Soil wetting composition

Abstract

A soil treatment formulation having an ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan, an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer and a compatibilizing surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates and / or alkoxylated glycerides. The formulation optionally contains an agrochemical active substance and / or a nutrient. The soil treatment composition is suitable for improving the water retention and / or condition of the soil. A method for preparing the formulation and treating soil with the formulation is also provided.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to components for use in agricultural chemical active formulations to maintain and improve soil wetting, rewetting and water retention in the soil to which they are applied. The invention also includes methods of treating crops with such formulations.

[0002] Soils can be naturally hydrophobic in nature; this condition is often exacerbated when soils are dry for extended periods of time or have a high organic content. Soil hydrophobicity can lead to ponding and surface runoff, which has a direct impact on plant growth by limiting water infiltration and supply to the plant root zone (in the case of turfgrasses and field crops). Soil quality and physicochemical properties can directly affect water infiltration and percolation throughout the soil profile.

[0003] To overcome this, the application of surfactants and polymers to soil is a common commercial practice to wet hydrophobic soils. The application of anionic wetting agents has been known for decades to be beneficial in increasing water penetration into hydrophobic soils. Typically, these materials present a balance between application rates and the ability to discourage crop damage and phytotoxicity.

[0004] The use of nonionic wetting agents has increased over the past decade and is now common in turf and amenity applications.

[0005] It would still be advantageous to provide a multifunctional wetting agent composition which provides soil wetting but has the potential for optional combination with agrochemical materials for a variety of agrochemical crop applications.

[0006] Agrochemical ingredients, especially pre-emergent herbicides, are usually applied directly to the soil, which is a naturally hydrophobic matrix that does not interact favorably with water. The hydrophobicity of the soil can limit penetration and infiltration of irrigation-based applications. The consequences of this unfavorable interaction can result in reduced surface runoff and water penetration and distribution within the soil. Agrochemical products and their dilutions are usually applied as water-based formulations, thus highlighting the requirements for soil preparation.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide the use of soil treatment formulations, which can be used alone or as part of an agrochemical composition, optionally in combination with an agrochemical active substance, wherein the compound can provide the desired soil wetting and soil moisture retention. The present invention also seeks to provide the use of agrochemical concentrates and dilute formulations containing the compound.

[0008] The present invention relates to enhancing water penetration into hydrophobic soils and includes soil wetting, improved soil rewetting, water retention and percolation / filtration of water through soil zones. The soil must be sufficiently moist for water to flow.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soil treatment formulation comprising:

[0010] (i) ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan, wherein the carbon chain length of the fatty acid is from 8 to 16 and the total degree of ethoxylation is on average from 5 to 25;

[0011] (ii) an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and

[0012] (iii) a compatibilising surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates and / or alkoxylated glycerides.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing the soil treatment formulation of the first aspect, the method comprising mixing

[0014] (i) ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan, wherein the carbon chain length of the fatty acid is from 8 to 16 and the total degree of ethoxylation is on average from 5 to 25;

[0015] (ii) an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and

[0016] (iii) a compatibilizing surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates and / or alkoxylated glycerides.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agrochemical formulation suitable for application to plants and / or soil, the formulation comprising the diluted soil treatment formulation of the first aspect, and optionally at least one agrochemical active substance and / or nutrient.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of wetting and / or conditioning soil comprising applying the soil treatment formulation of the first aspect.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a soil treatment formulation, the soil treatment formulation comprising

[0020] (i) ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan, wherein the carbon chain length of the fatty acid is from 8 to 16 and the total degree of ethoxylation is on average from 5 to 25;

[0021] (ii) an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and

[0022] (iii) a compatibilizing surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates and / or alkoxylated glycerides;

[0023] For improving soil moisture retention and / or soil conditioning.

[0024] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating soil to wet and / or condition the soil, the method comprising applying a diluted formulation of the first aspect to the soil.

[0025] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soil treatment formulation comprising an ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan, wherein the carbon chain length of the fatty acid is 8 to 16 and the total ethoxylation degree is an average of 5 to 25, and an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer.

[0026] The soil treatment formulation of the present invention can be used to improve the physical properties of soil, especially wetting properties and water retention. The soil treatment formulation can be used to improve poor soils that have been damaged and have poor wetting ability. The soil treatment formulation can be used to make poor surfaces more usable and keep the soil in an optimal state, and improve soil penetration. The soil treatment formulation can be used to improve the water wetting ability, water retention capacity and / or absorption capacity of the surface. It has been found that the use of the soil treatment formulation can significantly increase the water absorption / wetting rate in hydrophobic soils. This combination unexpectedly shows a higher wetting rate (water penetration) than previously achieved in the art and an increase in the uniformity of penetration into hydrophobic soils and plant growth media, while at the same time providing a stable concentrate compatible with a range of agrochemical materials.

[0027] Soil treatment formulations can be used in the production of crops, turfgrass, seeds and plant growth media. Soil treatment formulations can be applied, for example, to soil or sand.

[0028] As used herein, the terms "for example," "for example," "such as," or "including" are intended to introduce examples that further clarify the broader subject matter. If not otherwise noted, these examples are provided only to assist in understanding the applications described in the present invention and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0029] It should be understood that when describing the number of carbon atoms in a substituent (e.g., 'C1-C6 alkyl'), the number refers to the total number of carbon atoms present in the substituent, including all carbons present in any branching groups. In addition, when describing the number of carbon atoms in, for example, a fatty acid, the number refers to the total number of carbon atoms, including the carbons in the carboxylic acid and all carbons present in any branching groups.

[0030] The ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan contain a fatty acid carbon chain length of 8 to 16 and a total degree of ethoxylation of 5 to 25 on average.

[0031] The ethoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is preferably a compound of formula (I):

[0032] Sorb-(AO n1 R 1 )(AO n2 R2 )(AO n3 R 3 )(AO n4 R 4 ) (I)

[0033] in;

[0034] i) Sorb represents the residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan;

[0035] i) EO represents an ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy residue;

[0036] ii) n1, n2, n3 and n4 each independently represent an average value of 0 to 10, preferably 0.5 to 5;

[0037] iii) the average value of the total number n1+n2+n3+n4 is 5 to 25, in particular 8 to 12; and

[0038] iv) R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 Each independently represents H or acyl-C(O)-R 5 , where R 5 C7 to C 13 Hydrocarbyl, more typically C9 to C 13 Hydrocarbyl, especially about C 11 Hydrocarbyl, in particular alkyl or alkenyl, especially straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl.

[0039] It will be appreciated that a sorbitan residue can be obtained by removing four hydroxy H atoms and replacing each of the removed H atoms with a radical (AO n1 R 1 ), (AO n2 R 2 ), (AO n3 R 3 ) and (AO n4 R 4 ) is substituted to form ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters.

[0040] Preferably, an average of 2.8 to 3.2 R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 The group is H and 0.8 to 1.2 R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 The group is acyl-C(O)-R 5 .

[0041] In the compounds of the invention, the sorbitan residue at the core of the molecule, corresponding to the residue "Sorb" in formula (I), is usually a mixture of residues of predominantly 1,4-sorbitan, 1,5-sorbitan and 3,6-sorbitan.

