WO2010115793A2

WO2010115793A2 - Method of protecting grapevines against grapevine yellow disease

Info

Publication number: WO2010115793A2
Application number: PCT/EP2010/054271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wilhelm Rademacher; Erich Birner; Antonio Parenti
Original assignee: Basf Se
Priority date: 2009-04-07
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2010-10-14
Also published as: WO2010115793A3; AR076211A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of protecting grapevine plants against grapevine yellow disease caused by the phytoplasms Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree, which comprises treating the shoots or the soil in root proximity with an effective amount of a compound (I) in which R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl and R² is C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, or agriculturally acceptable salts thereof. In addition, the invention relates to the use of combinations of a compound (I) for inducing tolerance of grapevine plants to Bois noire and/or Flavescens dorée.

Description

Method of protecting grapevines against grapevine yellow disease

The present invention relates to a method of protecting grapevine plants against grapevine yellow disease caused by the phytoplasms Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree, which comprises treating the shoots or the soil in root proximity with an effective amount of a compound (I)

in which

R¹ is hydrogen or Ci-C4-alkyl and R² is Ci-C₄-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, or agriculturally acceptable salts thereof.

In addition, the invention relates to the use of combinations of a compound (I) and a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient for protecting grapevine plants against grapevine yellow disease.

Bois noire and Flavescens doree, the causative agents of grapevine yellow disease, are phytoplasms, which are transmitted mechanically via woulding, via seeds and pol- len or via vectors such as nematodes and insects. All Vitis vinifera varieties are susceptible to these phytoplasms. Some of the most important varieties such as Chardon- nay, Pinot blanc, Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, Pinot gris and Se- millon are very sensitive, whereas Merlot for example appears to be relatively tolerant. Plants infected with Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree may recover, but symptoms may reoccur, sometimes years later. Vitis labrusca and American rootstocks develop very weak symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, if infected, they may act as phy- toplasm reservoirs and facilitate disease spread. The lack of suitable active ingredients make the control of Bois noire and Flavescens doree extraordinarily difficult; the present emphasis in the control of those pathogens is therefore on preventative and phy- tosanitary measures. Accordingly, the prevention of Bois noire and Flavescens doree in grapevine plants is an important aim in viticulture.

J. Agric. Food Chem. 56, 2498-2504 (2008) teaches that Prohexadione-calcium is active against fungal pathogens on leaves, flowers and berries of vine plants. However, there is no indication about reducing or preventing infestation by phytoplasms of the wooden parts of grapevine plants.

J. Econ. Entomol. 98, 423-431 (2005) and Phytoma 581_., 20-24 (2005) teach that pro- hexadione-calcium reduces the incidence of insect pests on pome fruit trees. However, no comments are made about indirect effects (e.g. by reducing the number of vectors) on phytoplasm diseases in grapevines.

It was an object of the present invention to provide an economically feasible method which can be used broadly, which does not damage the plants and which brings about effective resistance of the grapevine plants against phytoplasm diseases.

We have found that this object is achieved by the method defined at the outset.

The compounds (I) and their preparation are already known, e.g. from EP-A 123001 and EP-A 126713.

The fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredients suitable are those commercially used or developed to be used in grapevines (cf.: The Pesticide Manual, 14^th Edition, BCPC, 2006 and www.alanwood.net/pesticides/index_cn_frame.html).

In the method according to the invention, the active ingredients are taken up by the grapevine plants either through the leaf surface or through the roots and are distributed within the entire plant via the xylem and/or phloem.

Thus, the protective action after carrying out the method according to the invention is not just found in those plant parts, which have been sprayed directly, but the resistance of the entire grapevine plant to Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree is increased.

Grapevine varieties preferrably treated by the method according to the invention are Vitis vinifera , Vitis labrusca , Vitis riparia , Vitis rotundifolia , Vitis aestivalis and hybrids thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the root system and/or the aerial plant parts are treated with a formulation of a compound (I) or a formulation of (I) together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient or with a tank mix of a compound (I), a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient and usual formulation auxiliaries.

Among the compounds (I), especially preferred are Prohexadione-calcium (Ia) and Trinexapac-ethyl (Ib), in particular Prohexadione-calcium, particularly preferred in the commercially available formulations Regalis^® and Apogee^®.

