Water-dispersible granules based on live organisms

Abstract

It is an aim of this invention to provide spray formulations which include live organisms and which can be used as pesticides or plant treatment products and whose storage stability at room temperature is considerably higher compared with corresponding formulations of the prior art. Moreover, it is intended that the spray formulation can be handled with greater ease, that is to say that it is, for example, free-flowing, low in dust and readily measured out, in order to be more user friendly. This object is achieved by the preparation of special, water-dispersible granules. The granules according to the invention comprise: a) 5 to 80% by weight of spores or active units of one or more organisms which act as pesticides or plant treatment agents, b) 5 to 60% by weight of one or more suitable wetting agents and dispersants, c) 2 to 50% by weight of at least one protective substance which prevents desiccation, d) 5 to 70% by weight of magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate, e) 5 to 20% by weight of at least one substance which protects against UV radiation, and f) a residual water content of 2-10%.

1 . Water-dispersible granules which comprise 
 a) 1 to 80% by weight of spores or active units of one or more organisms which act as pesticides or plant treatment agents,    b) 5 to 60% by weight of one or more suitable wetting agents and dispersants,    c) 2 to 50% by weight of at least one protective substance which prevents desiccation,    d) 5 to 70% by weight of magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate,    e) 5 to 20% by weight of at least one substance which protects against UV radiation, and    f) a residual water content of 2-10%.    
     
     
         2 . The water-dispersible granules as claimed in  claim 1 , which comprise 
 a) 20 to 50% by weight of spores or active units of one or more microorganisms which act as pesticides or plant treatment agents,    b) 10 to 40% by weight of one or more suitable wetting agents and dispersants,    c) 5 to 20% by weight of vegetable oil, mineral oil, glycerol, sodium alginate or sodium glutamate as protective substance,    d) 10 to 50% by weight of magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate,    e) 5 to 20% by weight of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as substance which imparts UV protection, and    f) a residual water content of 4-10%.    
     
     
         3 . The granules as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , which comprise 1 to 80% by weight of active substances in addition to customary formulation auxiliaries.  
     
     
         4 . The granules as claimed in one or more of  claims 1  to  3 , which comprise fungi from the class of the Deuteromycetes.  
     
     
         5 . The granules as claimed in one or more of  claims 1  to  4  which comprise fungi of the genus Beauveria.  
     
     
         6 . The granules as claimed in one or more of  claims 1  to  4 , which comprise fungi of the species Beauveria bassiana.  
     
     
         7 . The use of the granules as claimed in one or more of  claims 1  to  6  for controlling pests or treating plants.  
     
     
         8 . The use of the granules as claimed in one or more of  claims 1  to  6  for controlling insects.  
     
     
         9 . A method of controlling pests or treating plants, which comprises applying the compositions as claimed in one or more of  claims 1  to  6  to the pests to be controlled or the plants to be treated.