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

[0014]The composition of this invention provides protection against set-back to genetically engineered crops resistant to the effects of a glyphosate herbicide and improves crop yields.

[0015]The novel composition of this invention combines salts of glyphosate with a phosphite in effective amounts for foliar application to genetically engineered crops. The effective amount of glyphosate continues to be a weed control composition, while the effective amount of the phosphite eliminates or substantially reduces the set back period of time, allowing crops to meet their genetic growth potential to grow healthier and result in crop yields being higher in a shorter period of time than if a dissolved glyphosate salt solution was applied individually.

[0026]Phosphites are effective because they are systemic fungicides which, unlike surface protectant fungicides which can easily wash off the plant surface, can protect plants from diseases during the entire growing season. Phosphites move systemically upward and downward throughout the entire plants vascular system, translocating to the new growth, via both the xylem and the phloem activating the plants own natural, self defense mechanisms, systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced resistance (IR).

[0028]Over this range, i.e. 11 oz / acre to about 96 oz / acre, genetically engineered plants are surprisingly tolerant in view of the glyphosate manufacturer's warning not to exceed 44 oz / acre (1.89 lbs / acre). The addition of phosphite to the glyphosate salt solution subsequently diluted and then foliar applied to genetically engineered plants improves the health of the plant while providing effective weed control up to at least six weeks after application.

[0029]Delivery of a higher concentration of glyphosate in the form of a glyphosate salt solution means that significant weed development is less likely to occur prior to harvest. It is believed that foliar application of a greater amount of glyphosate salt minimizes the potential that weeds will develop a resistance to treatment as may occur if treatment is delivered in repetitive smaller doses over time. By saving at least one extra trip across the field, the combining of effective amounts of dissolved glyphosate salt and phosphite reduces labor costs and is more environmentally friendly. As mentioned earlier, the glyphosate salt phosphite combination also synergistically reduces yield drag and set back to genetically engineered crops than if a glyphosate salt solution was applied separately. The glyphosate herbicide component provides effective weed control while the phosphite component provides the necessary stimulus to maintain vigorous growth.

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.