Examples of suitable fungicidal active ingredients are the following compounds (II): Copper oxycloride or a copper salt like copper sulfate and copper hydroxide, sulfur, Fosetyl or Fosetyl-aluminium, Mancozeb, Maneb, Propineb, Folpet, Metiram, Thiram, Zineb, Kresoxim-methyl, Azoxystrobin, Trifloxystrobin, Famoxadone, Fenami- done, Myclobutanil, Tebuconazole, Penconazole, Flusilazole, Difenoconazole, Flusila- zole, Hexaconazole, Tetraconazole, Fenbuconazole, Dimethomorph, Benalaxyl, Meta- laxyl, Cymoxanil, Captan, Dithianon, Tolylfluanid, Dinocap, Triadimenol, Triadimefon, Nuarimol, Fenarimol, Triforine, Pyrifenox, Benomyl, Bupirimate, Chlorothalonil, Car- bendazim, Diethofencarb,Thiophanate, Iprodione, Procymidone, Vinclozolin, Fludi- oxonil, Pyrimethanil, Mepanipyrim, Fluazinam, Cyprodinil, Fenhexamid, Propineb, Man- dipropamid, Benthiavalicarb, Metrafenone, Proquinazid, Valiphenal, Amisulbrom, FIu- opicolide, Methyldinocap, Pyribencarb, Penthiopyrad, Bixafen, N-(2-Bicyclopropyl-2-yl- phenyl)-3-difluormethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-yl-carboxamid, N-(3',4',5'-Trifluorbiphenyl-2- yl)-3-difluormethyl-1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl-carboxamid, Isopyrazam, 5-Ethyl-6-octyl- [1 ,2,4]triazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ylamine, Fluopyram, Enestroburin, Flumorph, Eth- aboxam, N-(1 -(1-(4-cyanophenyl)ethanesulfonyl)-but-2-yl) carbamic acid-(4- fluorophenyl) ester, 3-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridin, 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1 -(propin-2-yl-oxy)-3-(4-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl)- propan-2-one, 5-Amino-2-isopropyl-3-oxo-4-ortho-tolyl-2,3-dihydro-pyrazol-1- carbothioic acid S-allyl ester.

Preferred active ingredients (II) are sulfur, Mancozeb, Fosetyl-aluminium, Cymoxanil, Folpet, Kresoxim-methyl, Dimethomorph, Myclobutanil, Tebuconazol, copperoxyclo- ride, Mandipropamid, Metrafenone, Valiphenal, Amisulbrom, Fluopicolide, Penthiopyrad, Bixafen, Isopyrazam, N-(3',4',5'-Trifluorbiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluormethyl-1 - methyl-pyrazol-4-yl-carboxamid, 5-Ethyl-6-octyl-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidin-7- ylamine, Fluopicolide, Fluopyram and Ethaboxam.

Examples of suitable insecticidal active ingredients are the following compounds

Acrinathrin, Azionphos-methyl, Acrinathrin, Amidoflumet, Azocyclothin, Bacillus Thur- ingiensis, Benzoximate, Betacyfluthrin, Bifenthrin, Bistrifluron, Bromopropylate, Car- baryl, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorpyrifos, Clofentezine, Cyazypyr, Cyenopyrafen, Cyn- hexatin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Diazinon, Dicofol, Dichlorvos, Dimethoate, Endo- sulfan, Esfenvalerate, Fenazaquin, Fenbutatin oxide, Fenithrothion, Fenoxycarb, Fen- propathrin, Fenvalerate, Flufenerim, Flufenzine, Flufenoxuron, Fluvalinate, Hexythia- zox, Imicyafos, Imidacloprid, Lambdacyhalothrin, Lepimectin, Lufenuron, Malathion, Methidathion, Methomyl, Methoxyfenozide, Parathion, Phosalone, Propargite, Pyrida- ben, Pyridafenthion, Pyrifluquinazon, Quinalphos, Spinetoram, Spinosad, Spirodiclofen, Spirotetramat, Spinetoram, Tebufenozide, Tebufenpyrad, Thiacloprid, Thiodicarb and Tralomethrin.

Preferred active ingredients (III) are Abamectin, Acrinathrin, Chlorpyrifos, Fenitrothion, Flufenoxuron, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Lamdacyhalothrin, Pyridaben, Propargite, Spinosad, Spirodiclofen, Tebufenozide and Thiacloprid. The compounds are applied by treating the grapevine shoots or drenching the soil containing the roots with an effective amount of the active ingredients. In another preferred embodiment the compounds are applied by stem injection. Details of stem injections methods are known from DE 10 2006 018993 and DE 10 2005 021699.

