Plant support formulation, vehicle for the delivery and translocation of phytologically benefical substances and compositions containing same

Abstract

The invention provides a plant supporting formulation which is also suitable for use as a delivery vehicle, or a component of a delivery vehicle, for the delivery of one or more phytologically beneficial substances to a plant, and for enhancing the translocation of such delivered substance(s) in or on the plant, the formulation comprising a micro-emulsion constituted by a dispersion of vesicles or microsponges of a fatty acid based component in an aqueous carrier, the fatty acid based component comprising at least one long chain fatty acid based substance selected from the group consisting of free fatty acids and derivatives of free fatty acids. The dispersion is preferably characterized in that at least 50% of the vesicles or microsponges are of a diametrical size of between 50 nm and 5 micrometers. The dispersion is further also characterized in that the micro-emulsion has a zeta potential of between −25 mV and −60 mV

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
   
   
       37 . A plant supporting formulation which is physiologically beneficial comprising a micro-emulsion constituted by a dispersion of vesicles or microsponges of a fatty acid based component in an aqueous carrier, the fatty acid based component comprising at least one long chain fatty acid based substance selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, elcosapentaenoic add [C20:5ω3], decosahexaenoic acid [C22:6ω3], and ricinoleic acid, and derivatives thereof selected from the group consisting of the C 1  to C 5  alkyl esters thereof, the glycerolpotyethylene glycol esters thereof, and the reaction product of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated natural oils composed largely of ricinoleic acid based oils, such as castor oil, with ethylene oxide and which Incorporates a gars dissolved in the fatty acid mixture. 
   
   
       38 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 37  wherein the dispersion is characterized in that at least 95% of the vesicles or microsponges are of a diametrical size of between 50 nm and 5 micrometer. 
   
   
       39 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 37  characterized in that the micro-emulsion has a zeta potential of between −35 mV and −60 mV. 
   
   
       40 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 37  wherein the fatty acid component of the micro-emulsion consists or includes a mixture of esterified fatty acids. 
   
   
       41 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 40  wherein the fatty acid component of the micro-emulsion consists of the product known as Vitamin F Ethyl Ester. 
   
   
       42 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 37  wherein the fatty acid component of the micro-emulsion includes or consists of the long chain fatty acids known as elcosapentaenoic acid [C20:5ω3] and decosahexaenoic acid [C22:6ω3]. 
   
   
       43 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 40  wherein the fatty acid component of the micro-emulsion in addition includes the reaction product of hydrogenated natural oils composed largely of ricinoleic acid based oils with ethylene oxide. 
   
   
       44 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 43  wherein the reaction product of hydrogenated natural oils composed largely of ricinoleic acid based oils with ethylene oxide is produced from castor oil. 
   
   
       45 . A plant supporting formulation according to  claim 37  wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrous oxide, carbon oxysulfide and carbon dioxide. 
   
   
       46 . A method for producing a plant supporting formulation comprising the steps of mixing a fatty acid based component with water to obtain a micro-emulsion, and introducing a gas selected from the group consisting of nitrous oxide, carbon oxysulfide and carbon dioxide into the mixture, to impart a size distribution of vesicles so that at least 95% of the vesicles or microsponges are of a diametrical size of between 50 nm and 5 micrometer or a zeta potential of between −35 mV and −60 mV to the micro-emulsion, and wherein the fatty acid based component comprises at least one long chain fatty acid based substance selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, gammalinolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenolc acid [C20:5ω3], decosahexaenoic acid [C22:6ω3] ricinoleic acid, and derivatives thereof selected from the group consisting of the G to Ca alkyl esters thereof, the glycerol-polyethylene glycol esters thereof, and the reaction product of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated natural oils composed largely of ricinoleic acid based oils, such as castor oil, with ethylene oxide. 
   
   
       47 . A method according to  claim 46  wherein the mixing of the fatty acid component is effected with heating and stirring, preferably by means of a high speed shearer. 
   
   
       48 . A method according to  claim 46  wherein the gas is introduced into the water before the fatty acid based component of the micro-emulsion is mixed with the water. 
   
   
       49 . A method according to  claim 48  wherein the gas is dissolved in the water to obtain a saturated solution of the gas in water, and the saturated solution of the gas is thereafter mixed with the fatty acid component of the micro-emulsion being prepared. 
   
   
       50 . A method according to  claim 49  wherein the saturated solution of the gas in water is prepared by sparging the water with the gas, or by exposing the water to the gas at a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure for a period of time in excess of the time required for the water to become saturated with the gas. 
   
