Organic herbicidal composition based on plant extracts

Abstract

The invention relates to an organic herbicidal composition based on extracts of waste plant matter from the leaves of plants of the Asparagales order, with added amino acids that inhibit the enzyme responsible for glutamine synthesis, which is effective in controlling and eradicating dicotyledon weeds (broadleaf) and monocotyledon weeds (grasses).

Description

[0001] ORGANIC HERBICIDE COMPOSITION BASED ON EXTRACTS

[0002] VEGETABLES

[0003] Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an organic herbicide composition based on plant extracts, and more particularly to a herbicide composition based on extracts of the leaf peels of plants of the order Asparagales (Aloe, Agave and Yucca) free of gel, which is added with amino acids that inhibit the enzyme responsible for glutamine synthesis, which is capable of controlling and eradicating weeds post-emergence, being useful in the control of both broadleaf and narrowleaf weeds.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a herbicide composition supplemented with a supernatant from the cultures of a bacterial strain isolated from the compost of Aloe vera husk waste, which together with extracts from the husks of plants of the order Asparagales, allows for improved weed control in crops without contaminating the soil of the crops where it is applied due to its completely organic origin.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Weed control in crops is a complex process because, unlike the control of other phytopathogenic organisms, weeds have metabolic mechanisms very similar to those of cultivated plants. Therefore, the use of control agents that affect weed metabolism also affects the growth of cultivated plants. Consequently, weed control strategies focus on the targeted application of herbicides, avoiding contact with the aerial parts of the cultivated plants, as any contact between the herbicide and the aerial parts of the plants causes damage to the tissues. However, even with targeted application of herbicides, it is essential to minimize the negative impact on crop growth.

[0007] On the other hand, post-emergence weed control is complicated, since cultivated plants and weeds have a similar resistance to chemical control agents, so the application of conventional herbicides also affects the growth rate of crops, in addition to contaminating the soil of the crops.

[0008] Over the years, various chemical compounds, such as glyphosate, have been used, and it has proven effective in controlling both emerging and post-emergent weeds. However, this compound has been shown to generate high selection pressure, leading to resistant weed biotypes and resulting in the need for higher doses to achieve effective control. Additionally, glyphosate can cause alterations in agricultural fields because it has proven highly toxic to free-living organisms and tends to concentrate in bodies of water, causing significant toxicity.

[0009] In light of the above, efforts have been made to design herbicide compounds of organic origin that avoid bioaccumulation problems in cultivated land, thus preventing harm to free-living organisms. Additionally, alternatives to conventional herbicides have been sought that prevent their bioaccumulation in groundwater and avoid generating resistance in weeds, with the aim of reducing the amount of herbicide compounds required for adequate weed control.Herbicide compositions based on organic components are described, for example, in Patent Application US20130190175A1, which describes a method for modulating the growth of monocotyledonous, dicotyledonous, and aquatic weeds. This method comprises applying to the weeds or the soil a quantity of at least two herbicidal agents effective in modulating the growth of said weeds, wherein a first herbicidal agent is taxtomin and a second agent may be a bioherbicide. Likewise, the application describes a herbicidal combination comprising at least two herbicides, wherein a first herbicide is taxtomin and a second herbicide is a bioherbicide or chemical herbicide. The bioherbicide may be plant-derived or microbial.In particular, a plant-derived bioherbicide can be derived from pepper (e.g., sarmentin) or it can be a plant essential oil (e.g., lemongrass oil). A microbial bioherbicide can be derived from bacteria (e.g., Streptomyces sp.) or fungi. The bioherbicide can be selected from the group consisting of clove, cinnamon, lemongrass, citrus oils, orange peel oil, bialafos, cornexistin, AAL toxin, leptospermone, sarmentin, momyl lactone B, sarmentin analogue, sorgoleone, ascaulatoxin, manuka oil, Phoma macrostoma, m-tyrosine, chelated iron, and ascaulatoxin aglycone. The taxtomin used in the composition of the above-mentioned Patent Application has a bacterial origin and is produced by Streptomyces scabi es -ATCC 49173, Streptomyces acidi scabi es -ATCC 49003 and BL37-EQ- 010 or can be acquired from commercial sources.The results of the tests carried out demonstrated that the use of taxtomin in combination with lemongrass oil or sarmetin is capable of effectively inhibiting weed growth. However, the use of taxtomin as a herbicide carries serious risks, since it has been shown that this compound has a strong necrotic effect on the aerial parts of the plants where it is applied. This is because the compound prevents the synthesis of cellulose in plant tissues, so its uncontrolled use can cause alterations in crop growth, not just in the weeds being eradicated.

