; manganese oxalate; manganese ferrocyanide; manganese fluoride; manganese borate; manganese sulfide; manganese sesquioxide; manganese peroxide; manganese ferrocyanide; manganese sulfide; manganese dioxide; manganese black; pyrolusite; manganese superoxide and complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water insoluble manganese salt comprises at least one of the following manganese oxides; manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; manganese (VII) oxide, manganese (VII) heptaoxide; manganese hydroxide; manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide; manganese carbonate; manganese oxalate; manganese borate and complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

7. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water soluble manganese salt comprises: at least one of manganous oxide, manganese acetate, manganese diacetate, manganese gluconate, manganese bromide, manganese chloride, manganese iodide, manganese succinate, manganese fumarate, manganese nitrate, manganese dichloride, sodium manganate, potassium permanganate, manganese citrate, manganese bicarbonate, manganese dichromate, manganese fluorosilicate, manganese ammonium phosphate, manganese zinc ferrite, manganese chloride tetrahydrate, manganese bromide, sodium manganate, manganese sulfate, manganese chelates, and complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

8. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water soluble manganese salt comprises: manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate; manganese citrate; manganese bicarbonate; manganese ammonium phosphate; and at least one of a complex, derivative or mixture thereof.

9. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water soluble manganese salt is at least one of the following manganese oxides; manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; manganese (VII) oxide, manganese (VII) heptaoxide; manganese hydroxide; manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide; manganese carbonate; manganese oxalate; manganese borate; manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate; manganese citrate; manganese bicarbonate; manganese phosphate; manganese sulphate and complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

10. The water dispersible granular composition of claim 2, wherein the composition is in the form of particles having a size of 0.1mm to 1.5 mm.

11. The water dispersible granule composition of claim 2, wherein the particles of the composition comprise particles having a size of 0.1 to 10 microns.

12. The liquid suspension composition according to claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof to elemental sulfur is from 1: 600 to 55: 1.

13. The liquid suspension composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof to elemental sulfur is from 1:50 to 35: 1; preferably, the weight ratio of the manganese salt or salts, complex, derivative or mixture thereof to elemental sulphur is 1:10 to 10: 1, and more preferably, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof to elemental sulfur is 1: 2.5 to 1.5: 1.

14. a water dispersible granular composition according to claim 2 wherein the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof to elemental sulphur is from 1:90 to 70: 1; preferably, the weight ratio of the manganese salt or salts, complex, derivative or mixture thereof to elemental sulphur is from 1:90 to 3.5: 1.

15. the liquid composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the composition is in the range of 10cps to 1200 cps.

16. The liquid composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the composition is in the range of 10cps to 500 cps.

17. The liquid composition of claim 1, wherein the structurant comprises one or more of a thickening agent, a viscosity modifier, a viscosity increasing agent, a suspending agent, a rheology modifier, and an anti-settling agent.

18. The liquid suspension composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises one or more agrochemically acceptable excipients selected from one or more surfactants.

19. The liquid suspension composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more agrochemically acceptable excipients selected from one or more of dispersants, wetting agents, water miscible solvents, wetting agents, spreading agents, penetrants, stickers, anti-drift agents, uv absorbers, uv scatterers, preservatives, stabilisers, buffers or pH adjusting or neutralizing agents, anti-freeze or freezing point depressants, anti-foaming agents and anti-caking agents.

20. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition has a degree of suspension of at least 30%.

21. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition further optionally comprises at least one additional active ingredient selected from: one or more of micronutrients, macronutrients, biostimulants, pesticidally active ingredients, at least one fertilizer selected from the group consisting of: one or more of nitrogenous fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer and potash fertilizer, and selected from salt, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

22. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the micronutrient, salt thereof, complex thereof, derivative or mixture is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 70% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 1 to 40% by weight of the total composition.

23. The water dispersible granular composition of claim 2, wherein the composition further comprises an agrochemically acceptable excipient selected from one or more of disintegrants, wetting agents, binders or fillers or carriers or diluents, buffering or pH adjusting or neutralizing agents, antifoaming agents, drift reducing agents, anti-caking agents, spreading agents, osmotic agents, sticking agents and mixtures thereof.

24. The water dispersible granular composition of claim 2, wherein the composition has a dispersibility of at least 40%.

25. A method of preparing a liquid suspension crop nutrition and fortification composition comprising elemental sulfur, at least one manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof, at least one structuring agent and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient, wherein the method comprises: grinding a mixture of elemental sulphur, at least one manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof, at least one structuring agent and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient to obtain a slurry or wet mixture having a particle size of 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

26. A process for the preparation of a water dispersible granular composition for crop nutrition and fortification, wherein the composition comprises elemental sulphur, at least one manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof, at least one dispersant; wherein the method comprises the following steps:

a. grinding a mixture of elemental sulphur, at least one manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof and at least one dispersant to obtain a slurry or wet mixture; and

b. drying the wet mixture to obtain the water dispersible granular composition having a particle size in the range of 0.1mm to 2.5mm and comprising particles having a particle size in the range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the grinding step further comprises adding other agrochemically acceptable excipients selected from at least one of disintegrants, wetting agents, binders or fillers or carriers or diluents, buffers or pH adjusting or neutralizing agents, antifoaming agents, drift agents, reducing agents, anticaking agents, spreading agents, penetrants and stickers.

28. A method of improving the health or yield of a plant, the method comprising treating at least one of a plant, plant propagation material, locus or part thereof, seed, seedling or surrounding soil with a crop nutrition and fortification composition according to claim 1 or 2.

29. Use of a composition according to claim 1 or 2 as at least one of a fertilizer composition, a nutritional composition, a crop enhancer composition, a soil amendment composition and a stimulation agent composition.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a crop nutrition and fortification composition comprising an effective amount of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulfur and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient. The particle size of the composition is in the range of about 0.1 microns to 20 microns. More particularly, the present invention relates to crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of liquid suspensions comprising an effective amount of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof; elemental sulfur, at least one structuring agent, and at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient, wherein the liquid suspension composition has a particle size of about 0.1 to 20 microns. The invention further relates to a water dispersible granule composition comprising one or more of a manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture; elemental sulfur and at least one dispersant, wherein the particles of the water dispersible granular composition are 0.1mm to 2.5mm in size and have a particle size of 0.1 to 20 microns. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules and liquid suspensions, and to a method for the treatment of plants, seeds, crops, plant propagation material, loci, parts thereof or soil for use as a phyto-nutrition and fortification composition.

Background

In describing embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology is selected for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Various metal ions are indispensable elements in plant nutrition and soil fertility, and the deficiency thereof is often the cause of poor plant growth and development. Of particular importance for plant growth are iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron and other micronutrients. It can be seen that the productivity of intensive agriculture and crops is increasing to meet the food and nutritional needs of the growing population, leading to a depletion of soil fertility. Due to intensive agriculture and increased grain production rates, micronutrient deficiencies in soils (particularly manganese) have become prevalent in most agricultural soils throughout the world.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential nutrient element required for plant growth and reproduction, but the manganese content required by plants is relatively small, thus making it a micronutrient. Manganese is an integral part of enzymes and is also involved in photosynthesis, respiration, chloroplast formation, synthesis of certain enzymes and nitrogen assimilation. Manganese is also involved in pollen germination, pollen tube growth, root cell elongation and resistance to pests. In addition, it is involved in nitrogen fixation in plants.

In addition, the lack of multiple nutrients in soils and plants due to unbalanced fertilization and nutrient interactions, where one nutrient inhibits or increases the availability of other nutrients, is another important issue in agriculture to meet nutritional needs and increase crop productivity.

Manganese deficiency in plants is often responsible for leaflet greening (leaf vein greenish) on young leaves, sometimes with brownish pits in the brownish-yellow regions between veins. Due to manganese deficiency, the growth of plants may also be reduced and stunted. In addition, manganese malnutrition can also lead to poor nodulation of legume crops, resulting in reduced plant growth and productivity. Once incorporated into the upper tissues of a plant, manganese is relatively immobile and, as a result, migration of manganese from one plant to another is limited. Manganese deficiency is more pronounced when the pH in the soil is not balanced and manganese is not absorbed. Low fertilizer application rates, use of general purpose fertilizers (micronutrient content is usually reduced) and scarcity due to excessive leaching of nutrients may also result. Manganese deficiency in cereals (wheat, barley and oats), legumes (common legumes, peas and soybeans), stone fruits (apples, cherries and peaches), palm crops, citrus, potatoes, sugar beets and canola, etc., including reduced dry matter yield and yield per unit, reduced structural resistance to pathogens and tolerance to drought and drought in the case of dicotyledonous plants, manganese deficiency first causes leaf spotting, followed by classic intravenous chlorosis; dicotyledons may also develop brown spots under severe manganese deficiency; in cereals, manganese deficiency can result in greenish or yellow spots. This condition is known as gray mottle and is characterized by the formation of necrotic spots in older leaves.

In addition, it is difficult to manage manganese nutrition of crops due to factors such as carbonate level in soil, salinity, soil humidity, type of irrigation water, agronomic practice, type of fertilizer, soil alkalinity, low temperature, etc. Therefore, there is a need to provide manganese in an optimal ratio to the crop or soil in order to increase the uptake by the plants in a synergistic manner.

The ability of a plant to respond to manganese availability ultimately affects human nutrition, both in crop yield and in manganese concentration in edible tissues. Therefore, proper manganese nutrition at proper concentrations and dosages is critical to optimize plant nutrition and metabolism, which in turn helps to improve crop yield and quality.

Various fertilizers containing orthomanganese or manganese-enriched fertilizers containing various other nutrient elements are commercially available to meet the demand of plants for manganese.

It has been observed that known manganese fertilizers do not make efficient use of nutrients, resulting in reduced manganese utilization or absorption by plants. Therefore, large amounts of manganese fertilizers need to be applied to meet the small demand for manganese by plants. Such fertilizers result in an inadequate supply of manganese to the plant, are more prone to leaching losses and exhibit adverse interactions with other nutrient elements, thus inhibiting the utilization of nutrients required by the plant if not used in optimal dosages.

Furthermore, known manganese-based compositions in the form of pellets, pastilles, etc. have a large size distribution, resulting in poor suspension, uneven distribution in the soil and uneven coverage on the crops. In addition, these conventional fertilizers exist in a form that is not completely dissolved or not sufficiently dispersed. This presents a significant challenge to the user and the environment. Since these compositions are not completely dissolved, they leave a residue. Such commercial manganese-based compositions also tend to settle or precipitate at the bottom of the package or container to which it is applied, failing to exhibit the desired results, spreadability, and lack of ingredients that are properly distributed onto the crop for proper uptake.

The role of sulfur as an essential, growing nutrient and fertilizer is also well known. The most cost effective method of introducing sulfur into the soil is to use sulfur as elemental sulfur because it is 100% sulfur. The teachings in this field will prompt the skilled person to prepare compositions with larger particle sizes, since grinding elemental sulphur may pose a risk of explosion or fire, and therefore sulphur incorporated into the composition at reduced particle sizes remains a greater challenge. Conventionally, sulfur-based compositions known in the art, such as bentonite particles and sulfur pellets, have a relatively large particle size.

There is a need to make agricultural fertilizer compositions more effective, thereby inhibiting conversion to less stable forms in the soil, or increasing the availability of plant nutrients. The efficiency of the manganese fertilizer composition must be increased to increase the absorption of manganese by the plants.

Agricultural compositions comprising fertilizers and micronutrients are known in the art. Such compositions mostly discuss the grinding or comminution of insoluble micronutrients to form a fine powder or dust. However, merely grinding insoluble micronutrients and subsequently mixing other fertilisers, micronutrients and excipients will result in uneven mixing of the active ingredients in the formulation, which may be undesirable for its application and poor absorption of nutrients by plants.

Furthermore, the pastilles or pellets of micronutrients such as manganese and sulphur comprise an expanded clay whereby the pellets or pastilles swell on contact with moisture and thus disintegrate to release the active. Such granules or pastilles result in irregular release of micronutrients, resulting in poor field efficacy of the crop. Also, such lozenge compositions are only suitable for broadcast applications due to their disadvantage, i.e. poor dispersibility and suspensibility in water due to nozzle clogging in spray applications due to their large size, thereby causing problems in nutrient delivery to plants or crops. On the other hand, powder formulations are difficult to spread and pose a high risk to human health, since the end user flies the dust by inhalation and swallows the dust particles into the human body. Because of these disadvantages, such prior art lozenge compositions comprising manganese and sulfur are not commercially viable and have zero applicability in drip irrigation or sprinkler systems, becoming increasingly important due to labor shortages and water becoming a scarce resource.

In addition, other formulations disclosed in the art will lead one to highly concentrated viscous liquids, causing problems in practical applications. These highly concentrated formulations are difficult to dilute in water. Such highly concentrated formulations do not form stable dispersions and tend to form hard packs, thus making such compositions unsuitable for use. Such non-pourable viscous large particle size formulations tend to clog the nozzle and cause problems in nutrient delivery to the plant or crop.

Thus, there is no known or suitable composition comprising a combination of manganese and a fertilizer such as sulphur which can be effectively used as a nutrient to meet the needs of plants or to increase the efficiency of nutrient utilization or increase nutrient absorption and address the disadvantages of the known compositions described above.

Therefore, there is a need to develop a composition that provides nutrients such as manganese and sulfur to soil or plants in time according to the physiological needs of the plants. It is further desirable to provide a composition that is easily dispersed and remains suspended in water, is user friendly, improves yield, optimizes manganese and sulfur use while reducing application costs and still being used in lower amounts, thereby minimizing residual amounts and overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

The inventors have noted that the compositions of the present invention are synergistic in nature and, when formulated at a specific particle size, allow both sulphur and manganese to be readily absorbed by the plant and increase overall yield. Furthermore, it has been observed that the selection of a specific type of manganese salt in combination with elemental sulphur prevents the leaching of manganese and allows it to be sufficiently absorbed by the crops. Surprisingly, the inventors of the present application have determined that the manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof and elemental sulphur of the present invention comprising one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof provide excellent results in terms of yield, plant growth, vitality, vigor and crop protection. The inventors have determined that such crop plant nutrition and fortification compositions, comprising an effective amount of a manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof, an effective amount of elemental sulphur and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient, have a particle size of from 0.1 microns to 20 microns, exhibit excellent field efficacy, such as yield and growth of the crop plant and improved plant physiological parameters, such as increased rooting, improved foliage and increased green colour, and the like.

