WO2014023627A1

WO2014023627A1 - Method of combatting sudden death syndrome in plants

Info

Publication number: WO2014023627A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/066081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gina Mercia Swart
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations Ag
Priority date: 2012-08-06
Filing date: 2013-07-31
Publication date: 2014-02-13

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of reducing the occurrence of phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniaein plants, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (I), to a plant seed prior to planting, to soil in which a plant is growing or in which it is desired to grow it, to plant roots or to combinations thereof, wherein said plant seed or said plant roots are infected with a fungal strain selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae.

Description

Method of combatting Sudden Death Syndrome in plants

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the occurrence of Sudden Death Syndrome in crops of useful plants, especially soybeans, which method comprising the application of a pyrazolyl-carboxamide to the plant, seed and/or soil.

Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is a fungal disease, especially of soybeans, found in the North America caused by Fusarium virguliforme (Fusarium solani f.sp. glycines). Likewise, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae are known precursors to SDS on other global regions, for example South America.

Fusarium virguliforme produces toxins that are translocated from the tap root to the foliage. Infected plants will begin to show distinct yellow speckling or spotting between the veins (interveinal chlorosis). As the disease progresses these areas become larger and in severe cases the entire area between the veins becomes brown and dry. The disease is of major concern because of its potential ability to reduce yields, from a slight yield loss to 100%, depending on the soybean variety. The pathogen has been isolated from soybean roots and lower stems, but not from leaves. Therefore, combatting this disease by applying a fungicide to the leaves is not possible.

Solutions of this problem are presently rare. WO 2012/071520 describes a method for reducing the occurrence of Sudden Death Syndrome, comprising applying a pyridinyl ethylbenzamide to plant seed, soil or roots. WO 201 1/163474 describes a method for reducing the occurrence of Sudden Death Syndrome, comprising applying thiabendazole to plant seed. There is therefore proposed in accordance with the present invention a method for reducing the occurrence of phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae in plants, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula I

wherein R-i is difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl and X is chloro, fluoro or bromo;

and agrochemically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, diastereoisomers, enantiomers and tautomers of those compounds; to a plant seed prior to planting, to soil in which a plant is growing or in which it is desired to grow it, to plant roots or to combinations thereof, wherein said plant seed or said plant roots are infected with a fungal strain selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae. The compounds of formula I occur in two different stereoisomers, which are described as the single enantiomers of formulae \_\ and l_M:

The invention covers all such stereoisomers and mixtures thereof in any ratio. According to the invention "racemic compound of formula I" means a racemic mixture of compounds of formula \_\ and l_M.

The designation of substituent X as chloro, fluoro or bromo means that both substituents X have the same meanings.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a method for reducing the occurrence of phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme,

Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae in plants, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula I to a plant seed prior to planting, wherein said plant seed is infected with a fungal strain selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae. In this preferred embodiment, the phytopathogenic fungus is preferably Fusarium virguliforme. Another preferred embodiment of the invention is a method for suppressing, controlling or reducing Sudden Death Syndrome in plants comprising planting, in soil, a plant seed treated with a compound of formula I and wherein said plant seed or soil contains a precursor to Sudden Death Syndrome, in particular Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is a method for reducing damage to a plant or plant seed caused by Sudden Death Syndrome comprising applying a compound of formula I to a plant seed prior to planting, wherein said plant seed contains a precursor to Sudden Death Syndrome; and planting said plant seed.

The plant seed is preferably soybean seed.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is a soybean seed treated with a composition comprising a compound of formula I in an amount for reducing the occurrence of phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme,

Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae in plants.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is represented by those methods which comprise the use of a compound of formula I, wherein R-i is difluoromethyl. Further preferred compounds of formula I for the methods according to the invention are:

3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9-dichloromethylidene- benzonorbornene-5-yl)amide (compound A-1 .1 );3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4- carboxylic acid (9-difluoromethylidene-benzonorbornene-5-yl)amide (compound A-1 .2); and 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9-dibromomethylidene- benzonorbornene-5-yl)amide (compound A-1 .3). A preferred embodiment of the invention is represented by those methods which comprise the use of a compound of formula I, wherein R-i is trifluoromethyl. Further preferred compounds of formula I for the methods according to the invention are:

1 -methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9-dichloromethylidene- benzonorbornene-5-yl)amide (compound A-1 .4);

1 -methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9-difluoromethylidene- benzonorbornene-5-yl)amide (compound A-1 .5); and

1 -methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9-dibromomethylidene- benzonorbornene-5-yl)amide (compound A-1 .6).

The term "plants" or "useful plants" is to be understood as including also useful plants that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides like bromoxynil or classes of herbicides (such as, for example, H PPD inhibitors, ALS inhibitors, for example primisulfuron, prosulfuron and trifloxysulfuron, EPSPS (5-enol-pyrovyl-shikimate-3-phosphate-synthase) inhibitors, GS (glutamine synthetase) inhibitors or PPO (protoporphyrinogen-oxidase) inhibitors) as a result of conventional methods of breeding or genetic engineering. An example of a crop that has been rendered tolerant to imidazolinones, e.g. imazamox, by conventional methods of breeding (mutagenesis) is Clearfield® summer rape (Canola). Examples of crops that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides or classes of herbicides by genetic engineering methods include glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant maize varieties commercially available under the trade names RoundupReady® , Herculex I® and LibertyLink®.

The term "useful plants" is to be understood as including also useful plants which have been so transformed by the use of recombinant DNA techniques that they are capable of synthesising one or more selectively acting toxins, such as are known, for example, from toxin-producing bacteria, especially those of the genus Bacillus.

Examples of such plants are: YieldGard® (maize variety that expresses a CrylA(b) toxin); YieldGard Rootworm® (maize variety that expresses a Cryl l l B(bl ) toxin); YieldGard Plus® (maize variety that expresses a CrylA(b) and a Cryl 11 B(b1 ) toxin); Starlink® (maize variety that expresses a Cry9(c) toxin); Herculex I® (maize variety that expresses a Cryl F(a2) toxin and the enzyme phosphinothricine N-acetyltransferase (PAT) to achieve tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium); NuCOTN 33B® (cotton variety that expresses a CrylA(c) toxin); Bollgard I® (cotton variety that expresses a CrylA(c) toxin); Bollgard II® (cotton variety that expresses a CrylA(c) and a CryllA(b) toxin); VIPCOT® (cotton variety that expresses a VIP toxin); NewLeaf® (potato variety that expresses a CrylllA toxin); Nature- Gard® Agrisure® GT Advantage (GA21 glyphosate-tolerant trait), Agrisure® CB Advantage (Bt1 1 corn borer (CB) trait), Agrisure® RW (corn rootworm trait) and Protecta®.

The term "plants" or "useful plants" is to be understood as including also useful plants which have been so transformed by the use of recombinant DNA techniques that they are capable of synthesising antipathogenic substances having a selective action, such as, for example, the so-called "pathogenesis-related proteins" (PRPs, see e.g. EP-A-0 392 225). Examples of such antipathogenic substances and transgenic plants capable of synthesising such antipathogenic substances are known, for example, from EP-A-0 392 225, WO 95/33818, and EP-A-0 353 191 . The methods of producing such transgenic plants are generally known to the person skilled in the art and are described, for example, in the publications mentioned above.

According to the invention "plants" and "useful plants" typically comprise the following species of plants: grape vines; cereals, such as wheat, barley, rye or oats; beet, such as sugar beet or fodder beet; fruits, such as pomes, stone fruits or soft fruits, for example apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries; leguminous plants, such as beans, lentils, peas or soybeans; oil plants, such as rape, mustard, poppy, olives, sunflowers, coconut, castor oil plants, cocoa beans or groundnuts; cucumber plants, such as marrows, cucumbers or melons; fibre plants, such as cotton, flax, hemp or jute; citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit or mandarins; vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits or paprika; lauraceae, such as avocados, cinnamon or camphor; maize; tobacco; nuts; coffee; sugar cane; tea; vines; hops; durian; bananas; natural rubber plants; turf or ornamentals, such as flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees or evergreens, for example conifers. This list does not represent any limitation.

