Pesticide adjuvant

Abstract

The present invention provides a pesticide adjuvant, in particular a plant protection agent, comprising: an oil component, the oil component being a substance selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, vegetable fatty acid methyl ester, vegetable fatty acid ethyl ester, vegetable fatty acid butyl ester or a mixture thereof; and a wetting-alkalizing-compatible component, comprising: an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines having an alkyl chain length of C13-15; and a nonionic surfactant from the polyglycerol ester group of vegetable fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C12-22. The present invention also relates to a foliar spray composition, comprising: a plant protection agent selected from the group consisting of a herbicide, a biostimulant, a growth regulator or a fertilizer or a mixture thereof; water; and an adjuvant according to the present invention. The adjuvant of the present invention is characterized in that it has high biodegradability, is used to obtain a spray liquid with a high service life, and ensures a high solubility of the active substance used and a high retention rate on the spray surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject of the invention is a multifunctional adjuvant for pesticides, in particular for plant protection agents, primarily herbicides, and also biostimulants, growth regulators, fertilizers and other foliar-applied pesticides. Background Art

[0002] Adjuvants, known as synergists, are added to the spray liquid of many foliar pesticides (especially herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) to increase the adhesion of spray droplets to the surface of target pests, promote their wetting and the penetration and transport of active substances to the site of action. Other functions of adjuvants are also important, such as increasing the solubility of active substances in water, preventing rapid drying of spray droplets and crystallization of active substances on the spray surface, and limiting the wind drift of spray droplets, thereby reducing environmental pollution. For this reason, active adjuvants based on surfactants (surfactants), mineral and vegetable oils, inorganic compounds (especially ammonium compounds) and auxiliary adjuvants (the most important of which are compounds that prevent spray droplets from bubbling and drifting due to wind) are usually used. Since the scope of action of these single-component adjuvants is relatively narrow, it is reasonable to use adjuvant mixtures in which the single components have different functions and complement each other in agricultural practice. Such multifunctional adjuvants are convenient for users to use, greatly improve the effectiveness of plant protection products, and maintain their performance at a high level under various natural and technical conditions, as well as being able to reduce the dosage of the pesticides used, which brings measurable economic benefits and helps to reduce the pollution of agricultural products and the environment. Among them, U.S. Patents US5238604A and US5624883A are well known for adjuvants that increase the effectiveness of plant protection products against weeds, diseases and pests. These adjuvants, in addition to oils or fatty acid esters, also contain a single nonionic surfactant with a lipophilic property, the lipophilic property having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value below 10, and its main function is to prepare a water-oil emulsion in the spray liquid in addition to reducing surface tension. Adjuvants of this type have a number of significant disadvantages, in particular (i) the absence of hydrophilic surfactants with an HLB above 10, which optimize the retention of the spray droplets on the leaf surface and the penetration of the active substances into the plant cells; (ii) the inability to raise the pH of the spray liquid above 7, thus not ensuring maximum solubility of the active substances (in particular herbicides from the sulfonylurea group) in water, so that these substances remain in the spray liquid in crystalline form and penetrate into the plant cells only to a limited extent.

[0003] According to the prior art, known adjuvants for foliar herbicides are also described in the United States and Polish patents, which contain fatty acid methyl esters, surfactants and compounds that increase the pH of the spray liquid to more than 7, which promote the dissolution of many active substances (especially herbicides from the sulfonylurea group). For example, in patent US6642178BB, this function is achieved by incorporating triethanolamine (TEA) into the formulation. In the adjuvants proposed in US6659720BB, in addition to TEA, inorganic bases such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide and primary amino alcohols can also be used as buffers to increase the pH of the spray liquid, and in the adjuvants described in patent PL201947B1, alkyl dimethyl polyoxyethylene ammonium hydroxide plays a role in buffering and increasing the pH of the spray liquid. Patent US8765637BB also describes the possibility of including alkalizing components represented by ethoxylated coconut amine and environmentally unfriendly ethoxylated thallium amine in the composition of the oil adjuvant. However, none of these adjuvants has a comprehensive impact on the most important factor that limits the effect of plant protection products.

[0004] International patent application WO16055344A1 discloses a two-component adjuvant consisting of a polyglycerol ester and an emulsifier, for example in the form of an ethoxylated amine. The adjuvant disclosed in this application does not contain an oil fraction for dissolving the cuticular wax on the plant surface, which constitutes an important barrier to the entry of the insecticide into the plant cells. Despite this significant disadvantage, this adjuvant has been used to increase the efficacy of insecticides and reduce wind drift of spray droplets during spraying. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an adjuvant for foliar pesticides which does not have the disadvantages presented and which more completely eliminates the most important limiting factors. In the research carried out on such an adjuvant, a composition was sought which has a high biodegradability, guarantees a high service life of the spray liquid and ensures a high solubility of the active substances used, their high retention on the sprayed surface, and also ensures their adequate coverage and active penetration of the target pests.

