Soil wetting agent composition

Abstract

A soil treatment formulation comprising an ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan, an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and a compatibilizing surfactant selected from an alkoxylated fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate ester, and / or an alkoxylated glyceride. The formulation optionally contains a pesticide active and / or a nutrient. The soil treatment composition of the present invention is suitable for use in improving soil water retention and / or soil conditioning. Methods for producing the formulation and methods for treating soil with the formulation are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component for use in an agrochemical active formulation, which component is for maintaining and improving the wettability, re-wettability and water retention in the soil to which it is applied. The present invention also includes a method of treating crops using such a formulation.

Background Art

[0002] Soil can be inherently hydrophobic, which is often amplified when the soil remains dry for a long time or has a high organic matter content. Soil hydrophobicity can cause the formation of water puddles and surface runoff, and in the case of turf and field crops, can directly affect plant growth due to limited infiltration and supply of water to the plant rhizosphere. The quality and physicochemical properties of the soil can directly affect the penetration and percolation of water across the soil cross-section.

[0003] To overcome this, the application of surfactants and polymers to the soil for the wetting of hydrophobic soils has become a common commercial practice. The application of anionic wetting agents has been known for decades to be advantageous for increasing the infiltration of water into hydrophobic soils. Typically, these materials have struggled to balance the application rate with crop damage and phytotoxicity prevention.

[0004] The use of non-ionic wetting agents has increased over the past decade and is now common for application to turf and amenity uses.

[0005] Although soil wettability is provided, it is still beneficial to provide a multifunctional wetting agent composition that allows for any combination with agrochemical materials for various agrochemical crop uses.

[0006] Pesticide components, especially pre-emergence herbicides, are often applied directly to the soil, but soil is inherently a hydrophobic substrate and does not readily interact with water. The hydrophobic nature of soil can limit the penetration and infiltration of irrigation-based applications. Such undesirable interactions can result in surface runoff and reduced percolation and distribution of water in the soil. Since pesticide products and their dilutions are usually applied as aqueous formulations, the need for soil treatment is highlighted. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to provide the use of a soil treatment formulation that can be used on its own or as part of an agrochemical composition, in combination with an agrochemical active substance as needed, wherein the compound can provide desired soil wetting and soil water retention. The present invention also aims to provide the use of agrochemical concentrates and diluted formulations containing the compound.

[0008] The present invention relates to enhancing water penetration into hydrophobic soils, and includes soil wetting, soil rewetting, moisture retention, and improved water percolation / filtration through the soil zone. Sufficiently wet soil is necessary for water to flow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a soil treatment formulation comprising the following is provided: (i) Sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8-16 and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5-25, (ii) Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) A compatible surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates, and / or alkoxylated glycerides.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for producing a soil treatment preparation according to the first aspect, comprising mixing the following: (i) Sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8-16 and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5-25, (ii) Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) Compatibilizing surfactants selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters, and / or alkoxylated glycerides.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a pesticide formulation suitable for application to vegetation and / or soil is provided, comprising a diluted soil treatment formulation of the first aspect and, optionally, at least one pesticide-active substance and / or nutrient.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for wetting and / or conditioning soil, comprising applying the soil treatment formulation of the first aspect.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the use of a soil treatment formulation comprising the following is provided for improving the water retention of soil and / or for soil conditioning: (i) Sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8-16 and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5-25, (ii) Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) Compatibilizing surfactants selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters, and / or alkoxylated glycerides.

[0014] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a method for treating and moistening soil and / or conditioning said soil, comprising applying a diluted formulation of the first aspect to said soil.

[0015] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a soil treatment formulation is provided comprising a sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester and an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, wherein the fatty acid carbon chain length is 8 to 16 and the total degree of ethoxylation is an average of 5 to 25. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The soil treatment formulation of the present invention can be used to improve the physical properties of soil, particularly its wetting performance and water retention. This soil treatment formulation can be used to improve barren soil that is damaged and has insufficient wetting capacity. This soil treatment formulation can be used to make inadequate soil surfaces more usable, to maintain soil in peak condition, and to improve soil percolation. This soil treatment formulation may also be used to improve the water wetting capacity, water retention, and / or uptake capacity of the soil surface. The use of this soil treatment formulation has been found to significantly increase the water uptake / wetting rate in hydrophobic soils. Surprisingly, this combination is a stable concentrate that, compared to what has been previously achieved in the art, shows improved wetting rate (water infiltration) and improved uniformity of percolation in hydrophobic soils and plant growth media, as well as providing compatibility with various pesticide materials.

[0017] The soil treatment formulation of the present invention can be used for crops, turfgrass, and seeds, and for the production of plant growth media. This soil treatment formulation can be used, for example, for soil or sand.

[0018] Where used in this disclosure, the terms “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are intended to provide examples that further clarify the more general subject matter. Unless otherwise specified, these examples are provided solely to aid in understanding the uses described in this disclosure and are not intended to limit anything.

[0019] When describing the number of carbon atoms in a substituent (e.g., "C1-C6 alkyl"), this number refers to the total number of carbon atoms present in the substituent, including those in any branched group. Furthermore, when describing the number of carbon atoms in a fatty acid, for example, this refers to the total number of carbon atoms present, including those located in the carboxylic acid and those in any branched group.

[0020] Ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan have a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8 to 16, and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5 to 25.

[0021] The ethoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is preferably a compound of formula (I): [ka] In the above formula, i) Sorb represents a residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan. i) EO represents an ethylene oxy or propylene oxy residue, ii) n1, n2, n3, and n4 each independently represent an average value between 0 and 10, preferably between 0.5 and 5. iii) The sum n1+n2+n3+n4 has a mean of 5-25, especially 8-12. iv)R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 Each of these independently comprises H or the acyl group -C(O)-R 5 This represents, where R5 is a C7 - C 13 hydrocarbyl group, more usually a C9 - C 13 hydrocarbyl group, especially an approximately C 11 hydrocarbyl group, especially an alkyl or alkenyl group, especially a straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl group.

[0022] The sorbitan residue is obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms, and each of the removed H atoms is replaced by a group (AO n1 R 1 ), (AO n2 R 2 ), (AO n3 R 3 ), and (AO n4 R 4 ) to form an ethoxylated / propooxylated fatty acid monoester and should be understood as such.

[0023] Preferably, an average of 2.8 - 3.2 of the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 groups are H, and an average of 0.8 - 1.2 of the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 groups are acyl groups -C(O)-R 5 .

[0024] In the compounds of the present invention, the sorbitan residue in the core of the molecule corresponding to the residue "Sorb" in formula (I) is typically mainly a mixture of residues of 1,4-anhydrosorbitol, 1,5-anhydrosorbitol, and 3,6-anhydrosorbitol.

[0025] This mixture may typically contain some amount of 1,4,3,6-dianhydrosorbitol (iso-sorbide), but the ethoxylated products from iso-sorbide esters may not be very useful, so when iso-sorbide is present, the proportion of iso-sorbide is usually relatively low.