The compositions of the present invention also unexpectedly exhibit high nutrient utilization efficiency, whereby plants absorb higher amounts of manganese and sulfur nutrients by applying low doses of the compositions according to the present invention. The compositions of the present invention also unexpectedly exhibit excellent physical properties such as suspendability, dispersibility, flowability, wettability, pourability and improved viscosity. The compositions of the present invention also show excellent performance under accelerated storage and are also surprisingly effective for use in drip irrigation. Furthermore, plants treated with the compositions of the present invention also show improved disease resistance and show delayed pest infestation or infection. Moreover, the composition exhibits surprisingly higher field efficacy at reduced composition application doses.

Disclosure of Invention

The inventors have determined that water dispersible granular crop nutrition and fortification compositions comprising an effective amount of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulfur and at least one dispersant exhibit surprisingly higher yields in various crops, improve the physiological properties of the plants, and are readily available for use in micro-irrigation systems. The water dispersible granules comprise one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof in a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulphur in a concentration ranging from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition and at least one dispersant. The concentration of the dispersant ranges from 1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. The water dispersible granular composition for crop nutrition and fortification also includes an agrochemically acceptable excipient in the range of 1% to 98.9% by weight of the total composition. Further, the water dispersible granular crop nutrition and fortification composition ranges in size from 0.1mm to 2.5mm and includes particles ranging in size from 0.1 microns to 20 microns. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible granular composition for crop nutrition and fortification is in the form of particles having a size of 0.1mm to 1.5 mm. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible granule composition has little hardness. According to one embodiment, the manganese salt included in the water dispersible granule composition comprises a water soluble salt or a water insoluble salt.

Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have surprisingly found that crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of liquid suspensions comprise one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof; elemental sulfur; at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient and at least one structuring agent; in certain crops, high yield is shown, and the method can also be directly used for a micro-irrigation system.

According to one embodiment, the liquid suspension composition comprises a manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof in a concentration of 0.1% to 55% by weight of the total composition. The liquid suspension composition comprises elemental sulphur in a concentration range of from 1% to 60% by weight of the total composition. The agrochemical excipient is present at a concentration ranging from 1% to 98.9% by weight of the composition. The liquid suspension composition includes an agrochemically acceptable excipient, such as a surfactant. The surfactant is present in a concentration range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and the structuring agent is present in a concentration range of 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition. The liquid suspension composition includes particles having a size of 0.1 microns to 20 microns. According to one embodiment, the manganese salt comprised in the liquid suspension comprises a water soluble salt or a water insoluble salt.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a crop nutrition and fortification composition comprising an effective amount of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulphur and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient in the form of water dispersible granules and liquid suspension compositions, wherein the particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1 to 20 microns.

The present invention also relates to a method of treating plants, seeds, crops, plant propagation material, loci, parts thereof or soil with a crop nutrition and fortification composition comprising an effective amount of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulphur and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

The crop nutrition and fortification composition may be applied as a foliar spray or to the soil by broadcasting, curving/sideways placement, fertilizing or by drip irrigation. The latter adopts the mode of drip irrigation to further optimize the mode of farming, and the continuous increase of labor and water resource shortage brings great challenge to the mode of farming. Thus, the compositions of the present invention are used in all possible modes of application in varying agronomic practice, according to the convenience of the user.

According to one embodiment, the invention further relates to a method of improving soil fertility, plant health, improving crop nutrition, strengthening or enhancing plants, protecting plants, increasing plant yield or enhancing soil fertility or regulating soil, pest resistance of crops; the method comprises treating at least one of a seed, seedling, crop, plant propagation material, locus, part thereof or surrounding soil with a crop nourishing and enhancing composition of the present invention comprising an effective amount of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulfur and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

It was observed that the crop nutrition and fortification compositions exhibit good physical and chemical properties, are easily dispersible, have enhanced suspensibility, are non-tacky, are easily pourable, do not form a hard cake and have enhanced stability even when stored at higher temperatures for extended periods of time, and thus deliver excellent field performance.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 1 and described by way of the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates in graphical representation the observation of the carbohydrate content in leaves assessed at 50 days of sowing of the soybean crop by sampling from all treated plots. The average data is presented in the form of a graph illustrating the effect of different formulations of sulfur (S) + manganese dioxide (Mn) compositions on improving the carbohydrate content of soybean leaves. The figure shows that the compositions according to the examples of the invention show a synergistic effect with respect to the compositions known in the art, i.e. pellets/lozenges.

Detailed Description

In describing embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology is selected for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. It is to be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. Likewise, percentages of components in the composition are expressed as weight percentages, unless otherwise indicated.

Water dispersible granules can be defined as formulations consisting of particles to be applied after dispersion and suspension in water. As used herein, "WG" or "WDG" refers to a water dispersible granule.

According to the present invention, the term "liquid suspension" is defined as a stable suspension of the composition in a fluid, e.g. water or a water-miscible solvent, usually intended to be diluted with water before use. Furthermore, the term or phrase "liquid suspension" also encompasses "aqueous dispersion" or "aqueous suspension" or "suspension concentrate" or SC composition or "suspoemulsion" composition.

Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) is defined as the measure of how well a plant utilizes an existing mineral Nutrient. NUE improvement is a prerequisite to extend crop production to marginal lands where nutrient utilization is low, and a method to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers.

The present invention relates to a composition for the nutrition or fortification of crops comprising an effective amount of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof; elemental sulphur and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient having a particle size in the range of 0.1 to 20 microns, whereby the composition exhibits improved dispersibility and suspensibility. The concentration of the manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture is in the range of 0.1% to 70% w/w and the concentration of elemental sulphur is in the range of 1% to 90% w/w. In the range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns, the composition exhibits improved dispersibility and suspensibility.

According to one embodiment, the manganese salt comprises one or more water insoluble and/or water soluble salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

According to one embodiment, the manganese salt, complex or derivative thereof comprises in particular one or more water-insoluble salts. According to one embodiment, the water-insoluble salt includes, but is not limited to, one or more of manganese oxide, trimanganese tetroxide or mango-manganese oxide or hausmannite; manganese hydroxide, manganese phosphate heptahydrate, manganese carbonyl, manganese dioxide, manganese diselenide, manganese tetraoxide, manganese carbonate, manganese molybdate, manganese selenide, manganese telluride, manganese titanate, manganese nitride, manganese oxalate, manganese manganate, manganese borate, manganese sulfide, potassium permanganate, or permanganate; manganese sesquioxide, their complexes, derivatives and mixtures thereof. Oxides of manganese include manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese dioxide, (manganese (IV) oxide), manganese dioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganese heptaoxide. The manganese hydroxide includes manganese dihydroxide and manganese hydroxide. Manganese phosphates include manganese (II) phosphate, manganese diphosphate, and manganese trivalent phosphate. Manganese dioxide includes manganese (IV) oxide, manganese peroxide, manganese dioxide, manganese black, battery manganese, pyrolusite and hypermanganese. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other water-insoluble manganese salts may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to one embodiment, preferred water-insoluble salts of manganese include one or more oxides of manganese; manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganic oxide; manganese hydroxide manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide, manganese carbonate, manganese oxalate; manganese borate and complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

According to one embodiment, the manganese salt comprises one or more water soluble salts. According to one embodiment, water-soluble salts include, but are not limited to, manganese acetate, manganese diacetate, manganese gluconate, manganese succinate, manganese fumarate, potassium permanganate, manganese bromide, manganese chloride, including manganese dichloride, manganese dichromate, manganese sesquioxide; manganese iodide, manganese nitrate, manganese sulfate, manganese sulfide, manganese chelate, manganese ammonium phosphate, manganese citrate, manganese bicarbonate, manganese zinc ferrite, manganese chloride tetrahydrate, manganese fluorosilicate, sodium manganate and complexes, derivatives and mixtures thereof. Manganese chloride includes manganese dichloride, manganese chloride and manganese perchlorate; manganese sulfate includes manganese sulfate (II) monohydrate, manganese sulfate (II) and manganese sulfate heptahydrate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other water soluble manganese salts may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to another embodiment, preferred water-soluble salts include: manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate, manganese citrate; manganese ammonium manganese hydrogen carbonate phosphate; manganese sulfate and one or more of complex, derivative or mixture thereof.

According to yet another embodiment, the manganese salt comprises in particular one or more of the following manganese oxides: manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganic oxide; manganese hydroxide manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide manganese carbonate; manganese oxalate; manganese borate; manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate; manganese citrate; manganese bicarbonate; manganese ammonium phosphate; manganese sulphate and complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof

According to another embodiment, the manganese salts also include chelated forms, such as manganese ethylenediaminetetraacetate, manganese diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, and manganese lignosulfonate.

According to one embodiment, the manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in a concentration ranging from 1% to 55% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in a concentration ranging from 1% to 45% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in a concentration ranging from 1% to 25% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in a concentration ranging from 1% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 1% to 90% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 1% to 80% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 1% to 65% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 1% to 50% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 1% to 35% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 1% to 20% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition.

According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 20% to 90% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the elemental sulfur is present in an amount of 20% to 40% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition.

According to one embodiment, the average particle size of the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns. According to another embodiment, the average particle size of the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the range of 0.1 microns to 15 microns. According to one embodiment, the average particle size of the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the range of 0.1 microns to 10 microns.

According to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur is 1: 900 to 70: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur is from 1:90 to 70: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur is from 1:10 to 10: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur is 1:1 to 10: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur is 1:1 to 5: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur is 1:1 to 2: 1.

according to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in solid form or liquid form. For example, the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the form of a wettable powder, a liquid suspension, an aqueous suspension, a suspension concentrate, a suspoemulsion, a water dispersible granule, a seed dressing or seed treatment composition, and combinations thereof.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the form of a water dispersible granule. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprises one or more manganese salts, complexes or derivatives thereof at a concentration of from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, an elemental sulphur concentration in the range of from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition, and at least one dispersant at a concentration in the range of from 1% to 30% by weight. The size of the water dispersible particles is in the range of 0.1mm to 2.5mm and the particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns. The crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a water dispersible granule further comprises at least one agrochemical excipient.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprises in particular one or more manganese salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, which represent from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulphur represents from 20% to 90% by weight of the total composition, and at least one dispersing agent represents from 0.1% to 30% by weight of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a water dispersible granule comprises one or more water soluble manganese salts or water insoluble manganese salts.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprises in particular one or more water insoluble manganese salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, which represent from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulphur represents from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition, and the concentration of the at least one dispersant is from 1% to 30% by weight, wherein the particle size of the composition is from 0.1 micrometer to 20 micrometer. The size range of the water dispersible particles is 0.1mm to 2.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprises in particular one or more of the following manganese oxides; manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganic oxide; manganese hydroxide; manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide; manganese carbonate; manganese oxalate; manganese borates and their complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulphur from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition, and at least one dispersant, wherein the particle size of the composition is in the range of from 0.1 microns to 20 microns. The particle size of the water dispersible particles is in the range of 0.1mm to 2.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprises one or more water soluble manganese salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, which comprise from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulphur comprises from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition, and the concentration of the at least one dispersant ranges from 1% to 30% by weight, wherein the particle size of the composition is from 0.1 microns to 20 microns. The dispersible granules range in size from 0.1mm to 2.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a water dispersible granule comprises in particular one or more of: manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; (ii) a Manganese dichloride; (ii) a Manganese chloride; high chlorides of manganese; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate; manganese citrate; manganese bicarbonate; manganese phosphate; manganese sulfate; manganese (II) sulfate monohydrate; manganese sulfate (II); manganese sulfate heptahydrate; salts, complexes, derivatives and mixtures thereof, from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulphur from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition, and at least one dispersant in a concentration range from 1% to 30% by weight, wherein the particle size of the composition is from 0.1 microns to 20 microns. The particle size of the water dispersible granule is 0.1mm to 2.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the concentration of manganese sulfate ranges from 0.1% to 70% by weight, preferably at a concentration of more than 25% by weight, and more preferably at a concentration ranging from 26% to 70% by weight.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprises in particular one or more of the following manganese oxides; manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganic oxide; manganese hydroxide; manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide; manganese carbonate; manganese oxalate; manganese borate; manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate; manganese citrate; manganese bicarbonate; manganese ammonium phosphate; manganese sulfate; salts, complexes, derivatives and mixtures thereof, from 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulphur from 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition, at least one dispersant, wherein the particle size of the composition is in the range of from 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to the elemental sulphur in the form of water-dispersible granules is 1: 900 to 70: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to the elemental sulphur in the form of water-dispersible granules is 1:90 to 70: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to the elemental sulphur in the form of water-dispersible granules is 1: 900 to 3.5: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to the elemental sulphur in the form of water-dispersible granules is 1:10 to 10: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to the elemental sulphur in the form of water-dispersible granules is 1:1 to 10: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to the elemental sulphur in the form of water-dispersible granules is 1:1 to 5: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to the elemental sulphur in the form of water-dispersible granules is 1:1 to 2: 1.

according to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the form of water dispersible granules, wherein the size of the granules ranges from 0.1 to 2.5 mm. Preferably, according to one embodiment, the particle size of the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules is 0.1 to 2 mm. Preferably, according to one embodiment, the particle size of the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules ranges from 0.1 to 1.5 mm. Preferably, the particle size of the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible particles ranges from 0.1 to 1 mm. Most preferably, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules has a particle size in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the water dispersible granules are in the form of microparticles, wherein the size of the granules ranges from 0.1mm to 1.5 mm. The particles comprise particles ranging in size from 0.1 to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the form of a liquid suspension.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the form of a liquid suspension comprising from 0.1% to 55% by weight of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof and from 1% to 60% by weight of elemental sulphur. From 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition of at least one structuring agent and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient, wherein the particle size of the composition is in the range of from 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the liquid suspension comprises from 0.1% to 55% by weight of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof. According to one embodiment, the liquid suspension comprises from 0.1% to 45% by weight of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof. According to one embodiment, the liquid suspension comprises from 0.1% to 25% by weight of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof. According to one embodiment, the liquid suspension comprises from 0.1% to 10% by weight of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises from 1% to 60% by weight of elemental sulphur. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises from 1% to 45% by weight of elemental sulphur. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises from 1% to 35% by weight of elemental sulphur. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises from 1% to 20% by weight of elemental sulphur.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition is in the form of a liquid suspension comprising one or more water soluble or water insoluble manganese salts.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises in particular from 0.1% to 55% by weight of one or more water-insoluble manganese salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, from 1% to 60% by weight of the total composition of elemental sulphur; at least one agrochemical excipient and at least one structuring agent, in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition, wherein the particle size of the composition is from 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises in particular from 0.1% to 55% by weight of one or more of the following oxides of manganese; (ii) a Manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganic oxide; manganese hydroxide; manganese phosphate; manganese diphosphate; ternary manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide; (manganese (IV) oxide), manganese dioxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganic oxide; manganese carbonate; manganese borate; manganese oxalate; complexes, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof; elemental sulfur comprises from 1% to 60% by weight of the total composition; at least one agrochemical excipient; and from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition of at least one structuring agent, wherein the particle size of the composition is from 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises from 0.1% to 55% by weight of the total composition of one or more water soluble manganese salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, from 1% to 60% by weight of the total composition of elemental sulphur, at least one agrochemical excipient; and from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition of at least one structuring agent, wherein the particle size of the composition is from 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises in particular from 0.1% to 55% by weight of manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; manganese dichloride; manganese chloride; high chlorides of manganese; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate; manganese citrate; manganese bicarbonate; manganese phosphate; manganese sulfate; manganese (II) sulfate monohydrate; manganese sulfate; manganese sulfate heptahydrate; and one or more of complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof; elemental sulfur comprises from 1% to 60% by weight of the total composition; at least one agrochemical excipient; and from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition of at least one structuring agent, wherein the composition has a particle size of from 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises in particular from 0.1% to 55% by weight of one or more of the following oxides of manganese; manganese (II) oxide, manganese oxide (ferrite grade); manganese (II, III) oxide, trimanganese tetroxide; manganese (III) oxide, manganese sesquioxide; manganese (VI) oxide, manganese trioxide; and manganese (VII) oxide, manganic oxide; manganese hydroxide; manganese phosphate; manganese dioxide; manganese carbonate; manganese oxalate; manganese borate; manganese acetate; manganese diacetate; manganese gluconate; manganese bromide; manganese chloride; manganese iodide; manganese nitrate; manganese citrate; manganese bicarbonate; manganese ammonium phosphate; manganese sulfate and complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof; elemental sulfur comprises from 1% to 60% by weight of the total composition; at least one agrochemical excipient; and from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition of at least one structuring agent, wherein the particle size of the composition is from 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