The compounds of formula I can be used in unmodified form or, preferably, together with carriers and adjuvants conventionally employed in the art of formulation. To this end compounds of formula I and inert carriers are conveniently formulated in known manner to emulsifiable concentrates, coatable pastes, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granulates, and also encapsulations e.g. in polymeric substances. As with the type of the compositions, the methods of application, such as spraying, atomising, dusting, scattering, coating or pouring, are chosen in accordance with the intended objectives and the prevailing circumstances. The compositions may also contain further adjuvants such as stabilizers, antifoams, viscosity regulators, binders or tackifiers as well as fertilizers, micronutrient donors or other formulations for obtaining special effects.

Suitable carriers and adjuvants can be solid or liquid and are substances useful in formulation technology, e.g. natural or regenerated mineral substances, solvents, dispersants, wetting agents, tackifiers, thickeners, binders or fertilizers. Such carriers are for example described in WO 97/33890.

The compounds of formula I or compositions, comprising a compound of formula I as acitve ingredient and an inert carrier, can be applied to the locus of the plant or plant to be treated, simultaneously or in succession with further compounds. These further compounds can be e.g. fertilizers or micronutrient donors or other preparations which influence the growth of plants.

The frequency of application and the rate of application will depend on the risk of infestation by the corresponding pathogen. The compounds of formula I can penetrate the plant through the roots via the soil (systemic action) by drenching the locus of the plant with a liquid formulation, or by applying the compounds in solid form to the soil, e.g. in granular form (soil application). The compounds of formula I may also be applied to seeds (coating) by impregnating the seeds or tubers either with a liquid formulation of the fungicide or coating them with a solid formulation.

A formulation, i.e. a composition comprising the compound of formula I and, if desired, a solid or liquid adjuvant, is prepared in a known manner, typically by intimately mixing and/or grinding the compound with extenders, for example solvents, solid carriers and, optionally, surface-active compounds (surfactants).

The agrochemical formulations will usually contain from 0.1 to 99% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 95% by weight, of the compound of formula I, 99.9 to 1 % by weight, preferably 99.8 to 5% by weight, of a solid or liquid adjuvant, and from 0 to 25% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 25% by weight, of a surfactant.

Whereas it is preferred to formulate commercial products as concentrates, the end user will normally use dilute formulations.

Advantageous rates of application are normally from 5g to 2kg of active ingredient (a.i.) per hectare (ha), preferably from 10g to 1 kg a.i./ha, most preferably from 20g to 600g a.i./ha. When used as seed drenching agent, convenient rates of application are from 10mg to 1 g of active substance per kg of seeds. The rate of application for the desired action can be determined by experiments. It depends for example on the type of action, the

developmental stage of the useful plant, and on the the application (location, timing, application method) and can, owing to these parameters, vary within wide limits. Formulation examples for compounds of formula I:

Example F-1 .1 to F-1 .2: Emulsifiable concentrates

Components F-1 .1 F-1 .2 compound according to the invention 25% 50%

calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 5% 6%

castor oil polyethylene glycol ether

(36 mol ethylenoxy units) 5%

tributylphenolpolyethylene glycol ether

(30 mol ethylenoxy units) 4%

cyclohexanone 20%

xylene mixture 65% 20% Emulsions of any desired concentration can be prepared by diluting such concentrates with water. Example F-2: Emulsifiable concentrate

Components F-2 compound according to the invention 10%

octylphenolpolyethylene glycol ether

(4 to 5 mol ethylenoxy units) 3%

calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 3%

castor oil polyglycol ether

(36 mol ethylenoxy units) 4%

cyclohexanone 30%

xylene mixture 50%

Emulsions of any desired concentration can be prepared by diluting such concentrates with water.

Examples F-3.1 to F-3.4: Solutions

Components F-3.1 F-3.2 F-3.3 F-3.4 compound according to the invention 80% 10% 5% 95% propylene glycol monomethyl ether 20% . . .

polyethylene glycol (relative molecular

mass: 400 atomic mass units) - 70%

N-methylpyrrolid-2-one - 20%

epoxidised coconut oil - - 1 % 5% benzin (boiling range: 160-190°) - - 94%

The solutions are suitable for use in the form of microdrops. Examples F-4.1 to F-4.4: Granulates

Components F-4.1 F-4.2 F-4.3 F-4.4 compound according to the invention 5% 10% 8% 21 % kaolin 94% - 79% 54% highly dispersed silicic acid 1 % - 13% 7% attapulgite - 90% - 18%

The novel compound is dissolved in dichloromethane, the solution is sprayed onto the carrier and the solvent is then removed by distillation under vacuum.

Examples F-5.1 and F-5.2: Dusts

Components F-5.1 F-5.2 compound according to the inv. 2% 5%

highly dispersed silicic acid 1 % 5%

talcum 97% - kaolin - 90%

Ready for use dusts are obtained by intimately mixing all components. Examples F-6.1 to F-6.3: Wettable powders

Components F-6.1 F-6.2 F-6.3 compound according to the invention 25% 50% 75%

sodium lignin sulfonate 5% 5%

sodium lauryl sulfate 3% - 5%

sodium diisobutylnaphthalene sulfonate - 6% 10%

octylphenolpolyethylene glycol ether (7 to 8 mol ethylenoxy units) - 2%

highly dispersed silicic acid 5% 10%

kaolin 62% 27% All components are mixed and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill to give wettable powders which can be diluted with water to suspensions of any desired

concentration.

Example F7: Flowable concentrate for seed treatment

compound according to the invention

propylene glycol

copolymer butanol PO/EO

tristyrenephenole with 10-20 moles EO

1 ,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (in the form of a 20% solution

water)

monoazo-pigment calcium salt

Silicone oil (in the form of a 75 % emulsion in water)

Water

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with the adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired dilution can be obtained by dilution with water. Using such dilutions, living plants as well as plant propagation material can be treated and protected against infestation by microorganisms, by spraying, pouring or immersion.

The methods according to the invention can also be used in combination with other additional pesticides in order to increase the pest control spectrum.

Said combination can contain components (A) and (B), wherein component (A) is the compound of formula I and component (B) is a compound selected from the group consisting of

(B1 ) a strobilurin fungicide,

(B2) an azole fungicide,

(B3) a morpholine fungicide, (B4) an anilinopyrimidine fungicide,

(B5) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of

anilazine, arsenates, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, benthiavalicarb, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, biphenyl, bitertanol, blasticidin-S, bordeaux mixture, boscalid, bupirimate, cadmium chloride, captafol, captan, carbendazim, carbon disulfide, carboxin, carpropamid, cedar leaf oil, chinomethionat, chlorine, chloroneb, chlorothalonil, chlozolinate, cinnamaldehyde, copper, copper ammoniumcarbonate, copper hydroxide, copper octanoate, copper oleate, copper sulphate, cyazofamid, cycloheximide, cymoxanil, dichlofluanid, dichlone, dichloropropene, diclocymet, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb, diflumetorim, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dinocap, dithianon, dodine, edifenphos, ethaboxam, ethirimol, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulf, fenamiphos, fenarimol, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, flusulfamide, flusulfamide, flutolanil, folpet, formaldehyde, fosetyl-aluminium, fthalide, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, flyodin, fuazatine, hexachlorobenzene, hymexazole, iminoctadine, iodocarb, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb, isoprothiolane, kasugamycin, mancozeb, maneb, manganous

dimethyldithiocarbamate, mefenoxam, mepronil, mercuric chloride, mercury, metalaxyl, methasulfocarb, metiram, metrafenone, nabam, neem oil (hydrophobic extract), nuarimol, octhilinone, ofurace, oxadixyl, oxine copper, oxolinic acid, oxycarboxin, oxytetracycline, paclobutrazole, paraffin oil, paraformaldehyde, pencycuron, pentachloronitrobenzene, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad, perfurazoate, phosphoric acid, polyoxin, polyoxin D zinc salt, potassium bicarbonate, probenazole, procymidone, propamocarb, propineb, proquinazid, prothiocarb, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, quintozene, silthiofam, sodium bicarbonate, sodium diacetate, sodium propionate, streptomycin, sulphur, TCMTB, tecloftalam, tecnazene, thiabendazole, thifluzamide, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, thiram, tolclofos-methyl, tolyfluanid, triazoxide, trichoderma harzianum, tricyclazole, triforine, triphenyltin hydroxide, validamycin, vinclozolin, zineb, ziram, zoxamide, 1 ,1 -bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2-ethoxyethanol, 2,4-dichlorophenyl benzenesulfonate, 2-fluoro-/V-methyl-/V-1 -naphthylacetamide, 4-chlorophenyl phenyl sulfone,

a compound of formula B-5.1

a compound of formula B-5.2

a compound of formula B-5.