[0042] The mixture may also typically include some 1,4,3,6-dianhydrosorbitan (isosorbide), although the proportion of isosorbide, if present, is usually relatively low because the ethoxylation products from isosorbide esters can be less useful surfactants.

[0043] In contrast, 20-ethoxylated sorbitan esters are hydrophilic surfactants, typically having an HLB value of about 15 or higher. These more highly ethoxylated polysorbates, such as Tween 20 (sorbitan monolaurate 20-ethoxylate), have been widely used in agrochemical formulations as adjuvants and emulsifiers.

[0044] The carbon chain length of the fatty acid of the ethoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan may preferably be from 10 to 14. More preferably, the carbon chain length is about 12.

[0045] The total degree of ethoxylation / propoxylation may preferably average from 5 to 25. More preferably, the total degree of ethoxylation may average about 10.

[0046] The esters used in the present invention are preferably monoesters. In this general class of ethoxylated sorbitan ester compounds, they are nominally monoesters because the sorbitan ester precursor used to prepare the ethoxylated ester has a molar ratio of sorbitol to fatty acid of about 1:1, although a moderate excess of fatty acid, such as 5 to 10 mole percent, is generally used.

[0047] The cyclization reaction (as described herein) will produce some products including sorbitol and isosorbide residues, as well as those with sorbitan residues. In addition, the "monoesters" (and corresponding ethoxylated derivatives) will include a small proportion of compounds including unesterified polyol (sorbitol / sorbitan / isosorbide) residues, most of the mono- and di-fatty acyl esters, mainly mono- and di-fatty acyl esters of sorbitan, but including moderate isosorbide-based and small proportions of sorbitol-based, and some triesters and higher esters mainly based on sorbitan. This is in contrast to the nominal "triesters" of sorbitan, which contain a major proportion of triesters and higher esters. Of course, the range of individual compounds after ethoxylation will be even greater.

[0048] During the initial esterification process, it is understood that most of the acyl residues react with the primary hydroxyl groups in sorbitol or sorbitan (corresponding to the 1-position or 6-position in sorbitol), but during subsequent processing, transesterification reactions largely randomize the position of the acyl groups. Ethoxylation / propoxylation will involve further transesterification, thus further randomizing the acyl positions.

[0049] In the context of compounds of formula (I), that the compound is a monoester generally means that the relative (molar) amounts of fatty acid and (usually) sorbitol used to prepare the intermediate sorbitan ester (see further below on synthesis) will be approximately equivalent to making the monoester.

[0050] Thus, ideally, for each mole of sorbitan in the compounds of the present invention represented by formula (I), there are generally an average of 0.8 to 1.2 acyl residue substituents on the sorbitan; i.e., with reference to formula (I), 0.8-1.2 groups R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 The formula is -C(O)-R 5 acyl groups, correspondingly 2.8 to 3.2 groups are hydrogen atoms. However, as mentioned above, esters with more than one acyl group will generally also be present in the synthesized product.

[0051] The fatty acid residue in the compounds of the present invention corresponds to the acyl group -C(O)R 5 , is C8-C 14 , especially C 10 -C 14 , more particularly about C 12 Fatty acid residues. When applied to practically available technical grade fatty acids, these ranges represent average carbon chain lengths (and therefore may be non-integer for any particular material). In general, the chain lengths of the individual fatty acids in any such mixture are ideally within 2 carbon atoms of the average. A particularly useful source of such acyl residues is technical grade lauric acid, typically derived from coconut oil, which is a fatty acid with chain lengths predominantly C8 to C16. 14 A mixture of fatty acids.

[0052] The compounds of the present invention and compounds for use in the present invention can be prepared by methods generally known in the art for the corresponding known compounds - polysorbates. In particular, they can be prepared from sorbitan esters generally known as a class by reaction with ethylene oxide, generally under basic catalysis. Basic catalysis can be provided by sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide or methoxide. The ethoxylation reaction can generally be carried out at a temperature of 150 to 180° C. and a pressure of 400 to 650 kPa (gauge pressure).

[0053] The sorbitan esters used as starting materials for the ethoxylation reaction for preparing the compounds of the present invention are generally known and can themselves be prepared by reacting sorbitol with a suitable fatty acid to form a sorbitan ester by cyclizing sorbitan anhydride to sorbitan and esterifying. Suitable fatty acids contain 8 to 14 carbon chain lengths, preferably 10 to 14, more preferably about 12.

[0054] The molecular weight (weight average) of the ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan is preferably from 400 to 2,700, more preferably from 500 to 2,000, particularly preferably from 550 to 1,800, further preferably from 550 to 1,600.

[0055] The HLB of the ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan is preferably from 4 to 25, more preferably from 5 to 20, especially from 5 to 18.

[0056] Preferred specific examples of sorbitan esters can be selected from polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (8) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (12) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (16) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (5) polyoxypropylene (15) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (10) polyoxypropylene (10) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (15) polyoxypropylene (5) sorbitan monolaurate.

[0057] The compatibilizing surfactant is selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols or alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates, and / or alkoxylated glycerides. Preferably, alkoxylated fatty alcohols or alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates are used. More preferably, alkoxylated fatty alcohols are used.

[0058] Alkoxylated fatty alcohols may be selected from 30 Those which are aliphatic chains and contain 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups.

[0059] In one embodiment, the co-agent is an alkoxylated alcohol having the following general formula:

[0060] R 6 –O–(AO)x–H (II)

[0061] in

[0062] R 6 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms;

[0063] AO is an oxyalkylene group; and

[0064] x represents an integer in the range of 1 to 30.

[0065] The oxyalkylene group (AO) may be selected from the formula -(C y H 2y O)-, wherein y is an integer selected from 2, 3 or 4. Preferably, y is 2 or 3.

[0066] The oxyalkylene group AO may be selected from oxyethylene, oxypropylene, oxybutylene or oxytetramethylene. Preferably, the oxyalkylene group is selected from oxyethylene (EO) and / or oxypropylene (PO).

[0067] In the case where the oxyalkylene chain is a homopolymer, a homopolymer of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide is preferred. More preferably, a homopolymer of ethylene oxide is particularly preferred.

[0068] When there is more than one oxyalkylene group (i.e., where x is 2 or more) and at least two are part of the same oxyalkylene chain, the oxyalkylene groups may be the same or may be different along the oxyalkylene chain. In this embodiment, the oxyalkylene chain may be a block or random copolymer of different oxyalkylene groups.

[0069] Block or random copolymers of different oxyalkylene groups in the alkoxylated fatty alcohols may be particularly preferred where a reduction in the viscosity of the formulation is desired.

[0070] The number of oxyalkylene groups in each oxyalkylene chain (ie the value of each parameter x) will be in the range of 1 to 30. Preferably, in the range of 2 to 25. More preferably, in the range of 3 to 10. Further preferably, in the range of from 4 to 7.

[0071] C4 to C 30 The hydrocarbon group may preferably be selected from C4 to C 30 Alkyl or C4 to C 30 Alkenyl.

