Method for Benefiting the Health and / or Growth of Useful Plants

Abstract

A purpose of the present invention is to discover a component that increases the efficacy of an agricultural chemical active component, is effective even in small quantities, and contributes to the reduction of environmental burden, in addition to providing a benefit to the health and / or growth of a useful plant by, for instance, maximizing the efficacy of nicosulfuron and reducing phytotoxicity, which is an undesirable effect on the useful plant.　By adding a particular surfactant when nicosulfuron and isoxadifen-ethyl are used in combination, a benefit can be provided to the health and / or growth of a useful plant, even if the quantity added is significantly smaller that past adjuvant usage quantities.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to maximize the efficacy of pesticide active ingredients, they are usually used together with various adjuvants. Among these adjuvants, so-called adjuvants are sometimes used together with pesticide active ingredients to improve the efficacy of the pesticide active ingredient. However, when pesticide active ingredients are used together with adjuvants, not only is the efficacy of the pesticide active ingredient enhanced, but undesirable effects of the pesticide active ingredient on useful plants are also enhanced, which may cause detrimental effects on the health / growth of the useful plants. Such detrimental effects tend to be more pronounced, for example, when the useful plants are grown in a high temperature environment.

[0003] For example, in the case of nicosulfuron, a herbicidal active ingredient, its use in combination with a safener has been proposed as a technique for reducing the unwanted effects on useful plants, known as phytotoxicity, caused by its use (e.g., Patent Document 1). However, Patent Document 1 does not clarify from the examples which safener is actually effective, and does not examine the impact of its use in combination with an adjuvant on the health / growth of useful plants. Furthermore, as an example of a practical technique for using nicosulfuron in combination with a safener, a product (trade name: ACCENT® Q) containing the safener isoxadifen-ethyl together with nicosulfuron is sold in the United States (Non-Patent Document 1). The product's label recommends its use in combination with a specified amount of adjuvants, such as crop oil concentrate (COC), modified seed oil (MSO), and nonionic surfactant (NIS), as well as nitrogen fertilizer, but does not specify the specific ingredients of the nonionic surfactant.

[0004] In recent years, due to the increasing demand for reducing environmental load, there has been a demand for proper use of pesticide active ingredients and fertilizer ingredients released into the environment and for reduction in their amounts used. Furthermore, some adjuvants used in this technical field have low environmental degradability, and in such cases, it is desirable to reduce the amount used or to change to ingredients with high degradability. Thus, reduction of environmental load is important not only from the perspective of pesticide active ingredients but also from the perspective of adjuvants. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 105875602A [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] DUPONT, DuPont Accent Q herbicide, [online], [searched December 18, 2019], Internet <URL:https: / / s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com / www.agrian.com / pdfs / DuPont_Accent_Q_Herbicide_Label1a.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to find a component that improves the efficacy of active pesticide ingredients, is effective even in small amounts, and contributes to reducing the environmental load in addition to benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants by maximizing the efficacy of nicosulfuron and reducing phytotoxicity, which is an undesirable effect on useful plants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present inventors conducted various studies to solve the above-mentioned problems and found that the selection of a specific surfactant when used in combination with nicosulfuron and isoxadifen-ethyl can benefit the health and / or growth of useful plants, even at amounts significantly lower than those used with conventional adjuvants. More specifically, as described in Non-Patent Document 1, the conventionally recommended amounts (concentrations) of various adjuvants added to spray solutions, such as crop oil concentrate (COC) and modified seed oil (MSO), are as high as 2 volume / volume percent (v / v%) and as low as 0.5 volume / volume percent (v / v%). However, the present inventors conducted various studies on adjuvants and found that the use of a specific surfactant in combination with isoxadifen-ethyl, even at low amounts, can improve the herbicidal efficacy of nicosulfuron and reduce phytotoxicity, which is an undesirable effect on useful plants, thereby benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants. If the amount of MSO added is expressed as weight / volume percent, assuming that the specific gravity of the adjuvant is 1, the amount will be as high as 2 weight / volume percent and as low as 0.5 weight / volume percent.

[0009] That is, the present invention provides a method for benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants, comprising: (1) (a) nicosulfuron (also referred to as component (a) herein), (b) isoxadifen-ethyl (also referred to as component (b) in this specification), (c) one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil (also referred to as component (c) in this specification), and (d) Water (also referred to as component (d) in this specification) preparing a spray solution containing at least the above component (c) so that the concentration of the component (c) in the spray solution is 0.001 to 0.25 weight / volume percent; (2) applying the spray solution prepared in step (1) to useful plants or their growing areas; and a pesticide formulation containing the components (a) to (c) for use in the method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to bring about benefits to the health and / or growth of useful plants in various growth environments of the useful plants (for example, under high temperatures), and it is also possible to further reduce the environmental burden by reducing the amount of not only the active ingredient of the pesticide but also the amount of adjuvant released into the environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The method of the present invention is a method for benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants. In the present invention, the term "useful plant" refers to a plant useful in the agricultural and horticultural fields. Such plants useful in the agricultural and horticultural fields include plants that have been conferred resistance to herbicides (e.g., HPPD inhibitors such as isoxaflutole; ALS inhibitors such as imazethapyr and thifensulfuron methyl; EPSP synthase inhibitors such as glyphosate; glutamine synthase inhibitors such as glufosinate; acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors such as sethoxydim; bromoxynil; dicamba; 2,4-D, etc.) by classical breeding methods. Furthermore, the useful plants of the present invention also include transformed plants produced by genetic engineering techniques. Examples of transformed plants include transformed plants that are resistant to the above-mentioned herbicides, transformed plants that are resistant to pests, transformed plants related to plant components, and transformed plants that are resistant to plant pathogens. Furthermore, the useful plants of the present invention also include stacked varieties that combine multiple useful traits.

[0012] Specific examples of useful plants of the present invention include corn, grass, turf, lawn, wheat, rice, sugar cane, banana, citrus fruits, cacao, coconut, coffee, oil palm, olive, pome, stone fruit, tropical fruit, gum tree, tree nuts, tropical nuts, and vine and grape, with corn being preferred. More specifically, corn includes field corn, sweet corn, popcorn, high lysine corn, waxy corn, white corn, and other food-grade corn hybrids.

[0013] In the present invention, "benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants" means improving the growth (e.g., height, weight, number of leaves, leaf size, growth rate, amount of roots, etc.), yield, quality (e.g., content and composition of nutritional components, protein, fatty acids, amino acids, etc.) of useful plants by either or both of: (1) controlling weeds that have a detrimental effect on the health and / or growth of useful plants; and (2) mitigating the detrimental effect on the health and / or growth of useful plants caused by the herbicide used in (1). Furthermore, according to the present invention, improving the health and / or growth condition of useful plants can increase the resistance of useful plants to biotic stresses and environmental stresses to which they are exposed in their growing environment.

[0014] The method of the present invention comprises the following steps (1) and (2): (1) preparing a spray solution containing at least the components (a), (b), (c), and (d) so that the concentration of the component (c) in the spray solution is 0.001 to 0.25 weight / volume percent; and (2) A step of applying the spray solution prepared in step (1) to useful plants or their growing areas. Includes.

