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Controlled release formulations for pesticides and herbicides contain an active ingredient, a matrix polymer and a matrix polymer plasticizer which is present in an amount sufficient to provide a release rate for the active ingredient from the formulation that matches a selected release rate. Method

Controlled release formulations for pesticides and herbicides contain an active ingredient, a matrix polymer and a matrix polymer plasticizer which is present in an amount sufficient to provide a release rate for the active ingredient from the formulation that matches a selected release rate. Methods for making and using the formulation, and seeds and plants that have been treated with the formulations are also included.

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1. A formulation for the controlled release of an azole fungicide comprising an azole fungicide having a solubility in water at 20° C. of less than about 10 g/l dispersed in a matrix polymer that has a reduced glass transition temperature when intermixed with the azole fungicide; and a matrix polyme

1. A formulation for the controlled release of an azole fungicide comprising an azole fungicide having a solubility in water at 20° C. of less than about 10 g/l dispersed in a matrix polymer that has a reduced glass transition temperature when intermixed with the azole fungicide; and a matrix polymer plasticizer; wherein the ratio of the matrix polymer plasticizer to the matrix polymer is within a range of 1,200.2. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the azole fungicide is selected from the group consisting of azaconazole, BAS 480F (epoxiconazole), biternatol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, paclobutrazol, perfuazoate, penconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triticonazole and uniconazole.3. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the azole fungicide is tebuconazole.4. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the matrix polymer is soluble in an organic solvent; is not soluble in water; and is a solid at 25° C.5. The formulation of claim 4 wherein the matrix polymer has a melting temperature that is not more than 25° C. more than the normal melting point of the azole fungicide.6. The formulation of claim 5 wherein the matrix polymer has a melting point that is equal to or less than the decomposition temperature of the azole fungicide.7. The formulation of claim 6 wherein the matrix polymer is totally or partially miscible with the azole fungicide in a molten mixture of the matrix polymer and the azole fungicide.8. The formulation of claim 4 wherein the matrix polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycarbonates and co-polymers of styrene.9. The formulation of claim 4 wherein the matrix polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS); ABS modified polyvinylchloride; ABS-polycarbonate blends; acrylic resins and copolymers; poly(methacrylate), poly(ethylmethacrylate), poly(methylmethacrylate), methylmethacrylate or ethylmethacrylate copolymers with other unsaturated monomers; casein; cellulosic polymers: ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetatebutyrate; ethyl vinyl acetate polymers and copolymers; poly(ethylene glycol); poly(vinylpyrrolidone); acetylated mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides; poly(phosphazene); chlorinated natural rubber; polybutadiene; polyurethane; vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers; styrene-butadiene copolymers; styrene-acrylic copolymers; alkylvinylether polymers and copolymers; cellulose acetate phthalates; epoxies; ethylene copolymers: ethylene-vinyl acetate-methacrylic acid, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers; methylpentene polymers; modified phenylene oxides; polyamides; melamine formaldehydes; phenolformaldehydes; phenolic resins; poly(orthoesters); poly(cyanoacrylates); polydioxanone; polycarbonates; polyesters; polystyrene; polystyrene copolymers: poly(styrene-co maleic anhydride); urea-formaldehyde; urethanes; vinyl resins: vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl chloride; biodegradable polyesters; starch-polyester alloys; styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers; poly(methylvinyl ether-maleic acid); starch; starch-PCL blends; polylactic acid (PLA)-starch blends; polylactic acid; poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) copolymers; PCL; cellulose esters; cellulose acetate butyrate; starch esters; starch ester-aliphatic polyester blends; modified corn starch; polycaprolactone; poly(n-amylmethacrylate); ethyl cellulose; wood rosin; polyanhydrides; polyvinylalcohol (PVOH); polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate (PHBV); biodegradable aliphatic polyesters; polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); biodegradable aliphatic polyesters (BIONOLLE); and mixtures of two or more of these.10. The formulation of