[0072] Unless otherwise defined, the term "alkyl" as used herein refers to a saturated hydrocarbon group of a straight chain, branched chain, or a combination thereof, containing 4 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkyl groups each contain 6 to 24 carbon atoms. More preferably, 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Most preferably, 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0073] Examples of alkyl groups may be independently selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, henicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, tetracosyl, pentacosyl, hexacosyl, heptacosyl, octacosyl, or branched variations thereof.

[0074] The alkyl group may preferably be selected from dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl or branched variants thereof.

[0075] Unless otherwise defined, the term "alkenyl" as used herein refers to a hydrocarbon group having at least one or more, preferably no more than four double bonds. The alkenyl group can be a linear or branched moiety, or a combination thereof.

[0076] The alkenyl groups may each contain 4 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkenyl groups each contain 5 to 26 carbon atoms. More preferably, 10 to 24 carbon atoms. Most preferably, 16 to 22 carbon atoms.

[0077] Examples of alkenyl groups may be independently selected from ethyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, nonenyl, decenyl, undecenyl, dodecenyl, tridecenyl, tetradecenyl, pentadecenyl, hexadecenyl, heptadecenyl, octadecenyl, nonadecenyl, eicosenyl, heneicosenyl, docosenyl, tricosenyl, tetracosenyl, pentacosenyl, hexacosenyl, heptacosenyl, octacosenyl, or branched variations thereof.

[0078] The alkyl group may preferably be selected from dodecenyl, tridecenyl, tetradecenyl, pentadecenyl, hexadecenyl, heptadecenyl, octadecenyl, nonadecenyl, eicosenyl or branched variants thereof.

[0079] More preferably, R 6 May be derived from the residue of a fatty alcohol.

[0080] When R 6 When derived from fatty alcohols, R 6 represents an alkoxy group (RO-), which is the residue of a fatty alcohol.

[0081] As used herein, the term "fatty alcohol residue" refers to a moiety that is the resultant product of a fatty alcohol in a particular reaction scheme or subsequent formulation or chemical product, regardless of whether the moiety is actually obtained from the specified chemical substance. Thus, a "fatty alcohol residue" refers to a moiety that results when a fatty alcohol participates in a particular reaction (i.e., the residue is a fatty alkoxy RO-). Thus, a fatty alcohol residue is "derived" from the corresponding fatty alcohol. It should be understood that the moiety can be obtained by reaction with a substance other than the particular fatty alcohol itself, for example, by reaction with an unsaturated fatty alcohol chloride, ester or anhydride.

[0082] The fatty alcohol may preferably be selected from C4 to C 30 Fatty alcohols, more preferably C6 to C 24 Fatty alcohols, especially C 10 To C 22Fatty alcohol, more preferably C 10 To C 16 Fatty alcohols, especially C 12 Fatty alcohol.

[0083] The fatty alcohol may be selected from linear or branched fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohol may be selected from saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols.

[0084] In the case of unsaturated fatty alcohols present, they can be selected from unsaturated fatty alcohols containing at least one unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond. Particularly preferred are unsaturated fatty alcohols having 1 to 3 carbon-carbon double bonds. Most preferred are monounsaturated fatty alcohol residues. The carbon-carbon double bonds of the fatty chain can be present in cis or trans configuration.

[0085] Preferably, the fatty alcohol residues used are derived from straight-chain saturated fatty alcohols.

[0086] Suitable saturated and unsaturated fatty alcohols may be chosen especially from caprylic, nonanol, decanol, undecanol, lauryl alcohol, tridecanol, myristyl alcohol, pentadecyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, heptadecanol, stearyl alcohol, nonadecanol, arachidyl alcohol, heneicosyl alcohol or behenyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol or erucyl alcohol.

[0087] In particular, unsaturated and saturated C 10 To C 16 Fatty alcohols may be preferred. The fatty alcohol may preferably be selected from decyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol or myristyl alcohol.

[0088] Suitable nonionic alkoxylates useful in the context of the present invention may be selected from lauryl alcohol (4EO) ethoxylate, lauryl alcohol (5EO) ethoxylate, lauryl alcohol (6EO) ethoxylate, oleyl alcohol (3EO) ethoxylate, oleyl alcohol (5EO) ethoxylate, or oleyl alcohol (10EO) ethoxylate.

[0089] The molecular weight (weight average) of the alkoxylated fatty alcohol is preferably 120-1,760, more preferably 160-1,200, particularly 200-800, further preferably 250-600, especially 300-400.

[0090] In another embodiment, the solubilizer may be selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters, preferably C10 to C30 phosphate monoesters and / or phosphate diesters.

[0091] The phosphoric acid monoester suitably comprises, consists essentially of or consists of the formula R 7-OP-(=O)(OH)2. The phosphoric acid diester suitably comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a compound of formula R 7 -OP-(=O)(OR 7 )(OH) compound composition.

[0092] R 7 Suitably it is a C10 to C30 hydrocarbon group, preferably an alkyl group. 7 It may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, but is preferably saturated, and more preferably linear. 7 Preferably C12 to C24, more preferably C14 to C20, particularly C16 to C18, especially C16 hydrocarbon group, particularly alkyl group. 7 The groups need not be identical, so the phosphodiester may be asymmetrically substituted.

[0093] As is known in the art, the phosphate ester used in the present invention can be suitably prepared by reacting a fatty alcohol, such as a 7 -OH (where R 7 As defined above) is formed by reacting a fatty alcohol with a phosphorylating agent such as polyphosphoric acid, phosphorus pentoxide, phosphorus oxychloride or phosphorus trichloride. In one embodiment, phosphorus pentoxide is preferred. The reaction can produce a statistical mixture of monoester, diester and triester products, and the ratio can be controlled to produce a desired ratio of esters, such as the ratio of monoesters and diesters, for example by changing the ratio of the starting materials. Suitable straight-chain fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, coconut oil alcohol, tetradecanol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and tetracosanol. Suitable branched-chain fatty alcohols include isostearyl alcohol, isotetradecanol, isocetyl alcohol, isoarachidyl alcohol, isodocanol and isocosanol; neo-alcohols, such as neocapricalcohol; and / or anti-iso alcohols. Preferred straight-chain fatty alcohols are particularly cetyl alcohol and / or stearyl alcohol, especially cetyl alcohol.

[0094] The fatty alcohol component of the composition according to the invention is suitably of formula R 8 -OH, where R 8Preferably C12 to C24, more preferably C14 to C22, especially C16 to C20, especially C16 to C18 hydrocarbon groups, especially alkyl groups. The hydrocarbon group may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, but is preferably saturated, more preferably linear. Suitable linear fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, coconut alcohol, myristyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and lignocerol. Suitable branched fatty alcohols include isostearyl alcohol, isotetradecanol, isocetyl alcohol, isoarachidyl alcohol, isodocosanol and isocosanol; neo-alcohols, such as neodecyl alcohol; and / or trans-isoalcohols. Straight-chain fatty acids are preferred.

[0095] The molecular weight (weight average) of the compatibilizing surfactant is preferably 800 to 15,000, more preferably 1,000 to 8,000, particularly preferably 1,200 to 5,000, further preferably 1,500 to 3,000.

[0096] The HLB of the compatibilizing surfactant is preferably in the range of 2-30, more preferably 3-35, especially 3-24.

