WO2025032051A1

WO2025032051A1 - Fungicidal compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2025032051A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/072160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hanno Christian Wolf; Olivier Loiseleur
Original assignee: Syngenta Crop Protection AG Switzerland
Current assignee: Syngenta Crop Protection AG Switzerland
Priority date: 2023-08-08
Filing date: 2024-08-05
Publication date: 2025-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-08
Also published as: AR133473A1

Abstract

A fungicidal composition comprising a component A comprising a cyclic depsipeptide Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof, and a component B comprising a bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. A method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant or on propagation material thereof, the method comprising applying the composition to the plant, locus thereof, or propagation material thereof. A use of the composition as a fungicide.

Description

FUNGICIDAL COMPOSITIONS

The present invention relates to new fungicidal compositions for the control of fungi. Methods of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant or on propagation material thereof are also disclosed.

Background

Aureobasidins are a group of antifungal cyclic depsipeptides first isolated from the filamentous fungus Aureobasidium pullulans R106 (EP352092A2, Takesako et al., 1991 , J. Antibiot. 44, 919-924, doi: 10.7164/antibiotics.44.919, Yoshikawa et al., 1993, J. Antibiot. 46, 1347-1354, doi: 10.7164/antibiotics.46.1347, and Awazu et al., 1995, J. Antibiot. 48, 525-527, doi: 10.7164/antibiotics.48.525). Aureobasidins show a wide spectrum of activity against fungi. Moreover, aureobasidins are disclosed for use in controlling a variety of phytopathogenic fungi on plants and seeds (EP0500264A1 , WO2018102345). Combinations of aureobasidins for the control of phytopathogenic fungi with one or more other active ingredients possessing different modes of action have also been disclosed (WO2021245102A1 , WO2021245103A1 , WO2021245104A1 , WO2021245105A1 , WO2021245106A1).

However, the aforementioned fungicides and combinations are not necessarily sufficiently effective and are at risk for the development of resistance. Hence, there remains a need for improved antifungal compositions for the control of phytopathogenic fungi.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention discloses an unexpected synergistic fungicidal effect of a composition comprising a cyclic depsipeptide represented by formula (I), in particular Aureobasidin A (AbA), and the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or compounds produced thereby.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant or on propagation material thereof, the method comprising applying to the plant, locus thereof, or propagation material thereof, a composition as defined according to the invention. Preferably, the method comprises applying to the plant or locus thereof a composition according to the invention, more preferably to the plant. Preferably, the method comprises applying to the propagation material of the plant a composition according to the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a composition comprising the components A and B as defined according to the invention as a fungicide.

It has been found that the use of a bacterium and/or compounds produced thereby of component B in combination with the compound of formula (I) of component A, which preferably comprises Aureobasidin A, surprisingly and substantially may enhance the effectiveness of the latter against fungi, and vice versa. Additionally, the use of the compositions of the invention may be effective against a wider spectrum of such fungi than can be combated with the individual active ingredients when used alone.

The benefits provided by certain fungicidal compositions according to the invention may also include, inter alia, advantageous levels of biological activity for protecting plants against diseases that are caused by fungi or superior properties for use as agrochemical active ingredients (for example, greater biological activity, an advantageous spectrum of activity, an increased safety profile, improved physico-chemical properties, or increased biodegradability).

A residue of a chemical species, as used herein, refers to a derivative of a moiety that is present in a particular product. To form the product, at least one atom of the moiety is replaced by a bond to a second moiety, such that the product contains a derivative of a moiety. For example, an amino acid residue in a product may refer to a cyclic peptide described herein having an amino acid incorporated therein through formation of one or more peptide bonds, and such residues may be referred to interchangeably herein as an amino acid or an amino acid residue.

As used herein, the term “cyclic depsipeptide” refers to a cyclic peptide consisting, in sequence, of units derived from a 2-hydroxy-3-methylalkanoic acid or a 2-hydroxy-3- hydroxymethylalkanoic acid and from the following a-amino acid residues: a first a-amino acid residue selected from N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal) and L-valine (L-Val), a second a-amino acid residue selected from L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), ortho-fluoro-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-o-F-MePhe), meta- fluoro-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-m-F-MePhe), para-fluoro-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-F- MePhe), 2-hydroxy-phenylalanine (L-2OH-Phe), 3-hydroxy-phenylalanine (L-3OH-Phe), and L- tyrosine (L-Tyr), a third a-amino acid residue A³, a fourth a-amino acid residue selected from L-proline (L-Pro), L-thioproline (L-SPro), and 4-hydroxy-L-proline (L-4Hyp), a fifth a-amino acid residue A⁵, a sixth a-amino acid residue A⁶, a seventh a-amino acid residue A⁷, and an eight a-amino acid residue A⁸, wherein the a-amino acid residue A⁸ is bonded to the -OCH(CH(R²)R¹) moiety of the 2-hydroxy-3- methylalkanoic acid through an ester group to form a -C(=O)OCH(CH(R²)R¹) moiety or wherein the a- amino acid residue A⁸ is bonded to the -OCH(CH(OCH)R¹) moiety of the 2-hydroxy-3- hydroxymethylalkanoic acid through an ester group to form a -C(=O)OCH(CH(OCH)R¹) moiety, and wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight a-amino acid residues are linked to each other through peptide bonds. The 2-hydroxy-3-methylalkanoic acid may be 2(R)-hydroxy- 3(R)-methylpentanoic acid, 2(R)-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxy-3-methyl-pentanoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxy-3-methyl-pentanoic acid, or D-2-hydroxyisovaleric acid, and preferably may be 2(R)-hydroxy-3(R)-methylpentanoic acid or 2(R)-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid. The 2-hydroxy-3- hydroxymethylalkanoic acid may be 2-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpentanoic acid.

Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises an active ingredient, preferably wherein the active ingredient comprises a fungicide. Preferably, the cyclic depsipeptide according to the invention is an active ingredient, preferably a fungicide. Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises a cyclic depsipeptide represented by formula (I) or a stereoisomer thereof:

wherein:

R¹ is methyl or ethyl;

R² is methyl, hydroxymethyl, or hydroxyethyl;

R³ is hydrogen or methyl; each of X¹, X², and X³ is hydrogen, or X¹, X², and X³ are hydrogen, fluorine, or hydroxyl, with the proviso that only one of X¹, X², and X³ is fluorine or hydroxyl;

X⁴ is CH2, S, or hydroxymethylene;

A³ is an a-amino acid residue selected from: N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), L- phenylalanine (L-Phe), p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-OH-MePhe), ortho-fluoro-N-methyl- L-phenylalanine (L-o-F-MePhe), meta-fluoro-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-m-F-MePhe), para-fluoro-N- methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-F-MePhe), meta-bromo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-m-Br-MePhe), para-bromo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-Br-MePhe), meta-iodo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-m-l- MePhe), para-iodo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-l-MePhe), 3-phenyl-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4- phenyl-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N- methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-(4-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-(4-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L- phenylalanine, 3-(1 -pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-(1 -pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4- (2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-(2-chloro-5-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4- (2-chloro-5-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-[4-(piperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L- phenylalanine, 4-[4-(piperazin-1 -yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1 - yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, p-oxo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-oxo-MePhe), p-R⁴O-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, wherein R⁴ is a lower acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (L-p-R⁴OMePhe), N-methyl-L-tyrosine (L-MeTyr), O- methyl-N-methyl-L-tyrosine [L-MeTyr(Me)], N-methyl-L-alanine (L-MeAla), N-methyl-L-serine (L- MeSer), sarcosine (Sar), N-methyl-D-phenylalanine (D-MePhe), N-methyl-D-alanine (D-MeAla), N- methyl-D-valine (D-MeVal), and N-methyl-D-serine (D-MeSer) residues;

A⁵ is an a-amino acid residue selected from: L-allo-isoleucine (L-Alle), L-leucine (L-Leu), L- norleucine (L-Nle), L-norvaline (L-Nva), L-valine (L-Val), and L-methioninesulfoxide (L-Met(O)) residues;

A⁶ is an a-amino acid residue selected from: N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), N-methyl-L-leucine (L-MeLeu), N-methyl-L-allo-isoleucine (L-MeAlle), and L-valine (L-Val) residues;

A⁷ is an a-amino acid residue selected from: L-allo-isoleucine (L-Alle), L-leucine (L-Leu), and L-norvaline (L-Nva) residues; and

A⁸ is an a-amino acid residue selected from: p-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-Phe), p-hydroxy- N-methyl-L-valine (L-p-OH-MeVal), y-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-valine (L-y-OH-MeVal), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-valine (L-Val), N-methyl-2,3-didehydro-L-valine (L-MeDH2,3Val), N-methyl-3,4-didehydro- L-valine (L-MeDHs.A/al), N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-OH-MePhe), N-methyl-L-threonine (L-MeThr), sarcosine (Sar), and N,p-dimethyl-L-aspartic acid (L-N,p-MeAsp) residues.

Preferably, p-R⁴O-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine is p-acetoxy-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p- AcO-MePhe).

Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises a cyclic depsipeptide represented by formula (la) or a stereoisomer thereof:

wherein:

R¹ is methyl or ethyl; each of X¹, X², and X³ is hydrogen, or X¹, X², and X³ are hydrogen, fluorine, or hydroxyl, with the proviso that only one of X¹, X², and X³ is fluorine or hydroxyl; X⁴ is CH2, S, or hydroxymethylene;

A⁸ is an a-amino acid residue selected from: p-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-Phe), p-hydroxy- N-methyl-L-valine (L-p-OH-MeVal), y-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-valine (L-y-OH-MeVal), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-valine (L-Val), N-methyl-2,3-didehydro-L-valine (L-MeDFL.sVal), N-methyl-3,4-didehydro- L-valine (L-MeDHs.A/al), N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-OH-MePhe), N-methyl-L-threonine (L-MeThr), sarcosine (Sar), and N,p-dimethyl-L-aspartic acid (L-N,p-MeAsp) residues.