claim 9 wherein the matrix polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(methylmethacrylate) and poly(styrene-co maleic anhydride).11. The formulation of claim 10 wherein the matrix polymer is poly(methylmethacrylate).12. The formulation of claim 11 wherein the poly(methylmethacrylate) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 400,000.13. The formulation of claim 12 wherein the poly(methylmethacrylate) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 120,000.14. The formulation of claim 2 wherein the matrix polymer is poly(methylmethacrylate) having a weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 400,000.15. The formulation of claim 14 wherein the poly(methylmethacrylate) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 120,000.16. The formulation of claim 4 wherein the matrix polymer plasticizer is totally or partially miscible with the matrix polymer at 25° C. and has a plasticizing effect upon the matrix polymer when intermixed with the matrix polymer.17. The formulation of claim 16 wherein the matrix polymer plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of: high-boiling esters of polybasic acids; phosphoric acids; phosphorous acids; phosphonic acids; substituted fatty acids; high-boiling glycols; polyglycols; polyoxyalkylenes and glycerol each optionally substituted and optionally terminally esterified; pentaerythritols; sulphonic acids; expoxies; chlorinated paraffins; block copolyesters; block polyester copolyethers; polymeric esters; and mixtures thereof.18. The formulation of claim 17 wherein the matrix polymer plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of:(A) high boiling esters of polybasic acids: (i) phthalates and isophthalates, having the formula: ?where R1 is C1-20 alkyl, cycloalkyl or benzyl, C5-11 alkyl, cyclohexyl or benzyl, isoheptyl, isoocytl, isononyl, isodecyl and isoundecyl; (ii) citrates; doubly esterified hydroxycarboxylic acids having at least 3 ester groups in its molecule, acetyl tri-n-butyl citrate; citrates of the formula: ?where R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, and R2 is C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 alkoxy or C1-10 alkoxyalkyl; when R1 and R2 are alkyl each is straight or branched chain, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, iso-propyl, isobutyl, or ethoxyethyl, propoxyathyl, butoxyethyl, butoxy, isopropyl and butoxyethoxyethyl; (iii) fumarates; (iv) glutarates; diester ether alkyl; (v) adipates, having the formula R1?O?C(O)?(CH2)4?C(O)?OR2 ?where R1 and R2 which may be the same or different and are C2-12 alkyl, C2-12 alkoxyalkyl; di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, di-isodecyl adipate, di-isononyl adipate, dioctyl adipate; (vi) sebacates of the formula R1?O?C(O)?(CH2)S?C(O)?O?R1 where R1 is C2-15 alkyl or C2-15 alkoxyalkyl; di-octyl sebacate, di-dodecyl sebacate, di-butoxyethyl sebacate, or di-n-butyl sebacate; (ix) azelates of the formula R1?O?C(O)?(CH2)7?C(O)?R1 where R1 is C2-12, alkyl, benzyl, or C2-12 alkoxy-alkyl, for example, di-n-butyl azelate and di i-octyl azelate; (B) high-boiling glycols, polyglycols, polyoxyalkylenes and glycerol: (i) high molecular weight glycols, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol caprylate, alkyl ethers/esters of general formula R2?(O?CH2?CH2)n?O?R1 where R1 is alkyl or ?C(O)-alkyl, R2 is alkyl and n is 2 to 100; (ii) polyglycols; poly(propylene glycol), poly(ethylene) glycol; (iii) glycerols glycerol tricaprolate, glycerol tributyrate; (iv) pentaerythritols; (C) sulphonic acids; toluenesulphonamide; (D) epoxy derivatives of the formula CH3?(CH2)n-A-(CH2)n?R in which the A is an alkene containing one or more double bonds, n is up to 25 and R is C2-15 alkyl, or epoxy derivatives of triglycerides containing one or more double bonds per fatty acid chain with chain lengths from C6-26; (E) substituted fatty acids, palmitates, stearates, oleates, ricinoleates and laurates, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, poly(oxyethylene), sorbitan monolaurate), poly(oxyethylene)(4)lauryl ether, butyl acetyl ricinoleate; (F) phosphoric acid derivatives (phosphates), compounds of the formula O?P(OR)3 where R is straight chain or branched C1-25 alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, phenyl, or phenylalkyl where the alkyl is straight chain or branched C1-25; isopropyl phenyl phosphate; phosphonic acids; phosphites; (G) chlorinated paraffins; (H) polymeric esters of the formula ?O?C(O)?R1?C(O)?O?R2?O? in which R1 and R2 are both independently C2-12 alkylene, R2 is derived from a diol such as 1,2-propanediol, 1,3 butanediol, 1,4-butanediol or 1,6-hexanediol; (i) polyester glutarates having molecular weights from 2000 to 20,000; (ii) polyester adipates having a molecular weight from 200 to 20000, poly(propylene) adipate, poly(1,3-butylene glycol-co-1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,2-propylene glycol 5 adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2ethylhexanol, poly(1,2propylene glycol adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2 ethylhexanol, poly (1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with mixed fatty acids, poly(1,2propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid), or poly(1,4-butylene glycol-co ethylene glycol adipic acid); (iii) succinic polyesters; (iv) sebacic polyesters having a molecular weight from 4000 to 10000, (v) lactone copolymers of the formula [?