[0010] On the other hand, US Patent Application 8957000B2 protects a method for modulating the emergence of monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous weeds in a substrate. This method involves applying a quantity of sarmentin or its analogues to the weeds and / or the substrate. Sarmentin is a product isolated from the Piper nigrum (black pepper) plant. The patent application describes sarmentin as a good alternative to synthetic herbicides, as the latter produce adverse environmental effects. The application also mentions that using sarmentin as a herbicide prevents adverse effects in the crops where it is applied. However, for sarmentin to have an effective effect on crops, it must be applied in the form of one of its analogues, which are obtained through a synthetic process and therefore cannot be considered naturally occurring organic compounds.Additionally, sarmentin and its analogues have the disadvantage of being easily oxidized, so the composition quickly loses its herbicidal effect once applied.

[0011] The article by TÉLLEZ LÓPEZ, Kenier Iván; FONTECHA QUINTERO, Mayra Alejandra; MESA ARGUELLO, Fidel, titled "Herbicidal Activity of Glyphosate with Aloe Vera Gel as an Adjuvant in the Establishment of Brachiaria decumbens Grass," published in Centro Agrícola in 2021 (vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 37-42), describes the use of aloe vera gel as an adjuvant to enhance the herbicidal activity of glyphosate. This allows for a reduction in the amount of glyphosate needed to control weeds. This helps avoid adverse effects associated with the use of large quantities of glyphosate and significantly improves weed control by potentiating the herbicidal effects of glyphosate. However, the use of aloe vera gel does not completely avoid the use of glyphosate, and therefore there is always a risk of contaminating groundwater with its use.Additionally, since glyphosate continues to be used as the main herbicide component, it continues to affect free-living organisms and accumulates in the soil, leading to long-term acute toxicity. Furthermore, because glyphosate is a toxic molecule, the mere addition of aloe vera gel does not make it an organic herbicide suitable for use in organic crops without compromising their organic status. It is apparent from the aforementioned documents that a fully organic herbicide that provides effective weed control and is 100% natural has not yet been developed.

[0012] Given the aforementioned problems, there is a need for an organic herbicide composition capable of controlling both broadleaf and grass weeds post-emergence without contaminating crop soils with toxic components. Furthermore, there is a need for an organic herbicide composition with potent pectinolytic, phytotoxic, and glutamine synthesis-inhibiting activity, negatively regulating the synthesis of this amino acid. This herbicide should be diluted and effective on commercially important crops, both in greenhouses and in open fields, even at low doses.Additionally, there is a need to provide an organic herbicide composition that can be added with the supernatants of a cellulase-rich bacterial culture, which improves the effectiveness of the organic herbicide composition by allowing the composition to actively attack the cell walls of the weeds where it is applied.

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] In order to overcome the limitations of available herbicide compositions, the present invention aims to provide an organic herbicide composition free of synthetic compounds, capable of controlling weeds post-emergence without contaminating the soil of the crops where it is applied with toxic components. A further objective of the present invention is to provide an organic herbicide composition, based on waste plant components such as the leaves of plants of the order Asparagales, that completely avoids the use of synthetic herbicides such as glyphosate.

[0015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an organic herbicidal composition that can be combined with bacterial culture supernatants to enhance the herbicidal effect of the composition by providing enzymes capable of attacking the cellulose of the weeds to which it is applied.

[0016] An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a method for weed control in greenhouse or open-field crops, capable of controlling and eradicating weeds post-emergence without regrowth or the generation of resistance associated with the use of the herbicide composition used.

[0017] The aforementioned objectives, as well as others and the advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof.

[0018] Description of the Figures of the Invention

[0019] Figure 1 shows a thin-layer chromatography of extracts of fresh and dried Aloe vera peel (F and S) at two ethanol concentrations (35% and 96%). On the plate eluted with ethyl acetate, methanol, and water, yellow bands at an Rf value of 0.05 are observed, corresponding to glycosylated saponins. Additionally, gray bands at an Rf value of 0.46 are observed, corresponding to glycosylated irinols. On the plate eluted with butanol, ethanol, and water, yellow bands at an Rf value of 0.54 are observed, corresponding to glycosylated flavonoids. Both plates were developed with p-anisaldehyde.