Preferably, the compound of formula (I) according to the invention is selected from a compound 1 .001 to 1 .044 listed in Table A (below) or a compound 2.001 to 2.035 listed in Table B (below). The following lists provides definitions, including preferred definitions, for substituents R¹, R², R³, X¹, X², X³, A³, X⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ with reference to the compounds of formula (I) of the present invention. For any one of these substituents, any of the definitions given below may be combined with any definition of any other substituent given below or elsewhere in this document.

Table A: This table discloses 44 compounds of formula (I), wherein R¹, R², R³, X¹, X², X³, A³, X⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ are as set forth in Table A below. “ID” indicates the (abbreviated) Aureobasidin variant the structure is also known as.

Table A

Table B: This table discloses 35 compounds of formula (I), wherein R¹ is ethyl, R² is methyl, R³ is methyl, X⁴ is CH2, A⁶ is L-MeVal and A⁷ is L-Leu and X¹, X², X³, A³, A⁵, and A⁸ are as set forth in Table B below.

Table B

Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises a cyclic depsipeptide selected from the group consisting of: Aureobasidin A (AbA), Aureobasidin B (AbB), Aureobasidin C (AbC), Aureobasidin D (AbD), Aureobasidin E (AbE), Aureobasidin F (AbF), Aureobasidin G (AbG), Aureobasidin H (AbH), Aureobasidin I (Abl), Aureobasidin J (AbJ), Aureobasidin K (AbK), Aureobasidin L (AbL), Aureobasidin M (AbM), Aureobasidin N (AbN), Aureobasidin O (AbO), Aureobasidin P (AbP), Aureobasidin Q (AbQ), Aureobasidin R (AbR), Aureobasidin S1 (AbS1), Aureobasidin S2a (AbS2a), Aureobasidin S2b (AbS2b), Aureobasidin S3 (AbS3), Aureobasidin S4 (AbS4), Aureobasidin T1 (AbT1), Aureobasidin T2 (AbT2), Aureobasidin T3 (AbT3), Aureobasidin T4 (AbT4), Aureobasidin U1 (AbU1), and Aureobasidin U2 (AbU2), or stereoisomers thereof. More preferably, the cyclic depsipeptide is selected from the group consisting of: Aureobasidin A (AbA), Aureobasidin E (AbE), Aureobasidin G (AbG), Aureobasidin D (AbD), and Aureobasidin I (Abl). More preferably, the cyclic depsipeptide is selected from the group consisting of: Aureobasidin A (AbA), Aureobasidin E (AbE), and Aureobasidin G (AbG).

Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises Aureobasidin A (AbA).

Preferably, the compound of formula (I) according to the invention is Aureobasidin A (AbA) or a stereoisomer thereof, preferably represented by formula (lb):

Aureobasidin A represents a cyclic depsipeptide of formula (lb) or a stereoisomer thereof consisting, in sequence, of units derived from 2(R)-hydroxy-3(R)-methylpentanoic acid ((2R,3R)-Hmp), N-methyl- L-valine (L-MeVal), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), L-proline (L-Pro), L-allo-isoleucine (L-Alle), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-leucine (L-Leu) and p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L- valine (L-p-OH-MeVal).

A known stereoisomer of AbA is Aureobasidin T1 (AbT1), a cyclic depsipeptide of formula (lb) or a stereoisomer thereof consisting, in sequence, of units derived from 2(R)-hydroxy-3(S)- methylpentanoic acid ((2R,3S)-Hmp), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), N- methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), L-proline (L-Pro), L-allo-isoleucine (L-Alle), N-methyl-L-valine (L- MeVal), L-leucine (L-Leu) and p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-valine (L-p-OH-MeVal).

Preferably, the compound of formula (I) according to the invention comprises Aureobasidin E (AbE) or a stereoisomer thereof, preferably represented by formula (Ic):

Aureobasidin E represents a cyclic depsipeptide of formula (Ic) or a stereoisomer thereof consisting, in sequence, of units derived from 2(R)-hydroxy-3(R)-methylpentanoic acid ((2R,3R)-Hmp), N-methyl- L-valine (L-MeVal), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-OH-MePhe), L-proline (L-Pro), L-allo-isoleucine (L-Alle), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-leucine (L-Leu) and p- hydroxy-N-methyl-L-valine (L-p-OH-MeVal).

Preferably, the compound of formula (I) according to the invention comprises Aureobasidin G (AbG) or a stereoisomer thereof, preferably represented by formula (Id):

Aureobasidin G represents a cyclic depsipeptide of formula (Id) or a stereoisomer thereof consisting, in sequence, of units derived from 2(R)-hydroxy-3(R)-methylpentanoic acid ((2R,3R)-Hmp), N-methyl- L-valine (L-MeVal), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), L-proline (L-Pro), L-allo-isoleucine (L-Alle), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-leucine (L-Leu) and N-methyl-L-valine (L- MeVal). Preferably, the compound of formula (I) according to the invention comprises Aureobasidin D (AbD) or a stereoisomer thereof, preferably represented by formula (le):

Aureobasidin D represents a cyclic depsipeptide of formula (le) or a stereoisomer thereof consisting, in sequence, of units derived from 2(R)-hydroxy-3(R)-methylpentanoic acid ((2R,3R)-Hmp), N-methyl- L-valine (L-MeVal), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), L-proline (L-Pro), L-allo-isoleucine (L-Alle), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-leucine (L-Leu) and y-hydroxy-N-methyl-L- valine (L-y-OH-MeVal).

Preferably, the compound of formula (I) according to the invention comprises Aureobasidin I (Abl) or a stereoisomer thereof, preferably represented by formula (If):

Aureobasidin I represents a cyclic depsipeptide of formula (If) or a stereoisomer thereof consisting, in sequence, of units derived from 2(R)-hydroxy-3(R)-methylpentanoic acid ((2R,3R)-Hmp), N-methyl-L- valine (L-MeVal), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), L-proline (L-Pro), L- leucine (L-Leu), N-methyl-L-valine (L-MeVal), L-leucine (L-Leu) and p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-valine (L-p- OH-MeVal).

Preferably, the component A according to the invention additionally comprises one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or a stereoisomer thereof. Preferably, the component A according to the invention additionally comprises one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (la) or a stereoisomer thereof.

Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises two or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Preferably, the component A comprises Aureobasidin A and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Preferably, the component A comprises Aureobasidin E and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Preferably, the component A comprises Aureobasidin A and Aureobasidin E or Aureobasidin G. Preferably, the component A comprises Aureobasidin A and Aureobasidin D or Aureobasidin I.

Preferably, the component A according to the invention additionally further comprises at least one other cyclic depsipeptide of formula (I) or a stereoisomer thereof selected from the group consisting of Aureobasidin E (AbE) and Aureobasidin G (AbG).

Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises two or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Preferably, the component A comprises Aureobasidin A and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Preferably, the component A comprises Aureobasidin E and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Preferably, the component A comprises: (i) Aureobasidin A; and (ii) Aureobasidin E or Aureobasidin G. Preferably, the component A comprises: (i) Aureobasidin A; and (ii) Aureobasidin D or Aureobasidin I.

Preferably, the component A comprises: (i) Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof; and (ii) Aureobasidin E or a stereoisomer thereof, or Aureobasidin G or a stereoisomer thereof. Preferably, the component A comprises: (i) Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof; and (ii) Aureobasidin D or a stereoisomer thereof, or Aureobasidin I or a stereoisomer thereof.

Preferably, the component A according to the invention additionally further comprises at least one other cyclic depsipeptide of formula (I) or a stereoisomer or of formula (la) or a stereoisomer thereof selected from the group consisting of Aureobasidin E (AbE) and Aureobasidin G (AbG).

Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises Aureobasidin A and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof selected from the group consisting of compounds 1 .001 to 1 .005 and 1 .007 to 1 .044 as set forth in Table A. Preferably, the component A comprises Aureobasidin A and at least one other cyclic depsipeptide of formula (la) or a stereoisomer thereof selected from the group consisting of Aureobasidin E and Aureobasidin G. Preferably, the component A according to the invention comprises Aureobasidin A and one or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof selected from the group consisting of compounds 2.001 to 2.035 as set forth in Table B. In another embodiment according to the invention, component A comprises a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans, generally a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans R106.

It is understood, without this limiting the scope of the invention, that one or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above can be obtained from a fermentation broth of a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans, generally a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans R106.

As used herein, the term “fermentation broth” refers to a composition obtained from a process of fermentation of a strain.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A is a fermentation broth comprising two or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above.

In a variant of this embodiment of the invention, the component A is a fermentation broth comprising two or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the component A is a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin A and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof or formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A is a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin E and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof or formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the component A is a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A comprises a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A comprises a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof and Aureobasidin E or a stereoisomer thereof.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A comprises a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof and Aureobasidin G or a stereoisomer thereof.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A comprises a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof and Aureobasidin D or a stereoisomer thereof.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A comprises a fermentation broth comprising two or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above.

In a variant of this embodiment of the invention, the component A comprises a fermentation broth comprising two or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. In an embodiment according to the invention, the component A comprises a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin A and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof or formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the component A further comprises a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin E and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof or formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above.

The component A of the composition according to the invention may further comprise a fermentation broth comprising one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Suitably, the component A may further comprise a fermentation broth comprising one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above. Suitably, the component A may further comprise a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin G or a stereoisomer thereof. Suitably, the component A may further comprise a fermentation broth comprising Aureobasidin E or a stereoisomer thereof.