(O?C(O)?R1?C(O)?O?R2?O)]m[?C(O)?R3?O?]n, where R1 and R2 both independently C2-12 alkylene, or R2 may be derived from a diol selected from 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol or 1,6-hexanediol, and R3 is ?(CH2)5-(based on caprolactone); (vi) polyesters (esters of mixed adipic, glutaric and succinic acids with isodecanol), polycaprolactone triol; (I) and mixtures of two or more of these. 19. The formulation of claim 17 wherein the matrix polymer plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of phthalic anhydride, poly(vinyl acetate) and dibutyl phthalate.20. The formulation of claim 15 wherein the matrix polymer plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of phthalic anhydride, poly(vinyl acetate) and dibutyl phthalate.21. The formulation of claim 20 wherein the matrix polymer plasticizer is poly(vinyl acetate) or dibutyl phthalate.22. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the amount of readily extractable active ingredient (REA) in an excess of water at 25° C. is less than 25% of the total azole fungicide in the formulation.23. The formulation of claim 22 wherein the amount of readily extractable active ingredient (REA) in an excess of water at 25° C. is less than 15% of the total azole fungicide in the formulation.24. The formulation of claim 23 wherein the amount of readily extractable active ingredient (REA) in an excess of water at 25° C. is less than 10% of the total azole fungicide in the formulation.25. The formulation of claim 24 wherein the amount of readily extractable active ingredient (REA) in an excess of water at 25° C. is less than 5% of the total azole fungicide in the formulation.26. The formulation of claim 20 wherein the amount of readily extractable active ingredient (REA) in an excess of water at 25° C. is less than 15% of the total azole fungicide in the formulation.27. The formulation of claim 1 in the form of microparticles having an average size of 100 microns or less.28. The formulation of claim 27 in the form of microparticles having an average size of 50 microns or less.29. The formulation of claim 28 in the form of microparticles having an average size of 20 microns or less.30. The formulation of claim 26 in the form of microparticles wherein 80% of the particles have a size of 100 microns or less.31. The formulation of claim 30 wherein 80% of the particles have a size of 20 microns or less.32. The formulation of claim 26 wherein the formulation is in the form of microparticles and wherein 80% of the particles have a size of 20 microns or less.33. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the amount of azole fungicide is between about 1% and about 60% by weight of the formulation.34. The formulation of claim 33 wherein the amount of azole fungicide is at least about 5% by weight of the formulation.35. The formulation of claim 34 wherein the amount of azole fungicide is at least about 10% by weight of the formulation.36. The formulation of claim 35 wherein the amount of azole fungicide is at least about 20% by weight of the formulation.37. The formulation of claim 36 wherein the amount of azole fungicide is at least about 30% by weight of the formulation.38. The formulation of claim 30 wherein the azole fungicide comprises tebuconazole and the amount of tebuconazole is at least about 3% by weight of the formulation.39. The formulation of claim 35 wherein the microparticles are dispersed in a carrier liquid.40. The formulation of claim 39 wherein the carrier liquid is water.41. A method of administering an azole fungicide to seeds by treating the seeds with the formulation of claim 1.42. The method of claim 41 wherein the formulation comprises microparticles that are applied as a coating.43. A method of administering a pesticide to a plant by treating the plant with the formulation of claim 1.44. The method of claim 43 wherein the formulation is administered to the plant by spraying.45. A seed that has been treated with the formulation of claim 1.46. The seed of claim 45 wherein the seed is a seed of a plant selected from the group consisting of corn, peanut, canola/rapeseed, soybean, curcubits, crucifers, cotton, rice, sorghum, sugar beet, wheat, barley, rye, sunflower, tomato, sugarcane, tobacco, oats, vegetables, and leaf crops.47. The seed of claim 46 wherein the seed is a seed of a transgenic plant.48. A plant that has been treated with the formulation of claim 1.49. The plant of claim 48 wherein the plant is a transgenic plant.50. The method according to claim 