   
       51 . A method according to  claim 46  wherein an emulsion of the fatty acid component in water is first prepared and is thereafter gassed by exposing the emulsion to the gas. 
   
   
       52 . A method according to  claim 51  wherein the emulsion is gassed by sparging. 
   
   
       53 . A formulation for the use in the treatment of a plant comprising a carrier vehicle constituted by a plant supporting formulation according to  claim 37  and which further includes a phytologically beneficial substance selected from the group of substances known to be useful as a plant nutrient; a plant pesticide Including a herbicide, fungicide, bactericide, insecticide, antiplant virus agent; a plant growth regulator, a plant immune modulator; and a biostimulant. 
   
   
       54 . A formulation according to  claim 53  characterized in that it is in a form that can be sprayed onto plants as a liquid and which incorporates further additives that enhance effectiveness, stability, or ease of application. 
   
   
       55 . A formulation according to  claim 53  comprising at least one plant nutrient which is a source of at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum and chlorine. 
   
   
       56 . A formulation according to  claim 53  comprising a pesticidally effective concentration of at least one plant pesticide selected from the group consisting of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, plant regulators, defoliants, and desiccants. 
   
   
       57 . A formulation according to  claim 56  wherein the pesticide is selected from the group of chemical and biological (organic) pesticides consisting of synthetic arsenic, Bt liquid w/zylene, Bt liquid-no Xylene, Bt wettable powder, beneficial organisms, biodynamic preparations, bordeaux mixes—copper, hydroxide/fixed copper, boric acid, carbamates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, chromate ions, citric acid, copper hydroxide, copper sulfate, herbal prepartions selected from cinnamon, cloves, garlic, mint, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, and white pepper, herbicides—synthetic, hydrated lime, imidacoloprid-a neonicotinoid insecticide, indoxacarb (p)—a chiral oxadiazine insecticide, insect extracts, isocyanate, lauryl sulfate, lime sulfur, malathion, malic acid, methyl bromide, methyl sulfoxide, milky spore disease—B, popillae, nematocides-synthetic, nematodes, nicotine, oils selected from carrot oil, castor Oil (U.S.P. or equivalent), cedar oil, cinnamon oil, citronella oil, citrus oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, summer oils, thyme oil and weed oils, organophosphates selected from acephate, azinphosmethyl, bensufide cadusafos, chlorethoxyphos, chlofenvinpos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlothiophos, coumaphos, ddvp (dichlorvos), dialifor, diazinon, dicotophos, dimethoate, dioxathion, disulfoton, ethion, ethoprop, ethyl parathion, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, fonofos, isazophos, malathion, methamidophos, methidathioln, methyl pharathion, mevinphos, monocrotophoa, naled, oxydemeton-methyl, phorate phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phostebupirim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofoe, propetamphos, sulfotapp, sulprofos, temephos, terbufos, tetrachiovinphos, tribufos (def) and trichiorfon, pentachlorophenol, pestices-synthetic, petroleum distillates, petroleum oil spray ajuvants, 2-phenethyl propionate (2-phenylethyl propionate), pheromones, piperonyl butoxide, plant extracts selected from hellebore, pyrethrum, quassia, sabadilla, citronella, sesame (includes ground sesame plant stalks), eugenol and geraniol, potassium sorbate, putrescent whole egg solids, pyrethroids—synthetic rock salt—weed control, rotenone, ryania, see animal wastes, soap based herbicides, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate, soil fumigants, streptomycin, sulfur, virus sprays and Zinc Metal Strips (consisting solely of zinc metal and impurties). 
   
   
       58 . A formulation according to  claim 53  including a herbicidally effective concentration of at least one herbicide having a mode of action selected from the group consisting of auxin mimics, mitosis inhibitors, photosynthesis inhibitors, amino acid synthesis Inhibitors and lipid biosynthesis inhibitors. 
   
   
       59 . A formulation according to  claim 58  including a herbicide selected from the group consisting of 2,4-d (2,4-dimethylphenol), Clopyralid, Fluazifop-p-buty, Flumetsulam—a triazoiopyrimidine herbicide, Fosamine Ammonium, Glyphosate, Hexazinone, Imazapic, Imazapyr, Picioram, Sethoxydim, Triclopyr. 
   