The fungicidal compositions according to the invention comprise a component B, wherein the component B comprises a bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or compounds produced thereby.

The component B bacteria or compounds are referred to herein and above by a so-called "ISO common name" or another "common name" being used in individual cases or a trademark name. The component B compounds are known and are commercially available and/or can be prepared using procedures known in the art and/or procedures reported in the literature.

Preferably, the component B according to the invention comprises an active ingredient, preferably wherein the active ingredient comprises a fungicide or a biofungicide. Preferably, according to the invention, the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or compounds produced thereby is an active ingredient, preferably a fungicide or a biofungicide. Preferably, the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is an active ingredient, preferably a biofungicide. Preferably, the compounds produced by the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens comprise an active ingredient, preferably wherein the active ingredient comprises a fungicide.

Preferably, the component B according to the invention comprises a bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or compounds produced thereby. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens may also be annotated as Bacillus velezenis. Bacillus velezensis comprises several Bacillus strains that were previously registered as B. subtilis or B. amyloliquefaciens. In addition, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has been previously also known as a subspecies of Bacillus subtilis: B. subtilis subsp. amyloliquefaciens. According to a recent re-classification based on phylogenetic analyses at the whole genome level, many commercialized Bacillus strains belong to the B. velezensis species (Dunlap et al., 2016, doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.000858 Anckaert et al., 2021 , doi: 10.19103/AS.2021 .0093.10). These include, but are not limited to, B. subtilis strain GBO3, B. amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600, B. subtilis strain QST713, B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24, B. velezensis strain FZB24, B. subtilis strain D747, and B. amyloliquefaciens strain D747 (Fan et al., 2017, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00022; Dunlap, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j. biocontrol.2019.04.011 ; Anckaert et al., 2021). Other bacterial strains may also fall under the Bacillus velezensis classification, including those that are yet to be (re-)classified. Preferably, the component B according to the invention comprises a bacterium B. subtilis or B. amyloliquefaciens, more preferably B. amyloliquefaciens. Preferably, the component B according to the invention comprises a bacterium selected from: B. subtilis strain GBO3, B. amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600, B. subtilis strain QST713, B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24, B. velezensis strain FZB24, B. subtilis strain D747, B. amyloliquefaciens strain D747, B. methylotrophicus KACC 13015 T, B. oryzicola KACC 18228, and B. velezensis NRRL B-41580 T, and/or compounds produced thereby. More preferably, the component B comprises a bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24. Preferably, the component B comprises a bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24. Preferably, the component B comprises a bacterium B. velezensis strain FZB24.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is herein also understood to mean Bacillus subtilis subsp. amyloliquefaciens.

Functional variants of the strains as described herein are also encompassed by the embodiments of the present invention. Preferably, a bacterium according to the invention comprises a functional variant. A functional variant is understood herein to refer to a bacterial strain having one or more or all of the identifying characteristics, preferably the identifying functional characteristics, of the parent strain. For example, the functional variant and/or compounds produced thereby control fungi to at least the same extent as the parent strain, wherein controlling fungi is an identifying functional characteristic. A functional variant is typically a mutant, also known as a mutant strain, i.e. a genetic variant derived from the parent strain. A mutant according to the invention may be a genetic variant having a genomic sequence with greater than about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, or about 99% sequence identity compared to the parent strain from which it is derived. Mutants may be obtained by various means known in the art, non-limiting examples of which are random mutagenesis (e.g. chemical mutagenesis or radiation-induced mutagenesis), adaptive evolution (subjection to selective pressure e.g. inside or outside a laboratory), or genetic engineering. A mutant may have one or more or all of the identifying characteristics, preferably the identifying functional characteristics, of the parent strain. Preferably, the one or more or all of the identifying characteristics comprises fungicidal activity of a comparable or greater extent than that of the parent strain.

Preferably, the component B according to the invention comprises a bacterium or a functional variant thereof selected from: B. subtilis strain GBO3, B. amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600, B. subtilis strain QST713, B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24, B. velezensis strain FZB24, B. subtilis strain D747, B. amyloliquefaciens strain D747, B. methylotrophicus KACC 13015 T, B. oryzicola KACC 18228, and B. velezensis NRRL B-41580 T, and/or compounds produced thereby. More preferably, the component B comprises a bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24, B. velezensis strain FZB24, or a functional variant thereof, and/or compounds produced thereby. More preferably, the component B comprises a bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof, or B. velezensis strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof. Preferably, the component B comprises a bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof. Preferably, the component B comprises a bacterium B. velezensis strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof. Preferably, the functional variant is a mutant.

Preferably, the mutant has one or more or all of the identifying characteristics of B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24, preferably comprising fungicidal activity of a comparable or greater extent than that of B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24.

Particular variants of suitable strains for the present invention may also be suitable for the present invention, for example B. subtilis QST713 variants B. subtilis AQ30002 and AQ30004, deposited as Accession Numbers NRRL B-50421 and NRRL B-50455.

The bacteria according to the invention may control or act against pathogens (e.g. phytopathogenic fungi or other organisms causing phytopathogenic diseases) via one or more mechanisms such as competition for space and nutrients, parasitism, antibiosis and/or by stimulating the host plant defences. Pathogen control by these bacteria may occur via their production of a wide range of diverse compounds, for examples various enzymes, proteins, bioactive secondary metabolites, and other metabolites. In the context of the present invention, these compounds are preferably (bio)active, preferably fungicidal. Hence, “compounds produced by a bacterium” according to the inventon is herein understood to mean bioactive compounds. Preferably, the bioactive compounds comprise bioactive metabolites, bioactive secondary metabolites, bioactive lipids, bioactive peptides, bioactive enzymes, and/or bioactive proteins. Preferably, the bioactive compounds are fungicidal. The fungicidal effect of the bioactive compounds may be direct or indirect. As disclosed above, pathogen control by these bacteria may occur through production of a wide range of diverse compounds and may occur via one or more mechanisms.

Many bacteria according to the invention are commercially available. For example, Taegro® comprising B. amyloliquefaciens FZB24, Serifel® comprising B. amyloliquefaciens MBI600, Amylo-X® WG comprising B. amyloliquefaciens D747, Serenade® comprising B. subtilis QST713, and Companion® comprising B. subtilis GBO3. Taegro® is a microorganism-based fungicide formulated as a wettable powder containing 130 g/kg Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 (13% w/w, minimum of 1x10¹³ cfu/kg).

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises the component A of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1% to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1% to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1% to 60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises the component A of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1% to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1% to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1% to 60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises the component A of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin E or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1 % to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1 % to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1 % to 60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises the component A of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin E or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1 % to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1 % to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1 % to 60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises the component A of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin G or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1 % to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1 % to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1 % to 60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises the component A of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin G or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1 % to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1 % to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1 % to 60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof.

