Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 "SPRAY OIL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF FOR CONTROLLING
2 TURFGRASS PESTS"
3
4 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to spray oils, and in particular to paraffinic
6 spray oils and their method of use for controlling turfgrass pests such
as harmful
7 insects and fungi.
8
9 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of agriculture and horticulture, it is well known to use
11 spray oils in the control plant pests such as harmful Insects, fungi,
and
12 microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. The base for such spray
oils are
13 generally made of naturally occurring oils such as refined petroleum
products,
14 e.g., paraffinic oils, or oils extracted from plants, vegetables or
animals.
Spray oils are often formulated as an oil-in-water (OM) emulsion
16 which is periodically applied directly to plants. An emulsion is a
dispersed system
17 containing at least two normally immiscible phases, one being dispersed
as
18 droplets In the other. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable due to
excess
19 free energy associated with the surface of the dispersed droplets such
that the
particles tend to flocculate (clump(ng together of dispersed droplets or
particles)
21 and subsequently coalesce (fusing together of agglomerates into a larger
drop or
22 droplets) to decrease the surface energy. If these droplets fuse, the
emulsion will
23 "break", i.e. the phases will separate, destroying the emulsion and
making it
24 difficult to prepare formulations that have a suitable shelf-life for
storage. To
prevent or slow breaking of an emulsion, an emulsifying agent is typically
added.
1
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 The type and concentration of a particular emulsifying agent will depend,
inter
2 alia, on the emulsion phase components and the desired result.
3 Spray oils are often used as a carrier for traditional synthetic
4 chemical pesticides and for enhancing the activity of such pesticides.
5 Alternatively, certain spray oils can be used alone as a bona fide pest
control
6 agent, in which case the oil component itself is the active ingredient.
Spray oil
7 alone is thought to act by coating the pests to Induce a potential
variety of effects,
8 including suffocation of Insects, modification of insect feeding and egg
laying
9 behavior, destruction of fungi cell walls, removal of humidity and
interference with
10 physical interactions of fungi or viruses with the host plant.
11 For a number of reasons, it is preferable to use spray oils
without
12 added chemical pesticides. For example, as compared with chemical
pesticides,
13 spray oils are generally considered to be safer for humans, are less
harmful to
14 beneficial insects such as bees, and are more quickly degraded. In
addition, the
15 cost of effort of manufacturing chemical pesticides is avoided, while
spray oils
16 can be simply made out of inexpensive fractions of petroleum oil. The
main
17 limitation of spray oils is their potential to cause plant injury
(phytotoxicity) in
18 some situations, as with certain sensitive plants or plants under
drought stress.
19 The use of spray oil alone has been especially useful in
effectively
20 controlling a variety of pests in tree crops, such as apple and orange
trees,
21 grapes, vegetables, and flowering and omamental plants. Examples of such
22 commercially available spray oils indude Stylet-Oil (JMS Flower Farms
Inc., Vero
23 Beach, Califomia) and PureSpray 10E (Petro-Canada, Calgary, Alberta),
both of
24 which contain paraffin oil, also known as mineral oil, as the active
ingredient.
2
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 A particularly desirous use of spray oil alone is in the control
of
2 turfgrass pests. Turfgrass generally includes any maintained grass
surface, such
3 as lawns and golf courses. Turfgrass has been traditionally treated with
synthetic
4 chemical compounds to control pests, resulting is high maintenance costs
and
harmful effects to humans and the environment.
6 Although several non-petroleum spray oils have been disclosed as
7 having use in treating turfgrass, such spray oils have not found
widespread
8 commercial use. For example, US patent application publication no.
9 2003/0198686 to Keen discloses the use of a spray oil composed of a
combination of fish oil and plant oil to control turfgrass pests. However,
fish oils
11 tend to be phytotoxic due to alcohol and acid products formed by ester
hydrolysis
12 and have an unpleasant smell. US patent application publication no.
13 2003/0194454 to Bessette discloses the use of rosemary oil and
wintergreen oil,
14 alone or in combination, in controlling turfgrass pests; however, such non-
petroleum oils tend to become rancid upon prolonged exposure to sunlight.