[0026] In contrast, 20-ethoxylated sorbitan esters are typically hydrophilic surfactants with HLB values ​​of approximately 15 or higher. These more highly ethoxylated polysorbates are widely used in pesticide formulations as adjuvants and emulsifiers, such as Tween® 20 (sorbitan monolaurate 20-ethoxylate).

[0027] The carbon chain length of the fatty acid in the ethoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is preferably 10 to 14. More preferably, this carbon chain length is about 12.

[0028] The total ethoxylation / propoxylation degree can preferably be 5 to 25 on average. More preferably, the total ethoxylation degree can be about 10 on average.

[0029] The esters of the present invention and the esters used in the present invention are preferably monoesters. In this common type of ethoxylated sorbitan ester compound, a nominal monoester is so named because the molar ratio of sorbitol to fatty acid used to produce the sorbitan ester precursor of the ethoxylated ester is approximately 1:1, although it is common to use a slight excess of fatty acid, for example, 5-10 mol% excess.

[0030] The cyclization reaction (as described in this disclosure) yields products containing sorbitol and iso-sorbide residues, as well as those containing sorbitan residues. Furthermore, the “monoesters” (and corresponding ethoxylated derivatives) include compounds containing small proportions of unesterified polyol (sorbitol / sorbitan / iso-sorbide) residues, and a considerable proportion of mono- and dilipid acyl esters of sorbitan, but including moderate proportions based on iso-sorbide and small proportions based on sorbitol, and some tri- and higher-order esters mainly based on sorbitan. This is in contrast to nominal “trysters” of sorbitan, which mostly consist of tri- and higher-order esters. Of course, the range of individual compounds after ethoxylation is even wider.

[0031] In the initial esterification, most of the acyl residues react with primary hydroxyls in sorbitol or sorbitan (corresponding to the 1- or 6-position of sorbitol), but subsequent transesterification can be understood as causing the position of the acyl group to become largely random. Ethoxylation / propoxylation causes further transesterification, making the acyl position even more random.

[0032] In the context of the compounds of formula (I), a compound being a monoester generally means that the relative (molar) amounts of fatty acids and (usually) sorbitol used to produce the intermediate sorbitan ester (see below for further details on its synthesis) roughly correspond to the amount of monoester produced.

[0033] Therefore, preferably, for each mole of sorbitan in the compound of the present invention represented by formula (I), there are generally 0.8 to 1.2 acyl residue substituents on the sorbitan. That is, referring to formula (I), there are 0.8 to 1.2 R groups. 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 The formula is -C(O)-R 5The acyl group is one of several groups, and correspondingly, 2.8 to 3.2 groups are hydrogen atoms. However, as mentioned above, esters with more than one acyl group are also commonly found in synthesized products.

[0034] The acyl group -C(O)-R in formula (I) 5 The fatty acid residues in the compound of the present invention corresponding to C8-C 14 , especially C 10 ~C 14 More specifically, approximately C 12 These are fatty acid residues. When applied to technical-grade fatty acids that are actually available, these ranges represent the average carbon chain length (and may therefore be non-integers for any individual material). Generally, the chain length of individual fatty acids in such a mixture will preferably be within 2 carbon atoms of the average value. A particularly useful source of such acyl residues is technical-grade lauric acid, which is typically mainly C8-C8. 14 It is derived from coconut oil, which is a mixture of fatty acids having the following chain lengths.

[0035] The compounds of the present invention and the compounds used in the present invention can be produced by methods generally known in the art for the corresponding known compounds—polysorbates. In particular, they can be produced from a group of commonly known sorbitan esters, usually by reaction with ethylene oxide under a basic catalyst. The basic catalyst can be sodium or potassium hydroxide or sodium or potassium methoxide. The ethoxylation reaction can typically be carried out at a temperature of 150–180°C and a pressure of 400–650 kPa (gauge).

[0036] The sorbitan esters used as starting materials for the ethoxylation reaction to produce the compounds of the present invention are generally known and can be produced by dehydrating and cyclizing sorbitol to sorbitan, and then reacting sorbitol with a suitable fatty acid to form a sorbitan ester. The suitable fatty acid has a carbon chain length of 8 to 14, preferably 10 to 14, and more preferably about 12.

[0037] The molecular weight (mass average) of the ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is preferably in the range of 400 to 2,700, more preferably 500 to 2,000, particularly 550 to 1,800, and even more preferably 550 to 1,600.

[0038] The HLB of the ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is preferably in the range of 4 to 25, more preferably 5 to 20, and particularly preferably 5 to 18.

[0039] Preferred specific examples of sorbitan esters can be selected from polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (8) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (12) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (16) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (5) polyoxypropylene (15) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (10) polyoxypropylene (10) sorbitan monolaurate, and polyoxyethylene (15) polyoxypropylene (5) sorbitan monolaurate.

[0040] The compatible surfactant is selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols or alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters, and / or alkoxylated glycerides. Preferably, it is an alkoxylated fatty alcohol or an alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate ester. More preferably, it is an alkoxylated fatty alcohol.

[0041] Alkoxylated fatty alcohols are C4-C 30It can be selected from those having fatty acid chains and containing 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups.

[0042] In one embodiment, the coajubant is an alkoxylated alcohol of the following general formula: [ka] In the above formula, R 6 A is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms; AO is an oxyalkylene group; x represents an integer within the range of 1 to 30.

[0043] The oxyalkylene group (AO) is represented by formula -(C y H 2y The base can be selected from O)-(wherein y is an integer selected from 2, 3, or 4). Preferably, y is 2 or 3.

[0044] The oxyalkylene group AO can be selected from oxyethylene, oxypropylene, oxybutylene, or oxytetramethylene. Preferably, the oxyalkylene group is selected from oxyethylene (EO) and / or oxypropylene (PO).

[0045] When the oxyalkylene chain is a homopolymer, a homopolymer of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide is preferred. More preferably, a homopolymer of ethylene oxide is particularly preferred.

[0046] If there is more than one oxyalkylene group (i.e., x is 2 or more) and at least two are part of the same oxyalkylene chain, the oxyalkylene groups may be the same or different along the oxyalkylene chain. In this embodiment, the oxyalkylene chain may be a block or random copolymer of different oxyalkylene groups.

[0047] When it is necessary to reduce the viscosity of the formulation, blocking or random copolymerization of different oxyalkylene groups of alkoxylated fatty alcohols is particularly preferred.

[0048] The number of oxyalkylene groups in each oxyalkylene chain (i.e., the value of each parameter x) is in the range of 1 to 30. Preferably, it is in the range of 2 to 25. More preferably, it is in the range of 3 to 10. Even more preferably, it is in the range of 4 to 7.