[0015] The spray solution prepared in step (1) of the method of the present invention is characterized in that it contains at least components (a), (b), (c), and (d), and the concentration of component (c) in the spray solution is 0.001 to 0.25 weight / volume percent. Here, "weight / volume percent" may also be expressed as "w / v%" and refers to the percentage of component (c) in the spray solution calculated based on the weight of component (c) and the volume of the spray solution. In the method of the present invention, the concentration of component (c) in the spray solution is preferably 0.005 to 0.2 weight / volume percent, more preferably 0.01 to 0.15 weight / volume percent.

[0016] In the method of the present invention, as demonstrated in the examples described below, the concentration of this component (c) is approximately 1 / 2 to 1 / 10 of the amount of adjuvant recommended in, for example, Non-Patent Document 1, and such a reduction in the amount of component used is achieved by selecting a specific component (c) described below.

[0017] The spray solution can be prepared by diluting the (c) component with the (d) component to the above concentration according to the amount of water to be applied, i.e., the predetermined amount of spray water. An example of the amount of water to be applied is 50 to 2,000 L, preferably 70 to 1,500 L, and more preferably 100 to 1,000 L per hectare. For example, to prepare 1,000 L of spray solution, 10 g to 2,500 g of the (c) component can be diluted with the (d) component to make 1,000 L.

[0018] The component (c) of the present invention is one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil. In these components (c), the optimal range for the number of moles of ethylene oxide added varies depending on the respective components (c).

[0019] In the present invention, the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate ester or a salt thereof refers to a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate monoester, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate diester, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate triester, or a salt thereof, and is represented, for example, by the following formula (I):

[0020] [ka]

[0021] In the formula (I), R 1 is a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated C 8-20 alkyl (e.g., octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, etc.), n is an integer of 1 to 20, x is an integer of 1 to 3, y is an integer of 0 to 2, the sum of x and y is 3, M + is a hydrogen ion, a metal ion (e.g., an alkali metal ion such as sodium or potassium), or N(R 2 )4 + (R 2 is H, C 1-6 Alkyl (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl), and each R 2 may be the same or different). When x is an integer of 2 or 3, each R 1 may be the same or different, and when y is 2, each M + may be the same or different.

[0022] Specific examples of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof include those represented by the formula (I) above, 1 is a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated C 8-20 alkyl, preferably C 8-18 alkyl, more preferably C 8-13 It is alkyl. M + is a hydrogen ion, a metal ion (e.g., an alkali metal ion such as sodium or potassium), or N(R 2 )4 + (R 2 is H, C1-6 alkyl), preferably a hydrogen ion or an alkali metal ion (e.g., sodium ion), more preferably a sodium ion. The average number of moles of ethylene oxide added in the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate ester or a salt thereof is 1 to 20 moles, more preferably 1 to 10 moles, and even more preferably 1 to 6 moles.

[0023] Commercially available polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof can be used. Specific examples of such commercially available products include NIKKOL DLP-10, NIKKOL DOP-8NV, NIKKOL DDP-2, NIKKOL DDP-4, NIKKOL DDP-6, NIKKOL DDP-8, NIKKOL DDP-10, NIKKOL TLP-4, NIKKOL TCP-5, NIKKOL TDP-2, NIKKOL TDP-6, NIKKOL TDP-8, NIKKOL TDP-10, etc. (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.); Plysurf A212C, Plysurf A215C, Plysurf A208B, Plysurf A219B, etc. (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.); Sorpol 7964, Sorpol 7965, Phosphanol ED-200, Phosphanol RA-600, Phosphanol ML-220, Phosphanol ML-240, Phosphanol RD-510Y, Phosphanol RS-410, Phosphanol RS-610, Phosphanol RS-710, Phosphanol Phosphanol RL-210, Phosphanol RL-310, Phosphanol RB-410, Phosphanol RS-610NA, Phosphanol SC-6103, Phosphanol RS-710M, Phosphanol GB-520, Phosphanol RD-720, etc. (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); Adekacol PS-440E, Adekacol PS-509E, Adekacol PS-807, Adekacol PS-810, Adekacol PS-984, etc. (manufactured by ADEKA Corporation); PHOSPHOLAN 5AP, PHOSPHOLAN PS-131, PHOSPHOLAN PS-220, PHOSPHOLAN PS-222, PHOSPHOLAN PS-236, PHOSPHOLAN PS-331, PHOSPHOLAN PS-810, PHOSPHOLAN PS-900, etc. (manufactured by Akzo Nobel); but are not limited to these.

[0024] As the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate ester or a salt thereof, sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate is particularly preferred.

[0025] In the present invention, polyoxyethylene alkylamine refers to a compound in which ethylene oxide is added to an alkylamine. Examples of alkylamine include beef tallow amine, soybean amine, and coconut amine. The average number of moles of ethylene oxide added in the polyoxyethylene alkylamine is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 20 moles, more preferably 10 to 20 moles, and even more preferably about 15 moles.

[0026] Specific examples of the polyoxyethylene alkylamine include polyoxyethylene tallow amine, polyoxyethylene soybean amine, polyoxyethylene coco amine, etc., with polyoxyethylene tallow amine being preferred.

[0027] Commercially available polyoxyethylene alkylamines can be used. Specific examples of such commercially available products include Genamin T-150, Genamin T-200, etc. (manufactured by CLARIANT); Ethomeen T-12, Ethomeen T-20, Ethomeen T-25, Ethomeen T-30, etc. (manufactured by Akzo Nobel); Sorpol 7553, Sorpol 7409, etc. (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); Newcalgen D-3615T, etc. (manufactured by Takemoto Oil & Fat Co., Ltd.); Lutensol FA15T, etc. (manufactured by BASF); Amiet TD / 27, etc. (manufactured by Kao Corporation); Terwet 3784, etc. (manufactured by HUNTSMAN); Toximul TA2, Toximul TA5, Toximul TA8, Toximul TA15, etc. (manufactured by Stepan); Atlas G-3780, Cirrasol G-3780A, Lubrol Polyoxyethylene tallow amines such as PE (manufactured by Croda), Polyoxyethylene soy amines such as Sorpol 7221 (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and Newcalgen D-3605 (manufactured by Takemoto Oil & Fat Co., Ltd.), Examples include polyoxyethylene cocoamines such as Lutensol FA12K (manufactured by BASF), but are not limited to these.

[0028] As the polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene tallow amine is particularly preferred.

[0029] In the present invention, the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester refers to a compound in which ethylene oxide is added to an ester (monoester, diester, or triester) of sorbitan and a fatty acid. The fatty acid is a linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and preferably C 4-24 fatty acids, more preferably C 8-20 The fatty acid is not particularly limited in the number and position of unsaturated bonds. Specific examples of fatty acids include butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, enanthic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecylic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, vaccenic acid, linoleic acid, (9,12,15)-linolenic acid, tuberculostearic acid, arachidic acid, mead acid, lignoceric acid, and nervonic acid, but are not limited thereto. The average number of moles of ethylene oxide added in the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 100 moles, more preferably 1 to 50 moles, and even more preferably 1 to 30 moles.

[0030] Specific examples of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan dilaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trilaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan dipalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tripalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monomyristate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan dimyristate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trimyristate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan distearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoisostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan diisostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan triisostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan dioleate, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate.