In an embodiment according to the invention, component (A) typically comprises: from 60% to 99.5% by weight of Aureobasidin A, from 0.05% to 5% by weight of Aureobasidin E, optionally, from 0.1 % to 30% by weight of Aureobasidin G, and optionally, from 0.1 % to 10% by weight of one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 100:1 to 1 :5000, preferably of from 100:1 to 1 :4000, of from 100:1 to 1 :3000, of from 100:1 to 1 :2000, of from 100:1 to 1 :1000, of from 100:1 to 1 :800, of from 100:1 to 1 :500, of from 100:1 to 1 :200, of from 100:1 to 1 :100, of from 100:1 to 1 :50, of from 100:1 to 1 :20, of from 100:1 to 1 :10, of from 50:1 to 1 :5000, of from 50:1 to 1 :4000, of from 50:1 to 1 :3000, of from 50:1 to 1 :2000, of from 50:1 to 1 :1000, of from 50:1 to 1 :800, of from 50:1 to 1 :500, of from 50:1 to 1 :200, of from 50:1 to 1 :100, of from 50:1 to 1 :50, of from 50:1 to 1 :20, of from 50:1 to 1 :10, of from 20:1 to 1 :5000, of from 20:1 to 1 :4000, of from 20:1 to 1 :3000, of from 20:1 to 1 :2000, of from 20:1 to 1 :1000, of from 20:1 to 1 :800, of from 20:1 to 1 :500, of from 20:1 to 1 :200, of from 20:1 to 1 :100, of from 20:1 to 1 :50, of from 20:1 to 1 :20, of from 20:1 to 1 :10, of from 10:1 to 1 :5000, of from 10:1 to 1 :4000, of from 10:1 to 1 :3000, of from 10:1 to 1 :2000, of from 10:1 to 1 :1000, of from 10:1 to 1 :800, of from 10:1 to 1 :500, of from 10:1 to 1 :200, of from 10:1 to 1 :100, of from 10:1 to 1 :50, of from 10:1 to 1 :20, of from 10:1 to 1 :10, of from 1 :1 to 1 :5000, of from 1 :1 to 1 :4000, of from 1 :1 to 1 :3000, of from 1 :1 to 1 :2000, of from 1 :1 to 1 :1000, of from 1 :1 to 1 :800, of from 1 :1 to 1 :500, of from 1 :1 to 1 :200, of from 1 :1 to 1 :100, of from 1 :1 to 1 :50, of from 1 :1 to 1 :20, of from 1 :1 to 1 :10, of from 1 :10 to 1 :5000, of from 1 :10 to 1 :4000, of from 1 :10 to 1 :3000, of from 1 :10 to 1 :2000, of from 1 :10 to 1 :1000, of from 1 :10 to 1 :800, of from 1 :10 to 1 :500, of from 1 :10 to 1 :200, of from 1 :10 to 1 :100, of from 1 :10 to 1 :50, of from 1 :10 to 1 :20, of from 1 :20 to 1 :5000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :4000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :3000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :2000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :1000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :800, of from 1 :20 to 1 :500, of from 1 :20 to 1 :200, of from 1 :20 to 1:100, or of from 1:20 to 1:50. More preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 100:1 to 1 :1000, of from 100:1 to 1 :800, of from 100:1 to 1:500, of from 100:1 to 1:200, of from 50:1 to 1:800, of from 50:1 to 1:200, of from 50:1 to 1 :100, of from 50:1 to 1 :20, of from 20:1 to 1 :600, of from 20:1 to 1 :40, of from 20:1 to 1 :20, or of from 10:1 to 1:80.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 100:1 to 1 :5000, preferably of from 100:1 to 1 :4000, of from 100:1 to 1:3000, of from 100:1 to 1:2000, of from 100:1 to 1:1000, of from 100:1 to 1:800, of from 100:1 to 1:500, of from 100:1 to 1:200, of from 100:1 to 1:100, of from 100:1 to 1:50, of from 100:1 to 1:20, of from 100:1 to 1:10, of from 50:1 to 1:5000, of from 50:1 to 1:4000, of from 50:1 to 1:3000, of from 50:1 to 1 :2000, of from 50:1 to 1 :1000, of from 50:1 to 1 :800, of from 50:1 to 1 :500, of from 50:1 to 1 :200, of from 50:1 to 1 :100, of from 50:1 to 1 :50, of from 50:1 to 1 :20, of from 50:1 to 1:10, of from 20:1 to 1 :5000, of from 20:1 to 1 :4000, of from 20:1 to 1 :3000, of from 20:1 to 1 :2000, of from 20:1 to 1 :1000, of from 20:1 to 1 :800, of from 20:1 to 1 :500, of from 20:1 to 1 :200, of from 20:1 to 1 :100, of from 20:1 to 1 :50, of from 20:1 to 1 :20, of from 20:1 to 1:10, of from 10:1 to 1 :5000, of from 10:1 to 1 :4000, of from 10:1 to 1:3000, of from 10:1 to 1:2000, of from 10:1 to 1:1000, of from 10:1 to 1:800, of from 10:1 to 1:500, of from 10:1 to 1:200, of from 10:1 to 1:100, of from 10:1 to 1:50, of from 10:1 to 1:20, of from 10:1 to 1:10, of from 1:1 to 1:5000, of from 1:1 to 1:4000, of from 1:1 to 1:3000, of from 1:1 to 1:2000, of from 1:1 to 1:1000, of from 1:1 to 1:800, of from 1:1 to 1:500, of from 1:1 to 1:200, of from 1:1 to 1:100, of from 1:1 to 1:50, of from 1:1 to 1:20, of from 1:1 to 1:10, of from 1:10 to 1:5000, of from 1:10 to 1:4000, of from 1:10 to 1:3000, of from 1:10 to 1:2000, of from 1:10 to 1:1000, of from 1:10 to 1:800, of from 1:10 to 1:500, of from 1:10 to 1:200, of from 1:10 to 1:100, of from 1:10 to 1:50, of from 1 :10 to 1 :20, of from 1 :20 to 1 :5000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :4000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :3000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :2000, of from 1 :20 to 1:1000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :800, of from 1 :20 to 1 :500, of from 1 :20 to 1 :200, of from 1 :20 to 1 :100, or of from 1 :20 to 1 :50, wherein the component A comprises Aureobasidin A (AbA). More preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 100:1 to 1:1000, of from 100:1 to 1:800, of from 100:1 to 1 :500, of from 100:1 to 1 :200, of from 50:1 to 1 :800, of from 50:1 to 1 :200, of from 50:1 to 1 :100, of from 50:1 to 1 :20, of from 20:1 to 1 :600, of from 20:1 to 1 :40, of from 20:1 to 1 :20, or of from 10:1 to 1 :80, wherein the component A comprises Aureobasidin A (AbA).

Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 100:1 to 1:2000, preferably of from 100:1 to 1:1000, of from 100:1 to 1:800, of from 100:1 to 1:500, of from 100:1 to 1:200, of from 100:1 to 1:100, of from 100:1 to 1:50, of from 100:1 to 1 :20, of from 100:1 to 1 :10, of from 50:1 to 1 :2000, of from 50:1 to 1 :1000, of from 50:1 to 1 :800, of from 50:1 to 1 :500, of from 50:1 to 1 :200, of from 50:1 to 1 :100, of from 50:1 to 1 :50, of from 50:1 to 1 :20, of from 50:1 to 1:10, of from 20:1 to 1 :2000, of from 20:1 to 1 :1000, of from 20:1 to 1 :800, of from 20:1 to 1 :500, of from 20:1 to 1 :200, of from 20:1 to 1 :100, of from 20:1 to 1 :50, of from 20:1 to 1 :20, of from 20:1 to 1 :10, of from 10:1 to 1 :2000, of from 10:1 to 1 :1000, of from 10:1 to 1 :800, of from 10:1 to 1 :500, of from 10:1 to 1 :200, of from 10:1 to 1 :100, of from 10:1 to 1 :50, of from 10:1 to 1 :20, of from 10:1 to 1 :10, of from 1 :1 to 1 :2000, of from 1 :1 to 1 :1000, of from 1 :1 to 1 :800, of from 1 :1 to 1 :500, of from 1 :1 to 1 :200, of from 1 :1 to 1 :100, of from 1 :1 to 1 :50, of from 1 :1 to 1 :20, of from 1 :1 to 1 :10, of from 1 :10 to 1 :2000, of from 1 :1 O to 1 :1000, of from 1 :10 to 1 :800, of from 1 :1 O to 1 :500, of from 1 :10 to 1 :200, of from 1 :10 to 1 :100, of from 1 :10 to 1 :50, of from 1 :10 to 1 :20, of from 1 :20 to 1 :2000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :1000, of from 1 :20 to 1 :800, of from 1 :20 to 1 :500, of from 1 :20 to 1 :200, of from 1 :20 to 1 :100, or of from 1 :20 to 1 :50, wherein the component B comprises B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 100:1 to 1 :2000, wherein the component A comprises AbA and the component B comprises B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24. More preferably, the weight ratio is of from 100:1 to 1 :1000 or of from 20:1 to 1 :200.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 100:1 to 1 :5000, wherein the component A comprises AbA and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof selected from the group consisting of compounds 1 .001 to 1 .005 and 1 .007 to 1 .044 as set forth in Table A, preferably wherein the component A comprises AbA and at least one other cyclic depsipeptide of formula (la) or a stereoisomer thereof selected from the group consisting of AbE and AbG. More preferably, the weight ratio is of from 100:1 to 1 :2000.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A to the component B of from 50:1 to 1 :500, wherein the component A comprises AbA and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof selected from the group consisting of compounds 1 .001 to 1 .005 and 1 .007 to 1 .044 as set forth in Table A, preferably wherein the component A comprises AbA and at least one other cyclic depsipeptide of formula (la) or a stereoisomer thereof selected from the group consisting of AbE and AbG. More preferably, the weight ratio is of from 20:1 to 1 :200.

Preferably, the component A of the composition according to the invention is a fermentation broth comprising one or more cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above, and the component B comprises a bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or compounds produced thereby, wherein the weight ratio of the component A to the component B is of from 100:1 to 1 :5000, preferably of from 100:1 to 1 :1000, more preferably from 50:1 to 1 :500, even more preferably from 20:1 to 1 :200.

Preferably, the component A of the composition according to the invention is a fermentation broth comprising AbA and one or more other cyclic depsipeptides of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof as defined above, and the component B comprises a bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or compounds produced thereby, wherein the weight ratio of the component A to the component B is of from 100:1 to 1 :5000, preferably of from 100:1 to 1 :1000, more preferably from 50:1 to 1 :500, even more preferably from 20:1 to 1 :200. The compounds of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof according to the invention can be prepared by methods known to the person skilled in the art. The compounds of formula (I) can be either purchased or prepared using synthetic or semi-synthetic chemistry or fermentation processes. For example, the compounds of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof or formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof can be prepared by methods known in Takesako et al., The Journal of Antibiotics, 1991 , 44, 919-924, Takesako et al., Tetrahedron, 1996, 52, 4327-4346 and Maharani et al. Tetrahedron, 2014, 70, 2351- 2358. A fermentation broth comprising one or more compouds of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof or formula (la) or stereoisomers thereof can be obtained from a process of fermentation of a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans, generally by a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans R106. The fermentation broth may not require purification. Alternatively, one or more compounds of formula (I) can be isolated from the fermentation broth and purified, e.g. by chromatography using a sorbent (e.g., silica and reverse phase silica gels, optically active sorbents, resins) or one or more solvents (e.g., partitioning, counter current separation, mixture of polyphasic solvents) or other chemical means (e.g., crystallization, recrystallizazion, salt formation, and precipitation) to achieve the final degree of purity. Purity of the compounds of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof can include, but is not limited to, a range of from 10% to 20%, or from 20% to 30%, or from 30% to 40%, or from 40% to 50%, or from 50% to 60%, or from 60% to 70%, or from 70% to 80%, or from 80% to 90%, or from 90% to 100%. The purity of the compounds of formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof can be measured by any technique known to the person skilled in the art, including NMR, mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS), high performance liquid chromathography (HPLC) and other analytical means.

The term “fungicide” as used herein means a compound that controls, modifies, or prevents the growth of fungi. The term “fungicidally effective amount” means the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds that is capable of producing an effect on the growth of fungi. Controlling or modifying effects include all deviation from natural development, such as killing, retardation and the like, and prevention includes barrier or other defensive formation in or on a plant to prevent fungal infection.

