Water-dispersible granules based on live organisms

Abstract

It is an aim of this invention to provide spray formulations which include live organisms and which can be used as pesticides or plant treatment products and whose storage stability at room temperature is considerably higher compared with corresponding formulations of the prior art. Moreover, it is intended that the spray formulation can be handled with greater ease, that is to say that it is, for example, free-flowing, low in dust and readily measured out, in order to be more user friendly.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to novel crop protection products comprising live organisms, formulated as granules which are dispersible in aqueous media.

[0002] It is known that certain microorganisms such as, for example, bacteria, viruses and fungi, or else nematodes, can be pathogenic to pests or are suitable for the treatment of plants. It is furthermore known that providing suitable formulations is not without problems if such live organisms are to be used in practice. In the formulation process, a large proportion of the microorganisms lose their viability, or, at room temperatures, lose their activity within a few days. It is therefore difficult to prepare formulations which meet the requirements for agricultural purposes.

[0003] The application of microorganisms in crop protection is limited since there is a lack of a formulation which guarantees stability of the microorganisms and homogeneity of the product. Formulations which provide the pulverulent product in the form of a dust or aqueous dispersion are mentioned in the literature. Other formulations are oily dispersions and granules for broadcasting.

[0004] The paper of Pereira and Roberts (1991) relates to a pulverulent dry mycelium of entomopathogenic fungi encapsulated in alginate or corn starch. This type of preparation can be used as a granule for broadcasting against soil-dwelling pests. The stability of the product varies as a function of the fungal species, the storage temperature and the type of encapsulation.

[0005] French Patent Specification FR 2494717 describes crop protection products composed of robust spores of entomophthoral fungi and which are used in the form of wettable powders or for atomizing. The spores are covered by chalk. The stability of the product is guaranteed for two months at a storage temperature of 2 to 7° C.

[0006] Patent Specification WO 92/20229 mentions the use of biopolymers as carriers, coating and nutrient for microorganisms which are employed as pesticides. No statements are made by the authors about storage stability, homogeneity and other factors such as dispersibility or suspendibility, from which conclusions might be drawn regarding the economy of such products.

[0007] French Patent Publication FR 2394606 relates to the preservation and the protection of microorganisms by means of chalk. An end product which might be applied in agriculture is not described.

[0008] Patent Specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,834 mentions the preparation of wettable powder of dry mycelia of entomopathogenic fungi which have been treated with protective substances. The end product must be stored at 4° C.

[0009] European Patent Application EP-0 406 103 describes the growth of microorganisms on a granulated carrier which is insoluble in the fermentation medium. The particle size of the granules is between 0.5 and 2.0 mm. The product is used as granules for broadcasting.

[0010] Patent EP-0 268 177 describes carrier-free cell granules of microorganisms capable of forming a mycelium. These granules are composed of microorganism cells which grow in such a way that they form a tissue-like structure, and do not contain any carrier material. These microorganisms must be capable of forming cell aggregates and cell granules. They are used for controlling pests which can be found in the soil, on the soil or in the vicinity of the soil. The granules do not disperse in water. The number of infectious conidia spores are unknown in these and other formulations of dry mycelium, since the conidia spores only form after application as a function of the varying microclimatic factors.

[0011] Even if the product were to find the optimum growth conditions, there is a delay in activity due to the time required for spore formation. During this time, the products may be eaten by animals, depending on the formulation. In this manner, some of the preparation is no longer available for spore formation.

[0012] European Patent EP-0 180 743 mentions liquid preparations of microorganisms which are covered by a protective coating and are in the form of a suspension in oil. These products are preferably intended for the veterinary sector. The preparations can be stored at room temperature. The authors do not refer to the homogeneity of the emulsion for agricultural purposes. A paper by Wright and Chandler (1992) describes the development and assessment of a fungal preparation of Beauveria bassiana in oil, mixed with a further two biologically active components: a synthetic pheromone and a feeding substrate, or phagostimulant. No information can be had on experimental data regarding the stability of the product as a function of storage time and storage temperature.