[0097] The percentage of ethylene oxide in the compatibilizing surfactant is preferably 5-80, more preferably 8-70, especially 10-65, further preferably 12-60.

[0098] Preferred specific examples of the compatibilizing surfactant may be selected from polyoxyethylene (60) almond oil, polyoxyethylene (5) C9-C11 alcohol, polyoxyethylene (6) tridecanol, polyoxyethylene (5) isotridecanol and polyoxyethylene (5) alkyl ether phosphate.

[0099] In an alternative embodiment, the compatibilizer may be selected from alkoxylated glycerides.

[0100] The alkoxylated glycerides may be derived from monoglycerides, diglycerides or triglycerides and contain from 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups. The oxyalkylene groups may be as described with reference to the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0101] Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EO / PO) copolymers may be nonionic surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymers formed by ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. It should be understood that the term "copolymer" used herein includes polymers having two components selected from ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO).

[0102] The copolymers may be selected from random or block copolymers, preferably block copolymers.

[0103] Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers (PEG / PPG) may include, for example, linear block polymeric diols obtained by adding ethylene oxide to condensation products of propylene oxide. Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers may also include reverse block copolymers formed by adding polypropylene oxide to condensation products of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers may be end-capped, for example, by alkyl groups, preferably C1 to C5 alkyl groups, more preferably methyl groups.

[0104] The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer preferably has an average molecular weight of greater than 1,000, more preferably from 1,500 to 15,000, particularly from 1,200 to 8,000, and especially from 1,500 to 3,000.

[0105] The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers preferably contain (i) 10-80 wt.%, particularly 10-50 wt.%, especially 15-35 wt.%, e.g. about 20 wt.% of ethylene oxide, and / or (ii) 20-90 wt.%, particularly 50-90 wt.%, especially 75-85 wt.%, e.g. about 80 wt.% of propylene oxide.

[0106] Preferably, the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer has the formula (EO) x -(PO) y -(EO) z , wherein x and z are each independently in the range of 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 3 to 8, particularly 4 to 7, especially 5 to 6, for example 5.5. x and z may be the same or different. y is preferably in the range of 10 to 50, preferably 20 to 40, particularly 30 to 35, for example 33. Preferably, the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EO / PO) block copolymer has the formula (EO) 5.5 -(PO) 33 -(EO) 5.5 , the average molecular weight is about 2400.

[0107] Preferred specific examples of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers can be selected from PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 40% EO PPG size 4, PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 10% EO PPG size 6, PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 20% EO PPG size 6, PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 50% EO PPG size 10, and PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 10% EO PPG size 12.

[0108] The polysorbate, extending surfactant and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer are combined to provide a premix or concentrated formulation suitable for forming an end-use formulation.

[0109] The amount of polysorbate included in the premix may be in the range of 20 wt.% to 60 wt.%. More preferably, in the range of 30% to 50%. More preferably, in the range of 35% to 45%.

[0110] The amount of compatibilizing surfactant included in the premix may be in the range of 1% to 20% by weight. More preferably, in the range of 4% to 15%. Further preferably, in the range of 5% to 12%. Most preferably, in the range of 8% to 12%, as a percentage of the total premix.

[0111] The amount of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer included in the premix may be in the range of 30 wt.% to 70 wt.%. More preferably, in the range of 40% to 60%. More preferably, in the range of 45% to 55%.

[0112] The concentrated formulation can be formulated so that it contains no or only a small amount of other components. Preferably, at least 90% by weight of the concentrate consists of polysorbate, extending surfactant and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, more preferably 93% by weight, further preferably 95% by weight, and most preferably 98% by weight.

[0113] In an alternative embodiment, a soil treatment formulation is provided comprising an ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan wherein the carbon chain length of the fatty acid is from 8 to 16 and the total degree of ethoxylation is on average from 5 to 25, and an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer. The concentrate formulation may be formulated to contain no or only minor amounts of other components. Preferably at least 95% by weight of the concentrate consists of polysorbates and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, more preferably 98% by weight.

[0114] In the practice of the present invention, the wetting compositions of the present invention may be applied as a concentrate or, more preferably, as a dilute aqueous end-use formulation by dispersing a concentrate according to the present invention in water.

[0115] Thus, in one embodiment, the wetting compositions of the present invention may be used in a spray solution for soil to facilitate water penetration, with or without agrochemicals / nutrients / soil conditioners.

[0116] Thus, the concentrate can be diluted with water and optionally other soil amendments and fertilizers for application, added to a tank mix, or formed into a built-in adjuvant (containing actives or nutrients) for addition to a tank mix.

[0117] Soil treatment formulations are designed to be diluted with water (or a water-based liquid) to form a corresponding end-use agrochemical formulation, typically a spray mixture.

[0118] Agrochemical active compounds require formulations that allow the active compounds to be absorbed by plants / target organisms. When concentrates (solid or liquid) are used as sources of active agrochemicals and / or adjuvants, the concentrates are usually diluted to form the final formulation, usually a spray formulation. The total weight of the concentrate can be diluted with water at 1 to 10,000, especially 10 to 1,000 times to form a spray formulation.

[0119] The soil treatment formulation can be diluted for use to produce a diluted composition that produces an active concentration of the agricultural chemical of about 0.1 wt.% to about 1 wt.%. In the diluted composition (e.g., a spray formulation, where the spray application rate can be 10 to 500 l.ha -1 ), the agrochemical active concentration may be from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight of the total formulation for spraying.

[0120] In an alternative embodiment, the soil treatment formulation may be applied using an irrigation system rather than as a spray mixture. In such a system, for example for irrigating turf, the water volume may be higher and the application rate may be between 50 and 1000 l.ha. -1 within the range.

[0121] Spray mixtures are aqueous agricultural chemical formulations including all components that are desired to be applied to plants or their environment. Spray formulations can be prepared by simply diluting a soil treatment formulation containing the desired components (except water), or by diluting a soil treatment formulation and adding a further combination of individual components or component mixtures. Typically, this end-use mixing is carried out in a barrel of the spray formulation, or in a storage tank for filling a spray barrel. Such mixing and mixtures are commonly referred to as barrel / tank mixing and barrel / tank mixtures.

[0122] The pH of aerosol formulations is generally moderately acidic (e.g., about 3) to moderately alkaline (e.g., about 10), and particularly close to neutral (e.g., about 5-8). More concentrated formulations have similar acidity / alkalinity, but since they may be largely free of water, pH is not necessarily an appropriate metric.

[0123] The agrochemical formulation may include a solvent (in addition to water), such as monopropylene glycol, an oil which may be a vegetable oil or a mineral oil, such as a spray oil. Such solvents may be included as solvents for the surfactant adjuvant and / or as humectants, especially propylene glycol. When used, such solvents are typically present in an amount of 5% to 500% by weight, ideally 10% to 100% by weight, based on the weight of the surfactant adjuvant. Such combinations may also include salts, such as ammonium chloride and / or sodium benzoate, and / or urea, particularly as gel inhibition adjuvants.

[0124] Diluted soil treatment formulation tank mixes can be sprayed on the soil or used as a foliar spray.