   
       60 . A formulation according to  claim 53  including at least one fungicide selected from the group consisting of 1,3 dichloropropene, 2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid methyl ester, 8 hydroxyquinoline, acibenzolar-5-methyl,  Agrobacterium  radiobacter, ammonium phosphite, ascorbic acid, azoxystrobin,  Bacillus subtilis  DB 101,  Bacillus subtitle  D8 102,  Bacillus subtilis  isolate B248, Bardac, Benalaxyl, Benomyl, Bifenthin, Bitertanol, Borax, boric acid equivalent, boscalid, bromuconazole, bupirimate, captab, carbendazim, Carboxin, chlorine dioxide, chloropicrin, chlorolhalonil, chlorpyrifos, copper ammonium acetate, copper ammonium carbonate, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, cupric hydroxide, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, Dazomet, Deltamethrin, Dichlarophen, dicioran, didesyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, difanaconazole, dinocap, diphenylamine, disulfoton, dithianon, dodemorph, dodine, epoxiconazole, famoxadone, alkohols, anti-oxidants, Fenemidone, Fenarimol, Fenbuconazole, Fenhexamid, Fludioxonil, Flusilazofe, Flutriafo, Folpet, fosetyl-Al, furalaxyl, furfural, guazatine, hexaconazole, hydroxyquinoline sulphate, imazalil, iprodione, iprovalicarb, kresoxim-methyl, lime, lindane, mancozeb, maneb, mefenoxam, Mercaptothion, Metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), metam-sodium, methyl bromide, metiram, mineral oil, mono potassium phosphate, myclobutanfl, octhilinone, oxycarboxin, paraffinic complex (light mineral oil), penconazole, pencycuron, phosphorous acid, polysulphide sulphur, potassium phosphate, potassium phosphonate, prochlorax zinc complex, prochloraz, prochloraz manganese chloride complex, prochloraz zinc complex, procymidone, profenofos, propaconazole, propamocarb HCl, propiconazole, propineb, pseudomonas resinovonans, pyraclostrobin, pyrimethanil, QAC, Quazatine, Quinoxyfen, Quintozene, salicylic acid, silthiopharn, sodium-o-phenol phenate(Na salt), spiroxamine, sulphur, TBTO, Tebuconazole, Thiabendazole, Thiabendazole, thiophanate methyl, thiram, tolciofos-methyl, triodimefon, triadimenol, tributyltin oxide,  Trichoderma harzianum , Tridemorph, Trifloxystrobin, Triflumuron, Triforine, Triticonazole, Vlnclozolin, zinc oxide, Zineb and Zoxamide. 
   
   
       61 . A formulation according to  claim 53  including a bactericidally effective concentration of at least one bactericide selected from the bactericides known to be suitable for use on plants to combat bacteria infecting plant. 
   
   
       62 . A formulation according to  claim 53  including an insecticidally effective concentration of at least one insecticide selected from the group consisting of (E)-7-dodecenyl acetate, (E,E)-8,10 dodecadien-1-ol, 1,3 dichloropropene, 3(s) ethyl-6-isopropenyl-9-docadien-1-yl acetate,  Allium sativum, Bacillus thuringiensis  Serotype H-7,  Bacillus thuringiensis  subsp  laraelensis, Bacillus thuringiensis  var  aiziwal kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis  var  kurstaki, Beauveria bassiana, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium japonicum  WB 74,  Bradyrhizobium  sp  Luinus  VK,  Bradyrhizobium  sp x S21,  Bradyrhizobium apum , Chlorpyrifos, Dimilin, E8,E10-dodecadlenol, EDB,  Metarhizium anisopliae  var  acridium  isolate IMI 330 189,  Paecilumyces illacinus  strain 251,  Rhizobium leguminosarum  blovar phaseoli,  Rhizobium leguminosarum  viciaeTJ 9,  Rhizobium meliloti , Spinosad, Sulfur,  Trichoderma harzianum , Z-8-dodecenylacetate, Abarnectin, abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, acrinathrin, aldicarb, alpha-cypermethrin, aluminum phosphide, amltraz, azadirachtin, azinphos-methyl, benfuracarb, beta-cyfluthrin, beta-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, borax, brodifacorn, bromopropylate, buprofenzin, burpfezin, cadusafos, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, cartap hyrochloride, chlorphenapyr, chlorpyrlfos, citronella oil, clofentezine, codimone (E,E-8,10-dodecadiene-1-ol), copper, coumatetralyl, cryptophlebia leucotreta, cyanophos, cyfluthrin, cyhexatin, Cypermethin, cyromazine, d-allethrin, dazomet, deltamethrin, demeton-5-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos, dicofol, difenacourn, diflubenzuron, imethoate, disulfoton, emamectin, endosulfan, esfenvalerate, ethoprophos, ethoprophos, ethylene dibromide, etoxazole, fenamiphos, fenamiphos, fenazaquin, fenbutatin, fenbutatin oxide, fenitrothion, fenoxycarb, fenpropathrin, fenpyroximate, fenthion, fenvalerate, ferric sodium EDTA, pronil, fipronil, flufenoxuron, flumethrin, fosthiazate, fumagillin, furfural, gamma-BHC, garlic extract, hydramethylnon, imidacloprid, indoxacarb, iambda-cyhalothrin, lavandulyl, senecioste, lufenuron, magnesium phosphide, mancozeb, maple lactone, mercaptothion, metaldehyde, metham-sodium, methamidophos, methidathlon, methlocarb, methomyl, methyl bromide, methyl-parathion, mevinphos, milbernectin, mineral oil, novaluron, omethoare, orth-phenylphenol, oxamyl, oxydemeton-methyl, parafinic complex (mineral oil), parathion, permethrin, phenothoate, phorate, phosmet, phoxim, primicarb, polysulphide sulphur, potassium salts of fatty acids, profenofos, propargite, propoxur, protein hydrolysate, prothiofos, pyrethrins, pyriproxyfen, quinalphos, rape oil, silicon based repellent, sodium fluosilicate, spinosad, spirodiclofen, sulfur, tartar emetic, tau-fluvalinate, tebufenozide, temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, tetradecenyl acetate, tetradifon, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiodicarb, thiram, trichlorfon, triflumuron, trimediure, zeta-cypermethrin, zinc phosphide. 
   