[0013] Handling dispersions is problematic. For example, dispersions may form sediments upon prolonged storage which are difficult to disperse by shaking, subsequently cause inhomogeneity of the product or lead to inconsistent activity upon use.

[0014] The use of wettable-powder formulations have the disadvantage that dust is formed in the process, which can be a health hazard for the user.

[0015] Moreover, microorganisms are frequently deactivated, inhibited or even destroyed by surfactants, solvents, fillers, additives and other formulation auxiliaries.

[0016] It is the aim of the present invention to provide wettable-powder formulations which contain live organisms, which are used as pesticides or plant treatment products and whose storage stability at room temperature was intended to be considerably improved in comparison with previously known, relevant formulations. Moreover, the formulations were intended to be more user friendly while being very easy to handle, i.e. being free-flowing, low in dust and readily measurable.

[0017] Surprisingly, it has been found that the desirable aims can be achieved by the preparation of specific, water-dispersible granules.

[0018] The granules according to the invention contain:

[0019] a) 5 to 80% by weight of spores or active units of one or more organisms which act as pesticides or plant treatment agents,

[0020] b) 5 to 60% by weight of one or more suitable wetting agents and dispersants,

[0021] c) 2 to 50% by weight of at least one protective substance which prevents desiccation,

[0022] d) 5 to 70% by weight of magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate,

[0023] e) 5 to 20% by weight of at least one substance which protects against UV irradiation, and

[0024] f) a residual water content of 2-10%.

[0025] The composition according to the invention is preferably composed as follows:

[0026] a) 20 to 50% by weight of spores or active units of one or more microorganisms which act as pesticides or plant treatment agents,

[0027] b) 10 to 40% by weight of one or more suitable wetting agents and dispersants,

[0028] c) 5 to 20% by weight of vegetable oil, mineral oil, glycerol, sodium alginate or sodium glutamate as protective substance,

[0029] d) 10 to 50% by weight of magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate,

[0030] e) 5 to 20% by weight of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as substance which imparts UW protection, and

[0031] f) a residual water content of 4-10%.

[0032] Besides, the abovementioned active substance formulations optionally contain the adhesives, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, penetrants, solvents, fillers or carriers which are customary in each case.

[0033] Examples of preferred wetting agents and dispersants are sodium oleylmethyltauride (®Arkopon T, ®Hostapon T), sodium methoxylignosulfonate (®Vanispesse CB), sodium lignosulfonate (®Bosserperse), a sodium dinaphthylmethanedisulfonate (®Dispersogen A, ®Tamol NNO), sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate (®Fernil DB, ®Geropon NK), sodium polycarboxylate (®Sopropon T36), long-chain olefin sulfonates (Hostapur OSB), isotridecanol polyglycol ether (®Genapol X-Marten) and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (®Tween 20).

[0034] Other compounds which can be employed as protective substances are glucose, fructose, lactose or sucrose, ultrapure cellulose, as well as antioxidant substances such as, for example, ascorbic acid. These compounds are employed, inter alia, to prevent desiccation of the microorganisms. Thus, other compounds which cause this effect may also be employed as protective substances.

[0035] Fillers which are preferably employed for the preparation of the compositions according to the invention are ultrapurified magnesium silicates and aluminum silicates such as, for example, ®Bentone EW, ®Bentnite 7c, finely-ground kaolins and clays, ®Perlite, ®Santentone, Kaolin 1777, Attapulgus Clay products such as ®Attaclay, ®Attacote, ®Attagel, ®Clarsol FgN-FR4 or kieselguhr.

[0036] To prepare the compositions according to the invention, mixtures of the compounds mentioned in each case under items a-e may also be employed. The use of a combination of a plurality of protective substances, such as, for example, a mixture of glycerol, sodium alginate and sodium glutamate, is of particular interest.

[0037] Furthermore, the granules may contain silicone-based antifoams, for example antifoam ®SE2, castor-oil-based emulsifiers, such as ®Emulogen EL and synthetic layer silicates such as ®SKS20. All the formulation auxiliaries which have been mentioned are well known substances described in the specialist literature.