According to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the complex, derivative or mixture of one or more manganese salts to elemental sulphur in the liquid suspension is 1: 600 to 55: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the complex, derivative or mixture of one or more manganese salts to elemental sulphur in the liquid suspension is from 1:50 to 35: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur in the liquid suspension is from 1:10 to 10: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur in the liquid suspension is 1: 2.5 to 1.5: 1. according to one embodiment, the weight ratio of the one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures to elemental sulphur in the liquid suspension is 1: 1.

according to one embodiment, the structuring agent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition comprises one or more of a thickening agent, a viscosity modifier, a viscosity increasing agent, a suspending agent, a rheology modifier, or an anti-settling agent. The structuring agent prevents precipitation of the active ingredient particles after prolonged storage.

According to one embodiment, structuring agents used in the liquid suspension composition include, but are not limited to, one or more polymers, such as polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polysaccharides, hydrophobically modified cellulose derivatives, copolymers of cellulose derivatives, carboxyvinyl or polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives thereof; clays such as bentonite, kaolin, smectite, attapulgite, clays with high surface area silica and natural gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, rhamnose gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, vegetarian, gelatin, dextrin, collagen; polyacrylic acid and its sodium salt; polyethylene glycol ethers of condensation products of fatty alcohols with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide, and mixtures thereof, including ethoxylated alkylphenols (also known in the art as alkylaryl polyether alcohols); ethoxylated fatty alcohols (or alkyl polyether alcohols); ethoxylated fatty acids (or polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters); ethoxylated sorbitan esters (or polyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters), long chain amines and cyclic amine oxides which are non-ionic in alkaline solution; long chain tertiary phosphine oxides; long chain dialkyl sulfoxides, fumed silica, mixtures of fumed silica and fumed alumina, swellable polymers, polyamides or derivatives thereof; polyols such as glycerol, polyvinyl acetate, sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene glycol, phospholipids (e.g., cephalin, etc.); stachyose, fructo-oligosaccharides, amylose, pectin, alginate, hydrocolloids and mixtures thereof. Also, celluloses such as hemicellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl propyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose; and so on. Starches, such as starch acetate, starch hydroxyethyl ether, ionic starch, long-chain alkyl starch, corn starch, amine starch, phosphate starch and dialdehyde starch; plant starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; other carbohydrates, such as pectin, amylopectin, glycogen, agar, gluten, alginic acid, algal colloids or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other conventionally known structurants may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred structurants include one or more of xanthan gum, aluminium silicate, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polysaccharides, alkaline earth metal silicates, gelatin and polyvinyl alcohol. Structuring agents are manufactured commercially and are available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of from 0.01% to 4% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of from 0.01% to 3% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of from 0.01% to 2% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of from 0.01% to 1% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of from 0.01% to 0.1% w/w of the composition.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension and water dispersible granules comprises particles having a size of from 0.1 to 20 microns, preferably particles having a size of from 0.1 to 15 microns, most preferably in the range of from 0.1 to 10 microns. The crops absorb more manganese and sulfur when the particle size ranges from about 0.1 to 20 microns. Thus, a particle size of 0.1 to 20 microns for crop nutrition and fortification compositions was found to be important not only in terms of ease of application but also in terms of efficacy.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition further optionally comprises at least one additional active ingredient comprising a fertilizer, a micronutrient, a macronutrient, a vitamin, a microorganism, a bacterial spore, one or more pesticidal active ingredients, humic acid, a hydrogel, a superabsorbent and a biostimulant. Microorganisms, bacterial spores and biostimulants are commercially exploited and manufactured and are available from a variety of suppliers around the world.

According to one embodiment, the additional active ingredient is present in an amount of 1% to 90% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the additional active ingredient is present in an amount of 1% to 60% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the additional active ingredient is present in an amount of 1% to 40% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition. According to one embodiment, the additional active ingredient is present in an amount of 1% to 20% by weight of the crop nutrition and fortification composition.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition may optionally include at least one fertilizer. Fertilizers are only used as crop nutrients in agricultural fields to supplement essential elements naturally present in the soil. Due to the fact that crops continuously absorb nutrients, water loss, leaching, nutrient volatilization, soil erosion and the like, soil usually loses fertility, and therefore the requirements of the crops cannot be met. Fertilization not only helps to increase yield and promote healthy crops, but also helps to protect against pests. Therefore, the application of optimal amounts and types of fertilizers to crops is critical to meeting the nutritional needs of the crop.

According to one embodiment, the fertilizer comprises a mono-nutrient fertilizer, a multi-nutrient fertilizer, a binary fertilizer, a complex fertilizer, an organic fertilizer or a mixture thereof. According to one embodiment, the fertilizer optionally included in the crop nutrition and fortification composition comprises one or more of a water soluble fertilizer or a water insoluble fertilizer, or a salt or a complex or derivative or mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other fertilizers known in the art may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to further embodiments, the fertilizer comprises one or more of a nitrogen fertilizer, a phosphate fertilizer, a potash fertilizer, ammonium nitrate, urea, sodium nitrate, a potash fertilizer (e.g. potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium carbonate, potassium nitrate), monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, calcium ammonium nitrate, perphosphates, phosphogypsum, triple perphosphates, an NPK fertilizer or salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other fertilizers may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. These fertilizers are commercially produced and available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, the fertilizer is present in an amount of 1% to 90% by weight of the crop nutrient and fortifying ingredients. According to one embodiment, the fertilizer is present in an amount of 1% to 40% by weight of the crop nutrient and fortifying ingredients. According to one embodiment, the fertilizer is present in an amount of 1% to 20% by weight of the crop nutrient and fortifying ingredients.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition may comprise at least one micronutrient. According to another embodiment, the micronutrient includes one or more of zinc, calcium, boron, magnesium, copper, iron, silicon, cobalt, chlorine, sodium, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, selenium, nickel, iodine, fluorine, phosphorus, potassium, or salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof in its elemental form. The micronutrients may also include one or more of vitamins, organic acids or salts, complexes or derivatives or mixtures thereof. However, the above list of optional micronutrients is exemplary and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other micronutrients may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Micronutrients are commercially produced and available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, the micronutrient is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 70% w/w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the micronutrient is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 60% w/w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the micronutrient is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 40% w/w of the composition.

According to one embodiment, the composition may further comprise a biostimulant selected from one or more of, but not limited to, enzymes, humic and fulvic acids. The biostimulant used is commercially produced and is available from various commercial manufacturers throughout the world. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different biostimulants may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

According to one embodiment, the pesticidal active substance comprises an antifouling agent, an insecticide, a fungicide, an herbicide, a nematicide, a pheromone, a defoliant, an acaricide, a plant growth regulator, an algicide, an antifeedant, an insecticide, a fungicide, a bird repellent, a biopesticide, a biocide, a chemofungicide, a safener, an insect attractant, an insect repellent, an insect growth regulator, a mammal repellent, a mating disrupter, a disinfectant, a molluscicide, an antimicrobial, an acaricide, an ovicide, a fumigant, a plant activator, a rodenticide, a synergist, a virucide, a microbial pesticide, a protectant for incorporation into plants, other various pesticidal active substances or salts, derivatives and mixtures.

According to one embodiment, the pesticide is present in an amount of 0.1% to 70% w/w of the total composition. According to another embodiment, the pesticide is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to another embodiment, the optional pesticide is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition comprises an agrochemically acceptable excipient, such as a surfactant, a dispersing agent, a wetting agent, a binder or adhesive, a disintegrant, a filler or carrier or diluent, an emulsifier, a spreading agent, a coating agent, a buffer or a pH adjusting agent. Or neutralizing agents, antifoaming agents or agents, penetrating agents, preservatives, uv absorbers, uv scattering agents, stabilizers, pigments, colorants, structuring agents, chelating or complexing or chelating agents, suspending or suspending agents, wetting agents, adhesives, antifreeze aids or freezing point depressants, water-miscible solvents and mixtures thereof. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other agrochemically acceptable excipients may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Agrochemically acceptable excipients are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a water dispersible granule further comprises one or more agrochemically acceptable excipients. These agriculturally acceptable excipients include one or more disintegrants; preferably, a disintegrant. Wetting agents, binders; a filler carrier or diluent; a buffer or a pH adjuster or a neutralizer; defoaming agents; a drift reducing agent; an anti-caking agent; a spreading agent; osmotic agents however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other agrochemically acceptable excipients may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension comprises one or more agrochemically acceptable excipients. According to one embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient comprises one or more surfactants. According to one embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipients in the liquid suspension composition further comprise one or more dispersing agents, wetting agents, spreading agents, suspending or suspending aids, penetrating agents, adhesives, drift reducing agents, uv absorbers, uv scattering agents, preservatives, stabilisers, buffers or pH adjusting or neutralizing agents, anti-freeze or freezing point depressants, anti-foaming agents and anti-caking agents. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other agriculturally acceptable excipients may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges from 1% to 98.9% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges at least 98% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges at least 95% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges from at least 80% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges from at least 60% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges from at least 40% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges at least 20% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges at least 10% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges at least 5% by weight of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the concentration of the agrochemical excipient ranges at least 1% by weight of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the surfactant used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition comprises one or more of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric and polymeric surfactants. According to one embodiment, the surfactant comprises one or more of an emulsifier, a wetting agent and a dispersing agent.

Anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: salts of fatty acids, benzoates, polycarboxylates, salts of alkylsulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkylaryl sulfates, alkyl diethylene glycol ether sulfates, salts of alcohol sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, arylsulfonates, lignosulfonates, alkyldiphenylether disulfonates, polystyrenesulfonates, salts of alkylphosphates, alkylaryl phosphates, styrylaryl phosphates, sulfonate docusates, salts of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfates, alkyl sarcosinates, sodium salts of alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates or salts thereof, sodium lauroylsarconates, sulfosuccinates, polyacrylates, polyacrylate-free acids and sodium salts, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, salts of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl phosphates, sulfosuccinates-monoesters and other diesters, phosphoric esters, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates-isopropyl and butyl derivatives, alkylethersulfates-sodium and ammonium salts; alkyl aryl ether phosphate, ethylene oxide and derivatives thereof, salts of polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphate, monoalkyl sulfosuccinate, aromatic hydrocarbon sulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium perfluorononanoate, docusate, disodium cocodiacetate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, carboxylate, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, phospholipid, potassium lauryl sulfate, soap substitute, sodium alkylsulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecylsulfate, sodium lauryl sulfonate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium meluss sulfate, sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, sodium p-hydroxybenzoate, alkyl carboxylate, sodium stearate, alpha-olefin sulfonate, sulfolipids, naphthalene sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate fatty acid salts, sodium naphthalene sulfonate condensate-sodium salt, sodium fluorosulfonate south phosphate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate sodium salt, naphthalene sulfonate condensed with formaldehyde or alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensed with formaldehyde; or a salt, derivative thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other anionic surfactants may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Cationic surfactants include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, one or more of alkyl methyl ethoxylated ammonium chloride or salts, dodecyl, cocoyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl/B alkenyl, docosyl, cocamidopropyl, trimethyl ammonium chloride; cocoyl, stearyl-, bis (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, alkyl-, tetra-exchange-, octadecyl-dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, dioctyl-, di- (octyl-decyl) -, didecyl-, hexacosanyl-distearyl-, di (hydrogenated tallow) -dimethylammonium chloride, di (hydrogenated tallow) benzyl-, trioctyl-decyl) -, dotriacontanyl-, tridecylmethylammonium chloride, dodecyltrimethyl-, dodecyldimethylbenzyl, di- (octyl-decyl) dimethyl, didecyldimethylammonium bromide, quaternized amine ethoxylates, behenyl triamide chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzyldodecyl bromide, boron bromide, quaternary ammonium chloride, tetradecylammonium bromide, cerium decaammonium chloride, decaammonium bromide chloride, dimethyloctacosylammonium bromide, domiphen bromide, lauryl methyl gulos-10 hydroxypropyl dichloride, octene dihydrochloride, olafluro, N-oleyl-1, 3-propanediamine, parhalotoxin, stearoyl chloride, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, wool-zolamide; a salt or derivative. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other cationic surfactants may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: polyol esters, polyol fatty acid esters, polyethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols, EO/PO copolymers; EO and PO block copolymers, di, tri-block copolymers; block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, poloxamers, polysorbates, alkylpolysaccharides (such as alkylpolyglycoside) and mixtures thereof, amine ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid esters, ethylene glycol and glycerol esters, glucoside alkyl ethers, sodium tallowate, polyoxyethylene glycol, sorbitol alkyl esters, sorbitan derivatives, fatty acid esters of sorbitan (span) and ethoxylated derivatives thereof (tweens), and also sucrose esters of fatty acids, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, decyl glucoside, decyl polyglucose, glycerol monostearate, lauryl glucoside, maltoside, monolaurate, narrow-range ethoxylates, ethylphenylpolyethylene glycol, nonanediol-9, nonanediol, octaethyleneglycol monododecyl ether, N-octyl beta-D-thioglucopyranoside, octyl glucoside, oleyl alcohol, PEG-10 sunflower glyceride, pentaethyleneglycol monolauryl ether, polydocosanol, poloxamer 407, polyethoxylated tallow amine, polyglycerol polyricinoleate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, sorbitol monolaurate, sorbitol monostearate, sorbitan distearate, stearyl alcohol, surface actin, glyceryl laurate, lauryl glucoside, nonylphenol polyethoxyethanol, nonylphenol polyglycol ether, castor oil ethoxylate, polyglycol ether, block copolymers of ethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide and polypropylene glycol polyalkylene glycol ethers and hydroxystearic acid, tributylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol, octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol, ethylenepropyleneoxy-ated trisstyrol, ethoxy, polyoxyethylene sorbitan, fatty acid polyglyceryl esters, fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ethers, acetylene glycols, acetylene alcohols, oxyalkylene block polymers, polyoxyethylene ethylene ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ethers, polyoxyethylene styrene aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, polyethylene glycols, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol ethoxylates-C6 to C16/18 alcohols, linear and branched, alcohol alkoxylates-various hydrophobes and EO/PO contents and ratios, fatty acid esters-mono-and diesters; lauric acid, stearic acid and oleic acid; glycerides-with and without EO; lauric acid, stearic acid, cocoa butter and tall oil, ethoxylated glycerol, sorbitol esters-with and without EO; based on lauric acid, stearic acid and oleic acid; mono-and tri-esters, castor oil ethoxylate-5 to 200 moles EO; non-hydrogenated and hydrogenated block polymers, amine oxide-ethoxylated and non-ethoxylated; alkyl dimethyl, fatty amine ethoxylate-cocoa, tallow, stearyl, oleyl amine, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil or polyoxypropylene fatty acid esters; salts or derivatives, and mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other nonionic surfactants may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: betaines, cocoa and lauramidopropyl betaines, cocoa alkyldimethylamine oxides, alkyldimethyl betaines, C8 to C18, alkyl dipropionate-sodium dodecyliminodipropionate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, imidazolines, phospholipid phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, alkyl diacetic acid acetamides and dipropionic acid propylene acetates and dipropionic acid dipropionates, or salts, derivatives, and mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Surfactants commercially available under the trademarks include, but are not limited to Atlas G5000, TERMUL 5429, TERMUL 2510,118，X，OX-080，C 100，EL 200，Arlacel P135，Hypermer 8261，Hypermer B239，Hypermer B261，Hypermer B246sf，Solutol HS 15，Promulgen^TMD，Soprophor 7961P，Soprophor TSP/461，Soprophor TSP/724，Croduret 40，Etocas 200，Etocas 29，Rokacet R26，Cetomacrogol 1000，CHEMONIC OE-20，Triton N-101，Triton X-100，Tween 20、40、60、65、80，Span20、40、60、80、83、85、120，Atlox 4912，Atlas G5000，TERMUL 3512，TERMUL 3015，TERMUL 5429，TERMUL 2510，T85，T20，TERIC 12A4，118，X，OX-080，C 100，EL 200，Arlacel P135，Hypermer 8261，Hypermer B239，Hypermer B261，Hypermer B246sf，Solutol HS 15，Promulgen^TMD，Soprophor 7961P，Soprophor TSP/461，Soprophor TSP/724，Croduret 40，Etocas 200，Etocas 29，Rokacet R26，CHEMONIC OE-20，Triton^TMn-101, IGEPAL CA-630 and Isoceth-20.

However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other conventionally known surfactants may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Surfactants are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 50% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the solvent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition comprises a water miscible solvent. Water-miscible solvents include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: 1, 4-dioxane, ethylene glycol, glycerol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1, 3-propanediol, 1, 5-pentanediol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol. 1, 2-butanediol, 1, 3-butanediol, 1, 4-butanediol, dimethylformamide, dimethoxyethane, dimethyloctanamide and dimethyldecanamide or mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other water-miscible solvents may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to one embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-95% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-60% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-40% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-30% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the dispersing agent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, lignosulfonates, phenylnaphthalenesulfonates, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts, lignosulfonic acid, lignin derivatives, dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, alkylarylsulfonates, alkylsulfates, alkylsulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty acids and sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, dioctylsulfosuccinate, lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styrylphenyl ether sulfate ester salts and the like, alkali metal salts, ammonium salts or amine salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene styrylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters or polyoxyethylene sorbitol alkyl esters and the like, sodium ethoxylated alkylphenols of sodium naphthalenesulfonate urea condensed with a sodium salt of phenol sulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate, ethoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated linear alcohols, polyaromatic sulfonates, sodium alkylaryl sulfonates, glycerol esters, ammonium salts of maleic anhydride copolymers, phosphoric acid esters, condensation products of aryl sulfonic acids with formaldehyde, addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, salts of addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, sodium salts of isodecyl sulfosuccinic acid half-esters, polycarboxylates, sodium alkylbenzenesulfonates, sodium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, ammonium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, salt polyacrylates, sodium salts of condensed phenolsulfonic acids and naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates, sodium naphthalenesulfonate-formaldehyde condensates, tristyrylphenol ethoxylated phosphoric acid esters; a fatty alcohol ethoxylate; an alkyl ethoxylate; EO-PO block copolymers; graft copolymers, ammonium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, salts of polyacrylic acids.

Commercially available dispersants include "Morwet D425" (naphthalene formaldehyde condensate from Witco Corporation, USA), "Morwet EFW" alkyl carboxylates and alkyl naphthalene sulfonates-sodium salt, "Tamol PP" (sodium salt of benzene sulfonate condensate), "Reax 80N" (sodium lignosulfonate), "Wettol D1" sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate (from BASF). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other conventionally known dispersants may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Dispersants are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the dispersant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the dispersant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the dispersant is present in an amount of 3% to 20% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the wetting agents used in the crop nutrition and fortification compositions include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: phenol naphthalenesulfonate, alkylnaphthalenesulfonate, sodium sulfonated alkylcarboxylic acid salts, polyoxyalkylated ethylphenol, polyoxyethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty amines, lignin derivatives, alkanesulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, polycarboxylates, ester salts of sulfosuccinic acid, alkyl polyethylene glycol ether sulfonates, alkyl ether phosphate, alkyl ether sulfates, and alkylsulfosuccinic acid monoesters. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other conventionally known wetting agents may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The wetting agent is commercially manufactured and available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition.

Emulsifiers used in crop nutrition and fortification compositions include, but are not limited to Atlas G5000, TERMUL 5429, TERMUL 2510,118，X，OX-080，one or more of the group C100,EL 200，Arlacel P135，Hypermer 8261，Hypermer B239，Hypermer B261，Hypermer B246sf，Solutol HS 15，Promulgen^TMD，Soprophor 7961P，Soprophor TSP/461，Soprophor TSP/724，Croduret 40，Etocas 200，Etocas 29，Rokacet R26，CHEMONIC OE-20，Triton^TMN-101，Tween 20、40、60、65、80，Span20、40、60、80、83、85、120，Triton^TMAtlox 4912，Atlas G5000，TERMUL 3512，TERMUL 3015，TERMUL 5429，TERMUL 2510，T85，T20，TERIC 12A4，118，X，OX-080，C 100，EL 200，Arlacel P135，Hypermer 8261，Hypermer B239，Hypermer B261，Hypermer B246sf，Solutol HS 15，Promulgen^TMD，Soprophor 7961P，Soprophor TSP/461，Soprophor TSP/724，Croduret 40，Etocas 200，Etocas 29，Rokacet R26，CHEMONIC OE-20，Triton^TMn-101, Tween 20, 40, 60, 65, 80 and Span 20, 40, 60, 80, 83, 85, 120 or mixtures thereof. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other conventionally known emulsifiers or surfactants may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Emulsifiers are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 50% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, disintegrants for use in the crop nutrition and fortification compositions include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: inorganic water-soluble salts (e.g., sodium chloride, nitrates); water-soluble organic compounds, e.g. agar, hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch ether, gum tragacanth, gelatin, casein, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, metal stearates, cellulose powder, methacrylate copolymers, poly (meth) acrylates XL-10 (crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone), poly (vinylpyrrolidone), polyaminocarboxylic acid chelates, polyacrylate salts of methacrylic acid, starch-polyacrylonitrile graft copolymers, sodium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate/carbonate or mixtures thereof or salts with acids, such as citric acid and fumaric acid, or salts, derivatives or mixtures thereof. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that different disintegrants may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Disintegrants are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the disintegrant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 50% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the disintegrant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the disintegrant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the composition. According to one embodiment, the disintegrant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the composition.

According to one embodiment, the binding agent or binder used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: proteins, lipoproteins, lipids, glycolipids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, complex organics, synthetic organic polymers or derivatives, and combinations thereof. Binders also include corn syrup, cellulose, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl propyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose; cellulose; starch; starch acetate, starch hydroxyethyl ether, ionic starch, long-chain alkyl starch, corn starch, potato starch, xanthan gum, glycogen, agar, gluten, alginic acid, hydrocolloid gum, gum arabic, guar gum, karaya gum, tragacanth gum and locust bean gum. Binders or adhesives also include complex organic materials such as phenyl naphthalene sulfonate, lignin and nitrated lignin, derivatives of lignin such as lignosulfonates, including, for example, calcium lignosulfonate and sodium lignosulfonate, and complex carbohydrate-based compositions including organic and inorganic constituents such as molasses. The adhesive also includes synthetic organic polymers such as ethylene oxide polymers or copolymers, propylene oxide copolymers, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl acrylate, polyvinyl acetate, sodium polyacrylate, polylactic acid, polyethoxylated fatty acids, polyethoxylated fatty alcohols, latex, etc.) or salts, derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different adhesives may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Adhesives are commercially manufactured and available from various companies.

According to a further embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 50% w/w of the composition. According to a further embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the composition. According to a further embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the composition.

According to one embodiment, the carrier used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, a solid carrier or one or more of a filler or diluent. According to another embodiment, the carrier comprises a mineral carrier, a plant carrier, a synthetic carrier, a water-soluble carrier. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different carriers may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The carrier is commercially manufactured and can be obtained by various companies.

Solid carriers include natural minerals such as clays, e.g., china clay, acid clays, kaolins, e.g., kaolinite, dickite, nacrite, and halloysite; serpentine, such as chrysotile, lizard, serpentine and jarosite; synthetic and diatomaceous silica; smectite minerals such as sodium montmorillonite; smectites such as saponite, hectorite, sauconite and siderite; micas such as pyrophyllite, talc, mica, muscovite, pyroxene, sericite and illite; silicas, such as cristobalite and quartz, attapulgite and sepiolite; dolomite, gypsum, tuff, vermiculite, hectorite, pumice, bauxite, hydrated alumina, calcined alumina, perlite, sodium bicarbonate, pozzolans, vermiculite, limestone, natural and synthetic silicates; charcoal, silica, wet-process silica, dry-process silica, calcined products of wet-process silica, surface-modified silica, mica, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, calcined alumina, derivatives thereof; chalkExamples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, bentonite, loess, mirabilite, white carbon, slaked lime, synthetic silicic acid, starch, cellulose, chaff, wheat flour, wood flour, starch, rice bran, wheat bran and soybean flour, tobacco powder, vegetable powder, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, propylene glycol alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymer, sodium caseinate, sodium chloride, salt cake, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid or derivatives or mixtures thereof. Commercially available silicates are Aerosil brand, Sipernat brand (e.g., 50S and calmlo E) and kaolin 1777. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different solid supports may be used without departing from the inventionThe range of (1). Solid supports are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 98% w/w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 80% w/w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w/w of the composition. According to another embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the composition.