[0031] Commercially available polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters can be used. Specific examples of such commercially available products include Sorbon T-20, Sorbon T-40, Sorbon T-60, and Sorbon T-80 (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); Sorgen TW-20, Sorgen TW-60, Sorgen TW-80, and Sorgen TW-80V (manufactured by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.); Rheodol TW-L120, Rheodol TW-L106, Rheodol TW-P120, Rheodol TW-S120V, Rheodol TW-S106V, Rheodol TW-S320V, Rheodol TW-O120V, Rheodol TW-O106V, Rheodol TW-O320V, Rheodol TW-IS399C, and Rheodol Super TW-L120 (manufactured by Kao Corporation); Alkamuls T / 20, Alkamuls T / 80, and Alkamuls T / 85V (manufactured by SOLVAY); and Tween 20, Tween 21, Tween 40, Tween 60, Tween 61, Tween 65, Tween 80, Tween 81, Tween 85, etc. (manufactured by Croda); Agnique SPO 40, etc. (manufactured by BASF), but are not limited to these.

[0032] In the present invention, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether refers to a compound in which a polyoxyethylene chain and an alkyl group are linked by an ether bond, and the alkyl group is a linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably C 4-24 alkyl groups (e.g., octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, etc.), more preferably C 8-20 The number and position of unsaturated bonds are not particularly limited. The average number of moles of ethylene oxide added in the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 100 moles, more preferably 1 to 50 moles, and even more preferably 1 to 30 moles.

[0033] Commercially available polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers can be used. Specific examples of such commercially available products include Pegnol TH-8, Pegnol L-12S, Pegnol ST-3, Pegnol ST-5, Pegnol ST-7, Pegnol ST-9, and Pegnol ST-12 (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); Rhodasurf CST 15, Rhodasurf DA 630E, Rhodasurf ID 79, Rhodasurf TR6, Rhodasurf 840, Rhodasurf 860 P, Rhodasurf 870, Rhodasurf ID5, Rhodasurf LA / 30, and Rhodasurf LA / 40 (manufactured by SOLVAY); Synergen W 06, Genapol C 050, Genapol C 070, Genapol C 100, Genapol C 120, Genapol C200, and Genapol ID 060, Genapol ID 100, Genapol O 100, Genapol O 109, Genapol T 150, Genapol X 050, Genapol X 060, Genapol X 080, Genapol X 15, etc. (CLARIANT);Briji C2, Briji C10, Briji C20, Briji CS17, Briji L4, Briji L23, Briji O2, Briji O3, Briji O10, Briji O20, Briji S2, Briji S10, Briji S20, Briji S100, Briji S721, Synperonic L11, Atlox 4991, Atlox MBA 11 / 8, Atlox MBA 13 / 15, Cresmer A2, Cresmer A5, Cresmer A9, Cresmer A11, Cresmer A20, Synperonic 10 / 6, Synperonic 13 / 3, Synperonic 13 / 5, Synperonic 13 / 6, Synperonic 10 / 6.5, Synperonic 10 / 8, Synperonic 13 / 9, Synperonic 13 / 10, Synperonic 13 / 12, Synperonic 91 / 2.5, Synperonic 91 / 5, Synperonic 91 / 6, Synperonic 91 / 8, Synperonic 91 / 10, Synperonic A2, Synperonic A3, Synperonic A4, Synperonic A7, Synperonic A11, Synperonic A20, Synperonic AB6, Synperonic AB8-90, etc. (manufactured by Croda); MAKON DA-4, MAKON DA-6, MAKON DA-9, MAKON TD-3, MAKON TD-6, MAKON TD-12, MAKON TD-18, MAKON TD-50, BIO-SOFT N1-5, BIO-SOFT N1-7, BIO-SOFT N1-9, BIO-SOFT N91-6, BIO-SOFT N91-8, BIO-SOFT N23-6.5, BIO-SOFT N25-9, MAKON NF-12, MAKON NF-12E, MAKON NF-5, etc. (manufactured by Stepan); TERMUL 203, TERMUL 3630, TERMUL 3651, TERMUL 5429, TERMUL 5459, TERMUL 5500, etc. (manufactured by HUNTSMAN);Agnique FOH 90C-3, Agnique FOH 90C-5, Agnique BP 24-54, Lutensol TO 2, Lutensol TO 3, Lutensol TO 5, Lutensol TO 6, Lutensol TO 7, Lutensol TO 8, Lutensol TO 10, Lutensol TO 12, Lutensol TO 15, Lutensol TO 20, Lutensol ON 30, Lutensol ON 50, Lutensol ON 60, Lutensol ON 80, Lutensol ON 110, Lutensol XP 30, Lutensol XP 40, Lutensol XP 50, Lutensol XP 60, Lutensol XP 70, Lutensol XP80, Lutensol XP 90, Lutensol XP 1 00, Lutensol XP 140, Lutensol XL 40, Lutensol XL 50, Lutensol XL 60, Lutensol XL 70, Lutensol XL 80, Lutensol XL 90, Lutensol XL 100, Lutensol XL 140, Lutensol XA 40, Lutensol XA 50, Lutensol XA 60, Lutensol A4N, Lutensol A7N, Lutensol A8, Lutensol AO 3, Lutensol AO 5, Lutensol AO 7, Lutensol AO 8, Lutensol AO 11, Lutensol AO 30, Lutensol AT 11, Lutensol AT 18, Lutensol AT 25Powder, Lutensol AT 25Flakes, Lutensol AT 50Powder, Lutensol AT 50Flakes, Lutensol AT 80Powder, Lutensol AT 80Flakes, etc. (manufactured by BASF);Noigen XL-40, Noigen XL-41, Noigen XL-50, Noigen XL-60, Noigen XL-6190, Noigen XL-70, Noigen XL-80, Noigen XL-100, Noigen XL-140, Noigen XL-160, Noigen XL-160D, Noigen XL-400, Noigen XL-400D, Noigen XL-1000, Noigen TDS-30, Noigen TDS-50, Noigen TDS-70, Noigen TDS-80, Noigen TDS-100, Noigen TDS-120, Noigen TDS-200D, Noigen TDS-500F, Noigen LF-60X, Noigen LF-80X, Noigen Examples of such antiperspirants include, but are not limited to, LF-100X, Noigen LF-202N, Noigen TDX-50, Noigen TDX-80, Noigen TDX-80D, Noigen TDX-100D, Noigen TDX-120D, Noigen SD-30, Noigen SD-60, Noigen SD-70, Noigen SD-80, Noigen SD-110, Noigen LP-70, Noigen LP-100, Noigen LP-180, DKS NL-Dash400, DKS NL-Dash403, DKS NL-Dash404, DKS NL-Dash408, DKS NL-Dash410, and Noigen CL-230 (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.);

[0034] The average number of moles of ethylene oxide added to the polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil or polyoxyethylene castor oil is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 200 moles, more preferably 2 to 150 moles, and even more preferably 10 to 100 moles.

[0035] As polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil or polyoxyethylene castor oil, commercially available products can be used. Specific examples of commercially available polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil products include Emanon CH-25, Emanon CH-40, Emanon CH-60, and Emanon CH-80 (manufactured by Kao Corporation); Sorpol HC-10, Sorpol HC-20, Sorpol HC-40, Sorpol HC-50, Sorpol HC-80, Sorpol HC-100, and Sorpol HC-150 (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); Cirrasol G-1292 (manufactured by Croda); Noigen HC-400 and Noigen HC-600 (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.); NIKKOL HCO-5, NIKKOL HCO-10, NIKKOL HCO-20, NIKKOL HCO-30, NIKKOL HCO-40, NIKKOL HCO-50, NIKKOL HCO-60, NIKKOL HCO-80, and NIKKOL HCCO-100 and the like (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.); EMALEX HC-5, EMALEX HC-7, EMALEX HC-10, EMALEX HC-20, EMALEX HC-30, EMALEX HC-40, EMALEX HC-50, EMALEX HC-60, EMALEX HC-80, EMALEX HC-100 and the like (manufactured by Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.), but are not limited to these.