[0038] The term organisms within the scope of the present invention embraces single-celled and multi-celled organisms from the kingdom of the Prokaryotes and the Eukaryotes, in particular phylum of the Schizophyta (bacteria), the phylum of the Mycophyta (fungi) and the class of the nematodes. The class of the nematodes (Nematodes) forms part of the subphylum of the Bilateria and the tribe of the Nemathelminthes (roundworms). However, the term also embraces viruses which, being non-cellular particles, may be assigned to the organisms with some reservation.

[0039] The non-taxonomic term microorganisms is to be understood as meaning, in this context, organisms which had previously been classified under the collective name of the protists (primordial beings). It embraces organisms which are distinguished by a low degree of morphological differentiation and which are predominantly single-celled.

[0040] Microorganisms which are preferably employed for the preparation of the granules according to the invention are fungicidal, herbicidal, nematopathogenic and entomopathogenic microorganisms, in particular fungi from the class of the Deuteromycetes. The use of fungi of the genus Beauveria, in particular the species Beauveria bassiana, is of specific interest.

[0041] Furthermore, this type of biological formulation offers more possibilities for the preparation of co-formulations together with other biological or chemical crop protection products, due to its chemical and physical stability.

[0042] Accordingly, the granules according to the invention may contain, in addition to the organisms, other pesticides (for example chemical fungicides, insecticides or herbicides) as a co-formulation.

[0043] The invention thus also relates to the water-dispersible granules according to the invention being used as crop protection products or plant treatment products. Upon use, the granules according to the invention are diluted with water to give a spray mixture, analogously to wettable powders and liquid formulations, and are applied to the plants or the areas under cultivation in the form of such a spray mixture.

[0044] The granules according to the invention are suitable for controlling fungi, in particular insects and arachnids, which are found in agriculture.

[0045] The compositions according to the invention have an outstanding insecticidal activity against a broad spectrum of economically important pests. Some representatives of pests which can be controlled by the compositions according to the invention may be mentioned individually by way of example, without the enumeration being intended as a restriction to certain species.

[0046] From the order of the Isopoda, for example, Oniscus asellus, Armadium vulgare, Porcellio scaber. From the order of the Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus. From the order of the Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus carpophagus, Scutigera spec. From the order of the Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella immaculata. From the order of the Thysanura, for example, Lepisma saccharina. From the order of the Collembola, for example, Onychiurus armatus. From the order of the Orthoptera, for example, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Leucophaea maderae, Blattella germanica, Acheta domesticus, Gryllotalpa spp., Locusta migratoria migratorioides, Melanoplus differentialis, Schistocerca gregaria. From the order of the Dermaptera, for example, Forficula auricularia. From the order of the Isoptera, for example, Reculitermes spp. From the order of the Anoplura, for example, Phylloxera vastatrix, Pemphigus spp., Pediculus humanus corporis, Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp.

[0047] From the order of the Mallophaga, for example, Trichodectes spp. and Damalinea spp. From the order of the Thysanoptera, for example, Hercinothrips femoralis and Thrips tabaci. From the order of the Heteroptera, for example, Eurygaster spp., Dysdercus intermedius, Piesma quadrata, Cimex lectularius, Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma spp. From the order of the Homoptera, for example, Aleurodes brassicae, Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, Doralis fabae, Doralis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerum, Hyalopterus arundinis, Macrosiphum avenae, Myzus spp., Phorodon humuli, Rhopalosiphum padi, Empoasca spp., Scotinophora coarctata, Drasicha mangiferae, Euscelis bilobatus, Nephotettix cincticeps, Lecanium corni, Saissetia oleae, Laodelphax striatellus, Nilaparvata lugens, Aonidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus hederae, Pseudococcus spp. and Psylla spp.

[0048] From the order of the Heteroptera, for example, Lygus spp., Nezara viridula, Drasicha mangiferae and Euschistus spp.

