Alkaline preparaions of Inula for the control of fungal diseases in plants

Abstract

Rapid, convenient and inexpensive methods for preparing fungicidal suspensions from Inula are described. Methods for controlling fungal disease and crops by using alkaline solutions are also disclosed.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for preparing an extract from Inula species, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting shoots and/or portions thereof with an alkaline aqueous solvent to form a solution and debris; and    (b) removing the debris from the solution.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said removing step includes filtering the debris from the solution.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoots include leaves and stems of upper parts of the shoots.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoots or portions thereof are dried prior to said contacting step.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  including the step of grinding the dried shoots or portions thereof to form a powder.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoots or portions thereof are freshly cut.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline aqueous solvent comprises at least one amino compound.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the amino compound comprises an ammonium compound.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the amino compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of organic amines and heterocyclic amines.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the organic amine compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of ethylamine, ethylenediamine, diaminopropane, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and butylamine.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the heterocyclic amine compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of piperazine and piperidine.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the alkaline aqueous solvent comprises inorganic bases or salts thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A method for protecting plants against fungal infection, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) preparing a fungicidal extract of Inula species by contacting shoots and/or portions thereof with an alkaline aqueous solvent to form an extract solution and debris; and    (b) applying a fungicidally effective amount of the fungicidal extract to a plant for protecting the plant against fungal infection.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the plant includes grapevines, cucurbits, tomatoes, wheat, barley, onion, tobacco, crucifers, and potatoes.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the fungal infection is caused by phytopathogenic fungi including Oomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and  Fungi imperfecti  classes.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the fungal infection is caused by a fungus including  Cladosporium cucumerinum, Phytophthora infestans, Botrytis cinerea, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Plasmopara viticola, Uromyces appendiculatis , and  Erysiphe graminis.    
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said preparing step includes filtering the debris from the solution.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the shoots include leaves and stems of upper parts of the shoots.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the shoots or portions thereof are dried prior to said contacting step.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  including the step of grinding the dried shoots or portions thereof to form a powder.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the shoots or portions thereof are freshly cut.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the alkaline aqueous solvent comprises at least one amino compound.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the amino compound comprises an ammonium compound.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the amino compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of organic amines and heterocyclic amines.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the organic amine compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of ethylamine, ethylenediamine, diaminopropane, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and butylamine.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the heterocyclic amine compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of piperazine and piperidine.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the alkaline aqueous solvent comprises inorganic bases or salts thereof.  
     
     
         28 . A method for preparing a fungicide derived from Inula species, said method comprising the step of: 
 combining a substantially powdered form of Inula shoots and/or portions thereof with a solid chemical to form a mixture which upon dissolution of the mixture in an aqueous solution, forms an alkaline aqueous solution which can be directly applied to plants to prevent fungal infection.    
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the solid chemical comprises at least one amino compound.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the amino compound comprises an ammonium compound.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the amino compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of organic amines and heterocyclic amines.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the organic amine compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of ethylamine, ethylenediamine, diaminopropane, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and butylamine.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the heterocyclic compound is selected from the group consisting essentially of piperazine and piperdine.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the solid chemical comprises inorganic bases or salts thereof.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein an emulsifier is added to the mixture.  
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the emulsifier comprises a surfactant.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein the surfactant comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the emulsifier comprises diatomaceous earth.