16 To Applicant's knowledge, there Is no petroleum-based spray oil
17 indicated for use on turfgrass. Although Stylet-Oil, provided as a
concentrate of
18 97.1% v/v paraffin oil and 2.9% v/v non-ionic emulsifier, is indicated
for use
19 against stripe rust disease on grass grown for seed when applied at an
oil
dosage of 0.2-0.4 gal/acre, it is well established that turfgrass differs
significantly
21 from grass grown for seed in several respects. For example, the major
diseases
22 that affect grass grown for seed and turfgrass are not coterminous. In
particular,
23 as outlined in the Online Guide to Plant Disease Control of Oregon State
24 University Extension (htto://olant-disease.iooc.orst.edun and in the
hardcopy
version, 'The 2004 PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook", the diseases of
3
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 prime concem in the production of grass grown for seed include Rusts,
Smuts,
2 Molds, Silvertop, Barley Yellow Dwarf, Blind Seed, Ergot, Powdery Mildew,
while
3 the diseases of prime concern in turf management include Anthracnose,
Dollar
4 Spot, Brown Patch, Grey Snow Mold and Pink Snow Mold. Further, for the
few
diseases that are in common, the chemical treatment regimes can be different.
6 For example, although Powdery Mildew is not a major problem in turfgrass,
when
7 necessary, treatment with azoxystroblne fungicide is recommended at a
dosage
8 of 4.1-8.7 oz of solid azostrobine per acre, compared with 1.65-4.05 oz
of solid
9 azoxysrtobine per acre for grass grown for seed. The differences between
grass
grown for seed and turfgrass may be due to physiological and physical
11 differences imposed by different growing conditions and environments, the
12 greater degree of stress imposed on turfgrass due to Injuries caused by
traffic
13 and repeated mowing of turfgrass, and the removal of pest control agents
when
14 the turfgrass In mowed.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an Improved
16 spray oll composition for control of pests of turfgrass.
17
4
---
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
2 The invention provides a paraffinic spray oil composition that is
3 applied to turfgrass as an oil-in-water (0/W) emulsion and is effective in
4 controlling turfgrass pests without added synthetic chemical pesticides.
5 In one aspect of the invention, the spray oil contains a quick
break
6 emulsifier in a proportion with a paraffinic oil that allows the oil to
be quickly
7 released from the 0/W emulsion upon application to the turfgrass for
contact of
8 pests thereon. In one embodiment, the spray oil contains an oil-to-
emulsifier ratio
9 ranging from 95:5 to 99.95:0.05, preferably from 98.5:1.5 to 99.9:0.1,
and most
10 preferably 99.2:0.8. The spray oil can be provided in a variety of
formulations,
11 including an oil-emulsifier concentrate and 0/W emulsions. The 0/VV
emulsion
12 generally comprises paraffinic oil at about 1-50% by weight, and
preferably about
13 10-30% by weight.
14 The paraffinic oil indudes any oil enriched In paraffin. In one
15 embodiment, the paraffin has a number of carbon atoms ranging from about
12 to
16 about 50 (C12 to C50) or combinations thereof, and preferably with a
carbon
17 number ranging from about C16 to about C35 and with an average carbon
18 number of about C23. Preferably, the paraffin content of the paraffinic
oil is at
19 least about 80%, and more preferably at least about 90%, and most
preferably at
20 least about 99%. Suitable paraffinic oils have been refined to remove
impurities
21 that are harmful to plants, especially aromatics.
22 The emulsifier can be any quick break emulsifier suitable for
23 achieving the desired result. Exemplary emulsifiers include alkyl phenol
24 ethoxylates, nonylphenolethyoxylate, dodecylphenolethoxyiates, and
ethoxylated
25 alcohol/glycerol oleate mixtures, or combinations thereof.
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 Notably, it
is generally considered that turfgrass is under stress due
2 to its use
and maintenance, such that there is an expectation that turfgrass is
3
particularly susceptible to potential toxic effects of spray oils.
Surprisingly,
4 Applicant
has found that when the spray oil Is applied to turfgrass, particularly at
an oil dosage that is higher than typically used in other spray oil
applications, the
6 spray oil
is effective in controlling a variety of turfgrass pests, including insects
7 and fungi, with little or no phytotoxic effects.
8
Accordingly, in another aspect of the invention, the invention
9 provides a
method for controlling turfgrass pests comprising applying an effective
amount of the spray oil to the turfgrass. In one embodiment, the effective
amount
11 provides a
paraffinic oil dosage of at least about 0.5 gal/acre, preferably from
12 about 5
gal/acre to about 60 gal/acre, and more preferably from about 10 gal/acre
13 to about 20
gal/acre, and which can be applied periodically as needed. The
14 optimal
dosage may vary according to the type of turfgrass, the type and amount
of pest on the turfgrass, and the environmental conditions, and can be readily
16 determined by established biological tests.