a compound of formula B-5.4

a compound of formula B-5.5

a compound of formula B-5.6

a compound of formula B-5

3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (2-bicyclopropyl-2-yl-phenyl)-amide (compound B-5.8), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9-isopropyp- 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1 ,4-methano-naphthalen-5-yl)-amide (compound B-5.9), 1 ,3-dimethyl-5- fluoro-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid [2-(1 ,3-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]-amide (compound B- 5.10), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (3',4'-dichloro-5-fluoro-1 ,1 '- biphenyl-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.1 1 ), N-{2-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}- 2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamid (compound B-5.12), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4- carboxylic acid N-[2-(1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.13), 3- difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(1 ,1 ,2,3,3,3- hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.14), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(2-chloro-1 ,1 ,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B- 5.15), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-(4'-trifluoromethyl-biphen- 2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.16), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N- (2'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.17) and 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-(2'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.18); (B6) a plant-bioregulator selected from the group consisting of

acibenzolar-S-methyl, chlormequat chloride, ethephon, mepiquat chloride and trinexapac- ethyl;

(B7) an insecticide selected from the group consisting of

abamectin, clothianidin, emamectin benzoate, imidacloprid, tefluthrin, thiamethoxam, a compound of formula B-7.1

a compound of formula B-7.2;

a compound of formula B-7.

(B8) glyphosate, a compound of formula V

fomesafen, and

(B9) isopyrazam, sedaxane, a compound of formula (VI)

a compound of formula (VII)

1 -[4-[4-[(5S)5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1 ,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1 - yl]-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl]ethanone, 1 -[4-[4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)- 4,5-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1 ,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1 -yl]-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1 H- pyrazol-1 -yl]ethanone [1003318-67-9], and 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4- carboxylic acid (3',4',5'-trifluoro-biphenyl-2-yl)-amide. According to the present invention, preferred salts of glyphosate are the potassium, isopropylammonium, sodium, trimesium, ammonium and diammonium salts. Preferred salts of glufosinate are disclosed in US-A-4, 168,963, a preferred salt is the ammonium salt.

According to the instant invention, a "racemic compound" means a mixture of at least two enantiomers in a ratio of substantially 50 : 50.

In general, the weight ratio of component (A) to component (B) is from 2000 : 1 to 1 : 1000. A non-limiting example for such weight ratios is compound of formula I : compound of formula B-2 is 10:1 . The weight ratio of component (A) to component (B) is preferably from 100 : 1 to 1 : 100; more preferably from 20 : 1 to 1 : 50.

The active ingredient mixture of component (A) to component (B) comprises compounds of formula I and a further, other biocidally active ingredients or compositions preferably in a mixing ratio of from 1000:1 to 1 :1000, especially from 50:1 to 1 :50, more especially in a ratio of from 20:1 to 1 :20, even more especially from 10:1 to 1 :10, very especially from 5:1 and 1 :5, special preference being given to a ratio of from 2:1 to 1 :2, and a ratio of from 4:1 to 2:1 being likewise preferred, above all in a ratio of 1 :1 , or 5:1 , or 5:2, or 5:3, or 5:4, or 4:1 , or 4:2, or 4:3, or 3:1 , or 3:2, or 2:1 , or 1 :5, or 2:5, or 3:5, or 4:5, or 1 :4, or 2:4, or 3:4, or 1 :3, or 2:3, or 1 :2, or 1 :600, or 1 :300, or 1 :150, or 1 :35, or 2:35, or 4:35, or 1 :75, or 2:75, or 4:75, or 1 :6000, or 1 :3000, or 1 :1500, or 1 :350, or 2:350, or 4:350, or 1 :750, or 2:750, or 4:750. Those mixing ratios are understood to include, on the one hand, ratios by weight and also, on other hand, molar ratios. It has been found, surprisingly, that certain weight ratios of component (A) to component (B) are able to give rise to synergistic activity. This synergistic activity is apparent from the fact that the fungicidal activity of the composition comprising component (A) and component (B) is greater than the sum of the fungicidal activities of component (A) and of component (B). This synergistic activity extends the range of action of component (A) and component (B) in two ways. Firstly, the rates of application of component (A) and component (B) are lowered whilst the action remains equally good, meaning that the active ingredient mixture still achieves a high degree of phytopathogen control even where the two individual

components have become totally ineffective in such a low application rate range. Secondly, there is a substantial broadening of the spectrum of phytopathogens that can be controlled.

However, besides the actual synergistic action with respect to fungicidal activity, the compositions according to the invention can also have further surprising advantageous properties. Examples of such advantageous properties that may be mentioned are: more advantageuos degradability; improved toxicological and/or ecotoxicological behaviour; or improved characteristics of the useful plants including: emergence, crop yields, more developed root system, tillering increase, increase in plant height, bigger leaf blade, less dead basal leaves, stronger tillers, greener leaf colour, less fertilizers needed, less seeds needed, more productive tillers, earlier flowering, early grain maturity, less plant verse (lodging), increased shoot growth, improved plant vigor, and early germination.

The components (B) are known. Where the components (B) are included in "The Pesticide Manual" [The Pesticide Manual - A World Compendium; Thirteenth Edition; Editor: C. D. S. Tomlin; The British Crop Protection Council], they are described therein under the entry number given in round brackets hereinabove for the particular component (B); for example, the compound "abamectin" is described under entry number (1 ). Most of the components (B) are referred to hereinabove by a so-called "common name", the relevant "ISO common name" or another "common name" being used in individual cases. If the designation is not a "common name", the nature of the designation used instead is given in round brackets for the particular component (B); in that case, the lUPAC name, the lUPAC/Chemical Abstracts name, a "chemical name", a "traditional name", a "compound name" or a "develoment code" is used or, if neither one of those designations nor a "common name" is used, an

"alternative name" is employed. The following components (B) are registered under a CAS-Reg. No.

aldimorph (CAS 91315-15-0); arsenates (CAS 1327-53-3); benalaxyl -M (CAS 98243-83-5); benthiavalicarb (CAS 413615-35-7); cadmium chloride (CAS 10108-64-2); cedar leaf oil (CAS 8007-20-3); chlorine (CAS 7782-50-5); cinnamaldehyde (CAS: 104-55-2); copper ammoniumcarbonate (CAS 331 13-08-5); copper oleate (CAS 1 120-44-1 ); iodocarb (3-lodo- 2-propynyl butyl carbamate) (CAS 55406-53-6); hymexazole (CAS 10004-44-1 );

manganous dimethyldithiocarbamate (CAS 15339-36-3); mercury (CAS 7487-94-7; 21908- 53-2; 7546-30-7); metrafenone (CAS 220899-03-6); neem oil (hydrophobic extract) (CAS 8002-65-1 ); orysastrobin CAS 248593-16-0); paraformaldehyde (CAS 30525-89-4);

penthiopyrad (CAS 183675-82-3); phosphoric acid (CAS 7664-38-2); potassium

bicarbonate (CAS 298-14-6); sodium bicarbonate (CAS 144-55-8); sodium diacetate (CAS 127-09-3); sodium propionate (CAS 137-40-6);TCMTB (CAS 21564-17-0); and tolyfluanid (CAS 731 -27-1 ).