The term “plants” refers to all physical parts of a plant, including seeds, seedlings, saplings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, foliage, and fruits.

The term "plant propagation material” denotes all generative parts of a plant, for example seeds or vegetative parts of plants such as cuttings and tubers. It includes seeds in the strict sense, as well as roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, and parts of plants.

The term “locus” as used herein means fields in or on which plants are growing, or where seeds of cultivated plants are sown, or where seed will be placed into the soil. It includes soil, seeds, and seedlings, as well as established vegetation.

Throughout this document the expression “composition” stands for the various mixtures or combinations of the components A and B (including the above-defined embodiments), 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 composition according to the invention is effective against harmful microorganisms, such as microorganisms, that cause phytopathogenic diseases, in particular against phytopathogenic fungi.

The composition of the invention may be used to control plant diseases caused by a broad spectrum of fungal plant pathogens in the Basidiomycete, Ascomycete, Oomycete and/or Deuteromycete, Blasocladiomycete, Chrytidiomycete, Glomeromycete and/or Mucoromycete classes:

Oomycetes, including Phytophthora diseases such as those caused by Phytophthora capsici, Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora sojae, Phytophthora fragariae, Phytophthora nicotianae, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora citrophthora and Phytophthora erythroseptica; Pythium diseases such as those caused by Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium arrhenomanes, Pythium graminicola, Pythium irregulare and Pythium ultimum; diseases caused by Peronosporales such as Peronospora destructor, Peronospora parasitica, Peronospora manshurica, Peronospora tabacina, Plasmopara viticola, Plasmopara halstedii, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, Albugo Candida, Sclerophthora macrospora and Bremia lactucae; and others such as Aphanomyces cochlioides, Labyrinthula zosterae, Peronosclerospora sorghi and Sclerospora graminicola;

Ascomycetes, including blotch, spot, blast or blight diseases and/or rots for example those caused by Pleosporales such as Stemphylium solani, Stagonospora tainanensis, Spilocaea oleaginea, Setosphaeria turcica, Pyrenochaeta lycoperisici, Pleospora herbarum, Phoma destructiva, Phaeosphaeria herpotrichoides, Phaeocryptocus gaeumannii, Ophiosphaerella graminicola, Ophiobolus graminis, Leptosphaeria maculans, Hendersonia creberrima, Helminthosporium triticirepentis, Drechslera glycines, Didymella bryoniae, Cycloconium oleagineum, Corynespora cassiicola, Cochliobolus sativus, Bipolaris cactivora, Venturia inaequalis, Pyrenophora teres, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria brassicicola, Alternaria solani and Alternaria tomatophila, Capnodiales such as Septoria tritici, Septoria nodorum, Septoria glycines, Cercospora arachidicola, Cercospora beticola, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cercosporella capsellae and Cercosporella herpotrichoides, Cladosporium carpophilum, Cladosporium effusum, Passalora fulva, Cladosporium oxysporum, Dothistroma septosporum, Isariopsis clavispora, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Mycovellosiella koepkeii, Phaeoisariopsis bataticola, Pseudocercospora vitis, Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides, Ramularia beticola, Ramularia collo-cygni, Magnaporthales such as Gaeumannomyces graminis, Magnaporthe grisea, Magnaporthe oryzae, Diaporthales such as Anisogramma anomala, Apiognomonia errabunda, Cytospora platan!, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Discula destructiva, Gnomonia fructicola, Greeneria uvicola, Melanconium juglandinum, Phomopsis viticola, Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum, Tubakia dryina, Dicarpella spp., Valsa ceratosperma, and others such as Actinothyrium graminis, Ascochyta pisi, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Asperisporium caricae, Blumeriella jaapii, Candida spp., Capnodium ramosum, Cephaloascus spp., Cephalosporium gramineum, Ceratocystis paradoxa, Chaetomium spp., Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus, Coccidioides spp., Cylindrosporium padi, Diplocarpon malae, Drepanopeziza campestris, Elsinoe ampelina, Epicoccum nigrum, Epidermophyton spp., Eutypa lata, Geotrichum candidum, Gibellina cerealis, Gloeocercospora sorghi, Gloeodes pomigena, Gloeosporium perennans; Gloeotinia temulenta, Griphospaeria corticola, Kabatiella lini, Leptographium microsporum, Leptosphaerulinia crassiasca, Lophodermium seditiosum, Marssonina graminicola, Microdochium nivale, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia laxa, Monilinia fructigena, Monographella albescens, Monosporascus cannonballus, Naemacyclus spp., Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Penicillium expansum, Pestalotia rhododendri, Petriellidium spp., Pezicula spp., Phialophora gregata, Phialophora tetraspora, Phyllachora pomigena, Phymatotrichum omnivora, Physalospora abdita, Plectosporium tabacinum, Polyscytalum pustulans, Pseudopeziza medicaginis, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, Ramulispora sorghi, Rhabdocline pseudotsugae, Rhynchosporium secalis, Sacrocladium oryzae, Scedosporium spp., Schizothyrium pomi, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotinia minor, Sclerotium spp., Typhula ishikariensis, Seimatosporium mariae, Lepteutypa cupressi, Septocyta ruborum, Sphaceloma perseae, Sporonema phacidioides, Stigmina palmivora, Tapesia yallundae, Taphrina bullata, Thielviopsis basicola, Trichoseptoria fructigena, Zygophiala jamaicensis; powdery mildew diseases for example those caused by Erysiphales such as Blumeria graminis, Erysiphe polygon!, Uncinula necator, Sphaerotheca fuligena, Podosphaera leucotricha, Podospaera macularis, Podosphaera pannosa, Golovinomyces cichoracearum, Leveillula taurica, Microsphaera diffusa, Oidiopsis gossypii, Phyllactinia guttata and Oidium arachidis; molds for example those caused by Botryosphaeriales such as Dothiorella aromatica, Diplodia seriata, Guignardia bidwellii, Botrytis cinerea, Botrytis tracheiphila, Botryotinia aim, Botryotinia fabae, Fusicoccum amygdali, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Macrophoma theicola, Macrophomina phaseolina, Phyllosticta cucurbitacearum; anthracnoses for example those caused by Glommerelales such as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Colletotrichum gossypii, Glomerella cingulata, and Colletotrichum graminicola; and wilts or blights for example those caused by Hypocreales such as Acremonium strictum, Claviceps purpurea, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium brasiliense, Fusarium tucumaniae, Fusarium cuneirostrum, Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium oxysporum fsp. cubense, Gerlachia nivale, Gibberella fujikuroi, Gibberella zeae, Gliocladium spp., Myrothecium verrucaria, Nectria ramulariae, Trichoderma viride, Trichothecium roseum, and Verticillium theobromae;

Basidiomycetes, including smuts for example those caused by Ustilaginales such as Ustilaginoidea virens, Ustilago nuda, Ustilago tritici, Ustilago zeae, rusts for example those caused by Pucciniales such as Cerotelium fici, Chrysomyxa arctostaphyli, Coleosporium ipomoeae, Hemileia vastatrix, Puccinia arachidis, Puccinia cacabata, Puccinia graminis, Puccinia recondita, Puccinia sorghi, Puccinia horde!, Puccinia striiformis fsp. horde!, Puccinia striiformis fsp. secalis, Pucciniastrum coryli, or Uredinales such as Cronartium ribicola, Gymnosporangium juniperi- viginianae, Melampsora medusae, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Phakopsora meibomiae, Phragmidium mucronatum, Physopella ampelosidis, Tranzschelia discolor and Uromyces viciae-fabae; and other rots and diseases such as those caused by Cryptococcus spp., Exobasidium vexans, Marasmiellus inoderma, Mycena spp., Sphacelotheca reiliana, Typhula ishikariensis, Urocystis agropyri, Itersonilia haperplexans, Corticium invisum, Laetisaria fuciformis, Waitea circinata, Rhizoctonia solan!, Thanetephorus cucurmeris, Entyloma dahliae, Entylomella microspora, Neovossia moliniae and Tilletia caries;

Blastocladiomycetes, such as Physoderma maydis; and

Mucoromycetes, such as Choanephora cucurbitarum; Mucor spp.; Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizopus stolonifera, Rhizopus nigricans, as well as diseases caused by other species and genera closely related to those listed above.

The compositions according to the invention are particularly effective against phytopathogenic fungi belonging to the following classes: Ascomycetes (e.g. Venturia, Alternaria, Podosphaera, Erysiphe, Magnaporthe, Monilinia, Mycosphaerella, Uncinula); Basidiomycetes (e.g. the genus Hemileia, Rhizoctonia, Phakopsora, Puccinia, Ustilago, Tilletia) Fungi imperfecti (also known as Deuteromycetes; e.g. Botrytis, Colletotrichum, Helminthosporium, Rhynchosporium, Fusarium, Septoria, Cercospora, Alternaria, Penicillium, Pyricularia and Pseudocercosporella); Oomycetes (e.g. Phytophthora, Peronospora, Pseudoperonospora, Albugo, Bremia, Pythium, Pseudosclerospora, Plasmopara).

Preferably, the compositions according to the invention may be effective against phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Alternaria, Ascochyta, Botrytis, Cercospora, Cochliobolus sativus, Colletotrichum, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Corynespora, Erysiphe, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Fusarium, Fusarium oxysporum, Gaumannomyces graminis, Guignardia, Helminthosporium, Hemileia vastatrix, Magnaporthe, Magnaporthe oryzae, Monilinia, Mycosphaerella, Mycosphaerella arachidis, Phakopsora, Phoma, Phomopsis, Puccinia, Pseudocercosporella, Pseudopezicula, Phragmidium mucronatum, Podosphaera, Pyrenophora, Pyrenophora teres, Pyricularia, Pyricularia oryzae, Ramularia, Ramularia collo-cygni, Rhizoctonia, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhynchosporium secalis, Sclerotinia, Septoria, Septoria tritici, Sphacelotheca reilliana, Tilletia, Urocystis occulta, Uncinula, Ustilago, Venturia, Monilia, and Penicillium.