17
Unexpectedly, Applicant has also found that when the spray oil is
18
applied to turfgrass as indicated for controlling pests, the growth of the
turfgrass
19 is enhanced.
Accordingly, in another broad aspect of the invention, the invention
21 provides a
spray oil and method of use of the spray oil for enhancing the growth
22
of turfgrass comprising applying an effective amount of the spray oil to the
23 turfgrass.
6
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 In addition, the components of the invention are provided as kits
for
2 use In controlling turfgrass pests and for enhancing the growth of
turfgrass,
3 wherein the kits comprise the spray oil and instructions for use of the
spray oil.
7
_
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 The spray
oil composition of the present invention generally
3 comprises a
paraffinic oil as the active ingredient and a quick break emulsifier.
4 The
composition is normally provided as an emulsifiable concentrate containing
the paraffinic oil and emulsifier, which is thereafter prepared for use as a
diluted
6 oil-in-
water (0/W) emulsion. In the 0/W emulsion, the oil phase is dispersed in
7 the
continuous aqueous phase via the emulsifier. As described in more detail
8 below, the
ratio of oil to emulsifier allows the 0/VV emulsion to quickly break upon
9 application
to the turfgrass, thereby releasing the oil component onto the grass
blade for the control of pests thereon. Surprisingly, when used at
concentrations
11 effective
for controlling turfgrass pests, there are little or no phytotoxic effects.
12
Furthermore, it was unexpectedly observed that turfgrass treated with the
spray
13 oil
exhibited more vigorous growth than that observed for untreated turfgrass and
14 turfgrass treated with chemical pest control agents.
As used herein, the terms "turfgrass" or "grass" generally refer to
16 grasses
that are periodically cut or mowed to provide a groundcover for various
17 utility, recreational or aesthetic purposes. Exemplary turfgrasses include
18 Fescues, Rye, Bent, Bahia, St. Augustine, Centipede, Kentucky bluegrass,
19 Zoysia
Native Grasses (e.g., Buffalo grass, Blue Grama and Wheatgrasses).
Seashore Paspalum, Carpet Grass, Buffo, and Beach Grass. Such grasses are
21 typically
found locations such as parks, golf courses, sports fields, sod farms,
22 roadsides,
and lawns for housing residences, commercial sites, and institutional
23 grounds.
24 As used
herein, the terms lurfgrass pest" or "pest" generally refer
to living organisms occurring on turfgrass that are not desired to occur on
8
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 turfgrass or
that cause damage to turfgrass. Turfgrass pests include but are not
2 limited to insects (adult and larval forms), fungi, and microorganisms such
as
3 bacteria and viruses, and are particularly contemplated to indude stationary
4 fungus,
creeping, crawling hopping or flying insects, or burrowing or subterranean
5 pests that
reside on the grass blade during a pre-adult stage of their lifecyde.
6 Exemplary turfgrass pests include, for example, bluegrass weevils, cutworms,
7 sod webworms, pillbugs, grubs, aphids, mites, chinch bugs, chafers, beetles,
8
grasshoppers, scales, cranefly, earwigs, slugs, ants, fleas, mealybugs, ticks,
and
9 causative
agents of Grey Leaf Spot, Dollar Spot, Grey Snow Mold, Pink Snow
Mold, Brown Patch, Anthracnose, Yellow Turf, Powdery Mildew, Pythium Foliar
11 Blight
Disease, Necrotic Ring Spot, Pink Patch, Red Thread, Leaf Blight, Yellow
12 Patch,
Downey Mildew, Pythlum Blight, Rusts, Stripe Smut, Summer Leaf Spot,
13 Take-All Patch, and Microdochium Patch Disease, or combinations thereof.
14 As used
herein, the term mcontrol or mcontrolling" generally refer to
15 preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating turfgrass pests.
16 As used
herein, the term ''spray oir generally refers to a paraffinic
17 oil-containing composition, including concentrates and oil-in-water
emulsion
18 formulations.