According to one embodiment, the anti-caking agent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: polysaccharides, such as starch, alginic acid, poly (vinylpyrrolidone), fumed silica (white carbon), ester gums, petroleum resins,the sodium salt of Soap L-sodium stearate,700 polyoxyethylene (100) stearyl ether,OT-B sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate,l-77 silicone-polyether copolymer, sodium metasilicate, sodium alkyl sulfosuccinate, sodium carbonate or a bicarbonate, salt or derivative thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different anti-caking agents may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Anti-caking agents are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the anti-foaming or anti-foaming agent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: silicon, silicone, silicon dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyacrylate alkyl esters, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, polyethylene glycol, silicone oil and magnesium stearate or derivatives thereof. Preferred defoamers include silicone emulsions (e.g., Rhodiasil, SRE, Wacker or Rhodia), long chain alcohols, fatty acids, fluorinated organic compounds. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other conventionally known defoamers may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Defoamers are commercially produced and available through various companies. According to one embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 10% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 5% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the pH adjusting or buffering or neutralizing agent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition comprises an acid and a base of organic or inorganic type and mixtures thereof. According to another embodiment, the pH adjusting or buffering agent or neutralizing agent includes, but is not limited to, organic acids, inorganic acids and alkali metal compounds or salts, derivatives or mixtures. According to one embodiment, the organic acid includes, but is not limited to, one or more of citric acid, malic acid, adipic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid, or salts, derivatives thereof; or a salt thereof; and mono-, di-or tribasic salts of these acids or their derivatives. The alkali metal compound includes alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate and alkali metal phosphates such as sodium phosphate and mixtures thereof. According to one embodiment, salts of inorganic acids include, but are not limited to, one or more alkali metal salts, such as lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, lithium sulfate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium monohydrogen phosphate, potassium monohydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and the like. The mixture may also be used to produce a pH adjusting agent or a buffering or neutralizing agent. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other conventionally known pH adjusting agents or buffers or neutralizing agents may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The pH adjusting or buffering or neutralizing agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies. According to one embodiment, the pH adjusting agent or buffer is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the pH adjusting agent or buffer is present in an amount of 0.01% to 10% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the pH adjusting agent or buffer is present in an amount of 0.01% to 5% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the pH adjusting agent or buffer is present in an amount of 0.01% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the spreading agent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: cellulose powder, crosslinked poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), half esters of polymers composed of polyols and dicarboxylic anhydrides, water-soluble salts of polystyrene sulfonic acid, fatty acids, latex, aliphatic alcohols, vegetable oils (such as cottonseed) or inorganic oils, petroleum distillates, modified trisiloxanes, polyethylene glycols, polyethers, clathrates or their derivatives. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other conventionally known spreading agents may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The spreading agent is commercially produced and available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 5% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the adhesive used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: paraffin wax, polyamide resin, polyacrylate, polyoxyethylene, wax, polyvinyl alkyl ether, alkylphenol-formalin condensate, fatty acid, latex, aliphatic alcohol, vegetable oil (such as cottonseed) or inorganic oil, petroleum distillate, modified trisiloxane, polyethylene glycol, polyether, clathrate, synthetic resin emulsion or salt or derivative thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other conventionally known adhesives may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Adhesives are commercially manufactured and available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the adhesive is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the adhesive is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the adhesive is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the stabilizing agent used in the crop nutrition and fortification composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: peroxide compounds (such as hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxides), alkyl nitrites (such as ethyl nitrite) and alkyl glyoxylates (such as ethyl glyoxylate), zeolites, antioxidants (such as phenol compounds, amine compounds, phosphoric acid compounds, etc.); ultraviolet absorbers such as salicylic acid compounds, benzophenone compounds or derivatives thereof. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other conventionally known stabilizers may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Stabilizers are manufactured commercially and are available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, preservatives used in crop nutrition and fortification compositions include, but are not limited to, one or more of bactericides, antifungal agents, biocides, antimicrobial agents, and antioxidants. Non-limiting examples of preservatives include one or more of benzoic acid, esters and salts thereof, p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoate), esters and salts thereof, propionic acid and salts thereof, salicylic acid and salts thereof, 2, 4-adipic acid (sorbic acid) and salts thereof, formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde, 1, 2-benzothiazolin-3-one, 2-hydroxydiphenyl ether and salts thereof, 2-zinc oxide pyrithione, inorganic sulfites and bisulfites, sodium iodate, chlorobutyl chloride, sodium thiosulfate, and mixtures thereofAlcohols, dehydrated acetic acid, formic acid, 1, 6-bis (4-ami-yl-2-bromophenyloxy) -N-hexane and salts thereof, 10-undecenoic acid and salts thereof, 5-amino-1, 3-bis (2-ethylhexyl) -5-methylhexahydropyrimidine, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1, 3-dioxane, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, 2, 4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, N- (4-chlorophenyl) -N ' - (3, 4-dichlorophenyl) urea, 4-chloro-m-cresol, 2,4,4' -trichloro-2 ' -hydroxydiphenyl ether, 4-chloro-3, 5-dimethylphenol, 1,1 '-methylene-bis (3- (1-hydroxymethyl-2, 4-dioxaimidazolin-5-yl) urea), poly (hexamethylenebiguanide) hydrochloride, 2-phe oxyethanol, hexamethylenetetramine, 1- (3-chloroallyl) -3,5, 7-triaza-1-aza-adamantanecarbonyl chloride, 1 (4-chlorophenoxy) -1- (1H-imidazol-1-yl) -3, 3-dimethyl-2-butanone, 1, 3-bis (hydroxymethyl) -5, 5-dimethyl-2, 4-imidazolidinedione, benzyl alcohol, octopus, 1, 2-dibromo-2, 4-dicyanobutane, 2,2' -methylenebis (6-bromo-4-chlorophenol), bromochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2-chloroacetamide, chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, 1-phenoxypropan-2-ol, N-alkyl (C12-C22) trimethylammonium bromide and chloride, 4, 4-dimethyl-1, 3-oxazolidine, N-hydroxymethyl-N- (1, 3-bis (hydroxymethyl) -2, 5-dioxoimidazolidinidin-4-yl) -N' -methylolurea, 1, 6-bis (4-ami-ylphenoxy) -N-hexane and its salts, glutaraldehyde, 5-ethyl-1-aza-3, 7-dioxabicyclo (3.3.0) octane, 3- (4-chlorophenoxy) propane-1, 2-diol, Hy amine, alkyl (C8-C18) dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, alkyl (C8-C18) dimethylbenzylammonium bromide, alkyl (C8-C18) dimethylbenzylsaccharin, benzylephedrine, 3-iodo-2-propynylbutylcarbamate, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium chloride and derivatives of 2H isothiazol-3-one (so-called isothiazolone derivatives), such as alkylisothiazolones (e.g. 2-methyl-2H-isothiazolone-Massachusetts; chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (CIT), benzisothiazolones (e.g. 1, 2-benzisothiazol-3 (2H) -one, BIT, obtainable from ICIAvailable in form) or 2-methyl-4, 5-trimethylene-2H-isothiazol-3-one (MTIT), C1-C4-alkyl p-hydroxyOf benzoates, dichlorophenols, ICIOr of the Thor thorreRS and Rohm&Of HaasMK, Bacto-100, thimerosal, sodium propylsulfate, sodium benzoate, propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, potassium sorbate, potassium benzoate, nitrate p-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, benzyl p-hydroxybenzoate chloride, 1, 2-benzothiazol-3-one,butylhydroxytoluene, potassium sorbate, organic compounds containing iodine, such as 3-bromo-2, 3-diiodo-2-propenylethyl carbonate, 3-iodocarbamic acid 2-propynyl butyl ester, 2,3, 3-triiodoallyl alcohol and p-chlorophenyl-3-iodopropynyl formaldehyde; benzimidazole compounds and benzothiazole compounds, such as 2- (4-thiazolyl) benzimidazole and 2-thiocyanomethylthiobenzothiazole; triazole compounds, for example 1- (2- (2', 4' -dichlorophenyl) -1, 3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl) -1H-1,2, 4-triazole, 1- (2- (2', 4-dichlorophenyl) -4-propyl-1, 3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl) -1H-1,2, 4-triazole and α - (2- (4-chlorophenyl) ethyl) - α - (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -1H-1,2, 4-triazole-1-ethanol; naturally occurring compounds, such as 4-isopropyltropolone (hinokitiol) and borax salts or derivatives thereof. Antioxidants include, but are not limited to, one or more of imidazole and imidazole derivatives (e.g., uric acid), 4,4' -thiobis-6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol, 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol. (BHT) and pentaerythritol [3- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)]Propionate esters; amine antioxidants, such as N, N' -di-2-naphthyl-p-phenylenediamine; hydroquinoline antioxidants, e.g. 2, 5-di (tert-amyl) hydrogenQuinoline; and phosphorus-containing antioxidants, such as triphenyl phosphate, carotenoids, carotenes (e.g., alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene) and derivatives thereof, lipoic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g., dihydrolipoic acid), thioglucose, propylthiouracil and other thio compounds (e.g., thioglycerol), thiosorbitol, thioglycolic acid, thioredoxin and sugar groups, N-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, pentyl, butyl, lauryl, palmitoyl, oleyl, gamma-linoleyl, cholesterol and glyceryl esters) and salts thereof, dilaurylthiodipropionate, distearylthiodipropionate-salt, thiodipropionic acid and derivatives thereof (esters, ethers, lipids, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts), and sulfimide compounds (e.g., thionine sulfoxides, homocysteine sulfimide, butylsulfanyl sulfone, penta-, hexa-, heptylthiosulfenamide) tolerated doses (e.g. pmol/kg to pmol/kg), also metal chelators (e.g. alpha-hydroxy fatty acids, EDTA, EGTA, phytic acid, lactoferrin), alpha-hydroxy acids (e.g. citric acid), lactic acid, malic acid, humic acids, gallates (e.g. propyl, octyl and dodecyl gallate), unsaturated fatty acids and derivatives thereof, hydroquinone and derivatives thereof (e.g. arbutin), ubiquinone and derivatives thereof, ascorbyl palmitate, stearate, dipalmitate, acetate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium and magnesium ascorbate, disodium and sulfate ascorbate phosphate, potassium ascorbyl tocopherol phosphate, isoascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, coniferyl benzoate of benzoin resin, rutin, rutinic acid and derivatives thereof, disodium rutinic acid disulfate, dibutylhydroxytoluene, 4, 4-thiobis-6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol, butylhydroxyanisole, p-octylphenol, mono (di-or tri) methylbenzylphenol, 2, 6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, pentaerythritol tetrakis (3- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, butylhydroxyanisole, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, trihydroxybutyrophenone, uric acid and derivatives thereof, mannose and derivatives thereof, selenium and selenium derivatives (e.g., selenomethionine), stilbene and stilbene derivatives (e.g., oxydiethylene, trans-oxydiethylene oxide, bis-butylhydroxytoluene, 4, 4-thiobis-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, pentaerythritol tetrakis (3). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other conventionally known preservatives may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preservatives are commercially produced and available from various companies.

According to a further embodiment, the preservative or bactericide or antifungal agent or biocide or antimicrobial agent or antioxidant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, the preservative or bactericide or antifungal agent or biocide or antimicrobial agent or antioxidant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition. According to another embodiment, the preservative or bactericide or antifungal agent or biocide or antimicrobial agent or antioxidant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 5% w/w of the total composition. The bactericide or antifungal agent or biocide or antimicrobial agent or antioxidant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to one embodiment, the anti-freeze or freezing point depressant used in the liquid suspension composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, butyrolactone, N-dimethylformamide, glycerol, mono-or polyhydric alcohols, glycol ethers, ethylene glycol monoethers (such as the methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl ethers of ethylene glycol), diethylene glycol, propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, ethylene glycol diethers (such as methyl and ethylene glycol), the ethyl diethers or ureas of diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, especially calcium chloride, isopropanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, di-or tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether or cyclohexanol. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different antifreeze agents may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Antifreeze agents are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the chelating or complexing or sesquiester agent used in the liquid suspension composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more polycarboxylic acids, such as polyacrylic acid and various hydrolyzed poly (methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride); aminopolycarboxylic acids, such as N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), N ' -ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-hydroxyethyl-N, N ' -ethylenediaminetriacetic acid and N, N ', N "-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid; alpha-hydroxy acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid and gluconic acid; orthophosphates such as trisodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, monosodium phosphate; condensed phosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and sodium tetrapolyphosphate; 5-sulfo-8-quinolinol; and 3, 5-disulfocatechol, aminopolycarboxylates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDPA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediamine diacetate (EDDA), ethylenediamine di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) acid (EDDHA), cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA), polyethyleneaminepolyacetic acid, lignosulfonates, calcium, potassium, sodium and ammonium lignosulfonates, fulvic acid, nitric acid, nucleic acids, humic acids, pyrophosphoric acids, chelating resins such as iminodiacetic acid and the like or derivatives thereof. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other chelating or complexing agents or sesquiterpene agents may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Chelating or complexing agents or sesquiterpene agents are commercially produced and available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the osmotic agent used in the liquid suspension composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: alcohols, glycols, glycol ethers, esters, amines, alkanolamines, amine oxides, quaternary ammonium compounds, triglycerides, fatty acid esters, fatty acid ethers, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide or dimethyl sulfoxide, polyoxyethylene trimethylolpropane monooleate, polyoxyethylene trimethylolpropane diol, polyoxyethylene trimethylolpropane trioleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate and polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different penetrants may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Penetrants are manufactured commercially and are available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, the uv absorber is selected from, but not limited to, one or more of the following: 2- (2' -hydroxy-5 ' -methylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2-ethoxy-2 ' -ethyloxalic acid dianiline, succinic acid dimethyl-benzimidazole, 1- (2-hydroxyethyl) -4-hydroxy-2, 2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine polycondensate, benzotriazole compounds such as 2- (2' -hydroxy-5 ' -methylphenyl) benzotriazole and 2- (2' -hydroxy-4 ' -n-octyloxyphenyl) benzotriazole; benzophenone compounds such as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone; salicylic acid compounds such as phenyl salicylate and p-tert-butyl salicylate; 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-cyano-3, 3-diphenyl ester, 2-ethoxy-2' -ethyloxalic acid bis-aniline, and dimethyl succinate-1- (2-hydroxyethyl) -4-hydroxy-2, 2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine polycondensate derivatives, and the like. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different ultraviolet absorbers may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such ultraviolet absorbers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, an ultraviolet scattering agent including titanium dioxide or the like may be used. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different ultraviolet scattering agents may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such ultraviolet scattering agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to one embodiment, the wetting agent is selected from one or more of, but not limited to, polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene copolymers, in particular block copolymers, such as the Synperonic PE series copolymers available from Uniqema or salts thereof, derivatives thereof. Other humectant is propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, poly (ethylene glycol), poly (propylene glycol), glycerin, etc.; polyol compounds, such as propylene glycol ethers, derivatives thereof. Other moisturizers also include aloe vera gels, alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid, egg yolk and egg white, glyceryl triacetate, honey, lithium chloride, and the like. Certain of the above-mentioned humectants also function as nonionic surfactants. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other conventionally known humectants may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. Humectants are manufactured commercially and are available from various companies.

According to one embodiment, the humectant is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 90% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the humectant is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 70% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the humectant is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the humectant is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 50% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the humectant is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to one embodiment, the humectant is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

The inventors have further determined that the compositions of the present invention surprisingly have the physical properties of enhanced dispersibility, suspendability, flowability, wetting time, good pourability, reduced viscosity, provide ease of handling and also reduce material loss when handling the product when packaged and during field use. Surprisingly, the inventors have also determined that crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of liquid suspensions and water dispersible granules show superior efficacy even when applied at reduced dosages compared to prior art compositions.

The dispersibility of the water dispersible granular crop nutritional and fortifying composition is a measure of the percent dispersion. Dispersability is calculated by the minimum percent dispersion. Dispersability is defined as the ability of the particles to disperse after addition to a liquid such as water or a solvent. To determine the dispersibility of the granular composition according to the standard CIPAC test MT 174, a known amount of the granular composition was added to a defined volume of water and mixed by stirring to form a suspension. After a short period of time, the first tenth of the sample is removed and the remaining tenths are dried and gravimetrically determined. This method is in fact a simplified test of suspensibility and is suitable for determining the ease with which a granular composition is homogeneously dispersed in water.

It has been observed that crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of water dispersible granules exhibit near instantaneous dispersibility, thus making the active ingredient readily available for use in crops. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules has a dispersibility of at least 40%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules has a dispersibility of at least 50%. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible particles have a dispersibility of at least 60%. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible particles have a dispersibility of at least 70%. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible particles have a dispersibility of at least 80%. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible particles have a dispersibility of at least 90%. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible particles have a dispersibility of at least 99%. According to one embodiment, the water dispersible particles have a dispersibility of 100%.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of water dispersible granules and liquid suspensions exhibit good suspensibility. Suspension is defined as the amount of active ingredient suspended in a liquid column of a certain height after a given time, expressed as a percentage of the amount of active ingredient in the original suspension. The suspensibility of the water dispersible particles can be tested according to the CIPAC manual "MT 184 suspensibility test" to prepare suspensions of particle compositions of known concentration in CIPAC standard water and place them in a constant temperature specified cartridge, the top 9/10 is drawn off, then the remaining 1/10 is determined by chemical, gravimetric or solvent extraction, and the suspensibility is calculated.