The compositions of the present invention may be particularly effective against phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Alternaria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Corynespora, Fusarium, Guignardia, Magnaporthe, Mycosphaerella, Monilinia, Penicillium, Phakopsora, Phomopsis, Podosphaera, Pseudopezicula, Rhizoctonia, Septoria, Uncinula and Venturia, more preferably selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Corynespora, Guignardia, Mycosphaerella, Monilinia, Penicillium, Phakopsora, Phomopsis, Podosphaera, Pseudopezicula, Septoria, Uncinula and Venturia, preferably selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria and Botrytis.

The compositions of the present invention may be effective especially against phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of Alternaria solani, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria porri, Botrytis cinerea, Botrytis allii, Botrytis squamosa, Cercospora capsici, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Corynespora cassiicola, Fusarium oxysporum, Guignardia bidwellii, Magnaporthe oryzae, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, Penicillium expansum, Phomopsis viticola, Podosphaera leucotricha, Podosphaera xanthii, Pseudopezicula tracheiphila, Rhizoctonia solani, Septoria tritici, Uncinula necator and Venturia inaequalis, more preferably selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria solani, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria porri, Botrytis cinerea, Botrytis aim, Botrytis squamosa, Cercospora capsici, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Corynespora cassiicola, Guignardia bidwellii, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, Penicillium expansum, Phomopsis viticola, Podosphaera leucotricha, Podosphaera xanthii, Pseudopezicula tracheiphila, Septoria tritici, Uncinula necator and Venturia inaequalis, preferably selected from the group consisting of: Altemaria solani and Botrytis cinerea.

According to the invention “useful plants” typically comprise the following perennial or annual plants: grains such as cereals, e.g. barley, maize (corn), millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, tritordeum and wheat, amaranth, buckwheat, chia, quinoa, and canihua; fruits and tree nuts such as grape vine (table and wine grapes), almond, apple, apricot, avocado, banana, blackberry, blueberry, breadfruit, cacao, cashew, cherimoya, cherry, chestnut (for nuts), chokeberry, citrus (including grapefruit, lime, lemon, orange, calamansi), coconut, coffee, cranberry, currant, date, feijoa fruit, fig, filbert (hazelnut), gooseberry, guava, kiwi, litchi, macadamia, mango, nectarine, olive, papaya, passion fruit, peach, pear, pecan, persimmon, pineapple, pistachio, plum (including prune), pomegranate, quince, raspberry, strawberry, suriname cherry, and walnut; vegetables such as artichoke, asparagus, bean (snap, green, dry, edible), beet (table), broccoli/ broccoli raab, Brussels sprouts, cabbage (incl. Chinese), carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chickpeas, chive, collards (including kale), cucumber, edamame, eggplant, endive, pea (garden, dry, edible), garlic, horseradish, kohlrabi, leek, lentils, lettuce, melon, mushroom (cultivated), mustard and other greens, okra, onion, parsley, parsnip, pepper, potato, prickly pear, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, rutabaga, salsify, spinach, squash (summer and winter), sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard, taro, tomato/tomatillo, turnip, and watermelon; field crops such as sugar beet, sugarcane, tobacco, peanut, soybean; oil seed crops such as oilseed rape (canola), mustard, camelina, crambe, sunflower, poppy, sesame, and safflower; forage crops for example alfalfa, clover, cowpea, vetches, sainfoin, lupine, fodder beet, ryegrass, kentucky bluegrass, fescue, orchard grass; fiber crops such as cotton, flax, hemp, jute and sisal; forest plants including coniferous species e.g. larch, fir, or pine, temperate and tropical hardwoods e.g. oak, birch, beech, teak, or mahogany, and tree species in arid zones, e.g. eucalyptus tree; horticulture crops such as hops, maple (maple syrup), tea, natural rubber plants and turfgrass e.g. bentgrass, kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, Fescues, bermudagrass, centipede grass, crested hairgrass, kikuyugrass, st. augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, dichondra, timothy grass, tufted hairgrass; floriculture, greenhouse and nursery plants including flowers, broad-leaved trees or evergreens as an example begonia, dahlia, geranium, impatiens, petunia, coleus, marigold, pansy, snapdragon, african violet, azalea, florist chrysanthemum, flowering bulbs, hydrangea, lily, orchid, poinsettia, rose, astilbe, coreopsis, delphinium, dianthus, heuchera, hosta, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, vinca, columbine, daylily, garden chrysanthemum, ivy, ornamental grasses, peony, delphinium, gladiolus, iris, snapdragon, tulip, eucalyptus, pittosporum, fern, anthurium, dieffenbachia, dracaena, ficus, philodendron, spathipyllum, bromeliad, cacti, palm, balsam fir, blue spruce, douglas fir, fraser fir, noble fir, scotch pine, white pine, magnolia, ash, elm, flowering cherry, flowering plum, hawthorn, redbud, and serviceberry; propagative materials such as bare-root divisions, cuttings, liners, plug seedlings, seeds, tissue-cultured plantlets, and prefinished plants; culinary herbs and spices for example allspice, Angelica spp., anise, annatto, arugula, asafetida, basil (all types), bay (cultivated), bladder wrack (seaweed), Bolivian coriander, borage, calendula (herbal uses), candle nut, caper, caraway, cardamom, cassia spice, cinnamon, clary sage, cloves, catnip, chamomile, chervil, chicory, cicely, cilantro, comfrey, coriander, cress, cumin, curry, dill, fennel, fenugreek, file (cultivated), fingerroot, galangal, ginger, hops, horehound, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, lemon thyme, lovage, mace, mahlab, malabathrum, marjoram, mint (all types), mugwort, nutmeg, oregano, orris root, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary, rue, saffron, sage (all types), savory (all types), sorrel, tarragon, thyme, turmeric, vanilla, wasabi, and watercress; and medicinal herbs for example arum, Artemisia spp., astralagus, boldo, comfrey, coneflower, fenugreek, feverfew, foxglove, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goat's rue, goldenseal, gypsywort, horehound, horsetail, lavender, liquorice, marshmallow, mullein, nettle, passionflower, patchouli, pennyroyal, pokeweed, skullcap, sorrel, St. John's wort, senna, sow thistle, stevia, tansy, witch hazel, wood betony, wormwood, yarrow, yerba buena, and Ylang Ylang.

This list does not represent any limitation, however, preferably, the useful plant may be selected from the group consisting of wheat, barley, rice, soybean, apples, almonds, cherries, raspberries, grapes, cucumbers, peanuts, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus and bananas. Preferably, the useful plant may be selected from the group consisting of: apples, almonds, cherries, raspberries, grapes, cucumbers, peanuts, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus, and bananas. Preferaby, the useful plant may be selected from: fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, horticulture crops, and floriculture.

The term "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, HPPD inhibitors, ALS inhibitors, for example primisulfuron, prosulfuron and trifloxysulfuron, EPSPS (5-enol- pyrovyl-shikimate-3-phosphate-synthase) inhibitors, GS (glutamine synthetase) 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. Examples of toxins which can be expressed include 6-endotoxins, vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip), insecticidal proteins of bacteria colonising nematodes, and toxins produced by scorpions, arachnids, wasps and fungi.

The compositions according to the present invention are particularly effective to control or prevent phytopathogenic diseases, especially powdery mildews, rusts, leaf spot, early blights or molds, caused by certain phytopathogenic fungi on grains, fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, field crops, oil seed crops, forage crops, forest plants, horticulture crops, floriculture, greenhouse and nursery plants, propagative materials, culinary herbs and spices, and medicinal herbs, such as:

Altemaria solani, preferably on tomatoes.

Alternaria alternata, preferably on aubergines.

Alternaria porri, preferably on onions.

Botrytis cinerea, preferably on tomatoes, peppers, onions, pomes, stone fruits, kiwi, blueberry, sugar beet or grapes.

Botrytis aim, preferably on onions.

Botrytis squamosa, preferably on onions.

Cercospora capsici, preferably on peppers.

Corynespora cassiicola, preferably on tomatoes.

Guignardia bidwellii, preferably on grapes.

Monilinia fructicola, preferably on cherries, peaches, plums, prunes, nectarines or almonds. Monilinia fructigena, preferably on cherries, peaches, plums, prunes, nectarines or almonds. Monilinia laxa, preferably on cherries, peaches, plums, prunes, nectarines or almonds.

Phomopsis viticola, preferably on grapes.

Podosphaera leucotricha, preferably on apples.

Podosphaera xanthii, preferably on cucurbits.

Pseudopezicula tracheiphila, preferably on grapes.

Uncinula necator, preferably on grapes.

Venturia inaequalis, preferably on apples.

The compositions according to the present invention are furthermore particularly effective against seedborne and soilborne diseases, such as Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora spp., Claviceps purpurea, Cochliobolus sativus, Colletotrichum spp., Epicoccum spp., Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium subglutinans, Gaumannomyces graminis, Helminthosporium spp., Microdochium nivale, Phoma spp., Pyrenophora graminea, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizoctonia cerealis, Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Sphacelotheca reilliana, Tilletia spp., Typhula incarnata, Urocystis occulta, Ustilago spp. or Verticillium spp.; in particular against pathogens of cereals, such as wheat, barley, rye or oats; maize; rice; cotton; soybean; turf; sugarbeet; oil seed rape; potatoes; pulse crops, such as peas, lentils or chickpea; and sunflower.