19 Generally
defined, paraffinic oil is any oil enriched in paraffin
(saturated hydrocarbon). Particularly useful paraffinic oils of the present
21 invention
indude paraffins having a number of carbon atoms ranging from about
22 12 to about
50 (C12 to C50) or combinations thereof, and preferably with a
23 carbon
number ranging from about C16 to about C35 and with an average
24 carbon
number of about C23. Preferably, the paraffinic oil has a paraffin content
25 of at least
about 80%, with a paraffin content of at least about 90% being more
9
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 preferred, and a paraffin content of at least about 99% being most
preferred.
2 Suitable paraffin oils include HT100 and High Flash Jet, both
manufactured by
3 Petro-Canada, Calgary, Alberta.
4 Preferably, the paraffinic oil is refined so as to substantially
remove
5 impurities in the oil that are associated with plant injury, such as
aromatic
6 compounds, compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen or oxygen. For example,
the
7 paraffin oll preferably contains an aromatic content of less than 10% w/w
and
8 more preferably, less than 2% w/w.
9 In general, the emulsifiers of the present invention are of the so-
10 called quid( break" variety such that, when present in a suitable
proportion or
11 ratio with the oil, the resulting quick break ONV emulsion quickly
releases the oll
12 phase (active ingredient) upon application to the turfgrass.
Consequently, there
13 is less runoff of the ONV emulsion from the grass blades as compared to
more
14 stable 0/W emulsions, such that a suffident amount of oil adheres to the
15 turfgrass for a sufficient amount of time to effectively contact and
control
16 associated turfgrass pests. Preferably the oil resides on the turfgrass
for a period
17 of not less than one hour.
18 Emulsifiers that are particularly suited for use in the spray oil
include
19 but are not limited to alkyl phenol ethoxylates, nonylphenolethyoxylate,
20 dodecylphenolethoxylates, and ethoxylated alcohol/glycerol oleate
mixtures, or
21 combinations thereof. Emulsifiers that have minimal environmental risk,
such as
22 ethoxylated alcohol/glycerol oleate mixtures, are preferred.
23 The paraffin oil and emulsifier are present In a weight ratio of
24 oil:emulsifier ranging from about 95:5 to 99.95:0.05, preferably from about
25 98.5:1.5 to 99.9:0.1, and more preferably about 99.2:0.8. Applicant has
found
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 that such ratios are desirable for optimum performance of the spray oil on
2 turfgrass, while at the same time providing suitable stability of the 0/W
emulsion
3 to allow for a reasonable timeframe for its preparation and storage.
4 The spray oil is normally provided as an oll-emuisifier
concentrate
containing about 95-99.95% by weight paraffinic oil and 0Ø05-5.0% by weight
6 (w/w) emulsifier, preferably about 98.5-99.9% by weight paraffinic oil
and 0.1-
7 1.5% by weight emulsifier, and more preferably about 99.2% by weight
paraffinic
8 oil and about 0.8% by weight emulsifier. The concentrate can be prepared
as
9 described in Example 1 below, or by any suitable method as Is known in
the art
so as to provide a uniform solution of paraffinic oil and emulsifier.
11 The spray oil can also be provided as a kit which includes the
spray
12 oil and instructions for using the spray oil in packaged form.
Preferably the
13 paraffinic oil and emulsifier are provided as a pre-mixed concentrate,
however,
14 the paraffinic oil and emulsifier may also be provided as individual
components.
For use, the paraffinic oil-emuisifier concentrate is admixed with
16 water to form an 0/W emulsion. In particular, the concentrate is diluted
in water
17 to provide a final paraffinic oil content of ranging from about 1% to
50% by
18 weight, and preferably from of about 10% to 30% by weight. If a
concentrate is
19 not used, the individual components can simply be admixed simultaneously
at
their desired final amounts. Alternatively, emulsifiers provided as aqueous
21 solutions can be premixed with water prior to admixing with the
paraffinic oil.
22 Any suitable method for forming an 0/W emulsion can be used, as
23 is known in the art, such as that described in Example 1 below. Such
methods
24 usually involve tank mixing of the components by applying shear using a
paddle
mixer or blender. Alternatively, the separate components can be combined at
the
11
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 nozzle of a spray gun to form the 0/W emulsion. In any case, the ONV
emulsion
2 should be prepared with one or two hours before use.
