Method of controlling weeds

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling annual weeds using a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide.

Description

[0001] METHOD OF CONTROLLING WEEDS

[0002] Technical field:

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of controlling weeds. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of controlling annual weeds using a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide.

[0004] Background and prior art

[0005] Weeds are adapted to be opportunists and may be classified as annual or perennial. Annual weeds grow on vacant land and compete with crops as they are characterized by rapid growth, short lifecycle, production of large number of seeds and their long-term viability. Annual weeds are generally ‘pioneer’ species, growing densely, colonizing open habitats and achieving their spread through seed dispersal. Perennial weed patches tend to be more stable than annual weed patches. Most perennial weeds found in agronomic crops spread primarily by vegetative structures rather than by seed.

[0006] Most annual weeds are classified as colonizers that quickly move into areas where the soil has been disturbed and previous vegetation eliminated. Under natural conditions, colonizers fill a void in the ecosystem and then are rapidly replaced by more persistent vegetation types, such as herbaceous perennials, shrubs and / or trees. Annual weeds are adapted to growing in any soil with characteristics favorable for crop growth. The potential for weed seed movement allows annuals to spread more rapidly than perennials.

[0007] Maleic hydrazide (MH) has a plant growth regulating action and is known as a potato growth inhibitor, but its mechanism of action is uncertain. It belongs to the pyridazinedione class. It is recommended for temporary growth inhibition of various shrubs and grasses. In acute toxicity studies, maleic hydrazide was found to be "practically nontoxic" to birds, fish, invertebrates, and honeybees, since it is mobile, but not persistent in environment. The use of maleic hydrazide or its salts in accordance with approved labeling will not pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to the environment. Maleic hydrazide or its salt is widely used for controlling perennial weeds such as curly dock, butterbur, hedge bindweed, wormwood, common sorrel, Japanese knotweed, red garlic and dandelion. When MH or its salt is used in the growth period of perennial weeds, that is, in spring or summer, a highest effect is attained by a method in which a terrestrial stem or leaf portion is cut off after passage of about 7 to about 10 days from the time of the chemical treatment. In practice, it is necessary that MH should be applied at a high rate. It is often difficult to obtain the intended controlling effect stably. Therefore, there is a lack of literature in the art that provides for a method that is convenient, economically beneficial, and efficient for control of weeds by application of maleic hydrazide.

[0008] Object of the disclosure

[0009] With limitations on individual efficacies of the existing herbicides against weeds in terms of activity, there has been an underlying need for an effective herbicide which overcomes the previously known shortcomings of the solo active ingredients against weeds.

[0010] There remains a great need for improved control of weeds, particularly noxious, dense vegetation in pre- and post-emergence crops without adversely affecting the growth of desirable plants, and which reduces the amount of the herbicidal agent necessary to obtain acceptable weed control.

[0011] The primary object of the present disclosure is to provide an efficient and foolproof method of weed management for control of a broad spectrum of weeds.

[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a herbicide for efficient weed control, weed suppression and eradication with reduced phytotoxicity.

[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a herbicide which is safe to use, is effective and can be applied at weed pre-emergence or post-emergence.

[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method of controlling weeds which is mainly effective against annual weeds in soyabean crop cultivations. Summary of the invention

[0015] The present disclosure provides an improved control of weeds, particularly noxious, dense annual weeds in pre- and post-emergence crops without adversely affecting the growth and yield of desirable crop plants

[0016] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling a broad spectrum of annual weeds.

[0017] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide. In an embodiment, said method comprises applying maleic hydrazide at said locus in an amount ranging from 100 to 3000 g ai / ha.

[0018] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide, wherein maleic hydrazide is applied at pre or post emergence of weeds.