[0049] C4~C 30 Hydrocarbyl is preferably C4-C 30 Alkyl or C4-C 30 You can choose from Alkenil.

[0050] As used in this disclosure, the term "alkyl" means a saturated hydrocarbon group that is linear, branched, or a combination thereof, containing 4 to 30 carbon atoms, unless otherwise defined. Preferably, each alkyl group contains 6 to 24 carbon atoms. More preferably, it has 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Most preferably, it has 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0051] Examples of alkyl groups can be independently selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, henicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, tetracosyl, pentacosyl, hexacosyl, heptacosyl, octacosyl, or their branched isomers.

[0052] The alkyl group can preferably be selected from dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, or their branched isomers.

[0053] As used in this disclosure, the term "alkenyl" means, unless otherwise defined, a hydrocarbon group having at least one or more, preferably four or fewer, double bonds. The alkenyl group may be a linear, branched, or a combination thereof.

[0054] Each alkenyl group may contain 4 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferably, each alkenyl contains 5 to 26 carbon atoms. More preferably, it has 10 to 24 carbon atoms. Most preferably, it has 16 to 22 carbon atoms.

[0055] Examples of alkenyl groups can be independently selected from ethyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, nonenyl, decenyl, undecenyl, dodecenyl, tridecenyl, tetradecenyl, pentadecenyl, hexadecenyl, heptadecenyl, octadecenyl, nonadecenyl, eicosenyl, henicocenyl, docosenyl, tricosenyl, tetracosenyl, pentacosenyl, hexacocenyl, heptacosenyl, octacosenyl, or their branched isomers.

[0056] The alkyl group can preferably be selected from dodecenyl, tridecenyl, tetradecenyl, pentadecenyl, hexadecenyl, heptadecenyl, octadecenyl, nonadecenyl, eicocenyl, or their branched isomers.

[0057] Comfortable, R 6 It can be derived from a fatty alcohol, or it can be a residue of a fatty alcohol.

[0058] R 6 If R is derived from fatty alcohols, 6 This represents an alkoxy group (RO-) which is a residue of a fatty alcohol.

[0059] As used in this disclosure, the term “fatty alcohol residue” means the portion of a reaction scheme or subsequent formulation or chemical product that is a fatty alcohol product, regardless of whether that portion is actually obtained from a specific chemical species. A “fatty alcohol residue” refers to the portion that is produced when a fatty alcohol participates in a particular reaction (i.e., the residue is a fatty alkoxy group RO-). Thus, fatty alcohol residues are “derived” from each fatty alcohol. It has been found that this portion is essentially obtained by reaction with species other than the specific fatty alcohol, for example, by reaction with chlorides, esters, or anhydrides of unsaturated fatty alcohols.

[0060] Fatty alcohols are preferably C4-C 30 Fatty alcohols, more preferably C6-C 24 Fatty alcohols, especially C 10 ~C 22 Fatty alcohols, more preferably C 10 ~C 16 Fatty alcohols, especially C 12 You can choose from fatty alcohols.

[0061] Fatty alcohols can be selected from straight-chain or branched fatty alcohols. Fatty alcohols can be selected from saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols.

[0062] If unsaturated fatty alcohols are present, they can be selected from unsaturated fatty alcohols containing at least one unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond. Particularly preferred are unsaturated fatty alcohols having 1 to 3 carbon-carbon double bonds. Most preferred are monounsaturated fatty alcohol residues. The carbon-carbon double bonds in the fatty chain may be in either a cis or trans configuration.

[0063] Preferably, the fatty alcohol residues used are derived from linear saturated fatty alcohols.

[0064] Particularly suitable saturated and unsaturated fatty alcohols can be selected from caprylic alcohol, pelargone alcohol, caprin alcohol, undecyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, tridecyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, pentadecyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmitrail alcohol, heptadecyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, nonadecyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, heneicosyl alcohol, or behenyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, or elucyl alcohol.

[0065] In particular, unsaturated and saturated C 10 ~C 16 Fatty alcohols may be preferred. The fatty alcohol can preferably be selected from capric alcohol, lauryl alcohol, or myristyl alcohol.

[0066] Suitable nonionic alkoxylates useful in the context of the present invention can be selected from lauryl alcohol (4EO) ethoxylate, lauryl alcohol (5EO) ethoxylate, lauryl alcohol (6EO) ethoxylate, oleyl (3EO) ethoxylate, oleyl (5EO) ethoxylate, or oleyl (10EO) ethoxylate.

[0067] The molecular weight (mass average) of the alkoxylated fatty alcohol is preferably in the range of 120 to 1,760, more preferably 160 to 1,200, particularly 200 to 800, even more preferably 250 to 600, and particularly 300 to 400.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment, the solubilizer can be selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters, preferably C10-C30 mono- and / or diester phosphates.

[0069] The phosphate monoester is preferably of formula R 7 Contains a compound -OP-(=O)(OH)2, or formula R 7It is substantially composed of compounds of -OP-(=O)(OH)2, or of formula R 7 It consists of a compound of -OP-(=O)(OH)2. The phosphate diester is preferably of formula R 7 -OP-(=O)(OR 7 Contains compounds of )(OH), or formula R 7 -OP-(=O)(OR 7 Substantially consisting of compounds of )(OH), or formula R 7 -OP-(=O)(OR 7 It consists of compounds of )(OH).

[0070] R 7 The C10-C30 hydrocarbyl group is preferred, and the alkyl group is preferred. 7 It can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, but is preferably saturated, and more preferably linear. 7 The R groups are preferably C12-C24, more preferably C14-C20, particularly preferably C16-C18, and especially C16 hydrocarbyl groups, particularly alkyl groups. 7 The groups do not need to be identical; therefore, the phosphate diester may be asymmetrically substituted.

[0071] The phosphate ester used in the present invention is a fatty alcohol, as is known in the art, for example, formula R 7 -OH fatty alcohols (wherein R in the formula) 7The above definition is used.) can be suitably formed by reacting it with a phosphorylating agent, such as polyphosphate, phosphorus pentoxide, phosphorus oxychloride, or phosphorus trichloride. In one embodiment, phosphorus pentoxide is preferred. This reaction can produce a statistical mixture of mono-, di-, and tri-ester products, the proportions of which can be controlled, for example, by changing the proportion of the starting materials, to produce a desired ester ratio, such as a monoester-diester ratio. Suitable linear fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, cocoyl alcohol, tetradecanol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and lignoceryl alcohol. Suitable branched fatty alcohols include isostearyl alcohol, isotetradecanol, isocetyl alcohol, isoarachidyl alcohol, isobehenyl alcohol, and isolignoceryl alcohol; neo-alcohols, such as neocaprin alcohol; and / or anti-iso alcohols. Linear fatty alcohols are preferred, particularly cetyl alcohol and / or stearyl alcohol, with cetyl alcohol being especially preferred.