[0049] From the order of the Lepidoptera, for example, Pectinophora gossypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cheimatobia brumata, Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta padella, Plutella maculipennis, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Lymantria spp., Diathrea sacharalis, Bucculactrix thurberiella, Phyllocnistis citrella, Agrotis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Earias insulana, Heliothis spp., Laphygma exigua, Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea, Prodenia litura, Spodoptera spp., Trichoplusia ni, Carpocapsa pomonella, Ostrinia spp., Perileucoptera coffeella, Pieris spp., Chilo spp., Pyrausta nubilalis, Ephestia kuehniella, Galleria mellonella, Tineola bisselliella, Tinea pellionella, Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Cacoecia podana, Capua reticulana, Choristoneura fumiferana, Clysia ambiguella, Homona magnanima, Tortrix viridana, Dendrolimus spp., Laspeyresia pomonella.

[0050] From the order of the Coleoptera, for example, Anobium punctatum, Hypothemenus hampei, Pityogenes chalcographus, Cyrtomon luridus, Xyloterus lineatus, Ips typographus, Rhizopertha dominica, Bruchidius obtectus, Acenthoscelides obtectus, Hylotrupes bajulus, Agelastica alni, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Phaedon cochleariae, Diabrotica spp., Psylliodes chrysocephala, Epilachna varivestis, Atomaria spp., Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Anthonomus spp., Sitophilus spp., Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Sitona lineatus, Cosmopolites sordidus, Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Hypera postica, Dermestes spp., Trogoderma spp., Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Lyctus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Ptinus spp., Niptus hololeucus, Gibbium psylloides, Tribolium spp., Brontispa longissima, Tenebrio molitor, Agriotes spp., Conoderus spp., Melolontha melolontha, Sphenophorus-Levis, Amphimallon solstitialis and Costelytra zealandica.

[0051] From the order of the Hymenoptera, for example, Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Vespa spp.

[0052] From the order of the Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Culex spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Musca spp., Fannia spp., Calliphora erythrocephala, Lucilia spp., Chrysomyia spp., Cuterebra spp., Gastrophilus spp., Hypobosca spp., Glossina morsitans, Stomoxys spp., Oestrus spp., Hypoderma spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp., Bibio hortulanus, Oscinella frit, Phorbia spp., Pegomyia hyoscyami, Ceratitis capitata, Dacus oleae and Tipula paludosa.

[0053] From the order of the Siphonaptera, for example, Xenopsylla cheopis, Ceratophyllus spp. From the order of the Arachnida, for example, Scorpio maurus and Latrodectus mactans. From the order of the Acarina, for example, Acarus siro, Argas spp., Ornithodoros spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Eriophyes ribis, Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Boophilus spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Psoroptes spp., Chorioptes spp., Sarcoptes spp., Tarsonemus spp., Bryobia praetiosa, Panonychus spp., Tetranychus spp.

[0054] The granules according to the invention are particularly suitable for controlling sensitive and resistant Heliothis spp., Anthonomus spp., Hypothememus hampei, Spodoptera spp., Nephotettix spp., Trichoplusia spp., Leptinotara decemlineata and other feeding and sucking insects or spider mites (whitefly, lepidopterous larvae).

[0055] The biological crop protection products according to the invention are distinguished by a defined number of live and effective active units (for example conidia or spores) and good storage stability at room temperature, thus having standardized activity. They have good mechanical stability, a defined particle size, and they are free-flowing, low in dust and readily measured out, which favorably affects their handling upon use.

[0056] Moreover, being water-dispersible granules, the compositions are readily wettable in water, disintegrate very rapidly and form a suspension with good suspendability characteristics.

[0057] The formulations of the prior art are disadvantageous inasfar as, to compensate for the loss caused by dissolution of the formulation in water, relatively large amounts of the substances which impart protection against UV radiation have to be employed. If smaller amounts of the protective substances are employed, it must be accepted that UV protection is no longer guaranteed once the composition has been diluted in water.

[0058] In contrast, the compositions according to the invention have the advantage that optimum protection against UV can be guaranteed due to the special formulation, even after the product has been dissolved in water.