[0019] In an embodiment, the annual weeds are selected from the group consisting of Commelina, Commelina benghalensis, Euphorbia geniculate, Brachiaria sp, Dinebra sp, Dinebra arabica, Eleusine sp, Eleusine indica, Digitaria sp, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa sp, Echinochloa crus galli, Echinochloa colona, Cyperus iria, Phyllantus niruri, Parthenium hysterophorus, Parthenium sp, Setaria sp, Setaria viridis, Setaria verticullata, Acalypha sp, Acalypha indica, Dactyloctenium sp, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Eragrostis sp, Eragrostis capillaris, and combinations thereof.

[0020] In an embodiment, said weeds are weeds growing in locus of leguminous crops, oilseed crops or cereal crops.

[0021] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides use of a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus.

[0022] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds by reducing the amount of the herbicidal agent necessary to obtain acceptable weed control.

[0023] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling a broad spectrum of weeds in soyabean cultivations. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling a broad spectrum of annual weeds in soyabean cultivations.

[0024] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling annual weeds at a locus comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide in an amount ranging from 100 to 3000 g ai / ha.

[0025] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling annual weeds at a locus in soyabean crop cultivations comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide in an amount ranging from 100 to 3000 g ai / ha.

[0026] In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for controlling annual weeds.

[0027] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for controlling annual weeds in soyabean cultivations.

[0028] Detailed description

[0029] For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials / ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about" and is meant to encompass variations of ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, ± 0.5%, or even ± 0.1% of the specified value as well as the specified value.

[0030] Thus, before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0031] It should be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.

[0032] As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

[0033] As used herein, the term "maleic hydrazide or a salt thereof" are meant maleic hydrazide, choline maleic hydrazide, diethanolamine maleic hydrazide, sodium maleic hydrazide and potassium maleic hydrazide.

[0034] The term “herbicide” as used herein means an active ingredient that kills, controls or otherwise adversely modifies the growth of plants. As used herein, a herbicidally effective or vegetation controlling amount is an amount of active ingredient that causes a “herbicidal effect,” i.e., an adversely modifying effect and includes deviations from natural development, killing, regulation, desiccation, retardation, and methods known to a person skilled in the art.

[0035] The terms “plants” and “vegetation” include, but are not limited to, germinant seeds, emerging seedlings, plants emerging from vegetative propagules, and established vegetation.

[0036] The term “weed” refers to unwanted vegetation and includes any plant which grows where it is not wanted, including pesticide resistant plants. In the broadest sense, the term "weed" refers to plants which grow in locations in which they are not desired. In other words, a “weed” is a plant in which in the context of a crop is undesirable due to competition with the crop for water, nutrients, sunlight, soil, etc. The term may also refer to crop plants which are undesirable at a particular location.

[0037] The terms "undesirable vegetation", "harmful plants", "unwanted plants", "weeds" and "weed species", as used herein, are synonyms.

[0038] The term “locus” of a crop / plant as used herein shall denote the vicinity of a desired crop in which weed control, typically selective weed control is desired. The locus includes the vicinity of desired crop plants, wherein the weed infestation has either emerged or is yet to emerge.

[0039] The term “crop” shall include a multitude of desired crop plants or an individual crop plant growing at a locus. The locus could be a weed, an area adjacent to the weed, soil adapted to support growth of the weed, a root of the weed and / or foliage of weed.

[0040] The terms “g a.i. / L” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” present “per litre” of the composition. The terms “g a.i. / L”, “g a.i. / L” and “g / L” may be used interchangeably.

[0041] The terms “g a.i. / ha” as used herein denotes the application amount of the respective active ingredient in “grams” applied “per hectare” of the crop field. The terms “g ai / ha”, “g a.i. / ha” and “g / ha” may be used interchangeably.