[0072] The fatty alcohol component in the composition according to the present invention is preferably of formula R 8 -OH is represented by R 8The hydrocarbyl group is preferably C12-C24, more preferably C14-C22, particularly C16-C20, and especially C16-C18, and is particularly alkyl. The hydrocarbyl group can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, but is preferably saturated and more preferably linear. Suitable linear fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, cocoyl alcohol, tetradecanol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and lignoceryl alcohol. Suitable branched fatty alcohols include isostearyl alcohol, isotetradecanol, isocetyl alcohol, isoarachidyl alcohol, isobehenyl alcohol, and isolignoceryl alcohol; neoalcohols, such as neocaprin alcohol; and / or antiisoalcohols. Linear fatty acids are preferred.

[0073] The molecular weight (mass average) of the compatibilizing surfactant is preferably in the range of 800 to 15,000, more preferably 1,000 to 8,000, particularly preferably 1,200 to 5,000, and even more preferably 1,500 to 3,000.

[0074] The HLB of the compatible surfactant is preferably in the range of 2 to 30, more preferably 3 to 35, and particularly preferably 3 to 24.

[0075] The percentage of ethylene oxide in the compatibilizing surfactant is preferably in the range of 5 to 80, more preferably 8 to 70, particularly 10 to 65, and even more preferably 12 to 60.

[0076] Preferred specific examples of compatibilizing surfactants can be selected from polyoxyethylene(60) almond oil, polyoxyethylene(5) C9-C11 alcohol, polyoxyethylene(6) tridecyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene(5) isotridecanol, and polyoxyethylene(5) alkyl ether phosphate.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, the compatibilizer can be selected from alkoxylated glycerides.

[0078] Alkoxylated glycerides can be derived from mono-, di-, or triglycerides and contain 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups. The oxyalkylene groups can be those described for alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0079] Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EO / PO) copolymers can be nonionic surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymers (one or more) formed from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. The term “copolymer” as used in this disclosure will be understood to include polymers having two components selected from ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO).

[0080] The copolymer can be selected from random copolymers or block copolymers, and is preferably a block copolymer.

[0081] Examples of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers (PEG / PPG) include straight block polymer glycols obtained by adding ethylene oxide to a condensation product of propylene oxide. Examples of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers include reverse block copolymers formed by adding polypropylene oxide to a condensation product of ethylene oxide. The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer may be capped at the ends, for example, with alkyl groups, preferably C1-C5 alkyl groups, and more preferably methyl groups.

[0082] The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer preferably has an average molecular weight greater than 1,000, more preferably 1,500 to 15,000, particularly 1,200 to 8,000, and especially within the range of 1,500 to 3,000.

[0083] The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer preferably has (i) an ethylene oxide content in the range of 10 to 80% by mass, particularly 10 to 50% by mass, particularly 15 to 35% by mass, for example, about 20% by mass, and / or (ii) a propylene oxide content in the range of 20 to 90% by mass, particularly 50 to 90% by mass, particularly 75 to 85% by mass, for example, about 80% by mass.

[0084] Preferably, the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer is of formula (EO) x -(PO) y -(EO) z The copolymer has a coefficient of 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 3 to 8, particularly 4 to 7, particularly 5 to 6, for example, 5.5. x and z may be the same or different. y is preferably in the range of 10 to 50, preferably 20 to 40, particularly 30 to 35, for example, 33. Preferably, the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EO / PO) block copolymer has an average molecular weight of about 2400, and is of formula (EO) 5.5 -(PO) 33 -(EO) 5.5 It holds.

[0085] Preferred specific examples of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers can be selected from PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 40%EO PPG size 4, PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 10%EO PPG size 6, PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 20%EO PPG size 6, PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 50%EO PPG size 10, and PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 10%EO PPG size 12.

[0086] The present invention provides a preblended or concentrated formulation suitable for forming an end-use formulation by combining polysorbate, a compatible surfactant, and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer.

[0087] The amount of polysorbate contained in the pre-blend can be 20% to 60% by mass. More preferably, it is in the range of 30% to 50%. Even more preferably, it is in the range of 35% to 45%.

[0088] The amount of compatibilizing surfactant contained in the preblend can be in the range of 1% to 20% by mass. More preferably, it is in the range of 4% to 15%. Even more preferably, it is in the range of 5% to 12%. Most preferably, it is in the range of 8% to 12% as a percentage of the total amount of the preblend.

[0089] The amount of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer contained in the preblend can be in the range of 30% to 70% by mass. More preferably, it is in the range of 40% to 60%. Even more preferably, it is in the range of 45% to 55%.

[0090] The concentrated formulation may be formulated to contain no other components or only small amounts of other components. Preferably, at least 90% by mass, more preferably 93% by mass, even more preferably 95% by mass, and most preferably 98% by mass of the concentrated formulation consists of polysorbate, a compatible surfactant, and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer.

[0091] In an alternative embodiment, a soil treatment formulation is provided comprising a sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester having a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8 to 16 and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5 to 25, and an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer. The concentrated formulation may be formulated to contain no other components or only small amounts of other components. Preferably, at least 95% by mass of the concentrated formulation consists of polysorbate and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and more preferably 98% by mass consists of polysorbate and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer.

[0092] In carrying out the present invention, the wet composition of the present invention can be applied by dispersing the concentrate according to the present invention in water for use as a concentrate or, more preferably, as a diluted aqueous final-use formulation.

[0093] In one embodiment, the wetting composition of the present invention can therefore be used as a spray solution for soil to promote water penetration, with or without pesticides / nutrients / soil conditioners.

[0094] Therefore, the concentrate may be diluted with water and optionally with other soil conditioners and fertilizers for application, added to a tank mixture, or formed into an internal adjuvant (containing activators or nutrients) for addition to a tank mixture.

[0095] Soil treatment formulations are designed to be diluted with water (or an aqueous liquid) to form the corresponding end-use pesticide formulation, typically a spray mixture.

[0096] Agrochemical active compounds require a formulation that allows the active compound to be taken up by plants / target organisms. When a concentrate (solid or liquid) is used as a source of agrochemical active substance and / or adjuvant, the concentrate is typically diluted to form the end-use formulation, typically a spray formulation. This dilution can be done with water at a ratio of 1 to 10,000 times, particularly 10 to 1,000 times, of the total mass of the concentrate to form a spray formulation.

[0097] The soil treatment formulation may be diluted for use to obtain a diluted composition that yields a concentration of pesticide active substance of about 0.1% to about 1% by mass. The diluted composition (for example, a spray formulation with an application rate of 10 to 500 l·ha) -1 In this case, the concentration of the pesticide active substance can be within the range of approximately 0.001% to approximately 1% by mass of the total formulation to be sprayed.

[0098] In an alternative embodiment, the soil treatment formulation can be applied using an irrigation system rather than as a spray mixture. In such a system, for example, a larger amount of water can be used to irrigate a lawn, with application rates of 50-1000 l·ha. -1 It can be within the range.