3 Preferably, the water component is distilled water or other such
4 water having low mineral electrolyte content. Mineral electrolytes may
cause the
5 0/W emulsion to break prematurely, such as during storage or before the
ONV
6 emulsion has spread evenly over the grass blade, and are therefore not
7 desirable.
8 The formulations can also include compatible customary additives
9 or adjuvants for turfgrass protection. These Include, for example,
surfactants,
dispersants, wetters, thickeners, organic solvents, cosolvents, antifoams.
11 carboxylic acids, preservatives, stabilizers, and the like. Although not
required,
12 chemical pestiddes and herbiddes can also be included in the emulsions.
13 To control turfgrass pests, the ONV emulsion is applied to the
14 turfgrass to provide an oil dosage that is sufficient to effectively
control turfgrass
15 pests. The spray oil may also be reapplied as required. Exemplary
application
16 regimens are provided in Table 1.
17
18 Table 1. Exemplary spray oil regimens
% oil by weight spray volume of dosage of oil
of 0/W emulsion 0/W emulsion (active ingredient)
1-50% 10-100 gal/acre 0.1-50
gal/acre
10-30% 50-200 gal/acre 0.5-60
gal/acre
19
20 In general, the preferred paraffinic oil dosage Is at least about
0.5
21 gal/acre, preferably ranging from about 0.5 gal/acre to about 60
gal/acre, and
22 more preferably ranging from about 10 gal/acre to about 20 gal/acre.
However,
12
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 the most effective treatment for a specific application will generally
depend on the
2 type of turfgrass, the type of pest(s), the level of infestation and the
3 environmental conditions and may be readily determined by established
4 biological tests known to those skilled in the art. For example, Applicant
has
found that the optimal oil dosage for controlling Snow Mold Is about 20
gal/acre to
6 about-30 gal/acre.
7 The spray oil can be applied to turfgrass by spraying, misting,
8 sprinkling, pouring, or any other suitable method for achieving the
desired result.
9 Preferably, the 0/W emulsion is applied by spray methods, for example,
using a
standard spray apparatus, in which case the droplet size, pressure and volume
11 delivered may be suitably adjusted for a particular application.
12 When used as described herein, the 0/W emulsion of the present
13 invention is effective in controlling a variety of turfgrass pests.
Optimal control is
14 achieved by adjusting the timing of the applicatbn and dosage so as to
target the
turfgrass pest when it is most vulnerable, such as during egg or crawler
stages.
16 Importantly, despite the application of high dosages of the spray
oil
17 to turfgrass, the spray oil has little or no perceptible phytotoxic effect.
18 Furthermore, Applicant has observed that the treated turfgrass has a
pleasant
19 residual luster and, with the exception of spray oil with a
high C40 or greater
carbon content, the grass Is not greasy or oily to the touch. As an unexpected
21 benefit, the treated turfgrass appeared to exhibit more vigorous growth
than
22 untreated turfgrass or turfgrass treated with chemical pest
control agents alone
23 (i.e. no oll applied).
13
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 The following examples are provided to better illustrate various
2 embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of
the
3 invention.
4 EXAMPLE 1
5 General Materials and Methods
6
7 Oils and emulsifiers
8 The following oils and emulsifiers shown in Tables 2 and 3 were
9 used as Indicated in the examples.
11 Table 2. Oils
Oil Source Type No. Carbons
Ave.
HT100 Petro-Canada * >99% paraffin oil C16 to C40
C27
fraction
High Flash Jet Petro-Canada * >99% paraffin oil C12 to C21 C16
fraction
LSRD Petro-Canada * >99% paraffin oil C12 to C21
C16
fraction
12 *Calgary, AB, Canada
13
14 Table 3. Emulsifiers
Emulsifier Source Components
AL3149 Uniqema* C10 to C16 alcohol ethoxylates and
glycerol oleate
AL3313 Uniqema* Poiyoxyethyene lauryl ether, C10 to C16
alcohol
ethoxylates, and glycerol oleate
15 New Castle, DE, USA
16
14
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 Preparation of concentrates
2 Concentrate formulas as described in the following examples were
3 prepared by adding the emulsifier to the oil at the indicated amounts
under mild
4 agitation at room temperature or with mild heating at about 50 C.
6 Concentrate formulations
7 The following concentrate formulations shown in Table 4 were used
8 as indicated in the examples.