[0036] Specific examples of commercially available polyoxyethylene castor oil products include Sorpol CA-15, Sorpol CA-20, Sorpol CA-30, Sorpol CA-42, and Sorpol CA-50 (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); Alkamuls 696, Alkamuls R / 81, Alkamuls RC, Alkamuls B, Alkamuls BR, Alkamuls SC 242, Alkamuls OR / 36, and Alkamuls 14R (manufactured by Solvay); Emulsogenr EL 200, Emulsogenr EL 300, Emulsogenr EL 360, Emulsogenr EL 400, and Emulsogenr EL 540 (manufactured by Clariant); Atlox 3418, Atlox 3484, Cirrasol G-1282, Cirrasol G-1284, and Etocas Examples of suitable tertiary esters include, but are not limited to, Etocas 5, Etocas 10, Etocas 29, Etocas 32, Etocas 35, Etocas 40, etc. (manufactured by Croda); Toximul 8240, Toximul 8241, Toximul 8242, etc. (manufactured by Stepan); TERMUL 1283, TERMUL 1284, TERMUL 1285, TERMUL 2507, TERMUL 3512, TERMUL 3532, TERMUL 3540, etc. (manufactured by HUNTSMAN); Agnique CSO-20, Agnique CSO-35, Agnique CSO-40, etc. (trade names manufactured by BASF).

[0037] In the present invention, component (c) preferably contains one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof (particularly sodium salts), polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil.

[0038] The concentrations of the components (a) and (b) contained in the spray solution prepared in step (1) are not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. For example, the concentration of the component (a) is usually 0.0001 to 0.3 weight / volume percent, preferably 0.0005 to 0.2 weight / volume percent, and more preferably 0.001 to 0.1 weight / volume percent, and the concentration of the component (b) is usually 0.00001 to 0.3 weight / volume percent, preferably 0.000025 to 0.2 weight / volume percent, and more preferably 0.00005 to 0.1 weight / volume percent.

[0039] The concentrations of the components (a) and (b) contained in the spray solution may be determined according to the application rates of the components (a) and (b). The application rate of the component (a) is usually 1 to 120 g, preferably 5 to 120 g, more preferably 10 to 80 g, and even more preferably 20 to 60 g per hectare, and the application rate of the component (b) is usually 0.01 to 240 g, preferably 0.1 to 100 g, more preferably 0.1 to 120 g, and even more preferably 1 to 60 g per hectare.

[0040] Therefore, the spray solution can be prepared by diluting it with component (d) so that it contains component (a) and component (b) at the above-mentioned concentrations in addition to component (c) described above, depending on the above-mentioned specified spray amount.

[0041] In step (1), the specific means for preparing the spray solution of the present invention is not particularly limited, and any means known in the art can be used. For example, the following can be used: Mixing in a tank a pesticide formulation containing (a), a pesticide formulation containing (b), and a formulation containing (c) with (d); or Mixing a pesticide formulation containing (a), (b) and (c) with (d) in a tank; or Mixing a pesticide formulation containing (a) and (b) with a formulation containing (c) in a tank with (d); or Mixing a pesticide formulation containing ingredients (a) and (c) with an agrochemical formulation containing ingredient (b) with ingredient (d) in a tank. The spray solution of the present invention can be prepared by the following method. These pesticide formulations may contain, in addition to component (a), component (b), and / or component (c), various adjuvants commonly used in the technical field (details of which will be described later).

[0042] In addition to the components (a) to (d), the spray solution of the present invention may contain one or more components (e) selected from fertilizers and plant growth regulators (also referred to herein as component (e)), and / or one or more components (f) selected from other active agricultural chemical ingredients (e.g., herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.) (also referred to herein as component (f)) to further benefit the health and / or growth of useful plants. The concentrations of component (e) and component (f) are not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved, and can be easily determined by a person skilled in the art.

[0043] Such components (e) and (f) include, but are not limited to, fertilizers such as nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, and potassium fertilizers, as well as plant growth regulators, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides described in "The Pesticide Manual," eighteenth Edition, The British Crop Protection Council, 2018. In the present invention, from the viewpoint of further benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants, it is particularly preferable that the spray solution contains one or more components selected from (e) fertilizers and plant growth regulators. The components (e) and (f) are usually added when preparing the spray solution in a tank.

[0044] In step (2) of the method of the present invention, the spray solution prepared in step (1) is applied to a useful plant or its growing location. The growing location of a useful plant means a location where the useful plant described above is growing or will grow in the future, and includes, for example, agricultural land such as fields, orchards, mulberry fields, and lawns, as well as non-agricultural land such as parking lots, cemeteries, roads, residential areas, embankments, playgrounds, gardens, and parks. Among these, it is preferable to apply the spray solution to agricultural land, particularly to fields where corn is growing or will grow in the future.

[0045] The spray solution prepared in step (1) can be applied to useful plants or their growing areas at a wide range of application rates. The method of the present invention is advantageous in that it can be applied at a wide range of application rates (amount of spray water), making it suitable for application in various regions around the world. Furthermore, the method of the present invention is also suitable for low-water volume spraying (application rate of approximately 50 to 100 L / ha), making it useful from the perspective of labor-saving for workers. Regarding application rates, the spray solution may be applied so that the (a) component is typically 5 to 120 g / ha, preferably 10 to 80 g / ha, and more preferably 20 to 60 g / ha, and the (b) component is typically 0.01 to 240 g / ha, preferably 0.1 to 100 g / ha, and more preferably 1 to 60 g / ha.

[0046] The timing of application of the spray solution prepared in step (1) to the useful plant or its growing area is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include the period from before the emergence of the weeds to be controlled by component (a) to the growing period, or, in the case of corn, the period from after corn sowing to the growing period. From the viewpoint of exerting the effects of the present invention, it is preferable to apply the spray solution, particularly as a whole foliage application or an inter-furrow foliage application, during the growing period of corn.