[0020] Figure 2 shows nutrient agar plates supplemented with 1% pectin and stained with iodine, after 7 days of incubation at 30°C; plate A was inoculated with sterile water and plate B with the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera leaf peels according to the teachings of the present invention, in which the pectin degradation halo can be observed.

[0021] Figure 3 shows nutrient agar plates supplemented with 1% Carboxymethylcellulose and stained with Congo Red, after 7 days of incubation at 30 °C; plate A was inoculated with sterile water and plate B with the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera leaf peels according to the teachings of the present invention, in which the cellulose degradation halo can be observed.

[0022] Figure 4 shows the herbicidal activity of the composition of the present invention on weeds in a tomato crop at the harvest stage in a greenhouse; Top, before application; bottom, 7 days after application.

[0023] Figure 5 shows the herbicidal activity of the composition of the present invention on invasive weeds in uncultivated areas of a tomato greenhouse; left, before application; right, 7 days after application. Figure 6 shows the herbicidal activity of the composition of the present invention on invasive weeds in an open field, 7 days after application. Phytotoxic activity is observed in the areas delimited by yellow tape, and weeds remain intact in the areas where the product was not applied.

[0024] Figure 7 shows the herbicidal activity of the composition of the present invention on invasive weeds in an aloe plot; the herbicide was applied one row yes and one row no and the results were observed 10 days after application with growth of the untreated weeds due to the effect of rain.

[0025] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] The present invention provides an organic herbicide composition based on plant matter extracts from the waste leaves of plants of the order Asparagales, such as Aloe, Agave, and Yucca, which contain irinol glycosides, glycosylated saponins, and glycosylated flavonoids. These compounds act as inhibitors of root development and seed germination in the composition (Figure 1). Furthermore, the Asparagales plant extract used in the present invention exhibits intense pectinolytic activity (Figure 2), which contributes to the phytotoxic effect of the composition by damaging the plant cell wall (Figure 3).Additionally, the composition of the present invention is supplemented with amino acids that inhibit the enzyme responsible for glutamine synthesis, an essential amino acid in plant tissue development, thus contributing to the phytotoxic activity of the organic herbicide of the present invention. In the composition of the present invention, the amino acids used are L-serine and L-alanine, which bind to the glutamate site in glutamine synthetase, the substrate by which glutamine is synthesized, negatively regulating the synthesis of this amino acid. Some synthetic herbicides function through this mechanism of action, including glufosinate-ammonium, so their addition to the composition of the present invention allows for weed control that surpasses that obtained by the use of synthetic herbicides.

[0027] The organic herbicide composition of the present invention is composed of between 80 and 90% of an ethanolic extract of the gel-free leaf peels of plants of the order Asparagales, with an ethanol content of between 35 and 96%, said extract preferably being an ethanolic extract of Aloe, Agave or Yucca; and between 10 and 20% of a surfactant approved for use in organic agriculture, selected from surfactants of the group of Ethoxylated Castor Oils and Polymethyl Siloxane Polyethers, added with between 1 and 3% w / v of L-serine and L-alanine, said surfactant preferably being a Polymethyl Siloxane Polyether Copolymer.

[0028] The composition described above is a concentrate that is adapted to be applied to crops infested with both dicotyledonous (broadleaf) weeds and monocotyledonous (grass) weeds, said concentrate being diluted to a concentration of 5% v / v in water, to be applied preferably at a rate of between 400 and 600 liters of dilution per hectare of the crop.

[0029] Once applied, the composition is capable of eradicating weeds post-emergence, making it useful for controlling established weed infestations in the field, not just emerging weeds, without contaminating the soil, as occurs with compositions containing herbicide compounds that are not 100% natural. The composition of the present invention is useful for weed control in both greenhouse and open-field cultivation conditions, as its dilution and application do not affect the effectiveness of its components. The composition of the present invention has demonstrated an effectiveness of between 60% and 75% in controlling monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds, both when applied to greenhouse and open-field crops, without significantly affecting normal crop growth.