30, comprising the step of selecting a release rate for the azole fungicide before selecting the matrix polymer.51. A controlled release formulation comprising tebuconazole in an amount of about 30% to 40% by weight, and poly(methyl methacylate) and phthalic anhydride or poly(vinyl acetate) in a weight ratio of from about 90:10 to 50:50.52. A controlled release formulation comprising tebuconazole in an amount of about 30% to 40% by weight, and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) and poly(vinyl acetate) in a weight ratio of from about 90:10 to 50:50.53. A method of making a formulation for the controlled release of an azole fungicide having a solubility in water at 20° C. of less than about 10 g/l comprising intermixing an azole fungicide and a matrix polymer with a sufficient amount of a matrix polymer plasticizer; wherein the ratio of the matrix polymer plasticizer to the matrix polymer is within a range of 1,200 to about 1,1.5 wt/wt to provide a formulation having a release rate for the azole fungicide that matches a selected release rate.54. The method of claim 53, wherein the azole fungicide is selected from the group consisting of azaconazole, BAS 480F (epoxiconazole), biternatol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutnafol, hexaconazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, paclobutrazol, perfuazoate, penconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triticonazole and uniconazole.55. The method of claim 54 wherein the matrix polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS); ABS modified polyvinylchloride; ABS-polycarbonate blends; acrylic resins and copolymers; poly(methacrylate), poly(ethylmethacrylate), poly(methylmethacrylate), methylmethacrylate or ethylmethacrylate copolymers with other unsaturated monomers; casein; cellulosic polymers: ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetatebutyrate; ethyl vinyl acetate polymers and copolymers; poly(ethylene glycol); poly(vinylpyrrolidone); acetylated mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides; poly(phosphazene); chlorinated natural rubber; polybutadiene; polyurethane; vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers; styrene-butadiene copolymers; styrene-acrylic copolymers; alkylvinylether polymers and copolymers; cellulose acetate phthalates; epoxies; ethylene copolymers: ethylene-vinyl acetate-methacrylic acid, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers; methylpentene polymers; modified phenylene oxides; polyamides; melamine formaldehydes; phenolformaldehydes; phenolic resins; poly(orthoesters); poly(cyanoacrylates); polydioxanone; polycarbonates; polyesters; polystyrene; polystyrene copolymers: poly(styrene-co maleic anhydride); urea-formaldehyde; urethanes; vinyl resins: vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl chloride; biodegradable polyesters; starch-polyester alloys; styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers; poly(methylvinyl ether-maleic acid); starch; starch-PCL blends; polylactic acid (PLA)-starch blends; polylactic acid; poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) copolymers; PCL; cellulose esters; cellulose acetate butyrate; starch esters; starch ester-aliphatic polyester blends; modified corn starch; polycaprolactone; poly(n-amylmethacrylate); ethyl cellulose; wood rosin; polyanhydrides; polyvinylalcohol (PVOH); polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate (PHBV); biodegradable aliphatic polyesters; polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); biodegradable aliphatic polyesters (BIONOLLE); and mixtures of two or more of these.56. The method of claim 54 wherein the matrix polymer plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of:(A) high boiling esters of polybasic acids: (i) phthalates and isophthalates, having the formula: ?where R1 is C1-20 alkyl, cycloalkyl or benzyl, C5-11 alkyl, cyclohexyl or benzyl, isoheptyl, isoocytl, isononyl, isodecyl and isoundecyl; (ii) citrates; doubly esterified hydroxycarboxylic acids having at least 3 ester groups in its molecule, acetyl tri-n-butyl citrate; citrates of the formula: ?where R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, and R2 is C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 alkoxy or C1-10 alkoxyalkyl; when R1 and R2 are alkyl each is straight or branched chain, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, iso-propyl, isobutyl, or ethoxyethyl, propoxyethyl, butoxyethyl, butoxy, isopropyl and butoxyethoxyethyl; (iii) fumarates; (iv) glutarates; diester ether alkyl; (v) adipates, having the formula R1?O?C(O)?(CH2)4?C(O)?OR2 where R1 and R2 which may be the same or different and are C2-12 alkyl, C2-12 alkoxyalkyl; di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, di-isodecyl adipate, di-isononyl adipate, dioctyl adipate; (vi) sebacates of the formula R1?O?C(O)?(CH2)S?C(O)?O?R1 where R1 is C2-15 alkyl or C2-15 alkoxyalkyl; di-octyl sebacate, di-dodecyl sebacate, di-butoxyethyl sebacate, or di-n-butyl sebacate; (ix) azelates of the formula R1?O?C(O)?