[0125] The soil treatment formulation, or the diluted soil treatment formulation, may also contain other components as required. These other components may be selected from:

[0126] ■ Binders, particularly those readily soluble in water to provide low viscosity solutions at high binder concentrations, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone; polyvinyl alcohol; carboxymethyl cellulose; gum arabic; sugars such as sucrose or sorbitol; starch; ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, sucrose and alginates,

[0127] ■ diluents, absorbents or carriers, such as carbon black; talc; diatomaceous earth; kaolin; aluminum, calcium or magnesium stearate; sodium tripolyphosphate; sodium tetraborate; sodium sulfate; sodium, aluminum and mixed sodium-aluminum silicates; and sodium benzoate,

[0128] ■ Disintegrators, such as surfactants, substances that swell in water such as carboxymethylcellulose, cotton gum, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and microcrystalline cellulose; swelling agents; salts such as sodium or potassium acetate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or sodium sesquicarbonate, ammonium sulfate, and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate;

[0129] ■ Wetting agents, such as alcohol ethoxylates and alcohol ethoxylate / propoxylate wetting agents;

[0130] ■ dispersants, such as sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates and acrylic acid copolymers, such as comb copolymers having end-capped polyethylene glycol side chains on a polyacrylic acid backbone;

[0131] ■ Emulsifiers, such as alcohol ethoxylates, ABA block copolymers, or castor oil ethoxylates;

[0132] ■Antifoaming agents, such as polysiloxane antifoaming agents, usually in an amount of 0.005-10 wt % of the formulation;

[0133] ■ viscosity modifiers, such as commercially available water-soluble or miscible gums, such as xanthan gum, and / or celluloses, such as carboxymethyl, ethyl or propyl cellulose; and / or

[0134] ■ Preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents, such as organic acids or their esters or salts, such as ascorbic acid such as ascorbyl palmitate, sorbic acid such as potassium sorbate, benzoic acid such as benzoic acid and methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, propionic acid such as sodium propionate, phenols such as sodium 2-phenylphenol, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one; or formaldehyde itself or paraformaldehyde; or inorganic materials such as sulfite and its salts, usually in an amount of 0.01-1 wt % of the preparation.

[0135] The soil wetting formulations or soil wetting formulations may also include agrochemically active substances or nutrients as desired.

[0136] The agrochemical active substance may preferably be a solid agrochemical active substance. Solid agrochemical active compounds are understood in the present invention to mean all substances customarily used for plant treatment whose melting point is above 20° C. (at standard pressure). Solid agrochemical active substances will also include insoluble active ingredients, i.e. active ingredients whose solubility in water is such that a large solid content is present in the concentrate after addition.

[0137] Pesticide active ingredients refer to biocides, which in the context of the present invention are plant protection agents, more particularly chemical substances capable of killing different forms of organisms used in the fields of medicine, agriculture, forestry and mosquito control. In this group of biocides, so-called plant growth regulators are also included.

[0138] Biocides used in the agrochemical formulations of the present invention are generally divided into two subgroups:

[0139] ■ Pesticides, including fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algaecides, molluscicides, miticides and rodenticides, and

[0140] ■ Antimicrobial agents, including antiseptics, antibiotics, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antiprotozoals and antiparasitics.

[0141] In particular, biocides selected from insecticides, fungicides or herbicides may be particularly preferred.

[0142] The term 'pesticide' is understood to mean any substance or mixture of substances which is intended for use in preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. Pesticides may be chemical substances or biological agents (such as viruses or bacteria) used to combat pests, including insects, plant pathogens, weeds, molluscs, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms) and microorganisms that compete with humans for food, destroy goods, spread disease or become a nuisance. In the following examples, pesticides suitable for the agricultural chemical compositions of the present invention are provided.

[0143] Herbicides are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired crops relatively unharmed. Some of them work by interfering with weed growth and are usually based on plant hormones. Herbicides used to clear wasteland are non-selective and kill all plant material that comes into contact with them. Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and landscape turf management. They are applied in total vegetation control (TVC) programs for highway and rail maintenance. Small amounts are used in forestry, pasture systems, and the management of areas set aside as wildlife habitat.

[0144] Suitable herbicides can be selected from the group comprising aryloxycarboxylic acids, such as 2-Methyl-4-chloro-4-pyridinium chloride, aryloxyphenoxypropionic acids, such as clodinafop, cyclohexanedione oximes, such as sethoxydim, dinitroanilines, such as fluralin, diphenyl ethers, such as oxyfluorfen, hydroxybenzonitriles, such as bromoxynil, sulfonylureas, such as nicosulfuron, triazolopyrimidines, such as penoxsulam, triketones, such as mesotrione, or ureas, such as diuron.

[0145] Particularly preferred herbicides may be selected from pre-emergent herbicides. As used herein, "pre-emergent herbicide" refers to a herbicide that acts on newly sprouted seedlings before they emerge.

[0146] Pre-emergence herbicides can be selected from triazine-based herbicides (e.g., atrazine, metribuzin, terbuthylazine, promethazine, promethazine, simazine, thiodazine, dichlorvos, terbuthylazine, methoxyfenoxazine and chlorpyrifos), trifluralin, cypermethrin, indazine fluazifop, isoxaclomid, dithiopyr, fluazifop, pendimethalin, amphetamine, flufenacet, fluazifop, and aclonifen. Pre-emergence herbicides that can be particularly used in the present invention can be selected from trifluralin, cypermethrin, isoxaclomid, dithiopyr, fluazifop, pendimethalin, amphetamine, atrazine, flufenacet, fluazifop, metribuzin and aclonifen.

[0147] Fungicides are chemical control agents for fungi. Fungicides are compounds used to prevent the spread of fungi in gardens and crops. Fungicides are also used to combat fungal infections. Fungicides can be contact or systemic. Contact fungicides kill fungi when sprayed on their surface. Systemic fungicides must be absorbed by the plant and the active ingredients redistributed before coming into contact with the fungi.