[0030] The composition of the present invention may further comprise the supernatant of a culture of a bacterial strain isolated from a compost of Aloe vera husk waste, said supernatant containing enzymes with cellulolytic activity, which contribute to the phytotoxic activity of the organic herbicide by degrading the plant cell wall. In this option of the composition, the supernatant is used at a ratio of between 22 and 55% with respect to the total volume of the composition, said supernatant preferably being derived from a saturated culture of a Streptomyces albinoflavus BC11 bacterial strain.

[0031] The bacterial strain of Streptomyces albinoflavus BC11 used in the composition of the present invention has a DNA sequence of the gene encoding its 16S ribosomal RNA sequence of SEQ ID NO : 1 which is shown below: CCCGCAGCAATGCTGATCTGCGATTACTAGCAACTCCGACTTCATGGGGTCGAGTTGCA GACCCCAATCCGAACTGAGACCGGCTTTTTGAGATTCGCTCCGCCTCACGGCATCGCAG CTCATTGTACCGGCCATTGTAGCACGTGCAGCCCAAGACATAAGGGGCATGATGACT TGACGTCGTCCCCACCTTCCTCCGAGTTGACCCCGGCAGTCTCCTGTGAGTCCCCATCA CCCCGAAAGGCATGCTGGCAACACAGAACAAGGGTTGCGCTCGTTGCGGGACTTAACCC AACATCTCACGACGAGCTGACGACAGCCATGCACCACCTGTATACCGACCACCAAGGGG GGGCACCATCTCTGATGCTTTCCGGTATATGTCAAGCCTTGGTAAGGTTCTTCGCGTTG CGTCGAATTAAGCCACATGCTCCGCTGCTTGTGCGGGCCCCCGTCAATTCCTTTGAGTT TTAGCCTTGCGGCCGTACTCCCCAGGCGGGGAACTTAATGCGTTAGCTGCGCGCGCGC GACGTGGAATGTCGCCAACACCTAGTTCCCAACGTTTACGGCGTGGACTACCAGGGTAT CTAATCCTGTTCGCTCCCCACGCTTTTCGCTCACTCAGCGTCAGTAATGGCCCAGAGAT CCGCCTTTCGCCACCGGTGTTCCTCCTGATATCT

[0032] The bacterial strain BC11 used in the present invention was subjected to biochemical tests to confirm its genus and species, which are described in detail below.

[0033] Biochemical Tests

[0034] To confirm the species of the isolated bacterial strain, species differentiation tests were performed according to Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology ninth edition, using the matrix information from Table 25.1, pages 670 and 671.

[0035] Gram stain

[0036] To perform the Gram stain, a small portion of an isolated colony was taken with a platinum loop, placed on a slide with a drop of distilled water, and the corresponding reagents were applied: crystal violet for 30 seconds; Lugol's iodine for 1 minute; acetone for 20 seconds; and safranin for 1 minute. After applying the reagents, the sample was dried and observed under a microscope. Gram-positive bacteria were observed in the sample.

[0037] Catalase

[0038] The catalase test was performed in a laminar flow hood. A smear of the bacteria was placed on a slide, a drop of distilled water was added, and then a drop of 30% hydrogen peroxide was added using a Pasteur pipette. The strain was catalase-positive, as evidenced by the bubbling that occurred upon adding hydrogen peroxide to the bacterial smear. According to Bergey's Manual, this is a property of bacteria of the genus Streptomyces.

[0039] Growth in 7% NaCl

[0040] The NaCl test was performed on a culture medium containing tryptone, bacteriological agar, and NaCl, incubated at 32 °C for 24 hours. According to the matrix table in Bergey's Manual, the Streptomyces species that have an 80% or greater probability of growing in the presence of 7% NaCl are: S. albidoflavus (85%), S. griseoviridis (83%), S. phaeochromogenes (83%), S. albus (99%), S. halstedii (92%), S. rinosus (99%), and S. rochei (92%). Strain BC11 showed growth in the presence of 7% salt.