Compound B-1 .1 ("enestrobin") is described in EP-0-936-213; compound B-3.1 ("flumorph") in US-6,020,332, CN-1 -167-568, CN-1 -155-977 and in EP-0-860-438; compound B-5.1 ("mandipropamid") in WO 01/87822; compound B-5.2 in WO 98/46607; compound B-5.3 ("fluopicolide") in WO 99/42447; compound B-5.4 ("cyflufenamid") in WO 96/19442;

compound B-5.5 in WO 99/14187; compound B-5.6 ("pyribencarb") is registered under CAS-Reg. No. 325156-49-8; compound B-5.7 ("amisulbrom" or "ambromdole") is registered under CAS-Reg. No. 348635-87-0; compound B-5.8 (3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (2-bicyclopropyl-2-yl-phenyl)-amide) is described in WO

03/74491 ; compound B-5.9 (3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9- isopropyp-1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1 ,4-methano-naphthalen-5-yl)-amide) is described in

WO 04/35589 and in WO 06/37632; compound B-5.10 (1 ,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1 H-pyrazole- 4-carboxylic acid [2-(1 ,3-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]-amide) is described in WO 03/10149;

compound B-5.1 1 (3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (3',4'-dichloro-5- fluoro-1 ,1 '-biphenyl-2-yl)-amide; "bixafen") is registered under CAS-Reg. No.: 581809-46-3 and described in WO 03/70705; compound B-5.12 (N-{2-[3-Chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin- 2-yl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamid; "fluopyram") is registered under CAS-Reg. No:

658066-35-4 and described in WO 04/16088; compounds B-5.13, B-5.14 and B-5.15 are described in WO 2007/17450; compounds B-5.16, B-5.17 and B-5.18 are described in WO 2006/120219. The compound of formula B-7.1 is described in WO 03/015519, the compound of formula B-7.2 is described in WO 2004/067528, the compound of formula B- 7.3 is described in WO 2007/1 15644. The compound of formula V is described in WO 2001/094339. Isopyrazam (3-(difluoromethyl)-1 -methyl-/V-[1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-(1 - methylethyl)-1 ,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide) is described in WO 2004/035589, in WO 2006/037632 and in EP 1556385 and is registered under the CAS- Reg. 881685-58-1 . Sedaxane (/V-[2-[1 ,1 '-bicyclopropyl]-2-ylphenyl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1 - methyl-1 /-/-pyrazole-4-carboxamide) is described in WO 2003/074491 and is registered under the CAS-Reg. 874967-67-6; The compound of formula (VI) is described in WO 2008/014870; and the compounds of formula (VII) is described in WO 2007/048556.

Fomesafen is registered under the CAS-Reg. No. 72178-02-0. 1 -[4-[4-[(5S)5-(2,6- difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1 ,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1 -yl]-2-[5-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl]ethanone and 1 -[4-[4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro- 1 ,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1 ,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1 -yl]-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-1 - yl]ethanone [1003318-67-9] are both disclosed in WO 2010/123791 , WO 2008/013925, WO 2008/013622 and WO 201 1/051243 page 20), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole- 4-carboxylic acid (3',4',5'-trifluoro-biphenyl-2-yl)-amide is dislosed in WO 2006/087343.

Throughout this document the expression "composition" stands for the various mixtures or combinations of components (A) and (B), for example in a single "ready-mix" form, in a combined spray mixture composed from separate formulations of the single active ingredient components, such as a "tank-mix", and in a combined use of the single active ingredients when applied in a sequential manner, i.e. one after the other with a reasonably short period, such as a few hours or days. The order of applying the components (A) and (B) is not essential for working the present invention. The compositions according to the invention may also comprise more than one of the active components (B), if, for example, a broadening of the spectrum of disease control is desired. For instance, it may be advantageous in the agricultural practice to combine two or three components (B) with component (A). An example is a composition comprising a compound of formula I, azoxystrobin and cyproconazole.

The following mixtures of components (A) with components (B) are preferred (the abbreviation "TX" means: "one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds specifically described in Tables 1 and 2 of the present invention"):

(B1 ) a strobilurin fungicide + TX,

(B2) an azole fungicide + TX,

(B3) a morpholine fungicide + TX,

(B4) an anilinopyrimidine fungicide + TX,

(B5) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of

Anilazine + TX, arsenates + TX, benalaxyl + TX, benalaxyl-M + TX, benodanil + TX, benomyl + TX, benthiavalicarb + TX, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl + TX, biphenyl + TX, bitertanol + TX, blasticidin-S + TX, bordeaux mixture + TX, boscalid + TX, bupirimate + TX, cadmium chloride + TX, captafol + TX, captan + TX, carbendazim + TX, carbon disulfide + TX, carboxin + TX, carpropamid + TX, cedar leaf oil + TX, chinomethionat + TX, chlorine + TX, chloroneb + TX, chlorothalonil + TX, chlozolinate + TX, cinnamaldehyde + TX, copper + TX, copper ammoniumcarbonate + TX, copper hydroxide + TX, copper octanoate + TX, copper oleate + TX, copper sulphate + TX, cyazofamid + TX, cycloheximide + TX, cymoxanil + TX, dichlofluanid + TX, dichlone + TX, dichloropropene + TX, diclocymet + TX, diclomezine + TX, dicloran + TX, diethofencarb + TX, diflumetorim + TX, dimethirimol + TX, dimethomorph + TX, dinocap + TX, dithianon + TX, dodine + TX, edifenphos + TX, ethaboxam + TX, ethirimol + TX, etridiazole + TX, famoxadone + TX, fenamidone + TX, fenaminosulf + TX, fenamiphos + TX, fenarimol + TX, fenfuram + TX, fenhexamid + TX, fenoxanil + TX, fenpiclonil + TX, fentin acetate + TX, fentin chloride + TX, fentin hydroxide + TX, ferbam + TX, ferimzone + TX, fluazinam + TX, fludioxonil + TX, flusulfamide + TX, flusulfamide + TX, flutolanil + TX, folpet + TX, formaldehyde + TX, fosetyl-aluminium + TX, fthalide + TX, fuberidazole + TX, furalaxyl + TX, furametpyr + TX, flyodin + TX, fuazatine + TX, hexachlorobenzene + TX, hymexazole + TX, iminoctadine + TX, iodocarb + TX, iprobenfos + TX, iprodione + TX, iprovalicarb + TX, isoprothiolane + TX, kasugamycin + TX, mancozeb + TX, maneb + TX, manganous dimethyldithiocarbamate + TX, mefenoxam + TX, mepronil + TX, mercuric chloride + TX, mercury + TX, metalaxyl + TX, methasulfocarb + TX, metiram + TX, metrafenone + TX, nabam + TX, neem oil (hydrophobic extract) + TX, nuarimol + TX, octhilinone + TX, ofurace + TX, oxadixyl + TX, oxine copper + TX, oxolinic acid + TX, oxycarboxin + TX, oxytetracycline + TX, paclobutrazole + TX, paraffin oil + TX, paraformaldehyde + TX, pencycuron + TX, pentachloronitrobenzene + TX,

pentachlorophenol + TX, penthiopyrad + TX, perfurazoate + TX, phosphoric acid + TX, polyoxin + TX, polyoxin D zinc salt + TX, potassium bicarbonate + TX, probenazole + TX, procymidone + TX, propamocarb + TX, propineb + TX, proquinazid + TX, prothiocarb + TX, pyrazophos + TX, pyrifenox + TX, pyroquilon + TX, quinoxyfen + TX, quintozene + TX, silthiofam + TX, sodium bicarbonate + TX, sodium diacetate + TX, sodium propionate + TX, streptomycin + TX, sulphur + TX, TCMTB + TX, tecloftalam + TX, tecnazene + TX, thiabendazole + TX, thifluzamide + TX, thiophanate + TX, thiophanate-methyl + TX, thiram + TX, tolclofos-methyl + TX, tolyfluanid + TX, triazoxide + TX, trichoderma harzianum + TX, tricyclazole + TX, triforine + TX, triphenyltin hydroxide + TX, validamycin + TX, vinclozolin + TX, zineb + TX, ziram + TX, zoxamide + TX, 1 + TX,1 -bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2-ethoxyethanol + TX, 2 + TX,4-dichlorophenyl benzenesulfonate + TX, 2-fluoro-/V-methyl-/V-1 - naphthylacetamide + TX, 4-chlorophenyl phenyl sulfone + TX,