Application can be effected both before and after infection of the plants or seeds by the pathogens. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the application is made as preventive application.

The application of the compounds (I) and optionally (II) or (III) is made during the first six weeks, preferably four weeks, of the growth period of the plants, when sufficient numbers of leaves have been formed allowing adequate uptake via the foliage (directly) or via the roots (supported by leaf water transpiration).

The plant is treated before infection takes place, preferably three weeks to one week before the expected attack of Bois noire or Flavescens doree. During one season, upt to five applications are carried out. Best efficacy is observed, when the application is repeated with a time interval of 20 to 40 days. A markedly reduced susceptibility of the plant to phytoplasmsis observed.

The method according to the invention is preferably carried out as a soil drench, e.g. via a drip irrigation system. However, foliar applications are also possible. Preferably more than one and up to 5 applications during a season are carried out.

Compound (I) and active ingredient (II) or (III) can be applied simultaneously, that is jointly or separately, or in succession, the sequence, in the case of separate application, generally not having an effect on the result of the control measures. In another preferred embodiment, compound (I) and active ingredient (II) or (III) can be applied together or separately to the plants (e.g. the root system and/or the aerial plant parts), preferably together. In case of separate application, they might be applied for example in succession.

In a further embodiment of the invention the compounds (I) can be applied a) together with two active ingredients (II), or b) one active ingredient (II) and one active ingredient (III).

Preference is given to mixtures of a compound (I) and an active ingredient (II) or (III). Further preference is given to active ingredients (II) and (III), which can be applied via the soil, i.e. via drip irrigation or other methods of soil drenching.

The ratio in which compound (I) and the active ingredient(s) (II) and/or (III) are applied depend on the specific molecules. Usually, (I) and (ll)/(lll) are applied in a weight ratio of from 1000:1 to 1 :1000, preferable 100:1 to 1 :100, more preferably from 20:1 to 1 :20, in particular from 10:1 to 1 :10.

In a preferred embodiment a synergistically increased preventive effect against Bois noire or Flavescens doree is observed.

In general, the application rates per treatment are between 0.01 and 2.0 kg, preferably up to 1.0 kg of active ingredient(s) per hectare, depending on the growth stage of the grapevine plants and the type of pathogen.

Depending on the type of compound and the desired effect, the application rates per treatment of the mixtures according to the invention are from 5 g/ha to 3000 g/ha, preferably from 50 to 1000 g/ha, in particular from 100 to 750 g/ha.

Correspondingly, the application rates per treatment for compound (I) are generally from 50 to 2000 g/ha, preferably from 50 to 1000 g/ha, in particular from 50 to 500 g/ha.

Correspondingly, the application rates for the active ingredient (II) and/or (III) are gen- erally from 1 to 1000 g/ha, preferably from 10 to 500 g/ha, in particular from 40 to 350 g/ha.

The mixtures according to the invention, the compound (I) and the active ingredients (II) or (III), can be converted into customary formulations, for example solutions, ermul- sions, suspensions, dusts, powders, pastes and granules. The use form depends on the particular intended purpose; in each case, it should ensure a fine and even distribution of the particular molecules.

Best results are obtained when a formulation is used which supports the transport of the active compounds into the plants, and the distribution within the entire plant in the xylem and the phloem. Such especially suitable formulations are, e. g. EC, DC, SC and SE.

Compound (I) and the active ingredients (ll)/(lll) can be used as such, in the form of their formulations or the use forms prepared therefrom, for example in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions or dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dustable products, materials for spreading, or granules, by means of spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading or pouring. The use forms depend entirely on the intended purposes; they are intended to ensure in each case the finest possible distribution of the active compound(s) according to the invention. Aqueous use forms can be prepared from emulsion concentrates, pastes or wettable powders (sprayable powders, oil dispersions) by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes or oil dispersions, the substances, as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent, can be homogenized in water by means of a wetter, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier. However, it is also possible to prepare concentrates composed of active substance, wetter, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier and, if appropriate, solvent or oil, and such concentrates are suitable for dilution with water.

For application via the soil (e.g. via drip irrigation), compound (I) or mixtures of (I) with active ingredients (II) or (III) may also be applied together with common plant nutrients.