[0099] A spray formulation is an aqueous pesticide preparation containing all the components desired for application to plants or their environment. The spray formulation may be constructed by simple dilution of a soil treatment preparation containing the desired components (other than water), or by a combination of dilution of the soil treatment preparation and the addition of further individual components or mixtures of components. Typically, such end-use mixing is carried out in the tank from which the formulation is sprayed, or in a holding tank to fill the spray tank. Such mixing and mixtures are typically referred to as tank mixing and tank mixtures.

[0100] Spray formulations typically have a pH ranging from moderately acidic (e.g., around 3) to moderately alkaline (e.g., around 10), especially close to neutral (e.g., around 5-8). More concentrated formulations may have similar acidity / alkalinity, but pH is not always an appropriate measure of their pH, as they may be nearly non-aqueous.

[0101] The pesticide formulation may contain a solvent (other than water), such as monopropylene glycol, a vegetable oil, or a mineral oil, such as a spray oil. Such a solvent may be included as a solvent for the surfactant adjuvant and / or as a humectant, such as propylene glycol in particular. When used, such a solvent is typically included in an amount of 5% to 500% by mass, preferably 10% to 100% by mass, based on the mass of the surfactant adjuvant. Such combinations may also include salts, such as ammonium chloride and / or sodium benzoate, and / or urea, in particular, as a gel inhibitor.

[0102] The diluted soil treatment formulation tank mix may be sprayed onto the soil or used as a foliar spray.

[0103] This soil treatment formulation or a diluted soil treatment formulation may optionally contain other components. These other components may be selected from the following: • Binders, especially those that readily dissolve in water and provide low-viscosity solutions at high binder concentrations, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; polyvinyl alcohol; carboxymethylcellulose; gum arabic; sugars, such as sucrose or sorbitol; starch; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, sucrose, and alginate, etc. Diluents, absorbents, or carriers, e.g., carbon black; talc; diatomaceous earth; kaolin; aluminum stearate, calcium stearate, or magnesium stearate; sodium tripolyphosphate; sodium tetraborate; sodium sulfate; sodium silicate, aluminum silicate, and sodium silicate-aluminum silicate mixtures; sodium benzoate, etc. • Disintegrants, such as surfactants; materials that swell in water, such as carboxymethylcellulose, collodion, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and microcrystalline cellulose swelling agents; salts, such as sodium acetate or potassium acetate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or sodium sesquicarbonate, ammonium sulfate, and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate; • Wetting agents, such as alcohol ethoxylates and alcohol ethoxylate / propoxylate wetting agents; • Dispersants, such as sulfonated naphthaleneformaldehyde condensates and acrylic acid copolymers, such as comb-type copolymers having capped polyethylene glycol side chains on a polyacrylic acid backbone; • Emulsifiers, such as alcohol ethoxylates, ABA block copolymers, castor oil ethoxylates, etc. • Antifoaming agents, such as polysiloxane antifoaming agents, typically in an amount of 0.005% to 10% by mass of the formulation; • Viscosity modifiers, e.g., commercially available water-soluble or miscible gums, e.g., xanthan gum, and / or cellulosic materials, e.g., carboxy-, methyl-, ethyl-, or propyl-cellulose; and / or • Preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents, such as organic acids or their esters or salts, such as ascorbic acid-based agents, such as ascorbyl palmitate; sorbic acid-based agents, such as potassium sorbate; benzoic acid-based agents, such as benzoic acid, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; propionic acid-based agents, such as sodium propionate; phenol-based agents, such as sodium 2-phenylphenate; 1,2-benzoisothiazolin-3-one; or formaldehyde itself or paraformaldehyde; or inorganic materials, such as sulfites and their salts, typically in an amount of 0.01% to 1% by mass of the formulation.

[0104] Furthermore, the soil wetting agent formulation or soil wetting agent of the present invention may optionally contain an active pesticide or a nutrient.

[0105] The pesticide active substance may preferably be a solid-phase pesticide active substance. In this invention, a solid pesticide active compound should be understood to mean any substance commonly used for plant treatment that has a melting point (at standard pressure) above 20°C. A solid pesticide active compound also includes insoluble active components, i.e., active components whose solubility in water is such that a considerable amount of solid content remains in the concentrate after addition.

[0106] A pesticide-active substance refers to a biocide, which in the context of this invention is a plant protection agent, more specifically, a chemical substance capable of killing various forms of organisms used in fields such as medicine, agriculture, forestry, and mosquito control. So-called plant growth regulators are also included in the group of biocides.

[0107] Biocides suitable for use in the pesticide formulations of the present invention can typically be divided into two subgroups: • Pesticides including fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algaecides, mollusk killers, acaricides and rodenticides; and Antimicrobial agents include germicidal agents (germicides), antibiotics, antibacterial agents, antiviral agents, antifungal agents, antiprotozoal agents, and antiparasitic agents.

[0108] In particular, biocides selected from insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides can be preferably used.

[0109] The term “pesticide” will be understood to refer to any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or reduce harmful organisms. Pesticides can be chemical or biological preparations (e.g., viruses or bacteria) used against harmful organisms, including insects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms), and microorganisms that compete with humans for food, destroy property, spread disease, or cause nuisances. The following examples illustrate pesticides suitable for pesticide compositions according to the present invention.

[0110] Herbicides are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets, leaving desired crops relatively harmless. Some of these work by inhibiting weed growth and are often based on plant hormones. Herbicides used to clear barren land are non-selective and kill all plants they come into contact with. Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and in landscape turf management. They are applied in total vegetation control (TVC) programs for highway and railway maintenance. Smaller amounts are used for the management of forests, pasture systems, and areas reserved as wildlife habitats.

[0111] Suitable herbicides can be selected from the group including aryloxycarboxylic acids, e.g., MCPA; aryloxyphenoxypropionates, e.g., clodinafop; cyclohexanedione oximes, e.g., setoxydim; dinitroanilines, e.g., trifluralin; diphenyl ethers, e.g., oxyfluorfen; hydroxybenzonitriles, e.g., bromoxynil; sulfonylureas, e.g., nicosulphuron; triazolopyrimidines, e.g., penoxsulam; tricethions, e.g., mesotriones; or ureas, e.g., diuron.

[0112] Particularly preferred herbicides can be selected from pre-germination herbicides. As used in this disclosure, “pre-germination herbicide” means an herbicide that acts before newly germinated seedlings emerge.

[0113] Pre-germination herbicides include triazine herbicides (e.g., ametrine, atrazine, metribuzin, terbuthylazine, promethrine, propazine, simazine, trietazine, desmetryn, terbutryne, terbumeton, and cyanazine) The pre-germination herbicides for which the present invention can find specific applications can be selected from trifluralin, siduron, indaziflam, isoxaben, dithiopyr, benefin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, flufenacet, diflufenican, and aclonifen.