The degree of suspension of a liquid suspension is the amount of active ingredient suspended in a liquid column at a certain height after a given time, expressed as a percentage of the amount of active ingredient in the original suspension. The suspensibility of the liquid suspension was determined according to CIPAC MT-161 by preparing 250ml of the diluted suspension, placing it in a graduated cylinder under the specified conditions, and taking out the first nine tenths. The remaining tenth portion is then analyzed by chemical, gravimetric or by solvent extraction and the suspensibility calculated.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules and a liquid suspension has a degree of suspension of at least 30%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules and a liquid suspension has a suspensibility of at least 40%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a suspensibility of at least 50%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a suspensibility of at least 60%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a suspensibility of at least 70%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a suspensibility of at least 80%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a suspensibility of at least 90%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a suspensibility of at least 99%. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules and a liquid suspension has a suspension level of 100%.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules has little hardness. The hardness exhibited by the particles can be estimated by a hardness tester such as Shimadzu, Brinell hardness (AKB-3000 model) Mecmesin, Agilent, Vissyst, Ametek and Rockwell.

According to one embodiment, crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of water dispersible granules and liquid suspensions exhibit excellent stability to heat, light, temperature and caking. According to another embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits stability for more than 3 years. According to a further embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits a stability of greater than 2 years. According to a further embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits a stability of greater than 1 year. According to another embodiment, the nutritional fortified food composition has a stability of greater than 10 months. According to another embodiment, the nutritional fortified food composition has a stability of greater than 8 months. According to another embodiment, the nutritional fortified food composition has a stability of greater than 6 months. According to another embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits a stability of greater than 3 months.

Wettability is a wettable condition or state and can be defined as the degree to which a solid is wetted by a liquid, as measured by the adhesion between the solid and liquid phases. Wetting of granular compositions MT-53 was tested using a standard CIPAC, describing a procedure for determining the complete wetting time of wettable formulations. A weight of the granular composition may be dropped into the water in the beaker from the specified height and the time to complete wetting determined. According to another embodiment, the water dispersible particulate composition has a wettability of less than 2 minutes. According to another embodiment, the water dispersible particulate composition has a wettability of less than 1 minute. According to another embodiment, the water dispersible granule composition has a wettability of less than 30 seconds.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension passes the wet sieve retention test. This test is used to determine the content of the dispersion of non-dispersible material in water in the formulation. The wet sieve retention of a crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension and water dispersible granules can be measured by: MT-185 was tested using a standard CIPAC which describes a procedure for measuring the amount of material remaining on the screen. A sample of the formulation was dispersed in water and the resulting suspension was transferred to a sieve and washed. The amount of material remaining on the sieve was determined by drying and weighing.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a wet sieve retention value of less than 10% on a 75 micron sieve. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a wet sieve retention value of less than 7% on a 75 micron sieve. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a wet sieve retention value of less than 5% on a 75 micron sieve. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition has a wet sieve retention value of less than 2% on a 75 micron sieve.

According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension does not form a thick paste and is easy to pour out. The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its ability to resist gradual deformation caused by shear or tensile stress.

The viscosity of the liquid suspension was determined (according to CIPAC MT-192). The sample is transferred to a standard measurement system. Measurements were made under different shear conditions and the apparent viscosity was determined. The temperature of the liquid was kept constant during the test. According to one embodiment, the aqueous suspension composition has a viscosity of about 10cps to about 1200cps at 25 ℃, which makes it pourable. According to one embodiment, the aqueous suspension composition has a viscosity of about 10cps to about 500cps at 25 ℃. According to one embodiment, the aqueous suspension composition has a viscosity of less than about 500cps at 25 ℃. According to one embodiment, the aqueous suspension composition has a viscosity of about 10cps to about 400cps at 25 ℃. According to one embodiment, the aqueous suspension composition has a viscosity of from about 10cps to about 300cps at 25 ℃. The crop nutrition and fortification composition has a viscosity in the range of 10cps to 1200cps to make it pourable. Compositions that are too viscous and highly concentrated tend to form lumps which make them impossible to pour out and are therefore undesirable.

According to one embodiment, crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of water dispersible granules and liquid suspensions exhibit excellent stability in suspensibility under accelerated storage conditions (ATS). According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits greater than 90% suspensibility at the ATS. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits greater than 80% suspensibility at the ATS. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits greater than 70% suspensibility at the ATS. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits greater than 60% suspensibility at ATS. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits greater than 50% suspensibility at ATS. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits a suspensibility of greater than 40% at ATS. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits a suspensibility of greater than 30% at ATS. According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition exhibits greater than 20% suspensibility at ATS.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a crop nutrition and fortification composition comprising one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulfur and at least one dispersant in the form of water dispersible particles. Crop nutrition and fortification compositions in the form of water-dispersible granules are prepared by various techniques, such as spray drying, fluid bed granulation, extrusion, freeze drying and the like.

According to one embodiment, a method of making a water dispersible granular composition comprises milling a mixture of one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof at a concentration of 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition, elemental sulfur at a concentration in the range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition and at least one dispersant to obtain a slurry or wet mixture. Milling is carried out by using a suitable bead mill or wet milling equipment to obtain particle sizes in the range of 0.1 to 20 microns. According to one embodiment, the grinding step further comprises optionally adding one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients to obtain the slurry. According to one embodiment, the mixing step may further optionally comprise additional active ingredients selected from one or more of fertilizers, micronutrients, macronutrients, biostimulants, pesticidally active substances or mixtures thereof. The obtained wet mixture is then dried, for example in a spray dryer, a fluid bed dryer or any suitable granulation equipment to obtain granules. The spray drying process is followed by sieving to remove undersized particles and oversized particles to obtain microparticles of the desired size.

According to another embodiment, the crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of water dispersible granules is also prepared by dry milling in a wind mill or jet mill one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulfur and at least one dispersant. Milling to obtain the desired particle size in the range of 0.1 to 20 microns, preferably 0.1 to 10 microns. Water is added to the dry powder, the mixture is mixed to obtain a dough or paste, which is then extruded through an extruder to obtain particles of the desired size.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a crop nutrition and fortification composition in the form of a liquid suspension. According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a liquid suspension composition comprising one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulfur, at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient and at least one structuring agent.

According to one embodiment, the method of preparing a liquid suspension composition comprises homogenizing one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, such as surfactants, by feeding them into a vessel equipped with a stirring device. The manganese salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof and elemental sulfur are further added to the homogeneous blend and stirring is continued for about 5 to 10 minutes until the total mixture becomes homogeneous. The resulting liquid suspension is then passed through suitable wet milling equipment to obtain a suspension having a particle size in the range of 0.1 to 20 microns, preferably 0.1 to 10 microns. Then, the desired amount of structuring agent is added to the obtained suspension, obtaining a liquid suspension composition under continuous homogenization.

According to one embodiment, the present invention further relates to the use of a crop nutrition or fortification composition as at least one of a nutritional composition, a crop enhancer composition, a soil amendment composition, a crop fortification, a crop protection and a yield increasing agent composition.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of applying an effective amount of a crop nutrition and fortification composition comprising one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof, elemental sulfur and a pesticidal excipient having particles ranging in size from 0.1 to 20 microns. Wherein the composition is applied to seeds, seedlings, crops, plants, plant propagation material, the locus, parts thereof or the surrounding soil.

According to one embodiment, the invention also relates to a method for improving soil fertility, plant health, improving crop nutrition by promoting the absorption of essential nutrients, protecting plants, increasing plant yield, enhancing plants or conditioning soil. The method comprises treating at least one of a seed, seedling, crop, plant propagation material, locus, part thereof or surrounding soil with an effective amount of a crop nutrient and fortification composition comprising one or more manganese salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof; elemental sulphur and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient having a particle size of between 0.1 and 20 microns.

The composition is administered by a variety of methods. Methods of application to the soil include any suitable method to ensure that the composition penetrates the soil, for example, nursery tray application, furrow application, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, soil drenching, soil injection, topdressing, wide casting or incorporation into the soil, and the like. The composition is also applied as a foliar spray. The rate or dosage of application of the composition will depend on the type of use, the level of deficiency of manganese and sulfur in the plant soil, the type of crop or the particular active ingredient in the composition, but it should be ensured that the agrochemical active ingredient provides the desired effect in an effective amount (e.g. nutrient uptake plant vigor, crop yield).

Preparation examples:

the following examples illustrate the basic methodology and versatility of the compositions of the present invention. It is recognized that changes can be made in the specific parameters and ranges disclosed herein and that there are many ways known in the art to alter the disclosed variables. It should be noted, however, that these preparation examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Also, although it is understood that only the preferred embodiments of these elements have been disclosed herein as illustrated in the specification and drawings, that the invention is not limited thereto but rather construed in accordance with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

A. Water dispersible granular composition of manganese and elemental sulphur

Example 1: an additive mixture was prepared by mixing 80 parts of elemental sulphur, 10 parts of manganese chloride and 10 parts of sodium lignosulfonate (lignosulfonate 100) to prepare an additive mixture, thereby preparing a water dispersible granule composition of manganese chloride and elemental sulphur. Wet milling the resulting mixture using a suitable bead mill or wet milling equipment to obtain an average particle size of less than 20 microns. The resulting wet milled slurry was then spray dried at an inlet temperature below 170 degrees celsius and an outlet temperature below 70 degrees celsius, followed by sieving to remove undersized and oversized particles to obtain a water dispersible granular composition of 80% elemental sulfur and 10% manganese chloride. The composition had the following particle size distribution: d10 is less than 0.9 microns; d50 was less than 4 microns and D90 was less than 12 microns. The particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-2.5 mm.

The composition had a degree of dispersion of 85% and a degree of suspension of 90%. The composition had a wet sieve retention value of 0.8%. The suspension of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 85%. The composition also exhibited a wettability of 30 seconds. The water-dispersible particles have little hardness.

Example 2: following the process steps described in example 1, a water dispersible particulate composition of 1% manganese oxide and 90% elemental sulfur was prepared, wherein the composition comprised 1 part manganese oxide, 90 parts elemental sulfur, 4 parts naphthalene sulfonate condensate and 5 parts phenyl naphthalene sulfonate. The composition had the following particle size distribution: d10 is less than 2 microns; d50 was less than 5 microns and D90 was less than 20 microns.

The composition had a degree of dispersion of 80% and a degree of suspension of 85%. The composition had a wet sieve retention of 1%. The suspension of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 80%. The composition also exhibited a wettability of 115 seconds. The particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-1.5 mm.

Example 3: following the process steps described in example 1, a water dispersible particulate composition of 70% manganese dioxide and 20% elemental sulfur was prepared, wherein the composition comprised 70 parts manganese dioxide, 20 parts elemental sulfur, 5 parts naphthalene sulfonate condensate and 5 parts china clay. The composition had the following particle size distribution: d10 is less than 0.4 microns; d50 was less than 3 microns and D90 was less than 15 microns.

The composition had a degree of dispersion of 30% and a degree of suspension of 30%. The wet sieve retention of the composition was 1.9%. The suspension of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 30%. The composition also exhibited a wettability of 40 seconds. The particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-2 mm. The water-dispersible particles have little hardness.

Example 4: following the process steps described in example 1, a water dispersible granular composition of 25% manganese carbonate and 50% elemental sulfur was prepared, wherein the composition comprised 25 parts manganese carbonate, 50 parts elemental sulfur, 5 parts phenyl naphthalene sulfonate, 7 parts sodium lignosulfonate, 5 parts precipitated silica and 8 parts china clay.

The composition had the following particle size distribution: d10 is less than 0.6 microns; d50 was less than 2 microns and D90 was less than 17 microns. The particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-0.5 mm.

The composition has 55% dispersibility and 65% suspensibility. The composition had a wet sieve retention of 1.3%. The suspension of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 65%. The composition also exhibited a wettability of 60 seconds.

Example 5: following the process steps described in example 1, a water dispersible granular composition of 45% manganese dioxide, 30% elemental sulfur was prepared, wherein the composition comprised 45 parts manganese dioxide, 30 parts elemental sulfur, 10 parts phenyl naphthalene sulfonate and 15 parts china clay. The composition had the following particle size distribution: d10 is less than 3 microns; d50 was less than 5 microns and D90 was less than 11 microns. The particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-1.0 mm.

The composition had a degree of dispersion of 85% and a degree of suspension of 95%. The composition had a wet sieve retention value of 0.6%. The suspension of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 90%. The composition also exhibited a 5 second wettability.

Example 6: following the process steps described in example 1, a water dispersible granular composition of 30% manganese oxide, 35% elemental sulfur and 4% thiamethoxam was prepared, wherein the composition included 30 parts manganese oxide, 35 parts elemental sulfur, 4 parts thiamethoxam, 15 parts phenylnaphthalene sulfonate and 16 parts precipitated silica. The composition had the following particle size distribution: d10 is less than 1 micron; d50 was less than 4.5 microns and D90 was less than 10 microns. The particle size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-1.5 mm.

The composition had a degree of dispersion of 75% and a degree of suspension of 80%. The composition had a wet sieve retention value of 0.2%. The suspension of the composition under accelerated storage conditions was 75%. The composition also exhibited a wettability of 15 seconds. The water-dispersible particles have little hardness.

B. Liquid suspension composition of manganese and elemental sulfur:

example 7: a liquid suspension composition was prepared by mixing 1 part of manganese oxide, 60 parts of elemental sulfur, 15 parts of a naphthalenesulfonate condensate, 0.2 parts of formaldehyde, 1 part of polydimethylsiloxane, and 22.4 parts of propylene glycol, and homogenization was performed by feeding these ingredients into a vessel equipped with a stirrer to obtain a uniform mixture. The mixture obtained is passed through suitable wet milling equipment to obtain a suspension having a particle size of less than 20 microns. Then, 0.4 parts of gum arabic is added under continuous homogenization to obtain a liquid suspension composition. The particle size distribution of the composition is about D10 less than 1.2 microns, D50 less than 4.2 microns, and D90 less than 10 microns.

The sample had a suspensibility of about 95% and a viscosity of about 500 cps. The sample suspension under accelerated storage conditions was 90% and wet sieve retention was 0.5%.

Example 8: a liquid suspension composition was prepared by following the same procedure as in example 7, wherein the composition comprises 15 parts of manganese chloride, 40 parts of elemental sulfur, 10 parts of naphthalenesulfonic acid sulfonate condensate, 2 parts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acid sodium sulfonate mixture, 0.2 part of 1, 2-benzothiazolin-3-one, 1 part of polydimethylsiloxane, 4.2 parts of gum arabic and 27.6 parts of water. The composition has a particle size distribution of about D10 less than 0.7 microns, D50 less than 3 microns, and D90 less than 12 microns.