The active compound concentrations in the ready-to-use preparations can be varied within relatively wide ranges. In general, they are from 0.0001 to 10%, preferably from 0.01 to 1 % per weight.

The formulations are prepared in a known manner (see e.g. for review US 3,060,084, EP-A 707 445 (for liquid concentrates), Browning, "Agglomeration", Chemical Engineering, Dec. 4, 1967, 147-48, Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook, 4th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1963, pages 8-57 and et seq. WO 91/13546, US 4,172,714, US 4,144,050, US 3,920,442, US 5,180,587, US 5,232,701 , US 5,208,030,

GB 2,095,558, US 3,299,566, Klingman, Weed Control as a Science, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961 , Hance et al., Weed Control Handbook, 8th Ed., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1989 and Mollet, H., Grubemann, A., Formulation technology, Wiley VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim (Germany), 2001 , 2. D. A. Knowles, Chemistry and Technology of Agrochemical Formulations, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1998 (ISBN 0-7514-0443-8), for example by extending the active compound with auxiliaries suitable for the formulation of agrochemicals, such as solvents and/or carriers, if desired emulsifiers, surfactants and dispersants, preservatives, anti- foaming agents, anti-freezing agents. The use of formulations of copper salts which contain basic amino acids, lysin, polylysin, or polylysin derivatives represents is one embodiment of the current invention.

Examples of suitable solvents are water, aromatic solvents (for example Solvesso products, xylene), paraffins (for example mineral oil fractions), alcohols (for example methanol, butanol, pentanol, benzyl alcohol), ketones (for example cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (NMP, NOP), acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters. In principle, solvent mixtures may also be used.

Suitable emulsifiers are nonionic and anionic emulsifiers (for example polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, alkylsulfonates and arylsulfonates). Examples of dispersants are lignin-sulfite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Suitable surfactants used are alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of lignosulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, phenolsulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalene- sulfonic acid, alkylarylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty acids and sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, furthermore condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene or of naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxy- ethylene octylphenol ether, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol, alkyl- phenol polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ether, tristearyl phenyl polyglycol ether, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alcohol and fatty alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropyl- ene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignosulfite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Substances which are suitable for the preparation of directly sprayable solutions, emulsions, pastes or oil dispersions are mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as kerosene or diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, for example toluene, xylene, paraf- fin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives, methanol, etha- nol, propanol, butanol, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, isophorone, highly polar solvents, for example dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone or water.

Also anti-freezing agents such as glycerin, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and bacte- ricides can be added to the formulation.

Suitable antifoaming agents are for example antifoaming agents based on silicon or magnesium stearate.

Suitable preservatives are for example dichlorophen and benzylalkoholhemiformal.

Powders, materials for spreading and dustable products can be prepared by mixing or concomitantly grinding the active substances with a solid carrier.

Granules, for example coated granules, impregnated granules and homogeneous granules, can be prepared by binding the active compounds to solid carriers.

Examples of solid carriers are mineral earths such as silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attaclay, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, cal- cium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground synthetic materials, fertilizers, such as, for example, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium ni- trate, ureas, and products of vegetable origin, such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell meal, cellulose powders and other solid carriers.

In general, the formulations comprise from 0.01 to 95% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 90% by weight, of the active compound(s). In this case, the active compound(s) are employed in a purity of from 90% to 100% by weight, preferably 95% to 100% by weight (according to NMR spectrum).

The following are examples of formulations: 1. Products for dilution with water for foliar applications.

A) Water-soluble concentrates (SL, LS, SC)

10 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of water or a water-soluble solvent. As an alternative, wetters or other auxiliaries are added. The active compound(s) dissolves upon dilution with water, whereby a formulation with 10 % (w/w) of active compound(s) is obtained.

B) Dispersible concentrates (DC)

20 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are dissolved in 70 parts by weight of cyclohexanone with addition of 10 parts by weight of a dispersant, for example polyvinylpyrrolidone. Dilution with water gives a dispersion, whereby a formulation with 20% (w/w) of active compound(s) is obtained.

C) Emulsifiable concentrates (EC) 15 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are dissolved in 7 parts by weight of xylene with addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). Dilution with water gives an emulsion, whereby a formulation with 15% (w/w) of active compound(s) is obtained.