[0059] Thus, an important advantage of the compositions according to the invention is based on the fact that the active live materials can be treated very specifically using smaller amounts of substances with a protective action whose activity is not reduced even when diluted highly with water. It is this fact which distinguishes this type of formulation from all other formulations of microorganisms known to date.

[0060] The examples which follow are intended to illustrate the invention without imposing any limitation. Unless otherwise specified, percentages are by weight:

Preparation Examples of the Formulations

[0061] A large number of processes are available for the technical preparation of water-dispersible granules: for example, they can be prepared in a rapidly rotating disc or drum granulator. Alternatively, they can be produced in a kneader-extruder or in a fluidized bed. A more detailed description of the preparation process is found, for example, in: H. B. Ries “Granuliertechnik und Granuliergeräte” [Granulation Technology and Granulation Apparatus] in Aufbereitungstechnik No. 3 (1970); M. Rosch and R. Probst in Verfahrenstechnik 9 (1975); U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,442; GB-A 1401304; EP-A 0026918; EP-A 0141436 and EP-A 0141437.

[0062] To prepare the water-dispersible granules, fine aluminum silicate or magnesium aluminum silicate, and/or synthetic layer silicate is first mixed with a solid wetting agent and dispersant. A range of solid substances having a protective action may also be admixed. The resulting powder mixture is introduced into a fluidized bed or a kneader and granulated by spraying with an aqueous fungal dispersion.

[0063] For small amounts, a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed granulation apparatus such as, for example, Büchi 710, or a kneader, for example Sigma Luk manufactured by Werner & Pfleiderer, and a piston extruder, may be used.

[0064] To assist the granules, the dispersibility, suspendability and wet screening residue are assessed.

[0065] The spontaneous dispersibility of the granule formulation is assessed using a 1-to-4 key. For this purpose, 1 g of the granules are first placed into a 1 l graduated cylinder filled with standardized water (30° C., water hardness 342 ppm of CaCO3). After 1 minute, the graduated cylinder is rotated slowly by 180° C. and then returned to the starting position. This procedure is repeated three times. The result is assessed using the following key:

[0066] 1. All granules are dispersed. If any undispersed granules are present, the shaking process described above is repeated three times 2 minutes after the beginning of the experiment, and the result is assessed as follows:

[0067] 2. The granules are now fully dispersed.

[0068] 3. Remains of the granules are not dispersed.

[0069] 4. Most of the granules are not dispersed.

[0070] The suspendability is the amount of the preparation (% by weight) which is suspended in the upper nine-tenths parts by volume after a sedimentation time of 30 minutes has elapsed (see CIPAC Handbook Vol. 1 (1970), p. 861).

[0071] The term wet-screening residue defines the amount of substance which remains on screens of dimensions 250 &mgr;m and 71 &mgr;m, respectively, after washing for 10 minutes with a defined amount of water. The method is described in “Richtlinien für die amtliche Prüfung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln, Teil III, 2-1/1 (August 1988) der Biologischen Bundesanstalt Braunschweig” [Guidelines for the official testing of crop protection products, Part III, 2-1/1 (August 1988) of the Federal Institute of Biology].

EXAMPLE 1

Extruder WG of Beauveria bassiana

[0072] A. Preparation of an Aqueous Dispersion of Beauveria: 1 % by weight Fungal spores 25 Genapol X-060 2.5 Glycerol 1.5 Sodium glutamate (protective 0.5 substances) Sodium alginate 0.5 Water 70 100.0

[0073] The components are mixed by stirring until a fine, highly-concentrated, homogeneous dispersion has formed.

[0074] B. The resulting dispersion is sprayed onto a powder mixture while being kneaded continuously. The ratio by weight of dispersion to powder mixture is 8:7.