a compound of formula B-5.1 + TX

a compound of formula B-5.2 + TX

a compound of formula B-5.3 + TX

a compound of formula B-5.4 + TX

a compound of formula B-5. + TX

a compound of formula B-5.6 + TX

3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (2-bicyclopropyl-2-yl-phenyl)-amide (compound B-5.8) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9- isopropyp-1 ,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-1 ,4-methano-naphthalen-5-yl)-amide (compound B-5.9) + TX, 1 ,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid [2-(1 ,3-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.10) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (3',4'- dichloro-5-fluoro-1 ,1 '-biphenyl-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.1 1 ) + TX, N-{2-[3-chloro-5- (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamid (compound B-5.12) + TX, 3- difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(1 ,1 ,2,2- tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.13) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(1 ,1 ,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.14), 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(2-chloro-1 + TX,1 ,2- trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.15) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-(4'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.16) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-(2'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)- amide (compound B-5.17) and 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N- (2'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.18) + TX; (B6) a plant-bioregulator selected from the group consisting of

acibenzolar-S-methyl + TX, chlormequat chloride + TX, ethephon + TX, mepiquat chloride and trinexapac-ethyl;

(B7) an insecticide selected from the group consisting of

abamectin + TX, clothianidin + TX, emamectin benzoate + TX, imidacloprid + TX, tefluthrin + TX, thiamethoxam + TX,

a compound of formula B-7.1

a compound of formula B-7.2;

a compound of formula B-7.3

(B8) glyphosate + TX, a compound of formula V + TX

fomesafen + TX, and (B9) isopyrazam + TX, sedaxane + TX, a compound of formula (VI) + TX

a compound of formula (VII) + TX

1 -[4-[4-[(5S)5-(2_!6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1 ,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1 - yl]-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl]ethanone + TX, 1 -[4-[4-[5-(2,6- difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1 ,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1 -yl]-2-[5-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)-l H-pyrazol-1 -yl]ethanone +TX, and 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole- 4-carboxylic acid (3',4',5'-trifluoro-biphenyl-2-yl)-amide + TX.

The following mixtures of components (A) with components (B) are especially preferred: (B1 ) a strobilurin fungicide + TX,

(B2) an azole fungicide + TX,

(B3) a morpholine fungicide + TX,

(B4) an anilinopyrimidine fungicide + TX,

(B5) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of

anilazine (878) + TX, arsenates + TX, benalaxyl (56) + TX, benalaxyl-M + TX, benodanil (896) + TX, benomyl (62) + TX, benthiavalicarb + TX, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl (68) + TX, biphenyl (81 ) + TX, bitertanol (84) + TX, blasticidin-S (85) + TX, bordeaux mixture (87) + TX, boscalid (88) + TX, bupirimate (98) + TX, cadmium chloride + TX, captafol (1 13) + TX, captan (1 14) + TX, carbendazim (1 16) + TX, carbon disulfide (945) + TX, carboxin (120) + TX, carpropamid (122) + TX, cedar leaf oil + TX, chinomethionat (126) + TX, chlorine + TX, chloroneb (139) + TX, chlorothalonil (142) + TX, chlozolinate (149) + TX, cinnamaldehyde + TX, copper + TX, copper ammoniumcarbonate + TX, copper hydroxide (169) + TX, copper octanoate (170) + TX, copper oleate + TX, copper sulphate (87) + TX, cyazofamid (185) + TX, cycloheximide (1022) + TX, cymoxanil (200) + TX, dichlofluanid (230) + TX, dichlone (1052) + TX, dichloropropene (233) + TX, diclocymet (237) + TX, diclomezine (239) + TX, dicloran (240) + TX, diethofencarb (245) + TX, diflumetorim (253) + TX, dimethirimol (1082) + TX, dimethomorph (263) + TX, dinocap (270) + TX, dithianon (279) + TX, dodine (289) + TX, edifenphos (290) + TX, ethaboxam (304) + TX, ethirimol (1 133) + TX, etridiazole (321 ) + TX, famoxadone (322) + TX, fenamidone (325) + TX, fenaminosulf (1 144) + TX, fenamiphos (326) + TX, fenarimol (327) + TX, fenfuram (333) + TX, fenhexamid (334) + TX, fenoxanil (338) + TX, fenpiclonil (341 ) + TX, fentin acetate (347) + TX, fentin chloride + TX, fentin hydroxide (347) + TX, ferbam (350) + TX, ferimzone (351 ) + TX, fluazinam (363) + TX, fludioxonil (368) + TX, flusulfamide (394) + TX, flutolanil (396) + TX, folpet (400) + TX, formaldehyde (404) + TX, fosetyl-aluminium (407) + TX, fthalide (643) + TX, fuberidazole (419) + TX, furalaxyl (410) + TX, furametpyr (41 1 ) + TX, flyodin (1205) + TX, fuazatine (422) + TX, hexachlorobenzene (434) + TX, hymexazole + TX, iminoctadine (459) + TX, iodocarb (3-lodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate) + TX, iprobenfos (IBP) (469) + TX, iprodione (470) + TX, iprovalicarb (471 ) + TX, isoprothiolane (474) + TX, kasugamycin (483) + TX, mancozeb (496) + TX, maneb (497) + TX, manganous dimethyldithiocarbamate + TX, mefenoxam

(Metalaxyl-M) (517) + TX, mepronil (510) + TX, mercuric chloride (51 1 ) + TX, mercury + TX, metalaxyl (516) + TX, methasulfocarb (528) + TX, metiram (546) + TX, metrafenone + TX, nabam (566) + TX, neem oil (hydrophobic extract) + TX, nuarimol (587) + TX, octhilinone (590) + TX, ofurace (592) + TX, oxadixyl (601 ) + TX, oxine copper (605) + TX, oxolinic acid (606) + TX, oxycarboxin (608) + TX, oxytetracycline (61 1 ) + TX, paclobutrazole (612) + TX, paraffin oil (628) + TX, paraformaldehyde + TX, pencycuron (620) + TX,

pentachloronitrobenzene (716) + TX, pentachlorophenol (623) + TX, penthiopyrad + TX, perfurazoate + TX, phosphoric acid + TX, polyoxin (654) + TX, polyoxin D zinc salt (654) + TX, potassium bicarbonate + TX, probenazole (658) + TX, procymidone (660) + TX, propamocarb (668) + TX, propineb (676) + TX, proquinazid (682) + TX, prothiocarb (1361 ) + TX, pyrazophos (693) + TX, pyrifenox (703) + TX, pyroquilon (710) + TX, quinoxyfen (715) + TX, quintozene (PCN(B) (716) + TX, silthiofam (729) + TX, sodium bicarbonate + TX, sodium diacetate + TX, sodium propionate + TX, streptomycin (744) + TX, sulphur (754) + TX, TCMTB + TX, tecloftalam + TX, tecnazene (TCN(B) (767) + TX, thiabendazole (790) + TX, thifluzamide (796) + TX, thiophanate (1435) + TX, thiophanate-methyl (802) + TX, thiram (804) + TX, tolclofos-methyl (808) + TX, tolylfluanid (810) + TX, triazoxide (821 ) + TX, trichoderma harzianum (825) + TX, tricyclazole (828) + TX, triforine (838) + TX, triphenyltin hydroxide (347) + TX, validamycin (846) + TX, vinclozolin (849) + TX, zineb (855) + TX, ziram (856) + TX, zoxamide (857) + TX, 1 ,1 -bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2- ethoxyethanol (lUPAC-Name) (910) + TX, 2 + TX,4-dichlorophenyl benzenesulfonate (lUPAC- / Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1059) + TX, 2-fluoro-/V-methyl-/V-1 - naphthylacetamide (lUPAC-Name) (1295) + TX, 4-chlorophenyl phenyl sulfone (IUPAC- Name) (981 ) + TX, 66081

