Adjuvant composition for chemicals used in agriculture

Abstract

According to the invention an adjuvant for use with a chemical used in agriculture is provided comprising: (a) not in excess of about 75% by weight of one or more lipophilic solvents; (b) not in excess of about 50% by weight of one or more plant nutrients (e.g. ammonium salts of inorganic anions); and (c) not in excess of about 50% of a mixture of one or more cationic emulsifiers including surfactants which exhibit cationic characteristic in acidic conditions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to an adjuvant for use with chemicals used in agriculture. More particularly, the adjuvant of the invention is particularly adapted for use with herbicides. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not to be taken as an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date: [0003] (a) part of common general knowledge; or [0004] (b) known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. [0005] Whilst the following discussion highlights the invention with relation to herbicides, it is believed that the same principles apply to other chemicals used in agriculture, such as, plant hormones, insecticides, crop desiccants or crop defoliants. [0006] Farmers rotate the use of their fields to allow the fields to regain their fe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] It was envisaged that incorporating ammonium salts into lipophilic solvent-based adjuvants would produce an adjuvant which provides active ingredient enhancement in several different ways. It was thought that the ammonium salts (a source of nitrogen) would enhance translocation through the fertilizer effects and could also increase leaf permeability, and the appropriate anion would reduce the effects of water hardness, whilst the lipophilic solvents would increase the availability of the active on the target and subsequently the absorption of the active into the target. However, preparing a stable homogeneous blend of lipophilic solvent with ammonium salts, particularly those which minimize the detrimental effects of hard water has not been easy to achieve because such salts are not soluble in lipophilic solvents. Hence, evaluating such a product as an adjuvant has not been possible.

[0029] The lipophobic plant nutrients include ammonium salts of inorganic anions (such as ammonium sulphate and phosphates) which are known to minimise the deleterious effects of hard water on herbicide performance. Preferably, the ammonium salt is ammonium sulphate. If an anhydrous ammonium salt is used then water may need to be added to the composition. However, if the ammonium salt is already in solution then additional water may not be necessary.

[0032] Preferably, the adjuvant composition comprises other components to improve the form of the composition. These other components may be added to form a micro-emulsion. The other components may be selected from the group consisting of nonionic emulsifiers, co-solvents and mixtures thereof.

Problems solved by technology

However, preparing a stable homogeneous blend of lipophilic solvent with ammonium salts, particularly those which minimize the detrimental effects of hard water has not been easy to achieve because such salts are not soluble in lipophilic solvents.

Hence, evaluating such a product as an adjuvant has not been possible.