[0075] The powder mixture used has the following composition: 2 % by weight Sucrose 7.1 Bentone EW 2.8 Bentonite 7C 28.5 Tecnocel 11.5 Kieselguhr 28.5 Saponit SKS 2C 1.5 Vanisperse CB 11.5 Geropon NK 2.8 Hostapon T 5.8 100.0

[0076] C. Using the resulting paste, the granules are prepared and dried in a fluidized-bed dryer at a product temperature of 30° C. until the residual moisture content is 6%.

[0077] The final composition of the water-dispersible granules is: 3 % by weight Fungal spores 20 Genapol X 060 2 Glycerol 1.2 Sodium glutamate 0.4 Sodium alginate 0.4 Sucrose 5 Bentone EW 2 Bentonite 7C 20 Kieselguhr 20 Tecnocel 8 Vanisperse CB 8 Geropon NK 2 Hostapon T 4 Saponite SKS 2CV 1 Water 6 100.0

[0078] Using a key from 1 to 4, the spontaneous dispersibility is 2 (dispersing time 5 minutes). The suspendability is 87%. Using a 71 &mgr;m screen, the wet-screening residue is 0.7%; if a 250 &mgr;m screen is used, no residue is found.

EXAMPLE 2

Fluidized-bed WDG of Beauveria bassiana

[0079] A. Preparation of the Aqueous Beauveria Dispersion: 4 % by weight Fungal spores 10 Genapol X-060 1 Glycerol 0.6 Sodium glutamate 0.2 Sodium alginate 0.2 Sucrose 2.5 Water 85.5 100.0

[0080] The components are stirred until a fine homogeneous dispersion has formed.

[0081] B. A powder mixture is introduced into a fluidized bed, and the dispersion is sprayed onto this powder mixture at a product temperature of 30° C., and the product is subsequently dried. The ratio by weight of dispersion to powder mixture is 20:6.5.

[0082] The powder mixture has the following composition: 5 % by weight Clarsol GFN-FR4 30.5 Kaolin 1777 23.5 Kieselguhr 23.5 Vanisperse CB 12 Geropon NK 3 Hostapon T 6 Saponit SKS 20 1.5 100.0

[0083] C. The final composition of the water-dispersible granules is as follows: 6 % by weight Fungal spores 20 Genapol X-060 2 Glycerol 1.2 Sodium glutamate 0.4 Sodium alginate 0.4 Sucrose 5 Clarsol FGN-FR4 20 Kaolin 1777 15 Kieselguhr 15 Vanisperse CB 8 Geropon NK 2 Hostapon T 4 Saponit SKS 20 1 Water 6 100.0

[0084] Using a key from 1 to 4, the spontaneous dispersibility of these granules is 1. The suspendability is 97%. If using a 71 &mgr;m screen, the wet-screening residue is 0.3%, if using a 250 &mgr;m screen, no residue is observed.

EXAMPLE 3

Oil-coated Beauveria Spores in Extruder WDG

[0085] A. Preparation of the Suspoemulsion 7 % by weight Spores 25 Genapol X-060 2.5 Oil 3.7 Emulsogen EL-400 0.4 Water 68.4 100.0

[0086] B. A powder mixture is introduced into the kneader and sprayed with this highly concentrated suspoemulsion in a ratio by weight of 8:6.9.

[0087] The powder mixture has the following composition: 8 % by weight Bentone EW 7.1 Bentonite 28.5 Kieselguhr 28.5 Tecnocel 14.3 Vanisperse CB 11.5 Geropon NK 2.8 Hostapon T 5.8 Saponit SKS 20 1.5 100.0

[0088] The granules are produced in an extruder and dried in a fluidized-bed dryer at a product temperature of 30° C.

[0089] C. Final Composition of the WDG 9 % by weight Spores 20 Genapol X-060 2 Oil 3 Emulsogen EL-400 0.3 Bentone EW 3.7 Bentonite 20 Kieselguhr 20 Tecnocel 10 Vanisperse CB 8 Geropon NK 2 Hostapon T 4 Saponit SKS 20 1 Water 6 100.0

[0090] The spontaneous dispersibility is 2. The suspendability is 89%. If using 71 &mgr;m/250 &mgr;m screens, the wet-screening residue is 0.4/0.