[0114] Fungicides are chemical agents used to control fungi. They are chemical compounds used to prevent the spread of fungi in gardens and on crops. They are also used to combat fungal infections. Fungicides can be either contact or systemic. Contact fungicides kill fungi when sprayed onto their surface. Systemic fungicides must be absorbed by the plant and the active substance redistributed before contact with the fungi.

[0115] Examples of suitable fungicides according to the present invention include the following: (3-ethoxypropyl)mercury bromide, 2-methoxyethylmercury chloride, 2-phenylphenol, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, 8-phenylmercuryoxyquinoline, acibenzolar, acyl amino acid fungicides, acypetacs, aldimorph, aliphatic nitrogen fungicides, allyl alcohol, amide fungicides, ampropylfos, anilazine, aniloid fungicides, antibiotic fungicides, aromatic fungicides, aureofungin, azaconazole, azithiram, azoxystrobin, barium polysulfide, and benalaxyl. -M, benodanil, benomyl, benquinox, bentaluron, benthiavalicarb, benzalkonium chloride, benzamacril, benzamide fungicides, benzamorf, benzanilide fungicides, benzimidazole fungicides, benzimidazole precursor fungicides, benzimidazolcarbamate fungicides, benzohydroxamic acid, benzothiazole fungicides, bethoxazin, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, bithionol, blasticidin-S, Bordeaux mixture mixture), boscalid, cross-linked diphenyl fungicide, bromuconazole, bupirimate, BurgundyCheshunt mixture), butthiobate, butylamine, calcium polysulfide, captafol, captan, carbamate fungicide, carbamorph, carbanilate fungicide, carbendazim, carboxin, carpropamid, carvone, Cheshunt mixture mixture), chinomethionate, chlobenthiazone, chloraniformethan, chloranil, chlorfenazole, chlorodinitronaphthalene, chloroneb, chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlorquinox, chlozolinate, cyclopirox, climbazole, clotrimazole, conazole fungicides, conazole fungicides (imidazoles), conazole fungicides (triazoles), copper(II) acetate, copper(II) carbonate,

[0116] Basic copper fungicides, copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper(II) sulfate, copper(II) sulfate, copper sulfate, basic copper zinc chromate, cresol, cufraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclafuramid, cyclic dithiocarbamate fungicides, cycloheximide, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cypendazole, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dazomet DBCP, debacarb, decafentin, dehydroacetic acid, dicarboximide fungicides, dichlofluanid, dichloone, dichlorophen, dichlorophenyl, dicarboximide fungicides, dichlozoline, diclobutrazol, diclocymet, diclomezine, dichloran, diethofencarb, diethyl pyrocarbonate pyrocarbonate), difenoconazole, diflumetorim, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dimoxystrobin, diniconazole, dinitrophenol fungicides, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocton, dinopenton, dinosulfone, dinoterbone, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, disulfiram, ditalimfos, dithianon,Dithiocarbamate fungicides, DNOC, dodemorph, dodicin, dodine, donatodine, drazoxolon, edifenphos, epoxyconazole, etaconazole, etem, ethaboxam, ethirimol, ethoxyquin, ethylmercury 2,3-dihydroxypropyl Mercaptide, ethyl mercury, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury chloride, ethylmercury phosphate, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulph, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamide, fenitropan, fenoxa Fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, flumetover, fluopicolide, fluoroimide, fluotrima zole), fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulphamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, formaldehyde, fosetyl, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, furamid-type fungicides,Flanilide fungicides, furcarbanil, furconazole, furconazole-cis, furfural, furmecyclox, furophanate, glyodin, griseofulvin, guazatine, halacrinate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexachlorophene, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, hydrargaphen,

[0117] Hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, imidazole-based fungicides, iminoctadine, inorganic fungicides, inorganic mercury fungicides, iodomethane, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb, isoprothiolane, isoprothiolane, isovaledione, Kasuga Kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, lime sulfur mixture, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, mebenil, mecarbinzid, mepanipyrim, mepronil, mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride, mercury-based disinfectants, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metam, metazoxolone olon), metconazole, metasulfocarb, metofloxam, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methylmercury benzoate, methylmercury dicyandiamide, methylmercury pentachlorophenoxide, metiram, metominostrobin, metrafenone, metsulphovax, milneb, morpholine-based fungicides, microbutani Myclobutanil, myclozolin, N-(ethylmercury)-p-toluenesulfonanilide, nabam, natamycin, nitrostyrene, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, OCH, octhilinone, ofurace, organomercury fungicides, organophosphorus fungicides, organotin fungicides, orysastrobin,Oxadixyl, oxathiine-based fungicides, oxazole-based fungicides, oxine copper Copper, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad, phenylmercury urea, phenylmercury acetate, phenylmercury chloride, phenylmercury derivative of pyrocatechol, phenylmercury nitrate, phenylmercury salicylate, phenylsulfamide fungicides, phosdiphen, phthalide, phthalimide fungicides, picoxystrobin, piperalin, polycarbamate, high molecular weight dithiocarbamate fungicides, polyoxins, polyoxorim, polysulfide fungicides, potassium azide, polysulfide Potassium thiocyanate, potassium thiocyanate, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, pyracarbolid, pyraclostrobin, pyrazole fungicides, pyrazophos, pyridine fungicides, pyridinitril, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyrimidine fungicides, pyroquilon, pyroxychlor, piroxiflu, pyrrole fungicides, quinacetol,

[0118] Quinazamide, quinconazole, quinoline fungicides, quinone fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides, quinoxyfen, quintozene, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, silthiofam, simeconazole, sodium azide, sodium orthophenylphenoxide, sodium pentachlorophenoxide, sodium polysulfide, spiroxamine ine), streptomycin, strobilurin fungicides, sulfonanilide fungicides, sulfur, sultropen, TCMTB, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tecoram, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thiadifluor, thiazole fungicides, thicyophene n) Thifluzamide, a thiocarbamate fungicide; thiochlorfenphim, thiomersal, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, a thiophene fungicide; thioquinox, thiram, thiadinil, tioxymid, tivedo, tolclofos-methyl yl), tolnaftate, tolylfluanid, tolylmercury acetate, triadimefon, triadimenol, triamiphos, triarimol, triazbutil, triazine-based fungicides, triazole-based fungicides, triazoxide, tributyltin oxide, trichlamide, tricyclazole,These include trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, unclassified fungicides, undecylenic acid, uniconazole, urea fungicides, validamycin, valinamide fungicides, vinclozolin, zarilamid, zinc naphthenate, zineb, ziram, zoxamide, and mixtures thereof.

[0119] Insecticides are pesticides used against insects at all stages of development, and include ovicidal and larvicidal agents used against insect eggs and larvae. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry, and households.