[0006] The present invention relates to adjuvants for foliar pesticides, in particular plant protection products, including herbicides, biostimulants, growth regulators or fertilizers, comprising:

[0007] An oil component, wherein the oil component is a substance selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, vegetable fatty acid methyl ester, vegetable fatty acid ethyl ester, vegetable fatty acid butyl ester or a mixture thereof; and

[0008] A wetting-alkalizing-compatible component comprising:

[0009] A basic nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines having an alkyl chain length of C13-15; and

[0010] Nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22.

[0011] Preferably, the adjuvant of the present invention comprises: 70-90 wt % of an oil component, wherein the oil component is a substance selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, vegetable fatty acid methyl ester, vegetable fatty acid ethyl ester, vegetable fatty acid butyl ester or a mixture thereof; 5-15 wt % of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines with an alkyl chain length of C13-15; and 5-15 wt % of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22.

[0012] More preferably, the adjuvant of the present invention comprises: 80 wt % of an oil component, which is a substance selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, vegetable fatty acid methyl ester, vegetable fatty acid ethyl ester, vegetable fatty acid butyl ester or a mixture thereof; 10 wt % of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines with an alkyl chain length of C13-15; and 10 wt % of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22.

[0013] Preferably, the vegetable oil is rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil.

[0014] According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a foliar spray composition comprising: a plant protection agent selected from the group consisting of herbicides, biostimulants, growth regulators or fertilizers or mixtures thereof; an adjuvant according to the present invention; and water.

[0015] Preferably, the herbicide in the foliar spray composition is a sulfonylurea herbicide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The adjuvant according to the invention is a liquid homogeneous concentrate which ensures the formation of a stable oil-water emulsion in the spray liquid, buffering the spray liquid at a pH level above 7, thus enabling the active substances (e.g. herbicides from the sulfonylurea group) to dissolve easily, ensuring sufficient wetting of the spray surface and active penetration of the active biological substances into the cells of the target pests. This adjuvant, added to the spray liquid of the pesticide, strongly increases the activity of the biologically active substances contained therein and allows to maintain their high efficacy under a wide range of climatic and technical conditions, even at reduced dosages, significantly reducing wind drift, thereby reducing the possibility of damaging sensitive neighboring crops and polluting the environment with pesticides.

[0017] Surprisingly, the addition of an additional nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22 to a composition comprising an adjuvant of crude vegetable oils (e.g. rapeseed, soy, sunflower, linseed and / or others) and / or ester methyl, ethyl or butyl fatty acids and an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines with an alkyl chain length of C13-15 and an HLB value of 15 made it possible to prepare a transparent, homogeneous and storage-stable formulation, and the formulation allows the production of a homogeneous, long-lasting oil-water emulsion spray formulation. The addition of an additional surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of fatty acids to the adjuvant according to the invention makes it possible to significantly improve its rheological and functional properties.

[0018] The ethoxylated alkylamines of C13[1], C14[2] and C15[3] alkyl chain lengths in the nonionic surfactants included in the adjuvants of the present invention have the following chemical structures:

[0019] [1]

[0020] [2]

[0021] [3]

[0022] The surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids is capable of improving the rheological and functional properties of the adjuvant of the present invention and has the following chemical structure:

[0023]

[0024] Wherein, n=2-20 (the number of glycerol molecules in the polymer), R=C12-22 fatty acid.

[0025] The adjuvant according to the invention is biostatic and stable during storage for at least 12 months in a temperature range of -10°C to +54°C. When added to the spray liquor in a concentration of 0.5-2%, it produces a stable oil-water emulsion which remains at an acceptable level for chemical plant protection for at least 12 hours. An important advantage of the adjuvant according to the invention is that it can be added not only to the spray liquor during its preparation, but also incorporated into the formulation of liquid plant protection products during its commercial production stage.

[0026] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present patent application, there is provided an adjuvant composition of the present invention, and a biological effect of using the adjuvant in mixture with a herbicide.

[0027] Embodiment 1

[0028] The container equipped with a mechanical stirrer includes: 700 parts by weight of rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester, whose viscosity at 20°C is 4 mm 2 / s, density is 0.85g / cm 3 ; 150 parts by weight of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines having an alkyl chain length of C13-15 and an HLB value of 15; and 150 parts by weight of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C12-22.

[0029] The entire mixture was stirred slowly at a temperature of 20°C for about 10 minutes until the mixture was completely homogenized. A transparent homogeneous composition with a light amber color was obtained with a viscosity of 0.91 g / cm at 20°C. 3 The invention discloses a novel adjuvant having a density of 1000 mPa / s and a kinematic viscosity of 4.1 mPa / s and comprising: 70 wt% of rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester; 15 wt% of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines with an alkyl chain length of C13-15 and an HLB value of 15; and 15 wt% of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22. The prepared adjuvant is introduced into water at a concentration of 1% and forms a stable oil-water emulsion for 12 hours at a pH of 8.28 and a static surface tension of 31.08 mNm.