EXAMPLE 4

UV Protection of Baauveria bassiana Spores in Extruder WDG by Means of TiO2

[0091] A. Preparation of the Supoemulsion: 10 % by weight Fungal spores 20 Genepol X-060 2.5 Oil (corn oil) 5 Emulsogen EL-400 0.5 TiO2 0.5 Water 66.5 100.0

[0092] B. A powder mixture is introduced into a kneader and sprayed with this suspoemulsion in a ratio by weight between dispersion and powder mixture of 8:6.7.

[0093] The composition of the powder mixture is the same as in the case of the oil-coated spores. The final composition of the WDG is: 11 % by weight Fungal spores 20 Genapol X-060 2 Oil 5 Emulsogen EL-9.5 0.5 TiO2 0.5 Bentone EW 3 Aluminum silicates 40 Cellulose 8 Vanisperse CB 8 Geropon NK 2 Hostapon T 4 Saponit 1 Water 6 100.0

[0094] The spontaneous dispersibility is 2. The suspendability is 90%. If using 71 &mgr;m/250 &mgr;m screens, the wet-screening residue is 0.4/0.

EXAMPLE 5

UV Protection of Beauveria bassiana Spores in Fluidized-bed WDG by Means of TiO2 and ZnO.

[0095] A. Preparation of the Suspoemulsion: 12 % by weight Fungal spores 10 Genapol X-060 1.75 Oil (groundnut oil) 2.5 Emulsogen EL-9.5 0.25 TiO2 0.25 ZnO 0.25

[0096] The components are stirred until a fine homogenous dispersion has formed.

[0097] B. A powder mixture is introduced into a fluidized bed, sprayed with the dispersion at a product temperature of 30° C. and dried. The ratio by weight of dispersion to powder mixture is 20:7. The final composition of the water-dispersible granules is: 13 % by weight Fungal spores 20 Genapol X-060 3.5 Oil (groundnut oil) 5 Emulsogen EL-9.5 0.5 TiO2 0.5 ZnO 0.5 Clarsol FGN-FR4 20 Kaolin 1777 15 Kieselguhr 10 Benton EW 5 Saponit SKS 20 1 Vanisperse CB 8 Geropon NK 2 Hostapon T 3 Water 6 100.0

[0098] The spontaneous dispersibility of these granules is 1, the suspendability is 95%, and the wet-screening residue is 0.3%/0 if using 71/250 &mgr;m screens.

Claims

1. Water-dispersible granules which comprise

a) 1 to 80% by weight of spores or active units of one or more organisms which act as pesticides or plant treatment agents,

b) 5 to 60% by weight of one or more suitable wetting agents and dispersants,

c) 2 to 50% by weight of at least one protective substance which prevents desiccation,

d) 5 to 70% by weight of magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate,

e) 5 to 20% by weight of at least one substance which protects against UV radiation, and

f) a residual water content of 2-10%.

2. The water-dispersible granules as claimed in claim 1, which comprise

a) 20 to 50% by weight of spores or active units of one or more microorganisms which act as pesticides or plant treatment agents,

b) 10 to 40% by weight of one or more suitable wetting agents and dispersants,

c) 5 to 20% by weight of vegetable oil, mineral oil, glycerol, sodium alginate or sodium glutamate as protective substance,

d) 10 to 50% by weight of magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate,

e) 5 to 20% by weight of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as substance which imparts UV protection, and

f) a residual water content of 4-10%.

3. The granules as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which comprise 1 to 80% by weight of active substances in addition to customary formulation auxiliaries.

4. The granules as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 3, which comprise fungi from the class of the Deuteromycetes.

5. The granules as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 4 which comprise fungi of the genus Beauveria.

6. The granules as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 4, which comprise fungi of the species Beauveria bassiana.

7. The use of the granules as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 6 for controlling pests or treating plants.

8. The use of the granules as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 6 for controlling insects.

9. A method of controlling pests or treating plants, which comprises applying the compositions as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 6 to the pests to be controlled or the plants to be treated.