[0041] Growth at 45 °C

[0042] For this test, the bacteria were inoculated into tubes containing nutrient agar and then incubated at 45 °C, with tubes at 30 °C serving as a control. According to the Bergey & Holt manual (2000), the optimal growth temperature for most Streptomyces species is between 25 °C and 35 °C, although some species can withstand temperatures up to 45 °C. Based on the species identification matrix in Table 25.1, of the seven strains capable of growing in the presence of 7% NaCl, only S. albus and S. rochel showed a high probability of growth at 45 °C (99% and 77%, respectively); however, S. griseoviridis and S. phaeochromogenes both had a 67% probability of growth at 45 °C. Strain BC11 was unable to grow at 45 °C.Based on the previous results, it was determined that the BC11 isolate may be of the species albídoflavus, halstedii or rimosus, given its lack of growth at 45 °C, since, according to the matrix, the probability of these species growing at 45 °C is 1, 23 and 43% respectively.

[0043] Use of Sucrose as a Carbon Source

[0044] A culture medium was prepared using casein peptone, bacteriological agar, and 2% sucrose, and incubated at 32 °C for 24 hours. Of the species *albídoflavus*, *halstedii*, or *rimosus*, the probabilities of using sucrose as the sole carbon source are 45%, 23%, and 1%, respectively. Since isolate BC11 was able to use sucrose as the sole carbon source, its most probable identity was determined to be *S. albídoflavus*.

[0045] Antibiotic Effect on Candida albicans

[0046] The strain was confronted against the yeast C. albicans on a solid nutrient agar medium, and it was found that the BC11 isolate was able to totally inhibit the growth of C. albicans, and since only S. albidoflavus has an 85% antibiotic effect on this yeast, it was determined that the BC11 strain was a strain of S. albidoflavus.

[0047] The present invention further provides a method for the control and eradication of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds in crops, comprising applying the organic herbicide composition of the present invention or its form added with the bacterial supernatant, either on the weeds or on the soil of the crops, diluted to a concentration of 5% v / v in water, preferably applying at a rate of between 400 and 600 liters of the dilution per hectare of the crop.

[0048] The method of the present invention allows weed control without regrowth, as the composition is designed to prevent resistance development and each component provides a mechanism of action. These mechanisms include inhibiting the enzyme responsible for glutamine synthesis, inhibiting root development and the germination of new weed seeds, and blocking the glutamate binding site in the Glutamine Synthetase pathway, negatively regulating glutamine synthesis.

[0049] To demonstrate the advantages of the present invention, in vitro and field tests were carried out under both greenhouse and open-air cultivation conditions with the composition of the present invention, which had the following formulation: • between 80 and 90% of an ethanolic extract of gel-free Aloe vera leaf peel, with an ethanol content of between 35 and 96%; and

[0050] • between 10 and 20% of Polyether polymethylsiloxane copolymer, added with 1% w / v of L-serine and 1% w / v of L-alanine.

[0051] The composition was applied directly to the weeds and to the crop soil diluted to a concentration of 5% v / v in water at a rate of 400 L / ha. The effect of the composition was evaluated in both greenhouse and open-field tomato and aloe vera crops, 10 days after application. An initial weed count was taken and compared with the number of dead weeds after application. The results of the tests showed an average effectiveness of between 60% and 75% in weed control in both greenhouse and open-field settings. The crop plants did not show significant adverse effects on their growth, and no apparent alterations were observed in the crop soil. This demonstrates that the composition of the present invention is effective in weed control.

[0052] In addition to the previously performed test, the composition was supplemented with between 22 and 55% of the total volume of a supernatant from a saturated culture of a Streptomyces albino flavus BC11 bacterial strain, which is a cellulase-rich supernatant. The composition supplemented with the supernatant was applied diluted according to the protocol used in the previously described test, on a tomato crop at the harvest stage in a greenhouse (Figure 4), on uncultivated areas in a tomato greenhouse (Figure 5), on invasive weeds in an open field (Figure 6), and on invasive weeds in an aloe vera plot (Figure 7).

[0053] As can be observed in all cases, the number of weeds present in each of the tests performed decreased significantly. After processing the data obtained, an average efficacy of between 75% and 85% was found under all test conditions. This demonstrates that the composition of the present invention, when supplemented with a cellulase-rich supernatant, is capable of effectively controlling and eradicating weeds in crops without affecting their growth. Additionally, the effect of the composition was observed to last up to 30 days after application.