[0120] Suitable insecticides can be selected from the following: Chlorine-based insecticides, such as camphechlor, DDT, hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, methoxychlor, pentachlorophenol, TDE, aldrin, chlordan, chlordecone, dieldrin, endosulphan, endrin, heptachlor, Mirex, and mixtures thereof; • Organophosphorus compounds, such as acephate, azinphos-methyl, bensulide, chlorethoxyfos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyriphos-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos (DDVP), dicrotophos, dimethoate, disulphoton, etoprop, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, fosthiazate, malathion, meta Methamidophos, Methidathion, Methyl-parathion, Mevinphos, Naled, Omethoate, Oxydemeton-methyl, Parathion, Phorate, Phosalone, Phosmet, Phhostebupirim, Pirimiphos-methyl, Profenofos, Terbufos, Tetrachlorvinphos, Tribufos, Trichlorfon, and mixtures thereof, etc. Carbamates, such as aldicarb, carbofuran, carbaryl, methomyl, 2-(1-methylpropyl)phenylmethylcarbamate, and mixtures thereof; Pyrethroids, such as allethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, resmethrin, sumithrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, and mixtures thereof; Compounds derived from plant toxins, such as Derris (rotenone), Pyrethrum, Neem (azadirachtin), nicotine, caffeine, and mixtures thereof; • Neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid; • Abamectins, e.g., emamectin; • Oxadiazines, such as indoxacarb; • Anthranyldiamides, such as linaxipyl.

[0121] Rodenticides are a category of pest control agents intended to kill rodents. Suitable rodenticides may include anticoagulants, metal phosphides, phosphates, calciferol (vitamin D), and their derivatives.

[0122] Acaricides are insecticides that kill mites. Antibiotic acaricides, carbamate acaricides, formamidine acaricides, mite growth regulators, organochlorine, permethrin, and organophosphate acaricides belong to this category. Molluscicides are insecticides used to control mollusks such as moths, slugs, and snails. Examples of these substances include metaldehyde, methiocarb, and aluminum sulfate. Nematicides are a type of chemical pesticide used to kill parasitic nematodes (helminths).

[0123] The following examples illustrate antimicrobial agents suitable for use in the pesticide composition according to the present invention.

[0124] Bactericidal disinfectants may include selected active chlorine, active oxygen, iodine, concentrated alcohol, phenolic substances, cationic surfactants, strong oxidizing agents, heavy metals and their salts, and concentrated strong acids and alkalis between pH 1 and 13. Suitable disinfectants (i.e., disinfectants that can be used on the body, skin, mucous membranes, wounds, etc., of humans or animals) include diluted chlorine preparations, iodine preparations, peroxides, alcohols with or without disinfectant additives, weak organic acids, phenolic compounds, and cationic active compounds.

[0125] Particularly preferred are azole fungicides (azaconazole, vitertanol, bromconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxyconazole, etaconazole, phenarimol, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole, flutriafole, fluconazole, fluconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulfate, imibe Penconazole, Ipconazole, Metconazole, Mycrobutanil, Nualimol, Oxpoconazole, Paclobutrazole, Penconazole, Pefurazoate, Prochloraz, Propiconazole, Prothioconazole, Pyriphenox, Simeconazole, Tebuconazole, Tetraconazole, Triadimephon, Triadimenol, Triflumizole, Triforine, Triticonazole, Uniconazole, Voriconazole, Viniconazole, Strobit Lurin-based fungicides (azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metminostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin), SDH fungicides, chloronicotinyl insecticides (clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, nithiazin, acetamiprid) rid), nitenpyram, thiacloprid), insecticidal ketoenols (spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramate), fiproles (fiprole, ethiprole), and butenolides, as well as pymetrozine, fluopicole, N-(3',4'-dichloro-5-fluoro-1,Active compounds from the class of 1'-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide and N-{2-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide are examples. Particularly preferred are herbicides, especially sulfonylureas, triketones, and herbicidal ketoenols, as well as safeners.

[0126] This invention is particularly intended to be applied to formulations containing pre-emergence herbicides.

[0127] Nutrients may be present in addition to or as a substitute for pesticide active substances. In such formulations, nutrients are typically in a dried form.

[0128] Nutrients may be solid nutrients or may exist in solution form. In this invention, solid nutrients should be understood to mean substances with a melting point (at standard pressure) above 20°C. Solid nutrients may also include insoluble nutrient components, i.e., nutrient components whose solubility in water results in a significant solid content in the concentrate after addition.

[0129] Nutrients refer to chemical elements and compounds that are desirable or necessary to promote or improve plant growth. Suitable nutrients are generally described as macronutrients or micronutrients. Suitable nutrients for use in the concentrates according to the present invention are any nutritional compounds.

[0130] Micronutrients typically refer to trace metals or trace elements and are often administered in low doses. Suitable micronutrients include trace elements selected from zinc, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, molybdenum, and manganese. Micronutrients may be in soluble form or as insoluble solids, and may be in the form of salts or chelated forms.

[0131] Macronutrients typically refer to those containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and include fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and water conditioners. Suitable macronutrients include fertilizers, other nitrogen-containing compounds, phosphorus-containing compounds, potassium-containing compounds, calcium-containing compounds, magnesium-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, and water conditioners.

[0132] Suitable fertilizers include inorganic fertilizers that provide nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or sulfur. The fertilizer may be included in a relatively low concentration in a diluted formulation, or as a more concentrated solution, and at very high levels, it may include both solid fertilizer and solution.

[0133] The nutrient content depends on the individual nutrient, and it is assumed that micronutrients are typically included at low concentrations, while macronutrients are typically included at high concentrations.

[0134] All features described herein can be combined in any combination with any of the embodiments described above. [Examples]

[0135] To make the present invention easier to understand, please refer to the following example.

[0136] It should be understood that all tests and physical properties described herein were determined at atmospheric pressure and room temperature (i.e., 25°C), unless otherwise specified in this specification or in the referenced test methods and procedures.

[0137] The following test methods were used to determine the performance of the adjuvant composition.

[0138] • Canvas Disk Test (CDT) A specified canvas disc (Cotton swatches ISO 8022) was dropped from a set distance (approximately 5 cm from the top surface of the beaker) onto the surface of 400 mL of surfactant solution (using different surfactant solutions, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.5% w / v) in a 600 mL glass beaker.

[0139] Next, the time it took for the disc to settle in the solution was recorded as the wetting time (in seconds or minutes). This method was performed to validate the capillary rise test.

[0140] Rewetting The re-wetting performance (or residual activity) of the blend was tested through a series of capillary elevation experiments. Soil plugs (pre-dried at 50°C) were placed in a 0.2% w / v aqueous solution (40 mL) of the surfactant blend, and the time it took for the solution to be absorbed by the soil plugs was recorded. After the experiment, the soil plugs were dried overnight in an oven (54°C).

[0141] After drying, the capillary elevation test was repeated up to 10 times under the same conditions as described above (referred to as rewetting 1, rewetting 2, etc. in this specification).