D) Emulsions (EW, EO, ES)

25 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are dissolved in 35 parts by weight of xylene with addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). This mixture is introduced into 30 parts by weight of water by means of an emulsifier machine (e.g. Ultraturrax) and made into a homogeneous emulsion. Dilution with water gives an emulsion, whereby a formulation with 25% (w/w) of active compound(s) is obtained.

E) Suspensions (SC, OD, FS)

In an agitated ball mill, 20 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are comminuted with addition of 10 parts by weight of dispersants, wetters and 70 parts by weight of water or of an organic solvent to give a fine active compound(s) suspension. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active compound(s), whereby a formulation with 20% (w/w) of active compound(s) is obtained.

F) Water-dispersible granules and water-soluble granules (WG, SG) 50 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are ground finely with addition of 50 parts by weight of dispersants and wetters and made as water-dispersible or water-soluble granules by means of technical appliances (for example extrusion, spray tower, fluid- ized bed). Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active compound^), whereby a formulation with 50% (w/w) of active compound(s) is obtained.

G) Water-dispersible powders and water-soluble powders (WP, SP, SS, WS)

75 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are ground in a rotor-stator mill with addition of 25 parts by weight of dispersants, wetters and silica gel. Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active compound(s) , whereby a formulation with 75% (w/w) of active compound(s) is obtained.

2. Products to be applied undiluted for foliar applications. I) Dustable powders (DP, DS)

5 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are ground finely and mixed intimately with 95 parts by weight of finely divided kaolin. This gives a dustable product having 5% (w/w) of active compound(s)

J) Granules (GR, FG, GG, MG)

0.5 part by weight of the active compound(s) is ground finely and associated with 95.5 parts by weight of carriers, whereby a formulation with 0.5% (w/w) of active compound^) is obtained. Current methods are extrusion, spray-drying or the fluidized bed. This gives granules to be applied undiluted for foliar use.

K) ULV solutions (UL) 10 parts by weight of the active compound(s) are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of an organic solvent, for example xylene. This gives a product having 10% (w/w) of active compound(s), which is applied undiluted for foliar use.

Oils of various types, wetters, adjuvants, herbicides, fungicides, other pesticides, or bactericides may be added to the active compounds, even, if appropriate, not until immediately prior to use (tank mix). These agents are typically admixed with the compositions according to the invention in a weight ratio of from 1 :10 to 10:1 .

The note mentioning the effect of the active ingredients (I) and optionally (II) and/or (III) in inducing tolerance to Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree may be present as a label on the packaging or in product data sheets. The note may also be present in the case of preparations of (I), which can be used in combination with the active ingredients (II) and/or (III).

The induction of resistance against or tolerance to Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree may also constitute an indication which may be the subject of official approvals of com- pound (I) and the active ingredients (II) and (III).

The present invention also relates to a use of the compound (I) for inducing tolerance of grapevine plants to Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree. Preferably, it relates to the use of the compound (I) together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient. Pre- ferred fungicidal active ingredients are compounds (II). Preferred insecticidal active ingredients are compounds (III). The compound (I) is prohexadione-calcium (Ia) or tri- nexapac-ethyl (Ib).

Advantages of the present invention are, that it provides an economically feasible method which can be used broadly, which does not damage the plants and which brings about effective resistance of the grapevine plants against phytoplasm diseases.

Biological Examples

Use example - Preventive action on grapevine plants against Bois noire

The experiments were conducted under field conditions.

Each treatment consisted out of four replications in an randomized experiment design. Pathogen attack was scored after 48 days after transplanting. The infected plant leaf area was scored in percentage.

Claims

A method for protecting grapevines against grapevine yellow disease caused by the phytoplasms Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree, which comprises treating the plants or the soil in root proximity with an effective amount of a compound (I)

in which

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein compound (I) is prohexadione-calcium (Ia) or trinexapac-ethyl (Ib).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a combination of (I) and a fungicidal or insecticial active ingredient is used.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the fungicidal active ingredient is selected from the group of the following compounds (II): copper oxycloride or a copper salt, sulfur, Fosetyl oder Fosetyl-aluminium, Mancozeb, Maneb, Propineb, FoI- pet, Metiram, Thiram, Zineb, Kresoxim-methyl, Azoxystrobin, Trifloxystrobin, Fa- moxadon, Fenamidon, Myclobutanil, Tebuconazole, Penconazole, Flusilazole, Difenoconazole, Flusilazole, Hexaconazole, Tetraconazole, Fenbuconazole, Di- methomorph, Benalaxyl, Metalaxyl, Cymoxanil, Captan, Dithianon, Tolylfluanid, Dinocap, Triadimenol, Triadimefon, Nuarimol, Fenarimol, Triforine, Pyrifenox,