- 26 - a compound of formula B-5.1 +TX

a compound of formula B-5.2

a compound of formula -5.3 +TX

a compound of formula B-5.4 +T

a compound of formula B-5.5 +TX

a compound of formula B-5.6 +TX

a compound of formula -5.7 +TX

3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (2-bicyclopropyl-2-yl-phenyl)-amide (compound B-5.8) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9- isopropyp-1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1 ,4-methano-naphthalen-5-yl)-amide (compound B-5.9) + TX, 1 ,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid [2-(1 ,3-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.10) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (3',4'- dichloro-5-fluoro-1 ,1 '-biphenyl-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.1 1 ) + TX, N-{2-[3-chloro-5- (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamid (compound B-5.12) + TX, 3- difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(1 ,1 ,2,2- tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.13) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(1 ,1 ,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.14) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-[2-(2-chloro-1 ,1 ,2- trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]-amide (compound B-5.15) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-(4'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.16) + TX, 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N-(2'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)- amide (compound B-5.17) and 3-difluoromethyl-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid N- (2'-trifluoromethyl-biphen-2-yl)-amide (compound B-5.18);

(B6) a plant-bioregulator selected from the group consisting of

acibenzolar-S-methyl (6) + TX, chlormequat chloride (137) + TX, ethephon (307) + TX, mepiquat chloride (509) and trinexapac-ethyl (841 );

(B7) an insecticide selected from the group consisting of abamectin (1 ) + TX, clothianidin (165) + TX, emamectin benzoate (291 ) + TX, imidacloprid (458) + TX, tefluthrin (769) + TX, thiamethoxam (792) + TX, a compound of formula B-7.1 +TX

a compound of formula B-7.2 +TX;

a compound of formula B-

(B8) glyphosate (419) +TX.

Examples of especially suitable mixtures selected from the following group P:

Group P: especially suitable mixtures according to the invention:

a strobilurin fungicide selected from azoxystrobin (47) + TX, dimoxystrobin (226) + TX, fluoxastrobin (382) + TX, kresoxim-methyl (485) + TX, metominostrobin (551 ) + TX, orysastrobin + TX, picoxystrobin (647) + TX, pyraclostrobin (690); trifloxystrobin (832) + TX, a compound of formula B-1 .1 +TX

an azole fungicide selected from azaconazole (40) + TX, bromuconazole (96) + TX, cyproconazole (207) + TX, difenoconazole (247) + TX, diniconazole (267) + TX,

diniconazole-M (267) + TX, epoxiconazole (298) + TX, fenbuconazole (329) + TX, fluquinconazole (385) + TX, flusilazole (393) + TX, flutriafol (397) + TX, hexaconazole (435) + TX, imazalil (449) + TX, imibenconazole (457) + TX, ipconazole (468) + TX, metconazole (525) + TX, myclobutanil (564) + TX, oxpoconazole (607) + TX, pefurazoate (618) + TX, penconazole (619) + TX, prochloraz (659) + TX, propiconazole (675) + TX, prothioconazole (685) + TX, simeconazole (731 ) + TX, tebuconazole (761 ) + TX, tetraconazole (778) + TX, triadimefon (814) + TX, triadimenol (815) + TX, triflumizole (834) + TX, triticonazole (842) + TX, diclobutrazol (1068) + TX, etaconazole (1 129) + TX, furconazole (1 198) + TX, furconazole-cis (1 199) and quinconazole (1378);

a morpholine fungicide mixture selected from aldimorph + TX, dodemorph (288) + TX, fenpropimorph (344) + TX, tridemorph (830) + TX, fenpropidin (343) + TX, spiroxamine (740) + TX, piperalin (648) a X

an anilino-pyrimidine fungicide selected from cyprodinil (208) + TX, mepanipyrim (508) and pyrimethanil (705);

a fungicide mixture selected from the group consisting of

anilazine (878) + TX, arsenates + TX, benalaxyl (56) + TX, benalaxyl-M + TX, benodanil (896) + TX, benomyl (62) + TX, benthiavalicarb + TX, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl (68) + TX, biphenyl (81 ) + TX, bitertanol (84) + TX, blasticidin-S (85) + TX, bordeaux mixture (87) + TX, boscalid (88) + TX, bupirimate (98) + TX, cadmium chloride + TX, captafol (1 13) + TX, captan (1 14) + TX, carbendazim (1 16) + TX, carbon disulfide (945) + TX, carboxin (120) + TX, carpropamid (122) + TX, cedar leaf oil + TX, chinomethionat (126) + TX, chlorine + TX, chloroneb (139) + TX, chlorothalonil (142) + TX, chlozolinate (149) + TX, cinnamaldehyde + TX, copper + TX, copper ammoniumcarbonate + TX, copper hydroxide (169) + TX, copper octanoate (170) + TX, copper oleate + TX, copper sulphate (87) + TX, cyazofamid (185) + TX, cycloheximide (1022) + TX, cymoxanil (200) + TX, dichlofluanid (230) + TX, dichlone (1052) + TX, dichloropropene (233) + TX, diclocymet (237) + TX, diclomezine (239) + TX, dicloran (240) + TX, diethofencarb (245) + TX, diflumetorim (253) + TX, dimethirimol (1082) + TX, dimethomorph (263) + TX, dinocap (270) + TX, dithianon (279) + TX, dodine (289) + TX, edifenphos (290) + TX, ethaboxam (304) + TX, ethirimol (1 133) + TX, etridiazole (321 ) + TX, famoxadone (322) + TX, fenamidone (325) + TX, fenaminosulf (1 144) + TX, fenamiphos (326) + TX, fenarimol (327) + TX, fenfuram (333) + TX, fenhexamid (334) + TX, fenoxanil (338) + TX, fenpiclonil (341 ) + TX, fentin acetate (347) + TX, fentin chloride + TX, fentin hydroxide (347) + TX, ferbam (350) + TX, ferimzone (351 ) + TX, fluazinam (363) + TX, fludioxonil (368) + TX, flusulfamide (394) + TX, flutolanil (396) + TX, folpet (400) + TX, formaldehyde (404) + TX, fosetyl-aluminium (407) + TX, fthalide (643) + TX, fuberidazole (419) + TX, furalaxyl (410) + TX, furametpyr (41 1 ) + TX, flyodin (1205) + TX, fuazatine (422) + TX, hexachlorobenzene (434) + TX, hymexazole + TX, iminoctadine (459) + TX, iodocarb (3-lodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate) + TX, iprobenfos (IBP) (469) + TX, iprodione (470) + TX, iprovalicarb (471 ) + TX, isoprothiolane (474) + TX, kasugamycin (483) + TX, mancozeb (496) + TX, maneb (497) + TX, manganous dimethyldithiocarbamate + TX, mefenoxam (Metalaxyl-M) (517) + TX, mepronil (510) + TX, mercuric chloride (51 1 ) + TX, mercury + TX, metalaxyl (516) + TX, methasulfocarb (528) + TX, metiram (546) + TX, metrafenone + TX, nabam (566) + TX, neem oil (hydrophobic extract) + TX, nuarimol (587) + TX, octhilinone (590) + TX, ofurace (592) + TX, oxadixyl (601 ) + TX, oxine copper (605) + TX, oxolinic acid (606) + TX, oxycarboxin (608) + TX, oxytetracycline (61 1 ) + TX, paclobutrazole (612) + TX, paraffin oil (628) + TX, paraformaldehyde + TX, pencycuron (620) + TX,