[0142] After the final wetting time, the soil plugs were washed by slowly pouring 400 ml of deionized water onto them (with the grass side facing up). The soil plugs were left to dry in an oven, and the next day, the capillary rise experiment was re-evaluated in the same way as the previous wetting experiment.

[0143] The following compounds were used in the test. P1 - Polyoxyethylene (12) sorbitan monolaurate P2 - Polyoxyethylene (8) sorbitan monolaurate P3 - Polyoxyethylene (16) sorbitan monolaurate P4 - Polyoxyethylene (5) polyoxypropylene (15) sorbitan monolaurate P5 - Polyoxyethylene(10) polyoxypropylene(10) sorbitan monolaurate P6 - Polyoxyethylene (15) polyoxypropylene (5) sorbitan monolaurate P7 - Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate P8 - Polyoxyethylene(4) sorbitan monolaurate P9 - Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate P10 - Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate

[0144] C1 - Polyoxyethylene (5) C9-C11 alcohol C2 - Polyoxyethylene (60) Almond Oil C3 - Polyoxyethylene (6) tridecyl alcohol C4 - Polyoxyethylene(5) alkyl ether phosphate C5 - Polyoxyethylene branched tridecyl phosphate C6 - Polyoxyethylene(4) lauryl ether C7 - Polyoxyethylene (7) C12-C15 alcohol C8 - Polyoxyethylene (2.5) C9-C11 alcohol C9 - Polyoxyethylene (10) C9-C11 alcohol

[0145] A1 - PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 10% EO PPG, size 6 A2 - PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 20% EO PPG, Size 6

[0146] Canvas Disc Test Results Several formulations were prepared and subjected to canvas disk testing. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0147] [Table 1]

[0148] [Table 2]

[0149] All tested formulations provided good wet time.

[0150] Two-component stability results To confirm stability, numerous formulations consisting of two components were also prepared. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0151] [Table 3]

[0152] All tested formulations showed good stability.

[0153] Rewetting test results Numerous formulations were prepared and subjected to rewetting tests. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0154] The following formulations were used in the rewetting test. T19 - P1 (40% by mass) + C1 (10% by mass) + A1 (50% by mass) T20 - P4 (40 mass%) + C1 (10 mass%) + A1 (50 mass%) T21 - P1 (25.5 mass%) + C2 (24.5 mass%) + A1 (50 mass%) T22 - P4 (25.5 mass%) + C2 (24.5 mass%) + A1 (50 mass%)

[0155] [Table 4]

[0156] All tested formulations provided good rewetting times (expressed in seconds).

[0157] Compatibility of tank mixes Tank mix compatibility was evaluated using the official ASTM E1518 method. This method evaluates the physical compatibility of pesticides in aqueous tank mixes using a dynamic shaker system. Formulation T3, as shown in Table 1, was used for tank mix compatibility testing. The results of the compatibility test are shown in Table 4 below.

[0158] [Table 5]

[0159] This formulation showed good compatibility as a tank mix with various activators.

[0160] Tank mix compatibility was also tested for many other formulations listed in Table 1.

[0161] [Table 6]

[0162] As can be seen from Tables 4 and 5, no separation or aggregation was observed, indicating good compatibility of the formulation.

[0163] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments described above, which are merely illustrative. Many modifications are possible. Some embodiments of the present invention are shown below. [Embodiment 1] Soil treatment formulations including the following: (i) Sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8-16 and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5-25, (ii) Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) Compatibilizing surfactants selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters, and / or alkoxylated glycerides. [Embodiment 2] The formulation according to Embodiment 1, wherein the ethoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is a compound of formula (I): [ka] In the above formula, i) Sorb represents a residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan. i) AO represents an ethylene oxy or propylene oxy residue, ii) n1, n2, n3, and n4 each independently represent an average value between 0 and 10, preferably between 0.5 and 5. v) The sum n1 + n2 + n3 + n4 has a mean of 5 to 25, especially 8 to 12; vi)R 1 、R 2 、R 3 and R 4 Each of these independently comprises H or the acyl group -C(O)-R 5 This represents, where R 5 is C 7 ~C 13 Hydrocarbyl group, more usually C 9 ~C 13 Hydrocarbyl groups, especially those approximately C 11 The hydrocarbyl group, particularly an alkyl or alkenyl group, especially a linear alkyl or alkenyl group. [Embodiment 3] The formulation according to Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer has an average molecular weight in the range of 1,500 to 15,000. [Embodiment 4] The formulation according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the compatibilizing surfactant is selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols or alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters and / or alkoxylated glycerides. [Embodiment 5] The aforementioned compatibilizing surfactant is C 4 ~C 30 A formulation according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, which is an alkoxylated fatty alcohol having a fatty chain and containing 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups. [Embodiment 6] The formulation according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the compatibilizing surfactant is an alkoxylated alcohol of the following general formula:

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Claims

1. Soil treatment formulations including the following: (i) Sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8 to 16 and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5 to 25, (ii) Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) A compatibilizing surfactant which is an alkoxylated fatty alcohol having a C4-C30 fatty chain and containing 1-30 oxyalkylene groups.

2. The formulation according to claim 1, wherein the ethoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is a compound of formula (I): 【Chemistry 1】 In the above formula, i) Sorb represents the residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan. i) AO represents an ethylene oxy or propylene oxy residue, ii) n1, n2, n3, and n4 each independently represent the average value from 0 to 10. v) The sum n1 + n2 + n3 + n4 has a mean value of 5 to 25, especially 8 to 12; vi) R １ , R ２ , R ３ and R ４ each independently represents H or an acyl group -C(O)-R ５ , where R ５ is C ７ to C １３ hydrocarbyl group, more usually C ９ to C １３ hydrocarbyl group, especially approximately C １１ hydrocarbyl group, especially an alkyl or alkenyl group, especially a straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl group.

3. The formulation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer has an average molecular weight in the range of 1,500 to 15,000.

4. The formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compatibilizing surfactant is an alkoxylated alcohol of the following general formula: 【Chemistry 2】 In the above formula, R ６ This is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms. AO is an oxyalkylene group, x represents an integer within the range of 1 to 30.

5. A pesticide formulation suitable for application to vegetation and / or soil, further comprising a diluted soil treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and at least one pesticide-active substance and / or nutrient.

6. A method for wetting and / or preparing soil, comprising applying a soil treatment preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. Use of soil treatment formulations including the following for improving soil water retention and / or soil conditioning: (i) Sorbitan ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8 to 16 and an average total ethoxylation degree of 5 to 25, (ii) Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) A compatibilizing surfactant which is an alkoxylated fatty alcohol having a C4-C30 fatty chain and containing 1-30 oxyalkylene groups.

8. A method for treating and moistening soil and / or conditioning said soil, comprising applying a diluted formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to said soil.

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