9
Table 4. Concentrate formulations (all values in % w/vi of concentrate)
Oil Emulsifier Examples
P1 99.5% HT100 0.5% AL3313 3
P2 50% HT100 + 49.5% High Flash Jet 0.5% AL3313 3, 4
P3 95% HT100 5% AL3313 3
P4 99.5% HT100 0.5% AL3149 5
XPO2 99.5% of 50/50 blend of LSRD + HT100 0.5% AL3313 8
PC1 99.25% HT100 0.75% AL3149 7, 8, 9
PC2 99.25% of 50/50 blend of LSFtD + 0.75% AL3313 8
HT100
11
12 Preparation of oil-in-water emulsions
13 Oil-in-water (ONV) emulsions as described in the following
14 examples were prepared by mixing the concentrate with water as indicated
using
a paddle mixer under low shear conditions for a period of several minutes or
until
16 the solution becomes transparent. The 0/W emulsions were typically
prepared in
17 advance and stored for later use.
18
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 EXAMPLE 2
2 Testing for Proper Adhesion of Oil on Turfgrass
3
4 To determine
the impact of the oil to emulsifier ratio on proper
adhesion of the oil on turfgrass, an oll-soluble blue dye, Agent 376, was
added to
6 0/W emulsions
at 0.2% by weight during admixing. The ONV emulsions were
7 prepared from concentrates having various ratios of HT100 to AL3149 (see
8 Tables 2 and 3
for compositions of HT100 and AI3149, respectively), and with an
9 oil content of
10% by weight of the ONV emulsion. Individual blades of Vertical
Palm Grass were hung vertically and 100 ml of the dyed-ONV emulsion was
11 applied to a
set of 5 blades. The relative staining of turfgrass was determined by
12 visual
observation, with a higher degree of staining being indicative of better
13 adhesion. The
results, as shown in Table 5, indicate that the ratio of oil to
14 emulsifier
needs to be adjusted to achieve optimal adhesion of the oil on the
turfgrass.
16
17 Table 5. Staining of turfgrass
ratio of oil:emulsifier Staining
98.8:1.2 Light
99.4:0.6 Dark
99.5:0.5 Darkest
99.94:0.06 Darkest
99.95:0.05 Darkest
18
16
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 EXAMPLE 3
2 Control of Oriental Beetle Grubs
3
4 The effect of different 0/W emulsion formuladons when applied at
different dosages to turfgrass were evaluated for their effectiveness in
controlling
6 oriental beetles In Perennial ryegrass. Oriental beetle grubs were
collected in the
7 fall and over-wintered. The following spring, turfgrass grown in small
containers
8 was inoculated with the grubs at a density of 5 grubs/pot prior to
application of
9 ONV emulsion to the turfgrass. P1, P2 and P3 concentrates (see Table 4)
were
prepared as 0/W emulsions and applied to the turfgrass using a spray volume
11 equivalent to 88 gal/acre (2 gal/1000 sq ft) to provide the oil dosages
shown in
12 Table 6.
13
14 Table 6. Dosage of emulsions
% oil in ONV kg oil/hectare lb oil/acre gal olVacre
emulsion
Low 6.3 43 39 5.5
Medium 12.3 87 77 10.8
High 49.1 346 309 43.2
16 After 14 days, the grubs were counted to determine their mortality
17 compared to untreated turfgrass. The results as averaged from 7 trials,
as shown
18 in Table 7, demonstrate that the spray oil Is useful in controlling
Insect pests in
19 turfgrass.
17
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 Table 7. Control of oriental beetle grubs In perennial ryegrass
% increase in mortality
P1 low 143
P1 med 86
P1 high 115
P2 low 43
P2 low 157
P2 med 71
P3 high 43
2
3 EXAMPLE 4
4 Control of Chinch Bugs
6 To determine
the efficacy of the invention In controlling Southern
7 chinch bugs
(Maus Insular's) under field conditions, a cylinder method for field
8 pesticide
screening reported by Crocker and Tubbs (1981, J. Econ. Entomol. 74:
9 730-731) was
used. In April, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cylinders were set Into
10 holes dug in
plots of St. Augustine grass, with 5 cylinders as replicates in each of
11 5 plots (25
cylinders total). Each cylinder was 6 Inches In diameter (-1.5 sq. ft.)