[0030] Example II

[0031] The container equipped with a mechanical stirrer includes: 800 parts by weight of rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester, the viscosity of which at 20°C is 4 mm 2 / s, density is 0.85g / cm 3 ; 100 parts by weight of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines having an alkyl chain length of C13-15 and an HLB value of 15; and 100 parts by weight of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C12-22.

[0032] The entire mixture was stirred slowly at a temperature of 20°C for about 10 minutes until the mixture was completely homogenized. A transparent homogeneous composition with a light amber color was obtained with a viscosity of 0.89 g / cm at 20°C. 3The invention discloses a novel adjuvant having a density of 1000 mPa / s and a kinematic viscosity of 3.4 mPa / s and comprising: 80 wt% of rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester; 10 wt% of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines with an alkyl chain length of C13-15 and an HLB value of 15; and 10 wt% of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22. The prepared adjuvant is introduced into water at a concentration of 1% and forms a stable oil-water emulsion for 12 hours at a pH of 8.12 and a static surface tension of 31.87 mNm.

[0033] Example III

[0034] The container equipped with a mechanical stirrer includes: 900 parts by weight of rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester, the viscosity of which at 20°C is 4 mm 2 / s, density is 0.85g / cm 3 ; 50 parts by weight of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines having an alkyl chain length of C13-15 and an HLB value of 15; and 50 parts by weight of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C12-22.

[0035] The entire mixture was stirred slowly at a temperature of 20°C for about 10 minutes until the mixture was completely homogenized. A transparent homogeneous composition with a light amber color was obtained with a viscosity of 0.87 g / cm at 20°C. 3 The invention discloses a novel adjuvant having a density of 1000 mPa / s and a kinematic viscosity of 3.3 mPa / s and comprising: 90 wt% of rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester; 5 wt% of an alkaline nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines with an alkyl chain length of C13-15 and an HLB value of 15; and 5 wt% of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22. The prepared adjuvant is introduced into water at a concentration of 1% and forms a stable oil-water emulsion for 12 hours at a pH of 7.54 and a static surface tension of 33.07 mNm.

[0036] Example IV

[0037] The effect of a nonionic surfactant of the polyglycerol ester group in an adjuvant composition on the quality of an oil-water emulsion was investigated and it was surprisingly found that a mixture of this surfactant with rapeseed oil methyl ester in water retained very good quality even up to 12 hours after its preparation.

[0038]

[0039] *1 - very poor (complete stratification); 5 - very good (homogeneity throughout the volume).

[0040] The data given in the table above show that the oil-water emulsion comprising as adjuvant a surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters (three-component composition according to Examples I-III) having a C13-15 alkyl chain length and an HLB value of 15 is more stable than an oil-water emulsion composition comprising only as adjuvant an alkaline nonionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated amines.

[0041] Example V

[0042] The effect of the adjuvant composition prepared according to Example II on the herbicidal effectiveness of the herbicide Hector Max 66.5WG (dicamba + nicosulfuron + sulfasulfuron) used at recommended and reduced doses in corn was also studied (field study, average values ​​for 2018 and 2019, Poznan Agricultural Faculty, Department of Education and Experiments, Brody Branch).

[0043]

[0044] The data given in the table above show that when the adjuvant composition prepared in Example II of the present invention was used at a dose of 1.5 liters per hectare (L / ha) in corn with a reduced dose of the herbicide Hector Max 66.5WG (dicamba + nicosulfuron + sulfonesulfuron), a higher herbicidal effect was achieved compared to applying the herbicide at a full dose without an adjuvant. The adjuvant efficacy of Example II of the present invention was significantly better than the comparative Trend 90 EC adjuvant.

Claims

1. A pesticide adjuvant for plant protection products, comprising: 70-90 wt % of an oil component, wherein the oil component is rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester; as well as A wetting-alkalizing-compatible component comprising: 5-15 wt% of a basic nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines having an alkyl chain length of C13-15; and 5-15% by weight of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22.

2. The auxiliary agent according to claim 1, comprising: 80% by weight of an oil component, wherein the oil component is rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester; 10% by weight of a basic nonionic surfactant consisting of a mixture of ethoxylated alkylamines with an alkyl chain length of C13-15; and 10% by weight of a nonionic surfactant from the group of polyglycerol esters of vegetable fatty acids with a carbon chain length of C12-22.

3. A foliar spray composition comprising: Plant protection products selected from the group consisting of herbicides, biostimulants, growth regulators or fertilizers or mixtures thereof; water; as well as The auxiliary agent according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The foliar spray composition according to claim 3, wherein The herbicide is a sulfonylurea herbicide.

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