[0054] The composition of the present invention has the advantage of being 100% organic, as it completely eliminates the use of any synthetic herbicides. Therefore, it complies with each and every guideline established in the Organic Products Law, making it a natural product suitable for use in any organic crop without jeopardizing the organic product license. Furthermore, since the composition uses low-cost natural components as raw materials, which are often considered agricultural waste, it becomes an economical and easy-to-implement option for weed control in any type of crop. Moreover, because the components of the composition do not require complex synthetic pathways or extraction processes for their production, obtaining the composition is simplified, and waste generation is avoided.Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be considered an environmentally friendly product, since it does not leave toxic residues that can accumulate in the soil, nor does it contaminate groundwater.

[0055] On the other hand, both the base composition of the present invention and its form supplemented with the supernatant of the bacterial culture, being composed only of products of natural origin, do not contaminate the soil of the crops where they are applied; moreover, the composition of the present invention, being a product of natural origin that has multiple mechanisms of action, does not generate resistance in the weeds where it is applied, since it does not generate the same resistance process produced by other commercial herbicide compounds, such as glyphosate, whose prolonged use generates resistance in the tissues of the weeds.Therefore, the composition of the present invention prevents the regrowth of weeds, since its components provide different mechanisms of action to the composition, which both prevent the growth of new weeds from the remaining seeds in the cultivated land, and allow the control of weeds once they are already established, thus allowing complete long-term control of weeds in crops.

[0056] Furthermore, while known formulations in which the herbicidal agent is taxtomin effectively inhibit weed growth due to their strong necrotizing effect on the aerial parts of plants and the inhibitory effect itself, their application can also affect the soil due to their toxicity. Unlike these formulations, in the compositions of the present invention, the herbicidal agent is a cellulase, so the effect is cellulose degradation rather than inhibition of its production. Because they are of natural origin, they can be safely applied to organic crops without jeopardizing the organic certification of those crops. The present invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment; however, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications to the invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- An organic herbicide composition characterized in that it comprises between 80 and 90% of an ethanolic extract of the leaf husks of plants of the order Asparagales, free of gel, with an ethanol content of between 35 and 96%; and between 10 and 20% of a surfactant approved for use in organic agriculture, supplemented with between 1 and 3% L-serine and between 1 and 3% L-alanine.

2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises between 22 and 55% with respect to the total volume of the composition, of a supernatant from a saturated cellulose-rich culture of a bacterial strain of Streptomyces albinoflavus BC11.

3. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the plants of the order Asparagales are selected from the group consisting of Aloe, Agave and Yucca.

4. The composition according to claim 2, characterized in that the bacterial strain Streptomyces albino flavus BC11 has a sequence of its 16S ribosomal RNA gene of SEQ ID NO: 1 5. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfactant approved for use in organic agriculture is selected from the group consisting of surfactants from the group of ethoxylated castor oils and polymethyl siloxanes.

6. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfactant is polyether. polymethylsiloxane copolymer.

7. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a herbicidal effect with an effectiveness of between 60 and 75% in the control of weeds both in greenhouses and in open fields. 8.- The composition according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a herbicidal effect with an effectiveness of between 75 and 85% in the control of weeds both in greenhouses and in open fields.

9. A method for the post-emergence control of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds in crops, characterized in that it comprises the step of applying the composition according to claim 1 or 2, either on the weeds or directly to the crop soil, diluted to a concentration of 5% v / v in water.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the application of the composition is carried out at a rate of between 400 and 600 liters per hectare.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises blocking the glutamate binding site in the Glutamine Synthetase pathway, negatively regulating glutamine synthesis, in such a way that the enzyme responsible for glutamine synthesis in weeds is inhibited, thus preventing root development and the germination of new seeds, with the application of the composition to the weeds.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises degrading the cellulose of the cell walls of weeds by applying the composition of claim 2.

13. - The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the application of the composition at a rate of between 400 and 600 liters per hectare, controls weeds both in greenhouses and in open fields with an effectiveness of up to 85% and said control is maintained for up to 30 days after application.

14. - Use of the herbicidal composition according to claim 1 or 2, in the post-emergence control of dicotyledonous (broadleaf) weeds and monocotyledonous (grass) weeds that infest crops in greenhouses and open fields.

15. - The use according to claim 14, wherein the composition is adapted to be applied to infested crops, diluted to a concentration of 5% v / v in water, preferably to be applied at a rate of between 400 and 600 liters of dilution per hectare of the crop.

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