[0148] Examples of suitable fungicides according to the present invention include the following: (3-ethoxypropyl) mercuric bromide, 2-methoxyethyl mercuric chloride, 2-phenylphenol, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, 8-phenylmercuric hydroxyquinoline, activated acid (acibenzolar), acyl amino acid fungicides, acypetacs, aldimorph, aliphatic nitrogen fungicides, allyl alcohol, amide fungicides, ampropylfos, dithiocarb, acylanilide fungicides, antibiotic fungicides, aromatic fungicides, aureofungin, oxepiconazole, azithiram, azoxystrobin , barium polysulfide, bensulfuron, bensulfuron, benomyl, quinone oxime hydrazone, bentaluron, benthiavalicarb, benzalkonium chloride, benzamacril, benzamide fungicides, benzamorf, benzanilide fungicides, benzimidazole fungicides, benzimidazole precursor fungicides, benzimidazolyl carbamate fungicides, benzohydroxamic acid, benzothiazole fungicides, bethoxazin, binachlor, biphenyl, triadimefon, thiochlorophenol, blasticidin, Bordeaux mixture, boscalid, bridged diphenyl fungicides, oxadiazole, pyrimidine sulfonate, soda bordeaux liquid, butylthiocarb, butylamine, calcium polysulfide, captol, captan, carbamate fungicides, morphine, phenylcarbamate / ester fungicides, carbendazim, carboxin, cyproconazole, carvone, Cheshunt mixture, mite-killing agent, chlobenthiazone, chloraniformethan, tetrachloroquinone, chlorfenazole, chlorodinitronaphthalene, chloroanisole, chloropicrin, thiophanate-methyl, tetrachloroquinoxaline, ethoxyconazole, ciclopirox, imidacloprid, clotrimazole, conazole fungicides, conazole fungicides fungicides (imidazoles), conazole fungicides (triazoles), copper (II) acetate, basic copper (II) carbonate, copper fungicides, copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper (II) sulfate, basic copper sulfate, copper zinc chromate, cresol, cufraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclamic acid amide, cyclic dithiocarbamate fungicides, cycloheximide, cycloheximide, cymoxanil, cyanamide, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dazomethanil, dibromochloropropane, imidacloprid, decafentin, dehydroacetic acid acid), dicarboximide fungicides, benzene flusulfamide, dichloronaphthoquinone, dichlorophen, dichlorophenyl, dicarboximide fungicides, sclerotin, benzyltriadol, dichlorocyanamide, pyrochloranil, chloranil, ethochlor, diethyl pyrocarbonate, fenpropimorph, fluazifop, dimethomorph,dimethomorph, diniconazole, dinitrophenol fungicide, chloranil, dinitrocrotonate, dinocton, dinopenton, dinosulphon, dinoterbon, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, disulfiram, dimethoate, dicyanoanthraquinone, dithiocarbamate fungicide, dinitrophenol, dodecanol, dodecyl morpholine, dodecyl morpholine, dodecyl morpholine, donatidine, DONATODINE, cyclohexanone, dichlorvos, fluopicolide, ethyl Cyproconazole, mancozeb, ethaboxam, ethoxyquin, 2,3-dihydroxypropylmercury ethylmercury, ethylmercury acetate, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury chloride, ethylmercury phosphate, thiabendazole, famoxadone, imidacloprid, sodium sulfamethoxam, imidacloprid, chlorfenapyr, fenthiocarb, furamide, cyclamoxadone, seed coat ester, rice blastamide, fenpropathrin, fenpropidin, fenbutamide, triphenyltin, ferbam, pyrimidine, fluazinam, fludioxonil, fluoxamidopyram, fluclorac, trifloxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, sulfamethoxam, flutolanil, flutriafol , foltan, formaldehyde, phosphonic acid, wheat spike, furalaxyl, furazolidone, furamide fungicide, furanilide fungicide, dimethylfuran, furconazole, furconazole, furfural, seed dressing amine, furthiophanate-methyl, fruit green pyridine, griseofulvin, biguanide, quinoline acrylate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, toxic fungol, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, mercury plus phenanthate, oxadiazine, imazalil, imidoazole, imidazole fungicide, biguanide, inorganic fungicide, inorganic mercury fungicide, iodomethane, imidoconazole, isopyruvate Bifungin, isoprodinil, valproic acid, pyraclostrobin, isovaledione, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, lime sulfur, mancozeb, mancozeb, maneb, o-amide, mecarbinzid, pyraclostrobin, sulfamethoxam, mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride, mercuric fungicide, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metam, metazoxolon, metconazole, sulfamethoxam, furazolidone, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methyl mercuric benzoate, methyl mercury dicyandiamide dicyandiamide), pentachlorophenol methylmercuric salt, mesamiprole, metrafenone, metrafenone, mesamiprole, mesamiprole, morpholine fungicides, myclobutanil, meclofenoxate, N-(ethylmercury)-p-toluenesulfonylanilide, manson sodium, natamycin, nitrostyrene, phthalocyanine, flufenoxanol, OCH, octhilamide, furamide, organic mercury fungicides, organophosphorus fungicides, organotin fungicides, oxamoxadone, oxaloxane, oxathiapiprolin fungicides, oxazole fungicides, quinoline copper, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, pyralidone, penconazole, pencuron, pentachlorophenol,Penthiopyrad, phenylmercury urea, phenylmercury acetate, phenylmercury chloride, pyrocatechol phenylmercury derivatives, phenylmercury nitrate, phenylmercury salicylate, phenylsulfonamide fungicides, chlorpyrifos, tetrachlorophthalide, phthalimide fungicides, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, mancozeb zinc, polymer dithiocarbamate fungicides, polyoxin, polyoxorim, polysulfide fungicides, potassium azide, potassium polysulfide, potassium thiocyanate, allylbenzazole, prochloraz Amine, Procymidone, Cyproconazole, Propiconazole, Propineb, Propoxyquin, Thiophanate, Prothioconazole, Pyraclostrobin, Pyraclostrobin, Pyrazole fungicides, Pyraclofos, Pyridine fungicides, Pyraclostrobin, Pyrimidine fungicides, Pyroxychlor, Pyroxypyralid, Pyrrole fungicides, Quinacetol, Quinazamid, Quinconazole, Quinoline fungicides, Quinones fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides, quinoxyfen, pentachloronitrobenzene, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, silthiopyrad, siloxane, sodium azide, sodium o-phenylphenol, sodium pentachlorophenol, sodium polysulfide, spiroxane, streptomycin, strobilurin fungicides, sulfonylanilide fungicides, sulfur, sultropen, TCMTB, tebuconazole, foliar thiophene fungicide, tetrachloronitrobenzene, tecoram, tetrafluconazole, thiabendazole, thiadifluor, thiazole fungicide, thiodimethoate, thiofluanid, thiocarbamate fungicide, thiochlorfenphim, thimerosal, thiophanate, methyl thiophanate, thiophene fungicide, cypermethrin, thiram, thiabendazole, tioxymid, tivedo, methyl tolclofos, tolnaftate, tolylfluanid, tolylmercury acetate acetate), triadimefon, triadimenol, cypermethrin, triarimol, oxadiazine, triazine fungicide, triazole fungicide, imidazobacter, tributyltin oxide, salicylate, tricyclazole, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triaminate, trichlorfon, unclassified fungicide, undecylenic acid, uniconazole, urea fungicide, validamycin, valinamide fungicide, vinclozolin, cyanamide, zinc cyclohexaneate, mancozeb, ziram, zoxamide and mixtures thereof.

[0149] Insecticides are pesticides used against all developmental forms of insects and include ovicides and larvicides used against eggs and larvae of insects. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and in the home.

[0150] Suitable insecticides may include those selected from the group consisting of:

[0151] ■ Chlorinated insecticides such as toxaphene, DDT, hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, methoxychlor, pentachlorophenol, TDE, aldrin, chlordane, chlorphenone, dieldrin, endosulfan, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and mixtures thereof;

[0152] ■ Organophosphorus compounds such as acephate, azinphos, benzylphos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos (DDVP), dicrotophos, dimethoate, ethsulfate, chlorpyrifos-methyl, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, thiamethoxam, malathion, methamidophos, methidathion, methyl-parathion, mefenphos, dibromophos, omethoate, sulfoxide, parathion, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, Phostebupirim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, terbufos, chlorpyrifos, Tribufos, trichlorfon and mixtures thereof;

[0153] ■ Carbamates such as aldicarb, carbofuran, carbaryl, methomyl, 2-(l-methylpropyl)phenylmethylcarbamate and mixtures thereof;

[0154] ■ pyrethroids such as allethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, resmethrin, sumithrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin and mixtures thereof;

[0155] ■ Plant toxin-derived compounds such as rotenone, pyrethrum, neem, nicotine, caffeine and mixtures thereof;

[0156] ■Neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid;

[0157] ■Avermectins such as avermectin;

[0158] ■Oxadiazines such as indoxacarb;

[0159] ■Anthranilic acid diamides such as chlorantraniliprole (rynaxypyr).