[0047] Here, weeds that can be controlled by the method of the present invention include, but are not limited to, barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L., Echinochloa oryzicola vasing.), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L., Digitaria ciliaris., Digitaria ischaemum Muhl., Digitaria adscendens Henr., Digitaria microbachne Henr., Digitaria horizontalis Willd.), green foxtail (Setaria viridis L.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), yellow foxtail (Setaria lutescens Hubb.), goosegrass (Eleusine indica L.), wild oat (Avena sativa L.), and wild oat (Avena sativa L.). (Avena fatua L.), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.), quackgrass (Agropyron repens L.), velvet millet (Brachiaria plantaginea), guinea millet (Panicum maximum Jacq.), paragrass (Panicum purpurascens), sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis), red sprangletop (Leptochloa panicea), annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), and black grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.), wheatgrass (cholorado bluestem (Agropyron tsukushiense (Honda) Ohwi)), broadleaf signalgrass (Brachiaria platyphylla Nash)), southern sandbur (Cenchrus echinatus L.)), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.)), violet crabgrass (Digitaria violascens Link)), knotgrass (Paspalum distichum L.)), little quakinggrass (Briza minor L.)), sweet vernalgrass (Anthoxanthum odoratum Gramineae weeds such as fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx), millet (Panicum Miliaceum L.), shattercane (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), and sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne); Rice flatsedge (Cyperus iria L.), purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.), flatsedge (Cyperus serotinus), small-flower umbrellaplant (Cyperus difformis), slender spikerush (Eleocharis acicularis), water chestnut (Eleocharis kuroguwai), green kyllinga (Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. var. leiolepis), Japanese quince (Schoenoplectus nipponicus), cosmopolitan bulrush (Bolboschoenus Cyperaceae weeds such as sedge (Cyperus koshevnikovii), sedge (Cyperus microiria Steud.), and rock bulrush (Schoenoplectus juncoides Palla.); Alismataceae weeds such as Japanese ribbon weed (Sagittaria pygmaea), arrowhead weed (Sagittaria trifolia), and narrowleaf waterplantain (Alisma canaliculatum); Pontederiaceae weeds such as Monochoria vaginalis and Monochoria korsakowii; Lythraceae weeds such as toothcup (Rotala india) and red stem (Ammannia multiflora); Weeds of the family Elatinaceae, such as long stem waterwort (Elatine triandra SCHK.); Malvaceae weeds (Malvaceae) such as velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti MEDIC.) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa L.); Common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.), common ragweed (Ambrosia elatior L.), thistle (Breea setosa (BIEB.) KITAM.), hairy galinsoga (Galinsoga ciliata Blake), wild chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cron.), tall fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis), tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima L.), Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus Asteraceae weeds such as annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers.)), common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.), giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.), horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cron.)), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), devil's beggartick (Bidens frondosa L.), and Bidens biternate (Lour.) Merr. et Sherff); Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) and sagebrush (jimsonweed (Datura). stramonium)) acacia (cutleaf groundcherry (Physalis angulate L. var. angulata)) and horsenettle (horsenettle (Solanum carolinense). L.)) of shrubs (Solanaceae); slender amaranth (Amaranthus viridis L.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). L.)) Livid amaranth (Amaranthus blitum L.)) Livid amaranth (Achyranthes bidentata Blume var. japonica Miq.) smooth pigweed (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson). L.)) Powell Amaranth (Amaranthus powellii S. Watson)) Spiny Amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus L.)) Clammy Goosefoot (Dyspharina pumilio(R.Br.)) Butterflies (common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.)) Butterflies (Chenopodium album L. var. centrorubrum Makino) of fermentation (Amaranthaceae); pale smartweed (Polygonum lapathifolium L.), ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria L.), wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.), knotweed (Polygonum aviculare L.), pale smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia(L.)Delarbre var. lapathifolia)), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica(Houtt.)Ronse Decr. var. japonica)), Persicaria longiseta (Bruiln)Kitag., red sores (Rumex acetosella L. subsp. pyrenaicus)), Persicaria Polygonaceae weeds such as Persicaria nepalensis (Meisn.) H. Gross, Rumex japonicus Houtt, and other grasses; Brassicaceae weeds such as flexuous bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa WITH.), shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris Medik.), Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern.), dog mustard (Rorippa indica (L.)), and marsh yellowcress (Rorippa palustris (L.)); Convolvulaceae weeds such as tall morningglory (Ipomoea purpurea L.), field bindweed (Calystegia arvensis L.), and ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea Jacq.); Portulacaceae weeds such as common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.); Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.), red clover (Trifolium pretense L.), narrowleaf vetch (Vicia sativa L. subso. nigra (L.), Ehrh. var. segetalis (Thuill.) Ser.)), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), tiny vetch (Vicia hirsute (L.)), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), black medicinal herb (Medicago lupulina L.), common lespedeza (Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl), smallhop clover (Trifolium dubium legume weeds (Fabaceae) such as birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L. var. japonicus Regel); Caryophyllaceae weeds such as common chickweed (Stellaria media L.), water starwort (Stellaria aquatica L.), sticky chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum Thuill.), clover (Sagina japonica Se. Ohwi), and flea weed (Stellaria uliginosa Murray var. undulata); Lamiaceae weeds such as henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.) and purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum L.); Rubiaceae weeds (Rubiaceae) such as catchweed (Galium spurium L.); Euphorbiaceae weeds such as threeseeded copperleaf (Acalypha australis L.) and spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculate L.); Commelinaceae weeds such as common asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis L.); Weeds of the Linderniaceae family, such as false pimpernel (Lindernia procumbens), false pimpernel (Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell subsp. major Pennell), false pimpernel (Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell subsp. dubia), and Lindernia micrantha D. Don; Plantaginaceae weeds such as dopatrium (Dopatrium junceum), giant flyweed (Gratiola japonica Miq), plantain (Plantago asiatica L.), persian speedwell (Veronica persica Poir.), and corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis L.); Among these, the method of the present invention is particularly effective against weeds that may affect the growth of corn, such as barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L., Echinochloa oryzicola vasing.), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L., Digitaria ciliaris., Digitaria ischaemum Muhl., Digitaria adscendens Henr., Digitaria microbachne Henr., Digitaria horizontalis Willd.), green foxtail (Setaria viridis L.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), yellow foxtail (Setaria lutescens Hubb.), goosegrass (Eleusine indica L.), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.), quackgrass (Agropyron repens L.), velvet millet (Alexandergrass (Brachiaria plantaginea)), guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)), sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis), red sprangletop (Leptochloa panicea), annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.), sweet vernalgrass (Anthoxanthum odoratum L.Controlling weeds such as fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx), millet (Panicum Miliaceum L.), shattercane (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), and sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne) can benefit corn health and / or growth.

[0048] The spray solution prepared in step (1) can be applied to useful plants in various growing environments. In particular, when the growing environment of the useful plants is high (for example, 25 to 40°C), the presence of component (c) or other components contained in other pesticide formulations may enhance the undesired effects of component (a) on the useful plants, so the method of the present invention is useful.

[0049] The present invention further relates to an agrochemical formulation containing the components (a) to (c) for use in the method of the present invention described above.

[0050] The components (a) to (c) contained in the pesticide formulation of the present invention are as described above. The weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) in the pesticide formulation of the present invention is usually 1:50 to 1:0.001, preferably 1:10 to 1:0.005, and more preferably 1:5 to 1:0.01. The weight ratio of component (a) to component (c) in the pesticide formulation of the present invention is usually 1:0.05 to 1:20, preferably 1:0.1 to 1:10, and more preferably 1:1 to 1:5.

