Fungicidal compositions based on phosphorous acid esters and salts

Abstract

Compositions for controlling fungus disease are disclosed which contain as active material a fungicidally effective amount of at least one compound of the formula ##STR1## IN WHICH R is an optionally halogenated or nitrated, linear or branched alkyl radical containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and preferably from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an optionally halogenated alkenyl or alkinyl radical, an alkoxy alkyl radical, an alkenoxy alkyl radical, the hydrocarbon portion of these four types of radicals containing from 1 to 8 and preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a cyclohexyl radical, an optionally substituted aryl radical, preferably phenyl, or aryl alkyl radical, preferably phenyl alkyl, or even a heterocyclic radical optionally attached to the oxygen through an aliphatic chain, preferably tetrahydrofurfuryl, M represents an ammonium cation, ammonium substituted by 1 to 4 alkyl or hydroxy alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or by 1 to 2 cyclohexyl radicals or a phenyl radical, or a cation of a metal from the group comprising the alkali metals, preferably sodium and potassium, alkaline earth metals, preferably magnesium, barium, calcium, and polyvalent metals such as, preferably, zinc, manganese, copper(I) and (II), iron, nickel, aluminium,