[0160] Rodenticides are a class of pest control chemicals that are intended to kill rodents. Suitable rodenticides may include anticoagulants, metal phosphides, phosphides, and calciferol (vitamin D), and its derivatives.

[0161] Acaricides are insecticides that kill mites. Antibiotic acaricides, carbamate acaricides, formamidine acaricides, mite growth regulators, organochlorines, permethrins, and organophosphate acaricides all belong to this category. Molluscicides are pesticides used to control mollusks such as moths, slugs, and snails. These substances include metaldehyde, methiocarb, and aluminum sulfate. Nematicides are chemical pesticides used to kill parasitic nematodes (worms).

[0162] In the following examples, antimicrobial agents suitable for use in the agrochemical compositions according to the present invention are given.

[0163] Disinfectants may include those selected from the group consisting of active chlorine, active oxygen, iodine, concentrated alcohols, phenolic substances, cationic surfactants, strong oxidants, heavy metals and their salts, and concentrated strong acids and bases at a pH between 1 and 13. Suitable antimicrobial agents (i.e., antiseptics that can be used on the human or animal body, skin, mucous membranes, wounds, etc.) may include diluted chlorine preparations, iodine preparations, peroxides, alcohols with or without antimicrobial additives, weak organic acids, phenolic compounds, and cation-active compounds.

[0164] Particular preference is given to active compounds from the following classes: azole fungicides (epiconazole, bifenthrin, oxadiazole, cyproconazole, cyproconazole, benzyltriazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, R-diniconazole, epoxiconazole, ethiconazole, clofenac, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furoconazole, hexaconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulfate, imidazole, methiconazole, methiconazole, myclobutanil, flufenac, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazol, penconazole, pyraclostrobin, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyrimidine oxime, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triflumizole, trimethoprim, trichlorfon, viniconazole, viniconazole), strobilurin fungicides (azoxystrobin, dimethoate, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, fenoxystrobin, oxazolidinone, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin), SDH fungicides, chloronicotinyl insecticides (clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, nithiazin, acetamiprid, nitenpyram, thiamethoxam), insecticides ketones (spiroclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat), Fiproles (fiprole, ethiprole) and butenolide, as well as pymetrozine, fluopyram, N-(3',4'-dichloro-5-fluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide and N-{2-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide. Herbicides, especially sulfonylureas, triketones and herbicide enols and safeners are also particularly preferred.

[0165] It is contemplated that the present invention will be particularly useful in formulations comprising pre-emergent herbicides.

[0166] In addition to or as a substitute for agrochemical active substances, nutrients can also be present. In such preparations, the nutrients are usually in dry form.

[0167] Nutrients can be solid nutrients, or in solution. Solid nutrients are understood in the present invention to mean substances with a melting point above 20° C. (at standard pressure). Solid nutrients will also include insoluble nutrient components, i.e. nutrient components whose solubility in water is such that after addition, there is a significant solid content in the concentrate.

[0168] Nutrients refer to chemical elements and compounds which are required or essential to promote or improve plant growth. Suitable nutrients are usually described as macronutrients or micronutrients. Suitable nutrients for the concentrates according to the invention are all nutritional compounds.

[0169] Micronutrients generally refer to trace metals or trace elements, and are generally administered in lower doses. Suitable micronutrients include trace elements selected from zinc, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, molybdenum and manganese. Micronutrients may be in soluble form or included as insoluble solids, and may be salts or chelated.

[0170] Macronutrients generally refer to those containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and include fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and water conditioners. Suitable macronutrients include fertilizers and other compounds containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and water conditioners.

[0171] Suitable fertilizers include inorganic fertilizers that provide nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or sulfur. Fertilizers may be included in dilute formulations at relatively low concentrations or as more concentrated solutions, and at very high levels may include solid fertilizers as well as solutions.

[0172] It is contemplated that the inclusion of nutrients will depend on the specific nutrient, with micronutrients generally included in lower concentrations and macronutrients generally included in higher concentrations.

[0173] All features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination. Example

[0174] In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the following description by way of example.

[0175] It is to be understood that all tests and physical properties listed are measured at atmospheric pressure and room temperature (ie, 25°C) unless otherwise stated herein or unless otherwise stated in the referenced test methods and procedures.

[0176] The following test methods were used to determine the performance of the adjuvant compositions.

[0177] ●Canvas Test (CDT)

[0178] Designated canvas discs (cotton swatch ISO 8022) were dropped from a set distance (~5 cm from the top surface of the beaker) to impact the surface of 400 mL of surfactant solution (different surfactant solutions 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5% w / v were used) in a 600 mL glass beaker.

[0179] The time it takes for the piece of cloth to sink into the solution is then recorded as the wetting time (in seconds or minutes).This method has been validated for capillary rise testing.

[0180] Rewetting

[0181] The rewetting properties (or residual activity) of the blends were tested using a series of capillary rise experiments. Soil plugs (pre-dried at 50°C) were placed in a 0.2% w / v aqueous solution (40 mL) of the surfactant blend and the time required for the solution to be absorbed into the soil plug was recorded. After the experiment, the soil plugs were placed in an oven (54°C) overnight to dry.

[0182] After drying, the capillary rise test was repeated under the same conditions as above, up to a total of ten times (referred to herein as Rewet 1, Rewet 2, etc.).

[0183] After the final rewetting, wash the soil plug by slowly pouring 400 ml of deionized water over the top of the soil plug (divot facing up). Leave the soil plug in the oven to dry and reassess the capillary rise experiment the next day as in the previous wetting experiment.

[0184] The following compounds were used in the tests:

[0185] P1-Polyoxyethylene (12) sorbitan monolaurate

[0186] P2-Polyoxyethylene (8) sorbitan monolaurate

[0187] P3-Polyoxyethylene (16) sorbitan monolaurate

[0188] P4-Polyoxyethylene (5) polyoxypropylene (15) sorbitan monolaurate

[0189] P5-Polyoxyethylene (10) polyoxypropylene (10) sorbitan monolaurate

[0190] P6-Polyoxyethylene (15) polyoxypropylene (5) sorbitan monolaurate

[0191] P7-Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate

[0192] P8-Polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monolaurate

[0193] P9-Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate

[0194] P10-Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate

[0195] C1-Polyoxyethylene(5)C9-C11 Alcohol

[0196] C2-Polyoxyethylene (60) almond oil

[0197] C3-Polyoxyethylene (6) tridecanol

[0198] C4-Polyoxyethylene (5) alkyl ether phosphate

[0199] C5-Polyoxyethylene branched tridecyl phosphate

[0200] C6-Polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether

[0201] C7-Polyoxyethylene (7) C12-C15 alcohol

[0202] C8-Polyoxyethylene (2.5) C9-C11 alcohol

[0203] C9-Polyoxyethylene (10) C9-C11 alcohol

[0204] A1-PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 10% EO PPG size 6

[0205] A2-PEG-PPG-PEG polymer, 20% EO PPG size 6

[0206] Canvas disc test results

[0207] A number of formulations were made and then tested on canvas sheets. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0208] Table 1. – Canvas sheet test results

[0209]

[0210]

[0211] The formulations tested all provided good wetting times.