[0042] The “herbicide” or “herbicidal composition” used in the present invention is ordinarily formulated into a liquid or a solid preparation. Diatomaceous earth or talc is used as the carrier when a powder preparation or dust is formed. When a liquid preparation is used, to improve the permeability and spreading property, it is preferred that an adjuvant be incorporated into the herbicidal composition. The adjuvant may be added to the herbicidal composition when it is used. From the viewpoint of the effect, a liquid preparation is preferred. Weed control is a practice of great importance for obtaining high soybean yields. Weeds are a serious problem for soybean crops and its control is needed especially in infested sides. Therefore, weed management is an integral part of soybean production. Research has reported that density and distribution of weed species in soybean plantations are significant parameters on yield losses. This is attributed to competition between weeds and crops for sunlight, water and nutrients, and may, depending on the level of infestation and species, hamper harvesting operations and compromise the quality of soybean grains.

[0043] Therefore, the present inventors felt the need to provide a method using maleic hydrazide to control broad spectrum weeds. The inventors have specifically arrived at the application of maleic hydrazide for control of annual weeds in soyabean crop cultivations. The application of maleic hydrazide also provides for reduction in toxicity in crops. There is a lack of literature in the art that provides redressal for the control of annual weeds in soyabean cultivations. The present inventors have successfully provided a method of controlling such dense annual weeds.

[0044] The present invention provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide.

[0045] The present method of controlling weeds according to the invention are suitable for any useful crop plants, for example legumes, soybeans, grain crops, cereals root crops, oil crops, vegetables, spices, ornamentals and the like, durum wheat and other wheat species, oats, rye, barley, maize, including fodder maize and sugar maize, oilseeds, brasssicas, okra, cotton, sunflower, bananas, rice, oilseed rape, beet, sugarbeet, fodder beet, aubergines, potatoes, turf, grass seed, tomatoes, leek, pumpkin / squash, cabbage, lettuces, bell peppers, cucumbers, melons, beans, peas, garlic, onions, carrots, tobacco, grapes, petunias, geraniums, pelargoniums, pansies, and the like.

[0046] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus of leguminous crops comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus of soyabean crop cultivation comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide.

[0047] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in cereal crops.

[0048] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of durum wheat and other wheat species, rice, oats, rye, barley, and maize.

[0049] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of a crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 100 to 3000 g ai / ha.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of a crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 2500 g ai / ha.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of a crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 2000 g ai / ha.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of a crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 1500 g ai / ha.

[0053] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 100 to 3000 g ai / ha.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 2500 g ai / ha.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 2000 g ai / ha.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling Eleusine indica growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 1500 g ai / ha.

[0057] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling Eleusine indica weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 100 to 3000 g ai / ha.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling Eleusine indica weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 2500 g ai / ha.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling Eleusine indica weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 2000 g ai / ha. In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling Eleusine indica weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at pre or post emergence of weeds at said locus in an amount ranging from 500 to 1500 g ai / ha.

[0060] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of a crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at said locus at an application rate ranging from 1 to 10 L / ha.

[0061] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling annual weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at said locus at an application rate ranging from 1 to 10 L / ha.

[0062] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for effectively controlling Eleusine indica weeds growing in the locus of soyabean crop, comprising applying maleic hydrazide at said locus at an application rate ranging from 1 to 10 L / ha.

[0063] In an embodiment, maleic hydrazide may be applied with at least one other active ingredient selected from the group consisting of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, biological agents, plant growth activators, fertilizers or combinations thereof.

[0064] The dosage level of maleic hydrazide may be defined by the inherent efficacy of the compound, the pest pressure, soil type, the weather, the formulation type and many other indeterminate variables. These standard dosage levels are fixed by the regulatory authorities.

[0065] Maleic hydrazide or its salts or derivatives are applied in the method of the present disclosure. Derivatives of maleic hydrazide useful in the herbicide treatment include alkylated products of one or both nitrogen within the six membered ring of maleic hydrazide and, preferably, maleic hydrazide salts. Typically, the alkylated derivatives of maleic hydrazide are of lower alkyl groups having carbon chain lengths of from one to about four carbon atoms. Salts of maleic hydrazide include, but are not limited to, sodium, potassium, lithium, magnesium, amines and, preferably ammonium salts. Suitable amines include tertiary amine having lower alkyl groups of between one and three carbon atoms, e.g., triethylamine.