The sample had a suspensibility of about 75% and a viscosity of about 375 cps. The sample suspension under accelerated storage conditions was 70% and the wet sieve retention was 1%.

Example 9: a liquid suspension composition was prepared by following the same process steps as in example 7, wherein the composition includes 45 parts manganese dioxide, 5 parts elemental sulfur, 9 parts phenyl naphthalene sulfonate, 4 parts alkyl naphthalene sodium sulfonate mixture, 18 parts glycerin, 0.2 parts formaldehyde, 1 part gum arabic and 17.8 parts propylene glycol. The mixture obtained is passed through suitable wet milling equipment to obtain a suspension having a particle size of less than 50 microns. The particle size distribution of the composition is about D10 less than 1.2 microns. D50 was less than 5 microns and D90 was less than 17 microns.

The sample had a suspensibility of about 30% and a viscosity of about 800 cps. The sample suspension under accelerated storage conditions was 25% and the wet sieve retention was 1.5%.

Example 10: a liquid suspension composition was prepared by following the same procedure as in example 7, wherein the composition comprised 35 parts of manganese nitrate, 1 part of elemental sulfur, 15 parts of naphthalenesulfonic acid condensate, 11 parts of glycerin, 0.2 part of 1, 2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and 0.5 part of carboxymethylcellulose and 37.3 parts of water. The particle size distribution of the composition is about D10 less than 0.6 microns. D50 was less than 2.5 microns and D90 was less than 15 microns.

The sample had a suspensibility of about 70% and a viscosity of about 1200 cps. The sample suspension under accelerated storage conditions was 60% and wet sieve retention was 1.5%.

Example 11: a liquid suspension composition was prepared according to the same process steps as in example 7, wherein the composition included 50 parts manganese oxide, 4 parts elemental sulfur, 6 parts phenyl naphthalene sulfonate, 6 parts sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate mixture, 0.5 part carboxymethylcellulose and 28.5 parts water. The composition has a particle size distribution of about D10 less than 1 micron, D50 less than 3.5 microns, and D90 less than 13 microns.

The sample has a suspensibility of about 45% and a viscosity of about 100 cps. The sample suspension under accelerated storage conditions was 40% and the wet sieve retention was 1.2%.

Example 12: a liquid suspension composition was prepared by following the same procedure as in example 7, wherein the composition comprised 12 parts manganese dioxide, 30 parts elemental sulfur, 8 parts thiamethoxam, 16 parts naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 8 parts sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate mixture, 0.3 parts 1, 2-benzothienooxazolin-3-one and 1 part carboxymethylcellulose and 24.7 parts water. The composition has a particle size distribution of about D10 less than 0.3 micron, D50 less than 3.5 microns, and D90 less than 20 microns.

The sample had a suspensibility of about 80% and a viscosity of about 650 cps. The sample had a suspension of 75% and a wet sieve retention of 0.8% under accelerated storage conditions.

Field study:

in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, field studies were conducted to evaluate the synergistic effect of different formulations of elemental sulfur and manganese dioxide in different formulations in soybeans, including water dispersible particle and suspension concentrations.

Experiment 1:

the field experiment method comprises the following steps:

a field trial was performed to observe the effect of different formulations of sulphur + manganese dioxide on yield in a commercially planted soybean field in sandodw, india.

The trial was performed in a Random Block Design (RBD) for a total of 6 treatments including untreated controls, repeated 4 times during the cariff season. The plot size of 40 square meters (8m x 5m) was maintained for each treatment. The compositions evaluated included sulfur and manganese dioxide alone, as well as different formulations, including combinations of sulfur and manganese dioxide, where sulfur and manganese were applied at the same dosage in each treatment. The composition is applied as a base application at the time of sowing of the soybean crop. The soybean crops tested in the field were planted according to good agricultural norms. Soybean seed, variety JS-335, was used for this study and was planted at 30cms row spacing and 10cms plant spacing.

Details of the experiment:

a) test site: de gas, signedo Er (MP)

b) Crop: soybean (variety: JS 335)

c) The experimental season is as follows: kalifu (Kharif) season of 2018

d) And (3) experimental design: random block design

e) The number of repetitions: fourthly

f) And (3) treatment: six ingredients

g) The land area is as follows: 8m x 5 m-40 m

h) Application date: 7 month and 1 day of 2018

i) Sowing date: 7 month and 3 days 2018

j) The using method comprises the following steps: foundation

k) Harvesting date: 10 month and 8 days 2018

Observations of soybean kernel yield were recorded at harvest time and the average data are listed in table 1 to enumerate the effect of mixtures of sulfur and manganese dioxide (used alone as well as mixtures of different formulation types) on soybean yield.

Table 1: efficacy of sulfur and manganese dioxide combinations on soybeans

Indicates an increase in% yield over untreated

Denotes a cofactor

The expected effect of a given combination of two active ingredients can be calculated as follows:

E＝X+Y-(XY/100)；

where E ═ the expected% effect of the two products X and Y mixed in the stated doses.

X ═ the% effect observed from product a;

y ═ the% effect observed from product B.

The cofactor (SF) was calculated from the formula of albert (Abbott) (Abbott, 1925) (equation (2)).

SF-observed/expected effect

Wherein SF >1 represents a synergistic reaction; SF <1 for antagonistic responses; SF ═ 1 indicates an addition reaction.

When the percentage of observed combined yield effect is equal to the expected percentage, only additive effects can be inferred, and wherein the percentage of observed combined yield effect is lower than the expected percentage, then combined antagonism can be inferred. The term "synergistic effect" is defined by Colby s s.r. published in Weeds, 1967, 15, pages 20-22 under the heading "calculation of synergistic and antagonistic effects of a combination of herbicides". When the percentage of yield effect (E) of the combination observed is greater than the expected percentage, a synergistic effect of the combination can be inferred.

As can be seen from the above table, the expected percent yield increase when sulfur is used in combination with the manganese salt is 29.3% as calculated by the Abbott equation.

As can be further seen from the data in table 1, compositions of T4 with water dispersible particles and T6 with suspension concentrate according to embodiments of the present invention exhibit synergistic behavior.

As is clear from table 1 above, treatment with a sulfur 40% + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.9%) water dispersible granule composition according to an embodiment of the present invention, T4, and treatment with sulfur 20% + 12.5% manganese dioxide (Mn-7.95%) SC according to an embodiment of the present invention, T6, showed 32.8% and 31.5% increases in soybean kernel yield, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Thus, both the water dispersible granular composition and the liquid suspension composition according to the invention show surprising synergy and enhanced efficacy compared to treatment with active agent alone T2 and T3 and/or with treatment with 40% sulfur + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.9%) pastilles T5, as is known in the art. Indeed, treatment with the water dispersible granule composition, T4, and treatment with 20% sulfur + 12.5% manganese dioxide (Mn-7.95%) SC, T6, showed surprising increases in kernel yield of soybeans of 10.47% and 9.4%, respectively, compared to T5 treated with a pastille of sulfur 40% + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.9%), according to the examples of the present invention.

Experiment 2:

a field test to evaluate the effect of different formulations of sulfur (S) + various manganese salts at different concentrations on the carbohydrate content in the soybean leaves, pod number, test weight, yield and oil content.

The effect of various concentrations and forms of combinations of sulfur and manganese, including water dispersible granules and suspending agents, were evaluated by field trial experiments on carbohydrate content, pod number, trial weight, yield and oil content in soybean leaves in saver (mp) commercial soybean fields of Ujjain, according to embodiments of the present invention.

The test was performed in a Random Block Design (RBD) during the cariff season, with ten treatments, including untreated controls, repeated three times. Each treatment maintained a plot size of 35 square meters (7m x 5 m). The samples evaluated included a combination of sulfur and various manganese salts at various concentrations and specific doses, which were applied as a base at the time of sowing of the soybean crop. Soybeans were planted in test fields following good agricultural practices. A study was carried out using soybean seed JS-335 and planted at 30cms row spacing and 10cms plant spacing.

Details of the experiment

a) Test site: wujiayin (Ujjain), Saverr (Saverr) (MP)

b) Crop: soybean (variety: JS 335)

c) The experimental season is as follows: kalim season of 2018 years

d) And (3) experimental design: random block design

e) The number of repetitions: III

f) And (3) treatment: ten pieces of cloth

g) The land area is as follows: 7m x 5m 35 square meter

h) R x P spacing: 30cm x 10cm

i) Application date: 6 and 28 months in 2018

j) Sowing date: 6 and 29 months in 2018

k) The application method comprises the following steps: foundation

l) date of harvest: 10 and 11 months in 2018

Observation of different yield parameters and yield attribute factors of soybeans. The carbohydrate content, pod number, test weight, yield and oil content in the leaves were recorded at harvest and the average data are presented in table 2 to enumerate the effect of different formulations of different concentrations of sulphur and manganese salt combinations.

Table 2: the effect of the combination of sulfur and various forms of manganese salts (including water dispersible granules and suspending agents) at different concentrations according to the present invention.

Indicates the percentage of increase or decrease over control

It is observed from the above table that treatments T1, T2 and T3 of varying concentrations of sulfur and manganese in water dispersible granular form, and treatments T7, T8, T9 in suspension concentrate form, according to embodiments of the present invention, show a significant increase in soluble bicarbonate content, grain yield, oil content in the soybean plant leaves compared to pastilles and untreated plants.

It was observed that in the comparative treatments T1, T4, T7, according to the examples of the invention, T1 treated with water dispersible granules of sulfur 80% + manganese 7.74% (10% manganese oxide) and T7 concentrated with a suspension of sulfur 40% + manganese 3.87% (5% manganese oxide) increased the soluble carbohydrate content by 53.8% and 69.1%, respectively, over the untreated control, which showed only about a 15% increase in the leaf carbohydrate content over the untreated control T4 treated with sulfur and manganese dioxide pastilles. It is noted that in each of the above treatments, the same amounts of sulfur and manganese were applied.

Furthermore, treatments T2, T8 with the composition according to an embodiment of the invention showed an increase in soluble carbohydrate content of 74.4% and 70.7%, respectively, whereas treatment T5 with the lozenge composition showed only a 30% increase in carbohydrate content in soybean leaves.

Furthermore, treatments T1, T2, T3, T7, T8 and T9 with the composition according to the invention show a significantly higher grain yield and increased oil content of soybeans compared to treatments T4, T5 and T6. For example, when comparing treatments T2, T5, T8, treatments T2 and T8 of the composition according to an embodiment of the present invention showed an increase in grain yield of about 38% and 37%, respectively, and treatment T5 showed an increase in yield of about 13.3%, compared to the untreated control group. Furthermore, the oil content of the treatments T2, T8 was 8.6% and 7.5% higher, respectively, compared to the untreated control, while the treatment T5 with the lozenge composition showed an oil content that was only 2.7% higher than the untreated control.

Moreover, in the comparison of treatments T3, T6, T9, the compositions according to the invention showed an increase in yield of about 32.9% and 31.3% for treatments T3 and T9, respectively, and only about 9.9% for treatment T6, compared to the untreated control. The results are particularly surprising since each treatment T1, T4 and T7 had the same amount of sulfur and manganese. In addition, treatments T2, T5, and T8 also had the same dose of sulfur and manganese.

Thus, the combination of different concentrations of sulfur and various manganese salts in the form of water dispersible granules and suspension concentrates, according to embodiments of the present invention, show significant improvements in yield, soluble carbohydrate content and oil. The content in soybeans is higher than when treated with sulphur and manganese salts in the form of pastilles, especially when sulphur and manganese are applied at the same applied dose.

Experiment 3:

studies of the effect of various forms of sulfur and manganese dioxide, including compositions according to the invention, on the carbohydrate content of soybeans

Observations of carbohydrate content in soybean leaves 50 days after sowing of the soybean crop were also evaluated by taking samples from all treated plots, the average data being presented in the form of graph 1 (fig. 1) to understand the effect of different formulations of sulphur (S) + manganese dioxide (Mn) compositions on improving the carbohydrate content in soybean leaves.

The processing details are as follows:

t1-untreated;

t2-manganese dioxide 25% particle @790 g/acre Mn;

T3-Sulfur 90% WDG @2000 g/acre S;

t4-sulfur 40% + manganese dioxide 25% (Mn-15.9%) WDG @2000 g/acre S +790 g/acre Mn;

T5-Sulfur-40% + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.9%) pastilles @2000 g/acre S +790 g/acre Mn;

T6-Sulfur-20% + 12.5% manganese oxide (Mn-7.95%) SC @2000 g/acre S +790 g/acre Mn;

the expected percent increase in carbohydrate content was calculated using the Colby method, as follows:

E＝X+Y-(XY/100)

where E ═ the expected percent effect of the two products X and Y mixed in the stated doses.

X is the percent effect observed for the product of treatment T2 (21.13%)

Percent effect observed for the product of treatment T3 (18.01)

Based on FIG. 1 and the calculations made, the expected carbohydrate content in soybean leaves was found to be 35.3 mg/gm. It was further observed that T4 was treated with 40% sulfur + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.9%) water dispersible particles at 2000 g/acre S +790 g/acre Mn according to embodiments of the present invention, as compared to untreated controls; and T6 suspension concentrate with sulfur-20% + 12.5% manganese oxide (Mn-7.95%) at 2000 g/acre S +790 g/acre Mn showed an increase in carbohydrate content of the soybean leaf of 80.1% and 74.55%, respectively. Furthermore, treatment of T5 with the sulfur plus manganese dioxide lozenge composition, wherein the same amount of sulfur and manganese was applied, showed only a 21.88% increase in carbohydrate content compared to the untreated control. Thus, the compositions of treatments T4 and T6 with the composition according to the invention showed a synergistic effect compared to the composition of treatment T5 with sulphur and manganese dioxide pastilles. The figure shows that the composition according to embodiments of the present invention shows a synergistic effect with respect to the compositions known in the art, i.e. pellets/lozenges.

Experiment 4:

investigating the Effect of Sulfur and manganese oxide Water dispersible granule compositions and liquid suspension compositions on different concentrations of wheat crops

Field trials were conducted to investigate the synergistic effect of different formulations of sulfur + manganese oxides at different concentrations on commercial wheat field production in Karnal, Haryana, harlina.

The field experiment method comprises the following steps:

the trial was performed in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) for 6 treatments, including untreated controls, in 4 replicates during the Rabi season. The plot size of 40 square meters (8m x 5m) was maintained for each treatment. The tests were carried out on the basis of the application of sulphur and manganese oxides alone, in combination in different formulations and in different concentrations, at the time of sowing of wheat crops. Wheat crops in the test field were grown following good agricultural practices. Wheat seeds, PBW343 variety, were used for the study and planted at planting intervals of 30cms (row to row and 10 cms).