[0212] Stability results of two components

[0213] A large number of formulations containing both components were also prepared to check stability. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0214] Table 2. – Stability Results

[0215]

[0216]

[0217] All formulations tested showed good stability.

[0218] Rewetting test results

[0219] A number of formulations were prepared and then subjected to rewetting testing. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0220] The following formulations were used for the rewetting tests:

[0221] T19-P1 (40 wt%) + C1 (10 wt%) + A1 (50 wt%)

[0222] T20-P4 (40 wt%) + C1 (10 wt%) + A1 (50 wt%)

[0223] T21-P1 (25.5 wt%) + C2 (24.5 wt%) + A1 (50 wt%)

[0224] T22-P4 (25.5 wt%) + C2 (24.5 wt%) + A1 (50 wt%)

[0225] Table 3. – Rewetting Results

[0226]

[0227]

[0228] The formulations tested all provided good rewet times (shown in seconds).

[0229] Tank mix compatibility

[0230] Tank mix compatibility was evaluated using the official ASTM E1518 method. This method evaluates the physical compatibility of pesticides in aqueous tank mixes by a dynamic mixer method. For tank mix compatible formulations, T3 was used as shown in Table 1. The results of the compatibility testing are shown in Table 4 below.

[0231] Table 4. – Compatibility results

[0232] 1% aqueous solution and 0.1% T3 preparation Visual inspection results (30min) Ammonium polyphosphate 10-34-0 No separation, no caking Calcium Nitrate 90SL No separation, no caking Difluanid 500SC No separation, no caking Metribuzin 75WDG No separation, no caking

[0233] As a tank mix with various active ingredients, the formulation exhibited good compatibility.

[0234] A number of other formulations in Table 1 were also tested for tank mix compatibility.

[0235] Table 5. – Compatibility results

[0236]

[0237]

[0238] NS, NC = no separation, no agglomeration

[0239] As seen in Tables 4 and 5, good compatibility of the formulations was observed, with no separation and no agglomeration observed.

[0240] It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the details of the above embodiments, which are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible.

Claims

1. A soil treatment formulation comprising: (i) Ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan of formula (I): Sorb-(AO n1 R 1 )(A.O n2 R 2 )(A.O n3 R 3 )(A.O n4 R 4 ) (I) in; Sorb represents the residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan; AO represents an ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy residue; n1, n2, n3 and n4 each independently represent an average value from 0 to 10; The average of the total number n1+n2+n3+n4 is between 5 and 25; and R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 Each independently represents H or acyl-C(O)-R 5 , where R 5 It is C9-C 13 Hydrocarbon, (ii) an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) a compatibilizing surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates and / or alkoxylated glycerides, The alkoxylated fatty alcohol has the following general formula: R 6 –O–(AO) x -H (II) in R 6 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms; AO is ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy; and x represents an integer ranging from 1 to 30, wherein the alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate is a C10 to C30 phosphate monoester and / or phosphate diester, wherein the alkoxylated glyceride is derived from a monoglyceride, a diglyceride or a triglyceride and contains from 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups, and the oxyalkylene groups are as described with reference to the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

2. The preparation according to claim 1, wherein R 5 It is C 11 Hydrocarbon.

3. The formulation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the average molecular weight of the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer is 1,500 to 15,000.

4. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the extending surfactant is an alkoxylated alcohol having the general formula: R 6 –O–(AO) x -H (II) in R 6 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms; AO is ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy; and x represents an integer in the range of 1 to 30.

5. A method for preparing a soil treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising mixing (i) Ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan of formula (I): Sorb-(AO n1 R 1 )(A.O n2 R 2 )(A.O n3 R 3 )(A.O n4 R 4 ) (I) in; Sorb represents the residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan; AO represents an ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy residue; n1, n2, n3 and n4 each independently represent an average value from 0 to 10; The average of the total number n1+n2+n3+n4 is between 5 and 25; and R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 Each independently represents H or acyl-C(O)-R 5 , where R 5 It is C9-C 13 Hydrocarbon, (ii) an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) a compatibilizing surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates and / or alkoxylated glycerides, The alkoxylated fatty alcohol has the following general formula: R 6 –O–(AO) x -H (II) in R 6 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms; AO is ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy; and x represents an integer ranging from 1 to 30, wherein the alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate is a C10 to C30 phosphate monoester and / or phosphate diester, wherein the alkoxylated glyceride is derived from a monoglyceride, a diglyceride or a triglyceride and contains from 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups, and the oxyalkylene groups are as described with reference to the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

6. An agrochemical formulation suitable for application to plants and / or soil, said formulation comprising a diluted soil treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and optionally at least one agrochemically active substance and / or nutrient.

7. A method of wetting and / or conditioning soil comprising applying a soil treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. Use of a soil treatment formulation for improving soil moisture retention and / or soil conditioning, the soil treatment formulation comprising (i) Ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoesters of sorbitan of formula (I): Sorb-(AO n1 R 1 )(A.O n2 R 2 )(A.O n3 R 3 )(A.O n4 R 4 ) (I) in; Sorb represents the residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan; AO represents an ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy residue; n1, n2, n3 and n4 each independently represent an average value from 0 to 10; The average of the total number n1+n2+n3+n4 is between 5 and 25; and R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 Each independently represents H or acyl-C(O)-R 5 , where R 5 It is C9-C 13 Hydrocarbon, (ii) an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, and (iii) a compatibilizing surfactant selected from alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates and / or alkoxylated glycerides, The alkoxylated fatty alcohol has the following general formula: R 6 –O–(AO) x -H (II) in R 6 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms; AO is ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy; and x represents an integer ranging from 1 to 30, wherein the alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate is a C10 to C30 phosphate monoester and / or phosphate diester, wherein the alkoxylated glyceride is derived from a monoglyceride, a diglyceride or a triglyceride and contains from 1 to 30 oxyalkylene groups, and the oxyalkylene groups are as described with reference to the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

9. A method of treating soil to moisten and / or condition said soil, which method comprises applying a diluted formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to said soil.

10. A soil treatment formulation comprising an ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty acid monoester of sorbitan of formula (I): Sorb-(AO n1 R 1 )(A.O n2 R 2 )(A.O n3 R 3 )(A.O n4 R 4 ) (I) in; Sorb represents the residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan; AO represents an ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy residue; n1, n2, n3 and n4 each independently represent an average value from 0 to 10; The average of the total number n1+n2+n3+n4 is between 5 and 25; and R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 Each independently represents H or acyl-C(O)-R 5 , where R 5 It is C9-C 13 Hydrocarbon, and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers.

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