[0066] In an embodiment, maleic hydrazide may be formulated as a premix product or a ready- to-use product. In an embodiment, the method comprises applying a composition comprising maleic hydrazide at a time or in succession. In another embodiment, the constituents of the composition of the present disclosure may be tank mixed and applied or sprayed at the locus of weed infestation or may be alternatively mixed with surfactants and / or any other agrochemically suitable excipients and then applied.

[0067] In yet another embodiment, the constituents of the combination of the present disclosure may be applied in such quick succession in any order to form the desired mix at the locus of application.

[0068] In an embodiment, the constituents of the composition of the present disclosure may be used for foliar application, ground application or application to plant propagation materials.

[0069] The herbicidal compositions of the present disclosure can be in any conventional agriculturally useful form, for example, in the form of a ready-to-use formulation, or in the form of a tank mix.

[0070] In an embodiment, combination of the present invention may be applied either pre or post emergent stages. The advantage of the combination is surprisingly good residual effects, when applied in post-emergent leading to quick control of weeds.

[0071] The composition comprises at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

[0072] In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention may contain agriculturally acceptable excipients comprising adjuvants, carriers, diluents, emulsifiers, fillers, antifoaming agents, thickening agents, anti-freezing agents, freezing agents, compatibilizers, sequestering agents, neutralizing agents and buffers, corrosion inhibitors, coloring agents, odorants, spreading agents, permeation aids, fixing agents, dispersants, thickeners, etc. The compositions may be either solid or liquids. They can be solids, such as, for example, dusts, granules, water-dispersible granules, microcapsules or wettable powders, or liquids, such as, for example, emulsifiable concentrates, solutions, emulsions or suspensions, ZC formulations. They can also be provided as a pre-mix or tank mixes.

[0073] Suitable agricultural adjuvants and carriers may include, but are not limited to, crop oil concentrates; methylated seed oils, emulsified methylated seed oil, nonylphenol ethoxylate; benzylcocoalkyldimethyl quaternary ammonium salt; blend of petroleum hydrocarbon, alkyl esters, organic acid, and anionic surfactant; C9-Cnalkylpolyglycoside; phosphated alcohol ethoxylate; natural primary alcohol (C12-C16) ethoxylate; di-sec- butylphenol EO-PO block copolymer; polysiloxane-methyl cap; nonylphenol ethoxylate, urea ammonium nitrate; tridecyl alcohol (synthetic) ethoxylate (8EO); tallow amine ethoxylate ; PEG(400) dioleate-99, alkyl sulfates, such as diethanolammonium lauryl sulfate; alkylarylsulfonate salts, such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; alkylphenolalkylene oxide addition products, such as nonylphenol-C18ethoxylate; alcohol-alkylene oxide addition products, such as tridecyl alcohol-C16ethoxylate; soaps, such as sodium stearate; alkyl-naphthalene-sulfonate salts, such as sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate; dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinate salts, such as sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate; sorbitol esters, such as sorbitol oleate; quaternary amines, such as lauryl trimethylammonium chloride; polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, such as polyethylene glycol stearate; block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; salts of mono and dialkyl phosphate esters; vegetable or seed oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed / canola oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, tung oil and the like; and esters of the above vegetable oils, and in certain embodiments, methyl esters.

[0074] Suitable liquid carriers that may be employed in a composition of the present invention may include water or organic solvents. The organic solvents include, but are not limited to, petroleum fractions or hydrocarbons such as mineral oil, aromatic solvents, paraffinic oils, and the like; vegetable oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, tung oil and the like; esters of the above vegetable oils; esters of monoalcohols or dihydric, trihydric, or other lower polyalcohols (4-6 hydroxy containing), such as 2-ethyl hexyl stearate, n-butyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, propylene glycol dioleate, di-octyl succinate, di-butyl adipate, di-octyl phthalate and the like; esters of mono, di and poly carboxy lie acids and the like. Organic solvents include, but are not limited to toluene, xylene, petroleum naphtha, crop oil, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethyl alkylamides, dimethyl sulfoxide.