pentachloronitrobenzene (716) + TX, pentachlorophenol (623) + TX, penthiopyrad + TX, perfurazoate + TX, phosphoric acid + TX, polyoxin (654) + TX, polyoxin D zinc salt (654) + TX, potassium bicarbonate + TX, probenazole (658) + TX, procymidone (660) + TX, propamocarb (668) + TX, propineb (676) + TX, proquinazid (682) + TX, prothiocarb (1361 ) + TX, pyrazophos (693) + TX, pyrifenox (703) + TX, pyroquilon (710) + TX, quinoxyfen (715) + TX, quintozene (PCN(B) (716) + TX, silthiofam (729) + TX, sodium bicarbonate + TX, sodium diacetate + TX, sodium propionate + TX, streptomycin (744) + TX, sulphur (754) + TX, TCMTB + TX, tecloftalam + TX, tecnazene (TCN(B) (767) + TX, thiabendazole (790) + TX, thifluzamide (796) + TX, thiophanate (1435) + TX, thiophanate-methyl (802) + TX, thiram (804) + TX, tolclofos-methyl (808) + TX, tolylfluanid (810) + TX, triazoxide (821 ) + TX, trichoderma harzianum (825) + TX, tricyclazole (828) + TX, triforine (838) + TX, triphenyltin hydroxide (347) + TX, validamycin (846) + TX, vinclozolin (849) + TX, zineb (855) + TX, ziram (856) + TX, zoxamide (857) + TX, 1 + TX,1 -bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2- ethoxyethanol (lUPAC-Name) (910) + TX, 2 + TX,4-dichlorophenyl benzenesulfonate (lUPAC- / Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1059) + TX, 2-fluoro-/V-methyl-/V-1 - naphthylacetamide (lUPAC-Name) (1295) + TX, 4-chlorophenyl phenyl sulfone (IUPAC- Name) (981 ) + TX,

a compound of formula B-5.1 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.2 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.3 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.4 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.5 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.6 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.7 + TX, compound B-5.8 +

TX, compound B-5.9 + TX, compound B-5.10 + TX, compound B-5.1 1 + TX, compound B-

5.12 + TX, compound B-5.13 + TX, compound B-5.14 + TX, compound B-5.15 + TX, compound B-5.16 + TX, compound B-5.17 and compound B-5.18;

a plant-bioregulator selected from the group consisting of

an insecticide selected from the group consisting of

abamectin (1 ) + TX, clothianidin (165) + TX, emamectin benzoate (291 ) + TX, imidacloprid (458) + TX, tefluthrin (769) + TX, thiamethoxam (792) + TX, and glyphosate (419) + TX, a compound of formul

fomesafen + TX, and (B9) isopyrazam + TX, sedaxane + TX,

a compound of formula (VI) + TX

a compound of formula (VII) + TX

Further examples of especially suitable mixtures selected from the following group Q:

Group Q: especially suitable compositions according to the invention:

a strobilurin fungicide selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin + TX,

dimoxystrobin + TX, fluoxastrobin + TX, kresoxim-methyl + TX, metominostrobin + TX, orysastrobin + TX, picoxystrobin + TX, pyraclostrobin; trifloxystrobin and a compound of formula B-1 .1 ;

an azole fungicide selected from the group consisting of azaconazole + TX, bromuconazole + TX, cyproconazole + TX, difenoconazole + TX, diniconazole + TX, diniconazole-M + TX, epoxiconazole + TX, fenbuconazole + TX, fluquinconazole + TX, flusilazole + TX, flutriafol + TX, hexaconazole + TX, imazalil + TX, imibenconazole + TX, ipconazole + TX, metconazole + TX, myclobutanil + TX, oxpoconazole + TX, pefurazoate + TX, penconazole + TX, prochloraz + TX, propiconazole + TX, prothioconazole + TX, simeconazole + TX, tebuconazole + TX, tetraconazole + TX, triadimefon + TX, triadimenol + TX, triflumizole + TX, triticonazole + TX, diclobutrazol + TX, etaconazole + TX, furconazole + TX,

furconazole-cis and quinconazole;

a morpholine fungicide selected from the group consisting of aldimorph + TX, dodemorph + TX, fenpropimorph + TX, tridemorph + TX, fenpropidin + TX, spiroxamine + TX, piperalin and a compound of formula B-3.1 ; an anilino-pyrimidine fungicide selected from the group consisting of cyprodinil + TX, mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil;

a fungicide selected from the group consisting of benalaxyl + TX, benalaxyl-M + TX, benomyl + TX, bitertanol + TX, boscalid + TX, captan + TX, carboxin + TX, carpropamid + TX, chlorothalonil + TX, copper + TX, cyazofamid + TX, cymoxanil + TX, diethofencarb + TX, dithianon + TX, famoxadone + TX, fenamidone + TX, fenhexamide + TX, fenoxycarb + TX, fenpiclonil + TX, fluazinam + TX, fludioxonil + TX, flutolanil + TX, folpet + TX, guazatine + TX, hymexazole + TX, iprodione + TX, lufenuron + TX, mancozeb + TX, metalaxyl + TX, mefenoxam + TX, metrafenone + TX, nuarimol + TX, paclobutrazol + TX, pencycuron + TX, penthiopyrad + TX, procymidone + TX, proquinazid + TX, pyroquilon + TX, quinoxyfen + TX, silthiofam + TX, sulfur + TX, thiabendazole + TX, thiram + TX, triazoxide + TX, tricyclazole + TX, a compound of formula B-5.1 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.2 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.3 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.4 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.5 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.6 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.7 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.8 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.9 + TX, a compound of formula B-5.10 and a compound of formula B-5.12;

a plant-bioregulator selected from acibenzolar-S-methyl + TX, chlormequat chloride + TX, ethephon + TX, mepiquat chloride and trinexapac-ethyl;

an insecticide selected from abamectin + TX, emamectin benzoate + TX, tefluthrin + TX, thiamethoxam + TX, and glyphosate + TX, a compound of formula V

fomesafen + TX, and (B9) isopyrazam + TX, sedaxane + TX,

a compound of formula (VI) + TX

a compound of formula (VII) + TX

The active ingredient mixture of the compounds of formula I selected from table 1 and 2 with active ingredients (B) described above comprises a compound selected from table 1 and 2 and an active ingredient as described above preferably in a mixing ratio of from 1000:1 to 1 :1000, especially from 50:1 to 1 :50, more especially in a ratio of from 20:1 to 1 :20, even more especially from 10:1 to 1 :10, very especially from 5:1 and 1 :5, special preference being given to a ratio of from 2:1 to 1 :2, and a ratio of from 4:1 to 2:1 being likewise preferred, above all in a ratio of 1 :1 , or 5:1 , or 5:2, or 5:3, or 5:4, or 4:1 , or 4:2, or 4:3, or 3:1 , or 3:2, or 2:1 , or 1 :5, or 2:5, or 3:5, or 4:5, or 1 :4, or 2:4, or 3:4, or 1 :3, or 2:3, or 1 :2, or 1 :600, or 1 :300, or 1 :150, or 1 :35, or 2:35, or 4:35, or 1 :75, or 2:75, or 4:75, or 1 :6000, or 1 :3000, or 1 :1500, or 1 :350, or 2:350, or 4:350, or 1 :750, or 2:750, or 4:750. Those mixing ratios are understood to include, on the one hand, ratios by weight and also, on other hand, molar ratios.

The mixtures comprising a compound of formula I selected from table 1 and 2 and one or more active ingredients as described above can be applied, for example, in a single "ready- mix" form, in a combined spray mixture composed from separate formulations of the single active ingredient components, such as a "tank-mix", and in a combined use of the single active ingredients when applied in a sequential manner, i.e. one after the other with a reasonably short period, such as a few hours or days. The order of applying the compounds of formula I selected from table 1 and the active ingredients as described above is not essential for working the present invention.

When applied to the useful plants the compound of formula I is applied at a rate of 5 to 2000 g a.i./ha, particularly 10 to 1000 g a.i./ha, e.g. 50, 75, 100 or 200 g a.i./ha, in association with 1 to 5000 g a.i./ha, particularly 2 to 2000 g a.i./ha, e.g. 100, 250, 500, 800, 1000, 1500 g a.i./ha of a compound of component (B), depending on the class of chemical employed as component (B). In agricultural practice the application rates of the combination according to the invention depend on the type of effect desired, and typically range from 20 to 4000 g of total combination per hectare.