(CH2)7?C(O)?R1 where R1 is C2-12, alkyl, benzyl, or C2-12 alkoxy-alkyl, for example, di-n-butyl azelate and di i-octyl azelate; (B) high-boiling glycols, polyglycols, polyoxyalkylenes and glycerol: (i) high molecular weight glycols, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol caprylate, alkyl ethers/esters of general formula R2?(O?CH2?CH2)n?O?R1 where R1 is alkyl or ?C(O)-alkyl, R2 is alkyl and n is 2 to 100; (ii) polyglycols; poly(propylene glycol), poly(ethylene) glycol; (iii) glycerols glycerol tricaprolate, glycerol tributyrate; (iv) pentaerythritols; (C) sulphonic acids; toluenesulphonamide; (D) epoxy derivatives of the formula CH3?(CH2)n-A-(CH2)n?R in which the A is an alkene containing one or more double bonds, n is up to 25 and R is C2-15 alkyl, or epoxy derivatives of triglycerides containing one or more double bonds per fatty acid chain with chain lengths from C6-26; (E) substituted fatty acids, palmitates, stearates, oleates, ricinoleates and laurates, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, poly(oxyethylene), sorbitan monolaurate), poly(oxyethylene)(4)lauryl ether, butyl acetyl ricinoleate; (F) phosphoric acids (phosphates), compounds of the formula O?P(OR)3 where R is straight chain or branched C1-25 alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, phenyl, or phenylalkyl where the alkyl is straight chain or branched C1-25; isopropyl phenyl phosphate; phosphonic acids; phosphites; (G) chlorinated paraffins; (H) polymeric esters of the formula ?O?C(O)?R1?C(O)?O?R2?O? in which R1 and R2 are both independently C2-12 alkylene, R2 is derived from a diol such as 1,2-propanediol, 1,3 butanediol, 1,4-butanediol or 1,6-hexanediol; (i) polyester glutarates having molecular weights from 2000 to 20,000; (ii) polyester adipates having a molecular weight from 200 to 20000, poly(propylene) adipate, poly(1,3-butylene glycol-co-1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,2-propylene glycol 5 adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2ethylhexanol, poly(1,2propylene glycol adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2 ethylhexanol, poly (1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with mixed fatty acids, poly(1,2 propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid), or poly(1,4-butylene glycol-co ethylene glycol adipic acid); (iii) succinic polyesters; (iv) sebacic polyesters having a molecular weight from 4000 to 10000, (v) lactone copolymers of the formula [?(O?C(O)?R1?C(O)?O?R2?O)]m[?C(O)?R3?O?]n, where R1 and R2 are both independently C2-12 alkylene, or R2 may be derived from a diol selected from 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol or 1,6-hexanediol, and R3 is ?(CH2)5-(based on caprolactone); (vi) polyesters (esters of mixed adipic, glutaric and succinic acids with isodecanol), polycaprolactone triol; (I) WOLFLEX-BUT; and mixtures of two or more of these. 57. The method of claim 53, wherein the method comprises the steps of:(a) dissolving a matrix polymer in an organic solvent; (b) dissolving or dispersing an active ingredient and a matrix polymer plasticizer in the same organic solvent with the matrix polymer to make an organic mixture; (d) mixing the organic mixture with water that contains at least one surfactant to form microparticles of the formulation in an organic/water emulsion; and (e) removing the organic solvent from the organic/water emulsion; wherein a sufficient amount of the matrix polymer plasticizer is added to provide a formulation having a release rate for the active ingredient that matches a selected release rate. 58. The method of claim 53 wherein the method comprises the steps of:(a) intermixing a matrix polymer with an active ingredient and a matrix polymer plasticizer in a molten state to form a melt; and (b) forming microparticles of the formulation from the melt; wherein a sufficient amount of the matrix polymer plasticizer is added to provide a formulation having a release rate for the active ingredient that matches a selected release rate. 59. The method of claim 58 wherein the microparticles are formed prior to solidification of the melt.60. The method of claim 58 wherein the melt is solidified and microparticles are formed by size reduction of the solidified formulation.61. A method of making a formulation for the controlled release of an azole fungicide comprising:selecting a matrix polymer having a glass transition temperature that is reduced when the matrix polymer is intermixed with the azole fungicide having a solubility in water at 20° C. of less than about 10 g/l; intermixing the azole fungicide and the matrix polymer with a sufficient amount of a matrix polymer plasticizer to provide a formulation having a release rate for the azole fungicide that matches a selected release rate; the ratio of the matrix polymer plasticizer to the matrix polymer is within a range 1,200 to about 1,1.5 wt/wt.