The compositions according to the present invention are furthermore particularly effective against post harvest diseases such as Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum musae, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium semitecum, Geotrichum candidum, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa, Mucor piriformis, Penicilium italicum, Penicilium solitum, Penicillium digitatum or Penicillium expansum in particular against pathogens of fruits, such as pomefruits, for example apples and pears, stone fruits, for example peaches and plums, citrus, melons, papaya, kiwi, mango, berries, for example strawberries, avocados, pomegranates and bananas, and nuts.

The invention further provides a use of a composition comprising the components A and B as defined according to the invention as a fungicide. Suitably, the use is non-therapeutic.

Some compositions according to the invention have a systemic action and can be used as foliar, soil and seed treatment fungicides.

With the compositions according to the invention it is possible to inhibit or destroy the phytopathogenic microorganisms which occur in plants or in parts of plants (fruit, blossoms, leaves, stems, tubers, roots) in different useful plants, while at the same time the parts of plants which grow later are also protected from attack by phytopathogenic microorganisms.

The compositions according to the invention can be applied to the phytopathogenic microorganisms, the useful plants, the locus thereof, the propagation material thereof, storage goods or technical materials threatened by microorganism attack.

The compositions according to the invention may be applied before or after infection of the useful plants, the propagation material thereof, storage goods or technical materials by the microorganisms.

The amount of a combination of the invention to be applied, will depend on various factors, such as the compounds employed; the subject of the treatment, such as, for example plants, soil or seeds; the type of treatment, such as, for example spraying, dusting or seed dressing; the purpose of the treatment, such as, for example prophylactic or therapeutic; the type of fungi to be controlled or the application time.

The compositions comprising component A in combination with the component B 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 compositions according to the invention are preventively and/or curatively valuable active ingredients in the field of pest control, even at low rates of application.

Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 5 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha of the component B. Preferably, the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 5 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha , 50 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, or 50 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha of the component B.

Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of from 25 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 5 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha of the component B. Preferably, the component A is applied at a rate of from 25 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 5 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, or 50 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha of the component B.

Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 5 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha of the component B, wherein the component A comprises AbA. Preferably, the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 5 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 5 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 10 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 20 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha, 25 g a.i./ha to 50 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 1500 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha, 50 g a.i./ha to 250 g a.i./ha, or 50 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha of the component B, wherein the component A comprises AbA.

Preferably, when applied to a plant according to the invention, preferably a useful plant, the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 10 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha or 20 g a.i/ha to 500 g a.i./ha of the component B. Preferably, when applied to the plant, preferably the useful plant, the component A is applied at a rate of from 25 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 10 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha or 20 g a.i/ha to 500 g a.i./ha of the component B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant, preferably a useful plant, or on propagation material thereof, the method comprises applying to the plant, the locus thereof or propagation material thereof, a composition as defined according to the invention, wherein the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 10 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha or 20 g a.i/ha to 500 g a.i./ha of the component B.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant, preferably a useful plant, or on propagation material thereof, the method comprises applying to the plant, the locus thereof or propagation material thereof, a composition as defined according to the invention, wherein the component A is applied at a rate of from 25 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 10 g a.i./ha to 2000 g a.i./ha or 20 g a.i/ha to 500 g a.i./ha of the component B.

Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of at least 0.001 ppm association with at least 0.001 ppm of the component B. Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of at least 0.001 ppm association with at least 0.005 ppm or 0.0391 ppm of the component B. Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of at least 0.0016 ppm association with at least 0.005 ppm or 0.0391 ppm of the component B. Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of from 0.001 ppm to 1 ppm in association with 0.001 ppm to 50 ppm of the component B. Preferably, according to the method of the invention, the component A is applied at a rate of from 0.001 ppm to 1 ppm in association with 0.005 ppm to 10 ppm of the component B.

The method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi according to the invention may be particularly effective against phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Corynespora, Fusarium, Guignardia, Magnaporthe, Mycosphaerella, Monilinia, Penicillium, Phakopsora, Phomopsis, Podosphaera, Pseudopezicula, Rhizoctonia, Septoria, Uncinula, and Venturia, more preferably selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Corynespora, Guignardia, Mycosphaerella, Monilinia, Penicillium, Phakopsora, Phomopsis, Podosphaera, Pseudopezicula, Septoria, Uncinula and Venturia, even more preferably selected from the group consisting of Alternaria and Botrytis.

The method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi according to the invention may be effective especially against phytopathogenic fungi selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria solani, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria porri, Botrytis cinerea, Botrytis aim, Botrytis squamosa, Cercospora capsici, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Corynespora cassiicola, Fusarium oxysporum, Guignardia bidwellii, Magnaporthe oryzae, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, Penicillium expansum, Phomopsis viticola, Podosphaera leucotricha, Podosphaera xanthii, Pseudopezicula tracheiphila, Rhizoctonia solani, Septoria tritici, Uncinula necator and Venturia inaequalis, more preferably selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria solani, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria porri, Botrytis cinerea, Botrytis aim, Botrytis squamosa, Cercospora capsici, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Corynespora cassiicola, Guignardia bidwellii, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, Penicillium expansum, Phomopsis viticola, Podosphaera leucotricha, Podosphaera xanthii, Pseudopezicula tracheiphila, Septoria tritici, Uncinula necator and Venturia inaequalis, even more preferably selected from the group consisting of: Altemaria solani, Altemaria alternata, Altemaria porri, Botrytis cinerea, Botrytis aim, and Botrytis squamosa, yet even more preferably selected from the group consisting of Altemaria solani and Botrytis cinerea.

Preferred is a method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi, preferably phytopathogenic fungi, according to the invention which comprises applying a composition according to the invention to useful plants selected from the group consisting of grains, fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, field crops, oil seed crops, forage crops, forest plants, horticulture crops, floriculture, greenhouse and nursery plants, propagative materials, culinary herbs and spices, and medicinal herbs. Preferred is a method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi, preferably phytopathogenic fungi, according to the invention which comprises applying a composition according to the invention to useful plants selected from the group consisting of: fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, horticulture crops, and floriculture.

More preferred is a method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi, preferably phytopathogenic fungi, according to the invention which comprises applying a composition according to the invention to useful plants selected from the group consisting of wheat, barley, rice, soybean, apples, almonds, cherries, raspberries, grapes, cucumbers, peanuts, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus and bananas. Even more preferred is a method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi, preferably phytopathogenic fungi, according to the invention which comprises applying a composition according to the invention to useful plants selected from the group consisting of: apples, almonds, cherries, raspberries, grapes, cucumbers, peanuts, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus, and bananas.

A preferred composition according to the invention comprises the component A comprising Aureobasidin A and the component B comprising B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24. Preferably, the weight ratio of Aureobasidin A to B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24 is of from 1 : 12.4 to 1 : 199.9. Preferably, the weight ratio of Aureobasidin A to B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24 is of from 1 : 1 .3 to 1 : 26.

A preferred method according to the invention comprises a method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant or on propagation material thereof, the method comprising applying to the plant, locus thereof, or propagation material thereof, a composition according to the invention, wherein the component A comprises Aureobasidin A and the component B comprises B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24. Preferably, Aureobasidin A is applied at a rate of from 0.0016 ppm to 0.025 ppm in association with 0.0391 ppm to 5 ppm of B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24. Preferably, Aureobasidin A is applied at a rate of from 0.0016 ppm to 0.025 ppm in association with 0.005 ppm to 0.65 ppm of B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or B. velezensis strain FZB24. Preferably, the phytopathogenic fungi are selected from the group consisting of: Altemaria solani and Botrytis cinerea.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises an agriculturally acceptable carrier and/or formulation adjuvant, and optionally, a surfactant. The invention also provides fungicidal compositions comprising a combination of the components A and B as mentioned above in a synergistically effective amount, together with an agriculturally acceptable carrier and, optionally, a surfactant. In said compositions, the weight ratio of the component A to the component B is preferably from 100:1 to 1 :5000, more preferably from 100:1 to 1 :1000, even more preferably from 50:1 to 1 :500, still more preferably from 20:1 to 1 :200 as described hereinbefore.

It has been found, surprisingly, that certain weight ratios of the component A to the component B are able to give rise to synergistic activity. Therefore, a further aspect of the invention are compositions, wherein the component A and the component B are present in the composition in amounts producing a synergistic effect. This synergistic activity is apparent from the fact that the fungicidal activity of the composition comprising the component A and the component B is greater than the sum of the fungicidal activities of the component A and the component B. This synergistic activity extends the range of action of the component A and the component B in two ways. Firstly, the rates of application of the component A and the 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.

A synergistic effect exists whenever the action of an active ingredient combination is greater than the sum of the actions of the individual components. The action to be expected E for a given active ingredient combination obeys the so-called COLBY formula and can be calculated as follows (COLBY, S.R. "Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combination", Weeds, Vol. 15, pages 20-22; 1967): ppm = milligrams of active ingredient (= a.i.) per liter of spray mixture, X = % action by active ingredient (A) using p ppm of active ingredient, Y = % action by active ingredient (B) using q ppm of active ingredient.

According to COLBY, the expected (additive) action of active ingredients (A)+(B) using p+q E = X + Y - ^{X Y} ppm of active ingredient is 00

If the action actually observed (O) is greater than the expected action (E), then the action of the combination is super-additive, i.e. there is a synergistic effect. In mathematical terms, synergism corresponds to a positive value for the difference of (O-E). In the case of purely complementary addition of activities (expected activity), said difference (O-E) is zero. A negative value of said difference (O-E) signals a loss of activity compared to the expected activity.