12 by 6 inches
high and driven into the soil so that the rim was about 4 inches above
13 the soil
surface. Southem chinch bugs were field collected from Palm Beach
14 County,
Florida and 40 chinch bugs (adults and medium to large size nymphs)
15 were put
into each of the 25 cylinders. Each cylinder was then covered with fine
16 mesh cloth
held in place with rubber bands to allow air, sunlight, and rain into the
17 cylinders.
The next day, the doth tops were removed from some of the cylinders
18 and a 10% 0/W emulsion prepared from P2 concentrate (see Table 4) was
19 applied at a
dosage corresponding to 17.4 gal oil/acre to the cylinders using a
18
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 CO2 backpack sprayer at 40 psi. The cloth tops were thereafter quickly
replaced.
2 The other cylinders were used as untreated controls. After 7 days, the 25
3 cylinders were dug up and each cylinder was placed in a separate bucket.
The
4 buckets were slowly flooded with water in a laboratory and live chinch bugs
5 surfacing were counted.
6 The untreated control cylinders had a mortality of 0%, while the
7 treated cylinders had an average mortality of 39%, thereby demonstrating
that
8 the spray oil is useful in controlling insect pests in turfgrass.
9
10 EXAMPLE 5
11 Control of Grey Leaf Spot
12
13 Gray Leaf Spot is a turfgrass disease caused by the fungus
14 Cersospora zeas-maydis. Initial symptoms of Grey Leaf Spot indude tiny,
brown
15 spots or lesions on leaves and stoions, which quickly enlarge and become
oval or
16 elongated in shape. Mature lesions have a gray necrotic center with a
brown to
17 red boarder within a chlorotic periphery. Severe infection results in a
scorched
18 appearance and the turf density becomes reduced.
19 Experiments to determine the effect of the spray oil on Grey Leaf
20 Spot in St. Augustine turfgrass were conducted in Florida from May
through to
21 mid-August. A 30% 0/W emulsion was prepared from P4 concentrate (see
Table
22 4) and the emulsion was applied biweekly to the turfgrass at a spray
volume of
23 1500 gal/acre to provide a dosage of 450 gal oiVacre. An untreated
control was
24 used for comparison purposes, as well a number of commercially available
25 chemical fungicides applied biweekly according to the manufacturer's
19
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1
instructions. The grasses were rated for visual indication of disease by a
trained
2 evaluator.
3 After about
60 days following treatment, the spray oil was shown to
4 have
outperformed many of the comparative chemical treatments, with the spray
oil and only one chemical treatment rated as having the little or no
indication of
6 disease.
Therefore, the spay oil is useful in controlling fungal infections in
turfgrass.
8
Surprisingly, despite the frequent application of a very high dosage
9 of oil,
there were no indications of phytotoxicity. As an unexpected result, the
turfgrass treated with the oil formulation exhibited more vigorous growth than
11 untreated
grass or grass treated with chemicals. Furthermore, the spray oil
12 treated
turfgrass had a pleasant residual luster and was not greasy or oily to the
13 touch.
14
EXAMPLE 6
16 Control of Grey Leaf Spot
17
18 Experiments
were conducted to determine the effect of the spray oil
19 on Grey Leaf Spot in perennial ryegrass turfgrass. The experiments were
conducted in the state of Pennsylvania during the summer. A 10% and 20% 0/W
21 emulsion
was prepared from XPO2 concentrate (see Table 4) and the emulsion
22 was applied
to the turfgrass biweekly at a spray volume of 100 gal/acre. An
23 untreated
control was used for comparison purposes, as well a commercially
24 available
chemical fungicide, Heritage LT, diluted at 0.8 ft oz In 2 gal water. The
turfgrass was rated for visual indication of disease based on a scale of 1 to
5,
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 with 5 showing the most indication of disease. The results, as shown in
Table 8,
2 demonstrate the spray oil is useful in treating fungal Infections in
turfgrass.
3
4 Table 8. Control of Grey Leaf Spot In perennial ryegrass
Disease Rating
Untreated 5.0
Heritage LT 0.3
XP02, 10% ONV emulsion = 2.3
XP02, 20% ONV emulsion 1.7
6 EXAMPLE 7
7 Control of Sod Web Worm
8
9 Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the spray
oil
on sod webworm In St. Augustine turfgrass. The experiment was conducted
11 during the fall in Florida using a 20% 0/W emulsion prepared from PC1
12 concentrate (see Table 4). A commercially available broad spectrum
insecllcide,
13 Taistar One 0.79 SC (Bifenthrin, made by FMC), as well as an untreated
control
14 were also evaluated for comparison purposes. The spray oil 0/W emulsion
and
Talstar were applied at a spray volume of 196 gal/acre (4 gal/1000 sq.ft.) and
88
16 gal/acre (2 gaV1000 sq.ft.), respectively, then grass blades were
excised and
17 placed in a Petri dishes. Five webworrn larvae were deposited on the
blades In
18 each dish and mortality was determined after a 4 days. Six different
sets of
19 experiments were conducted. The averaged results, as shown in Table 9,
demonstrate the spray oil is useful as a prophylactic treatment in controlling
pests
21 in turfgrass.