Benomyl, Bupirimate, Chlorothalonil, Carbendazim, Diethofencarb,Thiophanate, Iprodione, Procymidone, Vinclozolin, Fludioxonil, Pyrimethanil, Mepanipyrim, FIu- azinam, Cyprodinil, Fenhexamid, Propineb, Mandipropamid, Benthiavalicarb, Metrafenone, Proquinazid, Valiphenal, Amisulbrom, Fluopicolid, Methyldinocap, Pyribencarb, Penthiopyrad, Bixafen, N-(2-Bicyclopropyl-2-yl-phenyl)-3- difluormethyl-1 -methylpyrazol-4-yl-carboxamid, N-(3',4',5'-Trifluorbiphenyl-2-yl)-3- difluormethyl-1 -methyl-pyrazol-4-yl-carboxamid, Isopyrazam, 5-Ethyl-6-octyl- [1 ,2,4]triazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ylamine, Fluopyram, Enestroburin, Flumorph, E- thaboxam, N-(1 -(1-(4-cyanophenyl)ethanesulfonyl)-but-2-yl) carbamic acid-(4- fluorophenyl) ester, 3-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridin,

1 -(4-Chlorphenyl)-1 -(propin-2-yl-oxy)-3-(4-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl)- propan-2-oπe and 5-Amino-2-isopropyl-3-oxo-4-ortho-tolyl-2,3-dihydro-pyrazol-1 - carbothioic acid S-allyl ester.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the insecticidal active ingredient is selec- ted from the group of the following compounds (III): Acrinathrin, Azionphos- methyl, Acrinathrin, Amidoflumet, Azocyclothin, Bacillus Thuringiensis, Benzoxi- mat, Betacyfluthrin, Bifenthrin, Bistrifluron, Bromopropylat, Carbaryl, Chlorantrani- liprol, Chlorpyrifos, Clofentezin, Cyazypyr, Cyenopyrafen, Cynhexatin, Cyper- methrin, Deltamethrin, Diazinon, Dicofol, Dichlorvos, Dimethoat, Endosulfan, Es- fenvalerat, Fenazaquin, Fenbutatin- oxid, Fenithrothion, Fenoxycarb, Fenpro- pathrin, Fenvalerat, Flufenerim, Flufenzin, Flufenoxuron, Fluvalinat, Hexythiazox, Imicyafos, Imidacloprid, Lambdacyhalothrin, Lepimectin, Lufenuron, Malathion, Methidathion, Methomyl, Methoxyfenozid, Parathion, Phosalon, Propargit, Pyri- daben, Pyridafenthion, Pyrifluquinazon, Quinalphos, Spinetoram, Spinosad, Spi- rodiclofen, Spirotetramat, Spinetoram, Tebufenozid, Tebufenpyrad, Thiacloprid,

Thiodicarb and Tralomethrin.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein compound (I) and the fungicidal or insecticial active ingredient are used in ratios of from 100:1 to 1 :100.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein application of compound (I), optionally together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient, is carried out at the beginning of vine growth.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein application of compound (I), optionally together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient, is carried out during the first six weeks of the growth period of the plants.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein application of compound (I), op- tionally together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient, is carried out one to five times before expected pathogen attack.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein repeated application of compound (I), optionally together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient, is made every 20 to 40 days.

1 1. A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the compound (I) and a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient are applied together or separately to the plants.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein application of compound (I), optionally together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient, is applied to the plants in an amount of from 50 g/ha to 2000 g/ha.

13. A use of a compo

in which

R¹ is hydrogen or Ci-C4-alkyl and R² is Ci-C₄-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, or agriculturally acceptable salts thereof, for inducing tolerance of grapevine plants to Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree.

14. The use as claimed in claim 13 of a compound (I) together with a fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredient.

15. The use as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein compound (I) is prohexadione- calcium (Ia) or trinexapac-ethyl (Ib).

16. The use of a combination comprising a compound (I) and a fungicidal or insec- tidial active ingredient, as claimed in claim 3, for the preparation of an agent for protecting grapevines against Bois noire and/or Flavescens doree.