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 composition according to the invention is preferably in a synergistically effective amount. Preferably, the component A and the component B of the composition according to the invention are each in an amount which results in in a synergistic effect, preferably a synergistic fungicidal effect. Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a weight ratio of the component A and the component B in a synergistically effective amount.

It was found that B. amyloliquefaciens (strain FZB24) advantageously provides more than an additive fungicidal effect when combined with a cyclic depsipeptide represented by formula (I), in particular AbA. Reference is made to the Examples below, where a synergistic antifungal effect of AbA and B. amyloliquefaciens (strain FZB24) is disclosed.

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the invention and are not meant in any way to limit the invention.

Biological Examples

The compositions according to the invention are tested for their biological (fungicidal) activity as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solutions using one or more of the following protocols (Examples 1-1 and 1-2).

Aureobasidin A and its synthesis are known from Takesako et al., The Journal of Antibiotics, 1991 , 44, 919-924. Aureobasidin A is separated from the fermentation broth by extraction with ethyl acetate, followed by extraction of the ethyl acetate concentrate with a mixture of MeOH:H2O (80% by volume) and cyclohexane (20% by volume), and purified by silica gel column chromatography (silica- gel, elution with hexane:ethyl acetate) followed by reverse phase column chromatography (RP18, elution with acetonitrile:H20). As already indicated, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is known and commercially available and/or can be prepared using procedures known in the art and/or procedures reported in the literature.

Taegro® is a microorganism-based fungicide formulated as a wettable powder containing 130 g/kg Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 (13% w/w, minimum of 1x10¹³ cfu/kg).

Example 1-1 : Botrytis cinerea (Botryotinia fuckeliana-, gray mould)

Conidia of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directly mixed into nutrient broth (Vogel’s). After placing a (DMSO) solution or (water) suspension of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-well format) the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. The test plates were incubated at 24 °C and the inhibition of growth was determined photometrically and visually after 72 hrs.

Example 1-2: Altemaria solani (early blight of tomato/potato)

Conidia of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directly mixed into nutrient broth (PDB: potato dextrose broth). After placing a (DMSO) solution or (water) suspension of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-well format) the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. The test plates were incubated at 24 °C and the inhibition of growth was determined photometrically and visually after 48 hrs.

Results

Results from the tests outlined above are shown below in Tables 1 and 2. These data show that synergistic fungicidal activity is observed for the combination of Aureobasidin A and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens against Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria solan! at certain weight ratios. According to COLBY, in mathematical terms the synergism factor SF corresponds to O/E. In the agricultural practice an SF of > 1 .1 indicates significant improvement over the purely complementary addition of activities (expected activity), while an SF of < 0.9 in the practical application routine signals a loss of activity compared to the expected activity.

Table 1 : Fungicidal activity of a composition of Aureobasidin A and TAEGRO® against Botrytis cinerea as described in Example 1-1 above.

Table 2: Fungicidal activity of a composition of Aureobasidin A and TAEGRO® against Alternaria solani as described in Example 1-2 above.

Embodiments Embodiment 1 . A fungicidal composition comprising: (i) a component A, wherein the component A comprises a cyclic depsipeptide, wherein the cyclic depsipeptide is Aureobasidin A (AbA) or a stereoisomer thereof, preferably wherein AbA is represented by formula (lb):

(ii) a component B, wherein the component B comprises a bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Embodiment 2. The composition of embodiment 1 , wherein the component A additionally comprises one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or a stereoisomer thereof:

wherein:

R¹ is methyl or ethyl;

R² is methyl, hydroxymethyl, or hydroxyethyl;

X⁴ is CH2, S, or hydroxymethylene;

A³ is an a-amino acid residue selected from: N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-MePhe), L- phenylalanine (L-Phe), p-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-OH-MePhe), ortho-fluoro-N-methyl- L-phenylalanine (L-o-F-MePhe), meta-fluoro-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-m-F-MePhe), para-fluoro-N- methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-F-MePhe), meta-bromo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-m-Br-MePhe), para-bromo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-Br-MePhe), meta-iodo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-m-l- MePhe), para-iodo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-l-MePhe), 3-phenyl-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4- phenyl-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N- methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-(4-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-(4-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L- phenylalanine, 3-(1 -pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-(1 -pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4- (2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-(2-chloro-5-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4- (2-chloro-5-pyridinyl)-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-[4-(piperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L- phenylalanine, 4-[4-(piperazin-1 -yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 3-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1 - yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, p-oxo-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine (L-p-oxo-MePhe), p-R⁴O-N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, wherein R⁴ is a lower acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (L-p-R³OMePhe), N-methyl-L-tyrosine (L-MeTyr), O- methyl-N-methyl-L-tyrosine [L-MeTyr(Me)], N-methyl-L-alanine (L-MeAla), N-methyl-L-serine (L- MeSer), sarcosine (Sar), N-methyl-D-phenylalanine (D-MePhe), N-methyl-D-alanine (D-MeAla), N- methyl-D-valine (D-MeVal), and N-methyl-D-serine (D-MeSer) residues;

Embodiment 3. The composition of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the component A further comprises at least one other cyclic depsipeptide of formula (I) or a stereoisomer thereof selected from the group consisting of Aureobasidin E (AbE) and Aureobasidin G (AbG), preferably wherein AbE is represented by formula (Ic):

preferably AbG is represented by formula (Id):

Embodiment 4. The composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the bacterium is B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof, or B. velezensis strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof.

Embodiment 5. The composition of any one of embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the component A comprises of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1% to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1% to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1% to

60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof.

Embodiment 6. The composition of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the weight ratio of the component A to the component B is of from 100:1 to 1 :5000. Embodiment 7. The composition of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, further comprising an agriculturally acceptable carrier and/or formulation adjuvant, and optionally, a surfactant.

Embodiment 8. A method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant or on propagation material thereof, the method comprising applying to the plant, locus thereof, or propagation material thereof, a composition of any one of embodiments 1 to 7.

Embodiment 9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 10 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha of the component B.

Embodiment 10. The method of embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi are selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Corynespora, Fusarium, Guignardia, Magnaporthe, Mycosphaerella, Monilinia, Penicillium, Phakopsora, Phomopsis, Podosphaera, Pseudopezicula, Rhizoctonia, Septoria, Uncinula, and Venturia, preferably selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria and Botrytis.

Embodiment 11 . The method of any one of embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the plant is a useful plant selected from: grains, fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, field crops, oil seed crops, forage crops, forest plants, horticulture crops, floriculture, greenhouse and nursery plants, propagative materials, culinary herbs and spices, and medicinal herbs, preferably wherein the useful plant is selected from: fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, horticulture crops, and floriculture.

Embodiment 12. The method of any one of embodiments 8 to 11 , wherein the plant is a useful plant selected from the group consisting of: apples, almonds, cherries, raspberries, grapes, cucumbers, peanuts, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus, and bananas.

Embodiment 13. Use of the composition comprising the components A and B of any one of embodiments 1 to 7 as a fungicide.

Claims

1 . A fungicidal composition comprising:

(i) a component A, wherein the component A comprises a cyclic depsipeptide, wherein the cyclic depsipeptide is Aureobasidin A (AbA) or a stereoisomer thereof; and

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the component A additionally comprises one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or a stereoisomer thereof:

wherein:

R¹ is methyl or ethyl;

R² is methyl, hydroxymethyl, or hydroxyethyl;

X⁴ is CH2, S, or hydroxymethylene;

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the component A further comprises at least one other cyclic depsipeptide of formula (I) or a stereoisomer thereof selected from the group consisting of Aureobasidin E (AbE) and Aureobasidin G (AbG), preferably wherein AbE is represented by formula (Ic):

preferably AbG is represented by formula (Id):

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bacterium is B. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof, or B. velezensis strain FZB24 or a functional variant thereof.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the component A comprises of from 10% to 99.9% by weight, preferably of from 20% to 99.9% by weight, more preferably of from 40% to 99.9% by weight of Aureobasidin A or a stereoisomer thereof, and of from 0.1 % to 90% by weight, preferably of from 0.1% to 80% by weight, more preferably of from 0.1% to 60% by weight of the one or more other cyclic depsipeptides represented by formula (I) or stereoisomers thereof.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the weight ratio of the component A to the component B is of from 100:1 to 1 :5000.

7. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an agriculturally acceptable carrier and/or formulation adjuvant, and optionally, a surfactant.

8. A method of controlling or preventing phytopathogenic diseases or phytopathogenic fungi on a plant or on propagation material thereof, the method comprising applying to the plant, locus thereof, or propagation material thereof, a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the component A is applied at a rate of from 10 g a.i./ha to 500 g a.i./ha in association with 10 g a.i./ha to 1000 g a.i./ha of the component B.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi are selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Corynespora, Fusarium, Guignardia, Magnaporthe, Mycosphaerella, Monilinia, Penicillium, Phakopsora, Phomopsis, Podosphaera, Pseudopezicula, Rhizoctonia, Septoria, Uncinula, and Venturia, preferably selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria and Botrytis.

11 . The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the plant is a useful plant selected from: grains, fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, field crops, oil seed crops, forage crops, forest plants, horticulture crops, floriculture, greenhouse and nursery plants, propagative materials, culinary herbs and spices, and medicinal herbs, preferably wherein the useful plant is selected from: fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, horticulture crops, and floriculture.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , wherein the plant is a useful plant selected from the group consisting of: apples, almonds, cherries, raspberries, grapes, cucumbers, peanuts, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus, and bananas.

13. Use of the composition comprising the components A and B according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as a fungicide.