[0075] Solid carriers that may be employed in the compositions of the present invention may include but are not limited to attapulgite, pyrophyllite clay, silica, kaolin clay, kieselguhr, chalk, diatomaceous earth, lime, calcium carbonate, bentonite clay, Fuller's earth, talc, cottonseed hulls, wheat flour, soybean flour, pumice, wood flour, walnut shell flour, lignin, cellulose etc.

[0076] In another aspect, the composition may further comprise applying at least one adjuvant or at least one safener.

[0077] In an aspect, the compositions of the present invention may be presented in the form of a multi-pack herbicidal product or as a kit-of-parts for treatment of targeted weeds.

[0078] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for controlling weeds.

[0079] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for controlling annual weeds at pre-emergence or post emergence of said weeds.

[0080] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus of a crop.

[0081] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus of soyabean crops. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus of cereal crops.

[0082] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of maleic hydrazide for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus of oilseed crops.

[0083] In another embodiment, the present invention provides use of maleic hydrazide for controlling herbicide resistant annual weeds, thereby providing resistance management and efficient control of weeds. The present invention also provides use of a method to achieve complete control of weeds, improving crop yields, while targeting resistance management.

[0084] In an embodiment the present disclosure provides for controlling annual weeds in soyabean crop cultivations, such weeds include Commelina, Commelina benghalensis, Euphorbia geniculate, Brachiaria sp, Dinebra sp, Dinebra arabica, Eleusine sp, Eleusine indica, Digitaria sp, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa sp, Echinochloa crus galli, Echinochloa colona, Cyperus iria, Phyllantus niruri, Parthenium hysterophorus, Parthenium sp, Setaria sp, Setaria viridis, Setaria verticullata, Acalypha sp, Acalypha indica, Dactyloctenium sp, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Eragrostis sp, Eragrostis capillaris and other annual weeds.

[0085] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several advantages of the disclosure are achieved, and other advantageous results are attained. Although the present disclosure has been disclosed in full, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The embodiments may be combined together for better understanding of the disclosure, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0086] In another embodiment, alternative or multiple embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each embodiment can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other embodiments of the disclosure. One or more embodiments of the disclosure can be combined together to exhibit the teaching of the invention, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The invention will now be described in more details with reference to the following examples. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and following examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0087] Examples: Example 1: % Weed control of Eleusine indica

[0088] Eleusine indica is an annual weed observed in soyabean cultivations. The % control of weeds was observed at 21 DAA and 28 DAA (days after application). A SL (soluble concentrate) formulation of maleic hydrazide was used to determine the % weed control in a concentration of 180 g / L. The evaluation of weed control was performed with respect to visual observations.

[0089] Table 1: % Weed control

[0090] The % control of weeds was observed to be high.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus comprising applying at said locus a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method comprising applying maleic hydrazide at said locus in an amount ranging from 100 to 3000 g ai / ha.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein maleic hydrazide is applied at pre or post emergence of weeds.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said annual weeds are selected from the group consisting of Commelina, Commelina benghalensis, Euphorbia geniculate, Brachiaria sp, Dinebra sp, Dinebra arabica, Eleusine sp, Eleusine indica, Digitaria sp, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa sp, Echinochloa crus galli, Echinochloa colona, Cyperus iria, Phyllantus niruri, Parthenium hysterophorus, Parthenium sp, Setaria sp, Setaria viridis, Setaria verticullata, Acalypha sp, Acalypha indica, Dactyloctenium sp, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Eragrostis sp, Eragrostis capillaris, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said weeds are weeds growing in locus of leguminous crops, oilseed crops or cereal crops.

6. The method of any of claims 4 or 5, wherein said weed is Eleusine indica.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein maleic hydrazide is used for foliar application, ground application or application to plant propagation materials.

8. Use of a herbicidally effective amount of maleic hydrazide for effectively controlling annual weeds at a locus.

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