[0051] The pesticide formulation of the present invention can be prepared in any formulation form commonly used in the art as long as it is suitable for the purpose of the present invention, and can be prepared in various forms such as dusts, granules, water dispersible granules, wettable powders, tablets, pills, capsules (including forms packaged in water-soluble films), aqueous suspensions, oily suspensions, microemulsions, suspoemulsions, water-soluble formulations, emulsions, solutions, pastes, etc., preferably in the form of an oily suspension. Formulation preparation can be carried out using methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0052] The pesticide formulation of the present invention may contain, in addition to the components (a) to (c), various adjuvants that are commonly used in this technical field. Such adjuvants include solid carriers such as diatomaceous earth, slaked lime, calcium carbonate, talc, white carbon, kaolin, bentonite, kaolinite, sericite, clay, sodium carbonate, baking soda, sodium sulfate, zeolite, and starch; solvents such as water, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha, dioxane, acetone, isophorone, methyl isobutyl ketone, chlorobenzene, cyclohexane, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and alcohol; fatty acid salts, benzoates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, polycarboxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkylaryl sulfates, alkyl diglycol ether sulfates, alcohol sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, dioctyl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, lignin sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl ether disulfonates, polystyrene sulfonates, alkyl phosphate ester salts, alkyl Anionic surfactants such as aryl phosphates, styryl aryl phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphates, naphthalene sulfonate-formalin condensates, and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate-formalin condensates; nonionic surfactants such as sorbitan fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, fatty acid polyglycerides, fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ethers, acetylene glycol, acetylene alcohol, polyoxyalkylene block polymers, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene styryl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxypropylene fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymers;Examples of suitable adjuvants include vegetable oils such as olive oil, kapok oil, castor oil, palm oil, camellia oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, corn oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, and tung oil, as well as esters of these vegetable oils, liquid paraffin, and mineral oil. These adjuvants may be used singly or in combination, as long as they do not deviate from the objectives of the present invention. Various commonly used adjuvants, such as bulking agents, thickeners, antisettling agents, antifreezing agents, dispersion stabilizers, phytotoxicity reducers, antifungal agents, foaming agents, disintegrants, and binders, may also be used. The weight ratio of the total of components (a), (b), and (c) to the various adjuvants is approximately 0.1:99.9 to 95:5, preferably approximately 0.2:99.8 to 85:15.

[0053] The pesticide formulation of the present invention is particularly preferably in the form of an oily suspension. Examples of adjuvants in the oily suspension include: anionic surfactants such as fatty acid salts, alkyl sulfates, alkylaryl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, dioctyl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfates, and polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfates; nonionic surfactants such as sorbitan fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ethers, acetylene glycol, acetylene alcohol, polyoxyalkylene block polymers, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ethers, polyoxyethylene styrylaryl ethers, polyethylene glycols, and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymers; anti-settling agents such as organic bentonite and silica; Vegetable oils such as corn oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, or esters of these vegetable oils, liquid paraffin, mineral oil, etc. Examples include:

[0054] Next, examples of desirable embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these. [1] A method for benefiting the health and / or growth of useful plants, comprising: (1)(a) Nicosulfuron, (b) isoxadifen-ethyl, (c) one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil; and (d) water preparing a spray solution containing at least the above components so that the concentration of component (c) in the spray solution is 0.001 to 0.25 weight / volume percent; (2) applying the spray solution prepared in step (1) to useful plants or their growing areas; A method comprising: [2] The method according to [1], wherein the component (c) comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil. [3] The method according to [1] or [2], wherein the concentration of component (c) in the spray solution is 0.005 to 0.2 weight / volume percent. [4] The method according to [1] or [2], wherein the concentration of component (c) in the spray solution is 0.01 to 0.15 weight / volume percent. [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the spray solution prepared in step (1) further contains one or more components selected from (e) fertilizers and plant growth regulators, and / or (f) other active pesticide ingredients. [6] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the spray solution prepared in step (1) further contains (e) one or more components selected from fertilizers and plant growth regulators. [7] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the spray solution prepared in step (1) further contains (f) one or more components selected from other active pesticide ingredients. [8] The method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the useful plant is corn, grass, turf, lawn, wheat, rice, sugar cane, banana, citrus fruit, cacao, coconut, coffee, oil palm, olive, pome fruit, stone fruit, tropical fruit, gum tree, tree nuts, tropical nuts, or grape. [9] The method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the useful plant is corn.

[10] The method according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the spray solution is applied at a spray rate of 50 to 2,000 L / ha.

[11] The method according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the spray solution is applied at a spray rate of 100 to 1,000 L / ha.

[12] The method according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the spray solution is applied so that the amount of component (a) is 1 to 120 g / ha and the amount of component (b) is 0.1 to 120 g / ha.

[13] (1) To control weeds that have a detrimental effect on the health and / or growth of useful plants; and (2) To mitigate the harmful effects on the health and / or growth of useful plants caused by the herbicides used in (1). The method according to any one of [1] to

[12] , which benefits the health and / or growth of useful plants by either one or both of the above.

[0055]

[14] For use in the method according to any one of [1] to

[13] , (a) Nicosulfuron, (b) isoxadifen-ethyl, (c) one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil 4. A pesticide formulation comprising:

[15] The pesticide formulation according to

[14] , wherein the weight ratio of the (a) component to the (b) component is 1:50 to 1:0.001, and the weight ratio of the (a) component to the (c) component is 1:0.05 to 1:20.

[16] The pesticide formulation according to

[14] or

[15] , which is in the form of an oily suspension. [Example]

[0056] Test Example 1-1 Field soil was filled into 1 / 1,000,000-ha pots, and seeds of forage corn (variety: Snowdent SH2933, a cultivar highly susceptible to component (a)) were sown. When the forage corn reached the 3.0-3.1 leaf stage, a WG agent containing component (a) (trade name: Accent, DuPont) or a WG agent containing components (a) and (b) (trade name: Accent Q, DuPont) was diluted with water (equivalent to 1,000 L / ha) containing a predetermined amount of component (c), or a commercially available product recommended for use in this study, such as methylated seed oil (MSO) (trade name: Destiny HC, Winfield Solutions, LLC.) or vegetable oil concentrate (COC) (trade name: Agri-dex, Helena). These were used as control products, and spray solutions were prepared. This spray solution was applied to foliage using an automatic spraying device (amount of component (a): 120 g / ha; amount of component (b): 0 or 30 g / ha). Seven days after foliage application, the height of the above-ground parts of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The above-ground height of the untreated plot was 57.8 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area × 100 The results are shown in Table 1.

[0057] [Table 1]

[0058] As can be seen from Table 1, when a spray solution containing component (a) and component (c) of the present invention or a recommended adjuvant was applied without component (b), the plant height ratio was in the range of 44 to 79%, indicating that the height of the above-ground parts of corn was suppressed compared to the untreated plot. On the other hand, when component (b) was used, the plant height ratio was significantly improved in both cases, and a tendency for the suppression of above-ground parts height caused by component (a) to recover was observed. Furthermore, the minimum concentration of component (c) required to achieve corn growth conditions equivalent to those achieved with the 0.5% wt / vol adjuvant (MSO, COC) recommended for commercially available products was 0.001% wt / vol. Thus, it was found that safety for corn could be ensured even when the amount of component (c) of the present invention used was significantly reduced from the amount of conventional adjuvants used.

[0059] Test Example 1-2 Crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) seeds were sown in 1 / 1,000,000 ha pots filled with field soil. When the crabgrass reached the 1.1-1.5 leaf stage, a WG formulation containing component (a) (trade name: Accent, manufactured by DuPont) or a WG formulation containing components (a) and (b) (trade name: Accent Q, manufactured by DuPont) was diluted with water (equivalent to 1,000 L / ha) containing a predetermined amount of component (c), or a methylated seed oil (MSO) (trade name: Destiny HC, manufactured by Winfield Solutions, LLC.) or vegetable oil concentrate (COC) (trade name: Agri-dex, manufactured by Helena)—commercially recommended for use in this study—to prepare a spray solution. This spray solution was applied to foliage using an automatic spraying device (amount of component (a): 30 g / ha; amount of component (b): 0 or 7.5 g / ha). Ten days after foliage application, the growth of the plants was observed with the naked eye, and the herbicidal effect on crabgrass was investigated according to the evaluation criteria. Herbicidal effect (%) = 0 (same as untreated area) to 100 (completely killed) The results are shown in Table 2.

