Compositions for protecting genetically engineered plants from disease and phytotoxic effects of herbicides

Abstract

The composition provides herbicidal, fungicidal and / or nutritional activity to genetically engineered crops in a single application and comprises an aqueous composition of:(1) a glyphosate salt; and,(2) a phosphite selected from the group consisting of: potassium phosphite, potassium polyphosphite or any combinations; and,wherein the molar ratio of (1) to (2) is about 1:4 to about 1:1 and where the concentration of (1) is applied at the rate of between 0.47-4.13 lbs / acre.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates to compositions that protect crops of genetically engineered plants from the phytotoxic effects of herbicides, such as, glyphosates, that are applied to these crops for the reduction of growth of unwanted vegetation; thereby, mitigating damage to the non-target plants.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various elemental Phosphorus (P) derivatives and methods are, known in the chemical art as “glyphosates”, which are effective and commercially important broad spectrum herbicides useful in controlling the growth of geminating seeds, emerging seedlings, maturing and established woody and herbaceous vegetation and aquatic plants.[0003]Glyphosates are used as post-emergent herbicides to control the growth of a wide variety of weed species in crops and are the active ingredient in the “ROUNDUP” family of herbicides available from Monsanto Company St. Louis, Mo. Glyphosates have been widely used in agriculture for many years and the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a combination of glyphosate and a phosphite that protects genetically engineered crops from weeds and increases crop yields. The phosphite eliminates a set-back period of time and allows the crops to grow healthier and produce higher yields faster. The combination of glyphosate and phosphite combines the benefits of weed control and growth stimulation, resulting in a synergistic effect that reduces labor costs and is more environmentally friendly.

Problems solved by technology

However, for many crops, the genetically induced resistance is not completely total, and the application (usually foliar) of the glyphosate, can result in yield losses since the crop may also be adversely affected, either mildly or greatly, by the herbicide application.

Depending on other adverse factors of production, such as, soil conditions, climate, disease, insect pressure, inadequate plant nutrition, or other factors, the crop can itself be temporarily stunted from the herbicide application and suffer a “set back”, or “yield drag” from which it takes time to recover.

It is during this recovery period that crops are weakened and vulnerable to other forms of crop reduction pressure, before a return to a normal growth pattern.

In many cases the plants may not fully recover which results in a reduced crop yield.

An inadequate method to avoid this “set back” or “yield drag” is to use / prescribe lower rates of glyphosphate so that the adverse effect to the crop is reduced, but this can result in inadequate weed control and the development of glyphosate resistant weed species.