When the combinations of the present invention are used for treating seed, rates of 0.001 to 50 g of a compound of formula I per kg of seed, preferably from 0.01 to 10g per kg of seed, and 0.001 to 50 g of a compound of component (B), per kg of seed, preferably from 0.01 to 10g per kg of seed, are generally sufficient.

The compositions of the invention may be employed in any conventional form, for example in the form of a twin pack, a powder for dry seed treatment (DS), an emulsion for seed treatment (ES), a flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS), a solution for seed treatment (LS), a water dispersible powder for seed treatment (WS), a capsule suspension for seed treatment (CF), a gel for seed treatment (GF), an emulsion concentrate (EC), a suspension concentrate (SC), a suspo-emulsion (SE), a capsule suspension (CS), a water dispersible granule (WG), an emulsifiable granule (EG), an emulsion, water in oil (EO), an emulsion, oil in water (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil dispersion (OD), an oil miscible flowable (OF), an oil miscible liquid (OL), a soluble concentrate (SL), an ultra-low volume suspension (SU), an ultra-low volume liquid (UL), a technical concentrate (TK), a dispersible concentrate (DC), a wettable powder (WP) or any technically feasible formulation in combination with agriculturally acceptable adjuvants.

Such compositions may be produced in conventional manner, e.g. by mixing the active ingredients with appropriate formulation inerts (diluents, solvents, fillers and optionally other formulating ingredients such as surfactants, biocides, anti-freeze, stickers, thickeners and compounds that provide adjuvancy effects). Also conventional slow release formulations may be employed where long lasting efficacy is intended. Particularly formulations to be applied in spraying forms, such as water dispersible concentrates (e.g. EC, SC, DC, OD, SE, EW, EO and the like), wettable powders and granules, may contain surfactants such as wetting and dispersing agents and other compounds that provide adjuvancy effects, e.g. the condensation product of formaldehyde with naphthalene sulphonate, an

alkylarylsulphonate, a lignin sulphonate, a fatty alkyl sulphate, and ethoxylated alkylphenol and an ethoxylated fatty alcohol.

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

In general, the formulations include from 0.01 to 90% by weight of active agent, from 0 to 20% agriculturally acceptable surfactant and 10 to 99.99% solid or liquid formulation inerts and adjuvant(s), the active agent consisting of at least the compound of formula I together with a compound of component (B), and optionally other active agents, particularly microbiocides or conservatives or the like. Concentrated forms of compositions generally contain in between about 2 and 80%, preferably between about 5 and 70% by weight of active agent. Application forms of formulation may for example contain from 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight of active agent. Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ diluted formulations.

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the invention, "active ingredient" denoting a mixture of compound I and a compound of component (B) in a specific mixing ratio.

Formulation Examples Wettable powders a) b) c) active ingredient [I : comp (B) = 1 :3(a), 1 :2(b), 25 % 50 % 75 %

1 :1 (c)]

sodium lignosulfonate 5 % 5 %

sodium lauryl sulfate 3 % - 5 % sodium diisobutylnaphthalenesulfonate - 6 % 10 % phenol polyethylene glycol ether - 2 %

(7-8 mol of ethylene oxide)

highly dispersed silicic acid 5 % 10 % 10 %

Kaolin 62 % 27 %

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettable powders that can be diluted with water to give suspensions of the desired concentration.

Powders for dry seed treatment a) b) c) active ingredient [I : comp (B) = 1 :3(a), 1 :2(b), 25 % 50 % 75 %

1 :1 (c)]

light mineral oil 5 % 5 % 5 % highly dispersed silicic acid 5 % 5 %

Kaolin 65 % 40 %

Talcum - 20

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording powders that can be used directly for seed treatment.

Emulsifiable concentrate

active ingredient (I : comp (B) = 1 :6) 10 %

octylphenol polyethylene glycol ether 3 %

(4-5 mol of ethylene oxide)

calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 3 %

castor oil polyglycol ether (35 mol of ethylene oxide) 4 %

Cyclohexanone 30 %

xylene mixture 50 % Emulsions of any required dilution, which can be used in plant protection, can be obtained from this concentrate by dilution with water.

Dusts a) b) c)

Active ingredient [I : comp (B) = 1 :6(a), 1 :2(b), 5 % 6 % 4 %

1 :10(c)]

talcum 95 %

Kaolin - 94 %

mineral filler - - 96 %

Ready-for-use dusts are obtained by mixing the active ingredient with the carrier and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill. Such powders can also be used for dry dressings for seed.

Extruder granules

Active ingredient (I : comp (B) = 2:1 ) 15 %

sodium lignosulfonate 2 %

carboxymethylcellulose 1 %

Kaolin 82 %

The active ingredient is mixed and ground with the adjuvants, and the mixture is moistened with water. The mixture is extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

Coated granules

Active ingredient (I :comp (B) = 1 :10) 8 %

polyethylene glycol (mol. wt. 200) 3 %

Kaolin 89 %

The finely ground active ingredient is uniformly applied, in a mixer, to the kaolin moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granules are obtained in this manner.

Suspension concentrate

active ingredient (I : comp (B) = 1 :8) 40 %

propylene glycol 10 %

nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (15 mol of ethylene oxide) 6 %

Sodium lignosulfonate 10 % carboxymethylcellulose 1 % silicone oil (in the form of a 75 % emulsion in water) 1 %

Water 32 %

Flowable concentrate for seed treatment

active ingredient (I : comp (B) = 1 :8) 40 %

propylene glycol 5 %

copolymer butanol PO/EO 2 %

tristyrenephenole with 10-20 moles EO 2 %

1 ,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (in the form of a 20% solution in 0.5 %

water)

monoazo-pigment calcium salt 5 %

Silicone oil (in the form of a 75 % emulsion in water) 0.2 %

Water 45.3 %

Slow Release Capsule Suspension

28 parts of a combination of the compound of formula I and a compound of component (B), or of each of these compounds separately, are mixed with 2 parts of an aromatic solvent and 7 parts of toluene diisocyanate/polymethylene-polyphenylisocyanate-mixture (8:1 ). This mixture is emulsified in a mixture of 1 .2 parts of polyvinylalcohol, 0.05 parts of a defoamer and 51 .6 parts of water until the desired particle size is achieved. To this emulsion a mixture of 2.8 parts 1 ,6-diaminohexane in 5.3 parts of water is added. The mixture is agitated until the polymerization reaction is completed. The obtained capsule suspension is stabilized by adding 0.25 parts of a thickener and 3 parts of a dispersing agent. The capsule suspension formulation contains 28% of the active ingredients. The medium capsule diameter is 8-15 microns.

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

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A method for reducing the occurrence of phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae in plants, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula I

and agrochemically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, diastereoisomers, enantiomers and tautomers of those compounds; to a plant seed prior to planting, to soil in which a plant is growing or in which it is desired to grow it, to plant roots or to combinations thereof, wherein said plant seed or said plant roots are infected with a fungal strain selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae.

2. A method according to claim 1 , comprising applying an effective amount of a

composition comprising a compound of formula I to a plant seed prior to planting, wherein said plant seed is infected with a fungal strain selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the phytopathogenic fungus is Fusarium virguliforme.

4. A method for suppressing, controlling or reducing Sudden Death Syndrome in plants comprising planting in soil, a plant seed treated with a compound of formula I and wherein said plant seed or soil contains a precursor to Sudden Death Syndrome.

5. A method according to claim 4. wherein the precursor to Sudden Death Syndrome is selected from the group consisting of Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae.

6. A method for reducing damage to a plant or plant seed caused by Sudden Death Syndrome comprising applying a compound of formula I to a plant seed prior to planting, wherein said plant seed contains a precursor to Sudden Death Syndrome; and planting said plant seed.

7. A method according to claim 6. wherein the precursor to Sudden Death Syndrome is selected from the group consisting of Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae.

8. A soybean seed treated with a composition comprising a compound of formula I in an amount for reducing the occurrence of phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium brasiliense sp. nov., Fusarium cuneirostrum sp. nov. and Fusarium tucumaniae in plants.