[0060] [Table 2]

[0061] As can be seen from Table 2, all tested concentrations of component (c) showed sufficient herbicidal effect against the target crabgrass, regardless of whether component (b) was used or not. Furthermore, in Test Examples 1-2, the minimum concentration of component (c) required to obtain the same herbicidal effect against crabgrass as the 0.5% w / v adjuvant (MSO, COC) recommended for commercially available products was 0.001%. Thus, it was found that herbicidal effect against weeds can be ensured even when the amount of component (c) used in the present invention is significantly reduced from the amount of conventional adjuvants used.

[0062] The results in Tables 1 and 2 show that within the range of the amount of component (c) used in Test Examples 1-1 and 1-2, both safety for corn and herbicidal effect against weeds are sufficient for practical use.

[0063] Test Example 2-1 Field soil was filled into 1 / 1,000,000 ha pots, and seeds of forage corn (variety: Snowdent SH2933, a cultivar highly susceptible to component (a)) were sown. When the forage corn reached the 3.0-3.1 leaf stage, a WG agent containing component (a) (trade name: Accent, manufactured by DuPont) or a WG agent containing components (a) and (b) (trade name: Accent Q, manufactured by DuPont) was diluted with water (equivalent to 200 L / ha) containing a predetermined amount of component (c), or, for comparison, methylated seed oil (MSO) (trade name: Destiny HC, manufactured by Winfield Solutions, LLC.) or vegetable oil concentrate (COC) (trade name: Agri-dex, manufactured by Helena)—commercially recommended for use in this study—to prepare a spray solution. This spray solution was applied to foliage using an automatic spraying device (amount of component (a): 120 g / ha; amount of component (b): 0 or 30 g / ha). 14 days after foliar application, the height of the above-ground parts of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The above-ground height of the untreated plot was 80.0 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area × 100 The results are shown in Table 3.

[0064] [Table 3]

[0065] As can be seen from Table 3, in this test example, as in Test Example 1-1, it was found that safety for corn could be ensured even when the amount of component (c) of the present invention used was significantly reduced from the amount of conventional adjuvants used. In particular, in this test example, it was confirmed that the addition of component (b) restored the suppression of above-ground corn height caused by component (a) to a level comparable to that of the untreated plot.

[0066] Test Example 2-2 Crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) seeds were sown in 1 / 1,000,000 ha pots filled with field soil. When the crabgrass reached the 5.3-5.8 leaf stage, a WG formulation containing component (a) (trade name: Accent, manufactured by DuPont) or a WG formulation containing components (a) and (b) (trade name: Accent Q, manufactured by DuPont) was diluted with water (equivalent to 200 L / ha) containing a predetermined amount of component (c), or a methylated seed oil (MSO) (trade name: Destiny HC, manufactured by Winfield Solutions, LLC.) or vegetable oil concentrate (COC) (trade name: Agri-dex, manufactured by Helena) recommended for use in this study. These were used as a control to prepare spray solutions. This spray solution was applied to foliage using an automatic spraying device (amount of component (a): 30 g / ha; amount of component (b): 0 or 7.5 g / ha). Twenty days after foliage application, the growth of the plants was observed with the naked eye, and the herbicidal effect on crabgrass was investigated according to the evaluation criteria. Herbicidal effect (%) = 0 (same as untreated area) to 100 (completely killed) The results are shown in Table 4.

[0067] [Table 4]

[0068] As can be seen from Table 4, in this test example, as in Test Examples 1 and 2, it was confirmed that the amount of component (c) of the present invention used was significantly reduced from the amount of conventional adjuvants used, yet still had a herbicidal effect against weeds that was sufficient for practical use.

[0069] The results in Tables 3 and 4 show that within the range of the amount of component (c) used in Test Examples 2-1 and 2-2, both safety for corn and herbicidal effect against weeds are sufficient for practical use.

[0070] Test Example 3 Field soil was filled into 1 / 1,000,000-ha pots, and seeds of forage corn (variety: Snowdent SH2933, a cultivar highly susceptible to component (a)) were sown. When the forage corn reached the 3.2-3.4 leaf stage, a WG agent containing component (a) (trade name: Accent, manufactured by DuPont) or a WG agent containing components (a) and (b) (trade name: Accent Q, manufactured by DuPont) was diluted with water (equivalent to 200 L / ha) containing a predetermined amount of component (c), or, for comparison, methylated seed oil (MSO) (trade name: Destiny HC, manufactured by Winfield Solutions, LLC.) or vegetable oil concentrate (COC) (trade name: Agri-dex, manufactured by Helena)—commercially recommended for use in this study—to prepare a spray solution. This spray solution was applied to foliage using an automatic spraying device (amount of component (a): 60 g / ha; amount of component (b): 0 or 15 g / ha). 14 days after foliage application, the height of the above-ground parts of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The above-ground height of the untreated plot was 68.1 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area x 100 The results are shown in Table 5.

[0071] [Table 5]

[0072] As can be seen from Table 5, in this test example, as in Test Example 1-1, safety for corn could be ensured even when the amount of component (c) used was reduced from the amount of conventional adjuvant used. In this test example, when component (b) was not used, the degree of corn growth inhibition increased with increasing amount of component (c), but it was confirmed that the addition of component (b) restored the inhibition of aboveground corn height caused by component (a) to a level comparable to that of the untreated area.

[0073] The herbicidal effect on weeds was not confirmed within the concentration range of component (c) in Test Example 3. However, since practically sufficient herbicidal effect on weeds was confirmed in Test Examples 1-2 and 2-2, it is expected that practically sufficient herbicidal effect on weeds will be obtained even in the concentration range of component (c) in Test Example 3, which uses a higher concentration of component (c) than in these tests.

[0074] Test Example 4 Field soil was filled into 1 / 1,000,000 hectare pots, and seeds of feed corn (variety: Pioneerdent 30N34, a variety highly susceptible to component (a)) were sown. When the feed corn reached the 3.5-4.0 leaf stage, an oil-based suspension containing component (a) and component (c) (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil) and a wettable powder containing component (b) were diluted with 300 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution. The concentration of component (c) in the spray solution was 0.08 weight / volume percent. This spray solution was applied to the foliage using a spray gun. 14 days after foliage treatment, the above-ground height of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The above-ground height of the untreated plot was 75.8 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area x 100 The results are shown in Table 6.

[0075] [Table 6]

[0076] Test Example 5 In an upland field where feed corn (variety: Pioneerdent 30N34, a variety highly susceptible to component (a)) was sown, when the feed corn reached the 3.1-3.5 leaf stage, an oil-based suspension containing component (a) and component (c) (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil) and a wettable powder containing component (b) were diluted with 300 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution, which was then applied to the foliage using a Teejet 80015VS nozzle. The concentration of component (c) in the spray solution was 0.020 weight / volume percent. Fourteen days after foliar application, the aboveground height of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The aboveground height of the untreated plot was 76.7 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area x 100 The results are shown in Table 7.

[0077] [Table 7]

[0078] Test Example 6 Field soil was filled into 1 / 1,000,000 hectare pots, and seeds of feed corn (variety: Snowdent SH2933, a variety highly susceptible to component (a)) were sown. When the feed corn reached the 3.1-3.5 leaf stage, an oil-based suspension containing component (a) and component (c) (sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate) and an aqueous suspension containing component (b) were diluted with 300 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution, which was then applied to the foliage using an automatic sprayer. The concentration of component (c) in the spray solution was 0.033 weight / volume percent. Fourteen days after foliar application, the aboveground height of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The aboveground height of the untreated plot was 62.2 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area x 100 The results are shown in Table 8.