21
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1
2 Table 9. Control of
sod webworm in St. Augustine turfgrass
Dosage of active ingredient
Mortality %
Untreated none 26.7
PC1 34.8 gal oil/acre 96.7
Taistar 29.1 oz/acre 100
3
4 EXAMPLE 8
5 Control of Annual Bluegrass Weevil
6
7 Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the spray
oil
8 on Annual bluegrass weevil in a turfgrass mixture of 35% annual bluegrass
and
9 65% bentgrass mowed to 0.5" height. The experiment was carried out in the
10 state of New Jersey in the spring at the Upper Montclair Country Club in
the City
11 of Clifton using a 12.5% 0/W emulsion of PC1 and PC2 concentrates (see
Table
12 4). Talstar (see Example 7), as well as an untreated control were also
evaluated
13 for comparison purposes. Product was applied to 6 ft2 plots at a spray
volume of
14 88 gaVacre (2 ga1/1000 sq. ft.) on April 19, May 10, and May 24, with 4
replicate
15 plots for each treatment group. Performance was assessed 14 days after
final
16 application by counting the number of annual bluegrass weevil stages in
8 turf
17 sod cores compared to untreated samples. Phytotoxicity was also assessed
18 within 1 week of application and in all cases no perceptible
phytotoxicity was
19 observed. The results, as shown in Table 10, demonstrate the spray oil
is
20 effective in controlling insect pests in turfgrass.
21
22
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 Table 10. Control of Annual Bluegrass Weevil in bluegrass-bentgrass
Dosage of active ingredient % Reduction
Talstar 0.1 lb Talstar/acre 99
PC2 11 gal oil/acre 62
PC1 11 gal oil/acre 71
PC2 + Talstar 11 gal oil/acre + 0.05 lb Talstar/acre 97
2
3 EXAMPLE 9
4 Control of Dollar Spot
6 Experiments
were conducted to determine the effect of spray oil on
7 Dollar Spot Disease (caused by the fungus, Sderodnia homoeocatpa) in
8 bentgrass. The experiment was conducted during the summer and fall in
Ontario
9 using a 10% emulsions of PC1 (see Table 4). A commercially available
fungicide, Daconil 2787 (40% chlorothalonil, made by Syngenta), as well as an
11 untreated
control, were also evaluated for comparison purposes. The
12 experimental design consisted of a randomized complete block design with
4
13 replications, with each plot measuring 1 m x 2 m. Treatments were first
applied
14 on August 5, and on August 6 the turf was inoculated with Sderotinia
homoeocarpa. Treatments were reapplied every two weeks after initial treatment
16 until September 30 using a wheel-mounted compressed air boom sprayer
using
17 Lumark 03-F110 nozzles at 140 kPa in water, with a spray volume of 10
litre/100
18 m2 (106 gal/acre) and 11 litre/100 m2 (116 gal/acre) for PC1 and
Daconil,
19 respectively.
Dollar Spot Disease was evaluated weekly for five weeks after initial
21 treatment by estimating number of infection centres per plot as compared
with
23
CA 02836045 2013-12-03
1 the control. Phytotoxicity was also evaluated, as indicated by yellowing
of the
2 grass. The results, as shown in Table 11, demonstrate that the spray oil is
3 effective in controlling fungal pests in turfgrass.
4
Table 11. Control of dollar spot in bentgrass
Dosage of active % Reduction % Reduction
ingredient Sept. 23 Oct. 7
PC1 10.6 gal/acre 97 95
Daconil 2787 2.02 gal/acre 37 63
6
7 Although
preferred embodiments of the invention have been
8 described in some detail herein above, those skilled in the art will
recognize that
9 various substitutions and modifications of the invention may be made
without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims as defined
11 herein.
24