   
       63 . A formulation according to  claim 53  including a viracidally effective concentration of at least one viracide selected from the viracides known to be suitable for use on plants to combat viruses that infect plants. 
   
   
       64 . A formulation according to  claim 53  including a plant growth regulating effective concentration of at least one plant growth regulator selected from the products in the group consisting of di-alpha-tocopherol or its physiologically active isomer, 2-(1-2-methylnaphthyl)acetamide; 2-(1-2-methylnaphthyl)acetic acid; 2-(10naphthyl)acetamide; 2-(1-naphthyl)acetic avid; 2,4-D (sodium salt); 3,5,6 TPA; 4-indol-3-ylbuyric acid; 6-benzyl adenine; alkoxylated fatty alkylamine polymer; alkylamine polymer; aminoethoxyvinylglycine hydrochloride; ammoniated nitrates; auxins; calcium arsenate; carbaruyl; chlormequat chloride; chlorpropharn; chlorthal-dimethyl; cloprop; cyanamide; daminozide; decan-1-ol; dichlorprop; dichlorprop (2-butoxyethyl ester); dimethipin; dinocap; diquat dibromide; diuron; ethephon; fluazifop-p-butyl; gibberellins; glyphosphate-isopropylamine; glyphosphate-trimesium; haloxyfop-P-methyl; indolylacetic acid; maleic hydrazide; mepiquat chloride, methylcyclopropene; mineral oil; n-decanol; octan-1-ol; paclobutrazole; paraquat dichloride; pendimethalin; prohexadlone-calcium; salicylic acid; sodium chlorate; thidiazuron; trinexapec-ethyl; and uniconazole. 
   
   
       65 . A formulation according to  claim 53  including a biostimulatory effective concentration of at least one biostimulant selected from the group of products known as phytohormones. 
   
   
       66 . A formulation according to  claim 65  wherein the phytohormone is a brassinosteriod. 
   
   
       67 . A method of administering a plant support formulation as claimed in  claim 37  to a plant comprising the step of applying the formulation by means of aerial or surface application, by incorporation in water borne irrigation system, or by trunk injection where appropriate. 
   
   
       68 . A method of administering a phytologicaly beneficial substance to a plant, comprising the step of applying a formulation as claimed in  claim 53  to the plant by means of aerial or surface application, by incorporation in water borne irrigation system, or by trunk injection where appropriate. 
   
   
       69 . A method of stimulating at least one of the growth stages of a plant, or of improving the production or yield of crop by the plant, or the appearance of the plant or of enhancing disease resistance in the plant comprising the step of administering to the plant a plant support formulation as claimed in  claim 37 . 
   
   
       70 . A method of providing a plant nutrient to a plant comprising the step of applying to the plant a formulation as claimed in  claim 55  to the plant, or where appropriate, the locus thereof. 
   
   
       71 . A method of combating plant pests comprising the step of applying a formulation as claimed in  claim 56  to the plant or, where appropriate, the locos thereof. 
   
   
       72 . A method of stimulating growth or yield of a plant comprising the step of applying a formulation as claimed in  claim 65  to the plant.