[0079] [Table 8]

[0080] Test Example 7 In an upland field where feed corn (variety: Snowdent SH2933, a variety highly susceptible to component (a)) was sown, when the feed corn reached the 3.2-4.0 leaf stage, an oil suspension formulation containing components (a), (b), and (c) (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil) was diluted with 200 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution, which was then applied to the foliage using a Teejet 8001VS nozzle. For comparison, an oil suspension formulation containing components (a) and (c) (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil) was also used. Twenty-seven days after foliar application, the aboveground height of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The aboveground height of the untreated plot was 146.7 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area x 100 The results are shown in Table 9.

[0081] [Table 9]

[0082] Test Example 8 In an upland field where feed corn (variety: Snowdent SH2933, a variety highly susceptible to component (a)) was sown, when the feed corn reached the 3.1-3.3 leaf stage, an oil suspension containing components (a), (b), and (c) (sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate) was diluted with 500 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution, which was then applied to the foliage using a Teejet 80015VS nozzle. For comparison, an oil suspension containing components (a) and (c) (sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate) was also used. Twenty-eight days after foliar application, the aboveground height of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The aboveground height of the untreated plot was 132.7 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area x 100 The results are shown in Table 10.

[0083] [Table 10]

[0084] Test Example 9 barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.), pale smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia(L.) Delarbre var. lapathifolia)), threeseeded copperleaf (Acalypha australis) In a forage corn field sown with seeds of Rhizopus ricinus L.), when the forage corn reached the six-leaf stage, an oil suspension containing components (a), (b), and (c) (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil) was diluted with 200 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution, which was then applied to the foliage using a Teejet 8001VS nozzle. The concentration of component (c) in the spray solution was 0.040 weight / volume percent. The leaf age and plant height of each plant species at the time of treatment are shown in Table 11. Thirty-one days after foliar application, the growth of each plant species was observed with the naked eye, and herbicidal efficacy was evaluated according to the evaluation criteria. Herbicidal effect (%) = 0 (same as untreated area) to 100 (completely killed) The results are shown in Table 12.

[0085] [Table 11]

[0086] [Table 12]

[0087] Test Example 10 Goosegrass (Eleusine indica L.), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L.), millet (Panicum Miliaceum L.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.), pale smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia (L.) Delarbre var. lapathifolia), threeseeded copperleaf (Acalypha australis In a forage corn field sown with seeds of P. truncatula L.), when the forage corn reached the five-leaf stage, an oil-based suspension containing components (a), (b), and (c) (sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate) was diluted with 500 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution, which was then applied to the foliage using a Teejet 80015VS nozzle. The concentration of component (c) in the spray solution was 0.020 weight / volume percent. The leaf age and plant height of each plant species at the time of treatment are shown in Table 13. 28 days after foliar application, the growth of each plant species was observed with the naked eye, and herbicidal efficacy was evaluated according to the evaluation criteria. Herbicidal effect (%) = 0 (same as untreated area) to 100 (completely killed) The results are shown in Table 14.

[0088] [Table 13]

[0089] [Table 14]

[0090] The results of Test Examples 4 to 10 demonstrated that safety for corn can be ensured over a variety of dosage ranges for components (a) and (b) by using the concentration of component (c) whose effectiveness was confirmed in Test Examples 1 to 3. Similar to Test Examples 4 to 6, in which spray solutions were prepared using a pesticide formulation containing components (a) and (c) and a pesticide formulation containing component (b), the effects of the present invention were also demonstrated in Test Examples 7 to 10, in which spray solutions were prepared using a pesticide formulation containing components (a), (b), and (c). Thus, the effects of the present invention are achieved by including components (a), (b), and (c) in the spray solution. Therefore, there are no particular limitations on the pesticide formulation used to prepare the spray solution. However, from the perspective of user convenience, it is preferable to use a pesticide formulation containing components (a), (b), and (c).

[0091] Test Example 11 Field soil was filled into 1 / 1,000,000 ha pots, and seeds of feed corn (variety: Snowdent SH2933, a variety highly susceptible to component (a)) were sown. When the feed corn reached the 3.0-3.2 leaf stage, a suspension containing components (a) and (c) and a wettable powder containing component (b) were diluted with 200 liters of water per hectare to prepare a spray solution. The concentration of component (c) in the spray solution was 0.15 weight / volume percent. This spray solution was applied to the foliage using an automatic sprayer. Seven days after foliage treatment, the above-ground height of the feed corn was measured, and the plant height ratio was calculated using the following formula. The above-ground height of the untreated plot was 66.0 cm. Plant height rate (%) = above-ground height of treated area / above-ground height of untreated area x 100 The results are shown in Table 15.

[0092] [Table 15]

[0093] As can be seen from Table 15, in this test example as well, safety for corn was ensured, as in test example 3.

[0094] Formulation example As an example of a formulation that can be used in the method of the present invention, an example of an oily suspension formulation is shown below, but the pesticide formulation of the present invention is not limited to these. The numbers in the table are parts by weight.

[0095] [Table 16]

[0096] [Table 17]

[0097] [Table 18]

[0098] In the formulation examples shown in Tables 16 to 18 above, the particle size of the solid component containing (a) is preferably 3.0 to 5.0 μm in volume average diameter. To obtain such a formulation, it is desirable to grind a mixture of components (a) to (c) and adjuvants in a wet grinder such as a bead mill so that the particle size of the solid component containing (a) falls within the above range. In the case of pesticide formulations that do not contain component (b) and / or component (c), such as formulation examples 15 to 17, the component (b) and / or component (c) can be mixed in a tank during the preparation of the spray solution to prepare the spray solution. The entire contents of the specification, claims, and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-237589, filed on December 27, 2019, are hereby incorporated by reference as part of the disclosure of the specification of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for ensuring safety to useful plants and benefiting the health and / or growth of said useful plants, comprising: (1) (a) nicosulfuron, (b) isoxadifen-ethyl, (c) one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil; and (d) Water preparing a spray solution containing at least the above component (c) so that the concentration of the component (c) in the spray solution is 0.001 to 0.25 weight / volume percent; (2) applying the spray solution prepared in step (1) to useful plants or their growing areas; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the useful plant is corn.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spray solution is applied at a spray volume of 100 to 1,000 L / ha.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spray solution is applied so that the component (a) is 1 to 120 g / ha.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spray solution is applied so that the component (b) is 0.01 to 240 g / ha.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spray solution is applied so that the component (a) is 1 to 120 g / ha and the component (b) is 0.01 to 240 g / ha.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spray solution prepared in step (1) further comprises one or more components selected from (e) fertilizers and plant growth regulators, and / or (f) other active ingredients of agricultural chemicals.

8. For use in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 (a) nicosulfuron, (b) isoxadifen-ethyl, (c) one or more components selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate esters or salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene castor oil 4. A pesticide formulation comprising:

9. 9. The pesticide formulation according to claim 8, wherein the weight ratio of the component (a) to the component (b) is 1:50 to 1:0.

001.

10. The pesticide formulation according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the weight ratio of the (a) component to the (c) component is 1:0.05 to 1:

20.

11. 9. The pesticide formulation according to claim 8, wherein the weight ratio of the (a) component to the (b) component is 1:50 to 1:0.001, and the weight ratio of the (a) component to the (c) component is 1:0.05 to 1:20.

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