TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Method: In the method, the metal chelate is applied to the leaf of the plant (where plant is soybean or wheat) by phytopathogenic microorganism (such as fungi e.g. Phakopsora pachyrhizi or Phakopsora meibomiae). The metal chelate is formulated as an active, wettable flowable powder (at least 90 wt.%). ORGANIC CHEMISTRY u Preferred Components: The hydroxy analog of methionine is a compound of formula R6-S-(CH2)n-CH2(R1)- C(=O)(OH). The aqueous composition (C1) further comprises a surfactant (1-15 wt.%) selected from ethoxylated sorbitan, ethoxylated fatty acid, polysorbate-80, glycerol oleate, oleate salts, coconate salts, and laurelate salts; and an agent selected from chlorothalonil based fungicide, strobilurin based fungicide, a triazole based fungicide.n=0-2;R6=methyl or ethyl;R7=hydroxyl or amino.INORGANIC CHEMISTRY u Preferred Components: The metal ion is selected from zinc ions, copper ions, manganese ions, iron ions, chromium ions, nickel ions, cobalt ions, silver ions and calcium ions. The metal ion is a divalent ion selected from zinc, copper, and manganese. The copper chelate of 2-hydroxy-4(methylthio)butanoic acid is in an aqueous composition (C1) and is present in the composition at a concentration of 1-5 wt.%. ACTIVITY - Plant protectant; Antibacterial; fungicide; Antimicrobial. A composition (test) comprising copper chelate of 2-hydroxy- 4(methylthio)butanoic acid and ethoxyquin was prepared. The efficacy of the composition (C1) was evaluated for fungicide activity in terms of phytotoxicity and severity of rust. Ten wheat seeds of the susceptible wheat cultivars were seeded into a soil filled insert. Three days after emergence the plants were thinned to 6 plants/insert. Wheat plants were treated with the composition (test)/control (i.e. non-treated) approximately 12 days after seeding. A virulent isolate of Nebraskan wheat rust was sprayed in a suspension of concentrated Soltrol (0.03 ml) at a rate of 4 mg rust/108 wheat plants. The wheat was misted at 98% relative humidity for 12 hours, and phytotoxicity and severity of rust were evaluated. The results for test composition/control were: phytotoxicity (%) = 60/30 and severity of rust (%) = 80/100, respectively. The results showed that the test composition exhibited excellent phytotoxicity and reduced severity of rust as compared to the control.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - MECHANISM OF ACTION u None given.    ADMINISTRATION - The metal chelate is formulated as a dry powder or as a dust. The metal chelate is applied by dusting the plant. The metal chelate is administered to the plant as a controlled release formulation (all claimed). The composition is formulated as a spray in the form of an aerosol. No dosage details given.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Use of 2-hydroxy-4(methylthio)butanoic acid is specifically claimed as the hydroxy analog of methionine. Use of copper chelate of 2-hydroxy-4(methylthio)butanoic acid is specifically claimed as the metal chelate.