Details of the experiment

a) Test site: lajiastanbang Sikar (Sikar, Rajasthan)

b) Crop: wheat (variety: PBW 343)

c) Experiment season: labe season of 2018-19 years

d) And (3) experimental design: random block design

e) The number of repetitions: fourthly

f) The treatment times are as follows: six ingredients

g) The land area is as follows: 8m x 5 m-40 m

h) Application date: 11/2018/1/11/month

i) Sowing date: 11/2018/11/2

j) The using method comprises the following steps: foundation

k) Harvesting date: 4 month and 1 day of 2019

Observations of wheat grain yield were recorded at harvest and the average data are listed in table 3 to enumerate the effect of sulfur and manganese oxide combinations alone and in combination on wheat yield per unit for different formulations and at different concentrations.

Table 3:

indicates an increase in% yield over untreated

Denotes a cofactor

As can be seen from the table above, the percentage increase in wheat production is expected to be 27.2% for wheat incorporating the sulfur and manganese salt composition as calculated by Abbott's equation.

As is clear from Table 3 above, when the compositions in each of the above treatments had the same amounts of sulfur and manganese applied, treatment T4 with water dispersible granules of sulfur-35% + 30% manganese oxide (Mn-23.23%) and treatment T6 with suspension concentrate of sulfur-17.5% + 15% manganese oxide (Mn-11.615%) according to embodiments of the present invention showed a synergistic effect and unexpectedly improved grain yield in wheat as compared to treatment T5 with pastilles of sulfur-35% + 30% manganese oxide (Mn-23.23%). Indeed, treatments T4 and T6 with the compositions of the present embodiments increased grain yield of wheat by 32.5% and 31.6%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. The increase in T5 was only 21.1% for the treatment with the composition of the pastilles containing manganous sulfide compared to the untreated control. Thus, the compositions of the present invention show surprisingly enhanced efficacy compared to treatment with sulfur and manganese alone, or compared to treatment with a pastille composition of sulfur plus manganese.

Experiment 5:

field trials were conducted to investigate the effect of different formulations of sulphur and various manganese salts at different concentrations on wheat fields grown commercially in Maharashtra bantam (Nasik, Maharashtra) and to evaluate parameters such as tiller number, test weight and grain yield.

Field experiment method

The trial was performed in ten treatments in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) during the rabi season, including untreated controls, in triplicate. Each treatment maintained a plot size of 35 square meters (7m x 5 m). Test samples of sulfur and various manganese salts (e.g., oxides of manganese, manganese dioxide and manganese nitrate) were applied in different formulations, in different concentrations, in combination, as a basis for wheat seeding. Wheat crops in field trials were grown in accordance with good agricultural practices. Seeds of wheat, the Kranti variety, were used for the study and were planted at a row spacing of 30cms and a plant spacing of 10 cms.

Details of the experiment

a) Test site: maharashtala bannacke city

b) Crop: wheat (variety: Kranti)

c) Experiment season: labe season of 2018-19 years

d) And (3) experimental design: random block design

e) The number of repetitions: III

f) The treatment times are as follows: ten pieces of cloth

g) The land area is as follows: 7m x 5m 35 square meter

h) R x P spacing: 30cm x 10cm

h) Application date: 11/2018, 12/11/month

i) Sowing date: 11/2018, 14/11/month

j) The using method comprises the following steps: foundation

k) Harvesting date: 3, 28 months in 2019

Observation of yield and various parameters attributable to the yield factors. Wheat fractions, bulk weights and grain yields were recorded at harvest and the average data are listed in table 4 to enumerate the effect of different formulations of different concentrations of sulphur and manganese combinations.

Table 4:

indicates the percentage of increase or decrease over control

From the above table it was observed that treatment with sulphur and manganese in the form of water dispersible granules according to embodiments of the invention T1, T2 and T3 showed an increase in wheat yield of 22.2%, 25.9% and 19.0% compared to untreated plants. According to an embodiment of the invention, treatments with sulphur and manganese in liquid suspension form T7, T8 and T9 showed an increase in grain yield of 19.7%, 22.8% and 22% wheat, respectively. On the other hand, it was observed that treatment with sulphur plus manganese in the form of pastilles of different concentrations known in the art (treatments T6, T7 and T8) showed only an increase in the grain yield of wheat of 6%, 11.2% and 8.4%, respectively.

It was further observed that, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when comparing treatments T2, T5, T8, T2 and T8 treated with water dispersible granules and liquid suspensions, the yield increased by about 25.9% and 22.8%, respectively, whereas treatment T5 (the existing pastilles) showed only an 11.2% increase in yield, sulfur and manganese being administered at the same dose in all three treatments. Similarly, in comparing treatments T3, T6, T9, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it was observed that treatments T3 and T9 with water dispersible granule and liquid suspension compositions showed yield increases of about 19% and 22%, respectively, while T6 with pastilles of sulfur and manganese showed only 8.4% yield increases. Thus, the combination of sulphur and manganese salts in the form of water-dispersible granules and liquid suspensions according to the invention has a significantly higher yield than sulphur and manganese salts in the form of pastilles. The results are particularly surprising since each treatment T1, T4 and T7 had the same sulfur and manganese dose. In addition, treatments T2, T5 and T8 or each of treatments T3, T6 and T9 had the same sulfur and manganese dosages, respectively.

According to the invention, the compositions of treatments T1, T2, T3, T7, T8 and T9 with water dispersible granules and suspension concentrates also showed an increase in the average number of effective tillers compared to the compositions of treatments T4, T5 and T6 with lozenge form.

Experiment 6:

field studies were conducted to investigate the control of different formulations of sulfur and manganese dioxide on common scab disease (caused by streptomyces scabies) in potatoes.

The field experiment method comprises the following steps:

in Degas (Devas), Pluronic, in the form of a field trial was performed to evaluate the effect of different formulations of sulphur + manganese dioxide on the control of common scab disease (caused by Streptomyces scabies) in potatoes. The trial was performed during the rabi season, Randomized Block Design (RBD), with six treatments (including untreated controls) being repeated four times. The plot size of 40 square meters (8m x 5m) was maintained for each treatment. The compounds evaluated included sulfur and manganese dioxide alone, as well as in combination of different formulations at the stated dosages, applied as a foundation for furrows at the time of potato tuber sowing. Potatoes were grown in test fields following good agricultural practices. The study was carried out using seeds of the potato variety Loker and planted at 60cms row spacing and 25cms row spacing.

Details of the experiment

a) Judging the place: degas, Andol

b) Crop: potato (variety: Loker)

c) Experiment season: labe season of 2018 years

d) And (3) experimental design: random block design

e) The number of repetitions: fourthly

f) The treatment times are as follows: six ingredients

g) The land area is as follows: 8m x 5 m-40 sq

h) Sowing date: 11 and 10 months in 2018

i) Application date: 11 and 10 months in 2018

j) The application method comprises the following steps: furrow with a plurality of furrow holes

k) Harvesting date: 18/3/2019

The incidence of scabies and tuber yield, which are common, were recorded at the time of potato harvest. A row of diggers is used to harvest the crop and tubers are picked manually. After harvest, the tubers were graded and the number and weight of healthy and diseased tubers were recorded.

The severity of common scabies (DS) on each nodule was assessed on a scale of 0-100% based on the percentage of common scab symptoms on the surface area of the tuber (falleon et al, 2001).

The number of commonly scabbed infected tubers, expressed as a percentage of the total number of tubers, was considered to be the incidence of Disease (DI). The total yield of each treatment was calculated from the average total weight of tubers from the 4 replicate rows

Table 7 lists the average data for incidence of common scabies and percent disease control.

Table 5: the effect of different formulations, including the combination of sulphur + manganese dioxide, on common scabs of potatoes was evaluated:

observations were recorded for the incidence of common scabies in potatoes caused by streptomyces scabies and it can be seen from the above table that treatment 3 with 35% + 30% manganese dioxide (Mn-19.19%) water dispersed particles and treatment 6 with 17.5% + 15% manganese dioxide (Mn-9.59%) suspension concentrate compositions according to embodiments of the present invention showed a reduction in disease incidence of 59.1% and 60.1%, respectively, compared to untreated controls. In fact, treatments 4 and 6 according to embodiments of the present invention are also far superior to treatment 5 with pastilles of sulfur 35% + 30% manganese dioxide (Mn-19.19%), or compared to treatments T2 and 3 with the active species alone. T3 with a separate active substance. Treatment with the compositions of the present embodiments also showed a significant increase in potato tuber yield compared to untreated controls, or to treatment with mono pubescent material or lozenge compositions in potatoes.

Experiment 7:

a field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different particle size ranges of sulfur (S) + manganese dioxide (Mn) on the yield of moharaschlat (Nasik, Maharashtra) soybeans.

On-site experimental method

The trial was conducted in a Random Block Design (RBD) during the cariff season using five treatments, including untreated controls, replicated four times. The plot size of 40 square meters (8m x 5m) was maintained for each treatment. Contemplated compositions include 40% sulfur and 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.8%) water dispersible particles of various particle size ranges, including compositions according to embodiments of the present invention. The composition is applied at a prescribed dose as a base at the time of sowing soybean seeds. Following good agricultural practices, soybeans were planted in the experimental field. Soybean seeds, JS 9041 variety, were sown at 40cm row spacing and 15cm plant spacing.

Details of the experiment:

a) test site: maharashtala bannacick

b) Crop: soybean (variety: JS 9041)

c) Experiment season: season Carrief of 2018

d) And (3) experimental design: random block design

e) The number of repetitions: fourthly

f) The treatment times are as follows: 5

g) The land area is as follows: 8m x 5 m-40 m

h) And (3) transplanting date: 7 month and 8 days 2018

i) Application date: 7 month and 7 days 2018

j) The application method comprises the following steps: basic application

k) Harvesting date: 10 and 12 months in 2018

Observations of yield were recorded at harvest and averaged data are listed in table 6 to see the effect of different treatments on soybean kernel yield

Table 6:

as can be seen from the data presented in Table 6, treatment with 40% sulfur + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.8%) water dispersible particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 20 microns T2 showed significant increases in grain yield and average pod number per plant when compared to treatment with T3 treated with 40% sulfur + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.8%) water dispersible particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 50 microns, or treatment with T4 treated with 40% sulfur + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.8%) water dispersible particles having a particle size of 20 to 50 microns, and treatment with T5 treated with 40% sulfur + 25% manganese dioxide (Mn-15.8%) water dispersible particles having a particle size of 50 to 100 microns. It was observed that treatment T2 with the composition according to the invention showed a surprisingly significant grain yield increase of 33.2% compared to the untreated control, whereas treatment T3, T4 and T5 showed only a 21.3%, 19.8% and 11.4% yield increase, respectively, compared to the untreated control. It should be noted that enhanced efficacy is observed with the water dispersible granular formulation according to the present invention, wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns as compared to water dispersible granular formulations having higher particle sizes.

Experiment 8:

field studies were conducted to investigate the effect of different formulations of sulfur and manganese on potato yield.

The field experiment method comprises the following steps:

a field trial was conducted to observe the effect of different formulations of sulfur and manganese actives, individually and in combination, on the yield of nasick (Maharashtra) of commercially planted potatoes in Maharashtra, according to embodiments of the present invention.

The trial was performed during the rabi season, Randomized Block Design (RBD), with five treatments including untreated controls, replicated four times. The plot size of 40 square meters (8m x 5m) was maintained for each treatment. The samples evaluated included sulfur and manganese dioxide alone, and in the form of various formulation combinations at the stated dosages, applied as a base at the time of potato tuber seeding. Potatoes were grown in test fields following good agricultural practices. The row spacing of tubers was 60cms, and the plant spacing was 25 cms. Tuber yield observations were recorded at harvest and table 7 lists the average of all observations to enumerate the effect of the combination of sulfur and manganese on tuber yield.

Details of the experiment

a) Test site: nascik of maharashtrabang

b) Crop: potato

c) Experiment season: labe season of 2018 years

d) And (3) experimental design: random block design

e) The number of repetitions: fourthly

f) The treatment times are as follows: six ingredients

g) The land area is as follows: 8m x 5 m-40 sq

h) Sowing date: 10 and 25 months in 2018

i) Application date: 24 days in 2018, 10 months

j) The application method comprises the following steps: furrow with a plurality of furrow holes

k) Harvesting date: 1 month and 25 days 2019

Table 7: evaluation of the Effect of different formulation combinations of Sulfur and manganese on Potato yield

From the above table, it was observed that the suspension concentrate of treatment 2 with 40% + 15.9% sulphur (25% manganese dioxide) water dispersible granules, and treatment 3 with 20% + 7.9% sulphur (12.5% manganese dioxide), according to embodiments of the invention, significantly improved potato tuber yield compared to untreated controls, and compared to treatment with T4 using commercially available manganese sulphate, or compared to water dispersible granules of 90% sulphur, according to embodiments of the invention. The yields of treatments T1 and T2 increased by about 17.6% and 15.4% at the reduced dose of active agent administered, compared to treatment T3 (commercially available) which only showed a 4.08% yield increase and treatment T4 (commercially available) which only showed a 5.70% yield increase. Thus, it can be concluded that, according to embodiments of the present invention, the compositions of elemental sulphur and manganese dioxide in the form of water dispersible granules and suspension concentrates (treatments T2 and T3) show a significant improvement in potato tuber yield even at reduced dosages over those treated with the active substance alone (treatments T4, T5).

In addition, the inventors have also tested elemental sulphur and manganese salts in combination with fertilizers or other micronutrients on certain crops such as tomatoes and grapes. It was observed that the addition of other micronutrients such as boron salts to the compositions of the invention may further enhance crop characteristics such as greenness, fruit weight, plant height and increase the nutritional value of the crop. Further such combinations may additionally help to increase the yield of the crop, improve photosynthesis, increase chlorophyll content and absorption of other nutrients by the crop.

Thus, it has been observed that the compositions of the present invention exhibit enhanced, effective and superior performance in the field. Indeed, various advantageous properties associated with the compositions according to the invention include, but are not limited to, improved stability, improved toxicological and/or ecotoxicological behaviour, improved crop characteristics such as improved nutrient content, more developed root systems, increased height of the plant, larger leaf blades, less basal leaf death, stronger tillers, greener leaf color, less fertilizer needed, increased tillering, increased shoot growth, increased plant vigor, earlier flowering, tillering prolific production, reduced plant internode (lodging), protein content in chlorophyll and leaf blades, photosynthesis, early seed germination, early grain maturity, increased product quality, plant strengthening, soil conditioning and increased crop yield and enhanced disease control. Likewise, the compositions of the present invention are suitable for drip or spray irrigation applications, in which most commercial products are not available, in addition to other applications for agricultural compositions.

By the composition of the invention, the number of applications or the amount of nutrients, fertilizers or pesticides is minimized. The composition is highly safe for the user and the environment.

From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred.