Improved HPPD and PPO agrochemical formulations comprising drop drift technique

Abstract

Provided herein are improved agrochemical formulations and methods of treating crop plants. The agrochemical formulation comprises at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicides and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicides; and an organic drift control agent.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to pending U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 346,591, filed on May 27, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to improved formulations for treating crops. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in crop treatment formulations having improved drift control properties. Background Art

[0004] Prior art utilizes 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibiting herbicides and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibiting herbicides and drift control agents (DRA) as separate additives added to the tank mix. DRA is conducive to controlling the spray pattern during the herbicide application process. In some cases, oil-based DRA is the most preferred because they reduce the amount of fine particles and have less impact on the average spray particle size, and the spray particle size is important for the deposition and efficacy of the herbicide. Common HPPD inhibiting herbicides and PPO inhibiting herbicides, such as mesotrione and sulfentrazone, are usually formulated into suspension concentrates when formulated alone. The situation of including oil-based products usually requires that the formulation type be adjusted to a suspension emulsion. Suspension emulsion-based formulations are known in the art to have problems in formulation stability, and different additives need to be used, including copper chelating additives and additives that encapsulate oil-based substances, to overcome chemical and physical stability challenges. It is expected that the inclusion of oil-based DRAs will also require suspension emulsion type formulations, which are generally associated with accelerated degradation of the herbicide. In the presence of oil, the challenges of physical and chemical stability have prompted most formulations to explore the use of water-based drift-reducing polymers, such as polyacrylamides, polyacrylates and guar gum, and these herbicides. However, as recently discovered, water-based drift-reducing polymers can have negative effects on formulation stability, most notably high viscosity and gelation, which causes formulations containing them to be less effective in reducing the percentage of fine particles. There is a need in the art for a stable drum product that combines an oil-based DRA with an HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and / or a PPO-inhibiting herbicide in a water-based system without degrading the active ingredients, and also exhibits acceptable physical stability and a reduced spray particle size to reduce drift. This desire has not been met in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to an improved crop treatment formulation comprising an HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and a PPO-inhibiting herbicide and an oil-based drift reducer. The HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and the PPO-inhibiting herbicide can be formulated individually or together in a formulation comprising multiple active herbicides.

[0006] A particular feature of the present invention is stability, particularly chemical and physical stability, without unacceptable separation of formulation components or degradation of the herbicide active ingredient.

[0007] Another specific feature of the present invention is the reduction of fine particles, defined as particles with a size less than 150 μm, which results in less off-target deposition.

[0008] As will be appreciated, these and other embodiments provide agricultural chemical formulations comprising:

[0009] At least one selected from 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase herbicides and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicides; and

[0010] Oil based drift control agent.

[0011] Another embodiment provides a method of treating crops, comprising:

[0012] The crops are sprayed with an agricultural chemical formulation comprising:

[0013] at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicides and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicides; and

[0014] Oil based drift control agent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 Illustration of downwind deposition.

[0016] Figure 2 Illustration of downwind deposition.

[0017] Figure 3 Illustration of downwind deposition.

[0018] Figure 4 A graphical representation of the weight % of fine particles smaller than 150 μm.

[0019] Figure 5 A graphical representation of the weight % of fine particles smaller than 150 μm.

[0020] Figure 6 A graphical representation of the weight % of fine particles smaller than 150 μm.

[0021] Figure 7A graphical representation of the weight % of fine particles smaller than 150 μm.

[0022] Figure 8 A graphical representation of the weight % of fine particles smaller than 150 μm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention relates to improved crop treatment formulations, particularly crop treatment formulations that are stable and provide good drift control properties. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stable drum product that combines an oil-based DRA with an HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and a PPO-inhibiting herbicide in a water-based system that does not degrade the active ingredients for subsequent dilution and application, preferably by spraying.

[0024] With the advent of herbicide tolerant (HT) crops, new usage patterns for HPPD inhibiting herbicides and PPO inhibiting herbicides are emerging. The expanded window of use and new uses across crops may increase the potential for off-target movement of these herbicides. The present invention reduces the number of fine particles in the spray, thereby reducing the amount of product that may have off-target movement due to particle drift. This type of oil-based drift reducers are preferred for use with these products because they are less likely to increase the average spray particle size while reducing fine particles, which means less impact on herbicide efficacy compared to water-based polymers such as polyacrylamide. This herbicide is equipped with oil-based drift reducer technology, ensuring it is suitable for all applications and reducing the need for additional products. Combining the herbicide and oil-based drift reducer technology in one universal package also improves storage and distribution. The present invention overcomes stability challenges that previously made it unfeasible.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, oil-based DRA is provided as an agricultural chemical alone or in combination with an HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and / or a PPO-inhibiting herbicide and then diluted when used. The agricultural chemical preferably comprises about 10-70% by weight, more preferably 20-60% by weight, more preferably 30-50% by weight of herbicide, and about 10-30% by weight of oil-based DRA, with the remainder being other ingredients. If desired, other herbicides may be added. In one embodiment, the agricultural chemical does not include an auxin-based herbicide.

[0026] One aspect of the present invention is the reduction of fine particles. The percentage of fine particles can be derived by two techniques. One technique is to increase the average particle size without changing the particle size distribution. This technique is often used in the art to reduce fine particles, however, the increase in average particle size is harmful to the spray characteristics. A specific feature of the present invention is that the percentage of fine particles can be reduced without significantly increasing the average particle size or particle size distribution. The reduction of fine particles is defined according to industry standards, wherein the reduction of fine particles is defined relative to the percentage of fine particles in the same herbicide formulation except for the tested drift reducer. The present invention provides a reduction of at least 5% by weight to no more than 75% by weight of fine particles, while the average particle size increases by no more than 25%. More preferably, the fine particles are reduced by at least 5% by weight to no more than 50% by weight, even more preferably by at least 10% by weight to 40% by weight, even more preferably by at least 15% by weight to no more than 30% by weight, and most preferably by at least 20% by weight to no more than 25% by weight. Further increased fine particle reduction may have a negative impact on the average particle size or particle size distribution.

[0027] Preferred oil-based DRAs are mixtures of organic compounds selected from vegetable oils or methylated vegetable oils, ethoxylated fatty acids, and ethoxylated polyols esterified with fatty acids. In a preferred embodiment, the oil-based DRA includes soybean oil or methylated soybean oil, ethoxylated oleic acid esters, and ethoxylated glycerol esterified with poly(hydroxystearic acid). A particularly suitable oil-based DRA for illustrating the present invention comprises 85-94.5% by weight of methylated soybean oil, 0.5-3% by weight of polyethoxylated (POE) tall oil fatty acids, and 5-12% by weight of POE glycerol esterified with 12 hydroxystearate. POE tall oil fatty acids are preferably ethoxylated with 3-20 ethylene oxide groups. Glycerol is preferably ethoxylated with 3-35 ethylene oxide groups. Not all DRAs are suitable for the co-formulations in the invention. To make the DRA suitable for inclusion in the formulation, it needs to have acceptable physical stability, chemical stability, and drift reduction performance at relevant commercial concentrations.

[0028] HPPD inhibitors are a class of herbicides that prevent plant growth by blocking HPPD, an enzyme in plants that breaks down the amino acid tyrosine into molecules that the plant then uses to make other molecules the plant needs. HPPD inhibitors are Group 27 herbicides and include: Isoxazoles, Isoxaflutole, Pyrazoles, Benzofenap, Pyrasulfotole, Pyrazolynate, Pyrazoxyfen, Topramezone, Tolpyralate, Triketones, Benzobicyclon, Bicyclopyrone, Fenquinotrione, Mesotrione, Sulcotrione, Tembotrione, and Tefuryltrione.

[0029] PPO inhibitors are a class of herbicides that prevent plant growth by blocking PPO, an enzyme in plants that produces precursors of chlorophyll and heme required for photosynthesis and the electron transport chain within the cell. PPO inhibitors not only block the production of chlorophyll and heme, but also lead to the formation of highly reactive molecules, causing cell membrane rupture and organelle disintegration. PPO is a Group 14 herbicide, including: Diphenyl ethers, Lactofen, Acifluorfen, Bifenox, Chlornitrofen, Fomesafen, Fluorodifen, Fluoroglycofen-ethyl, Fluoronitrofen, Nitrofen, Oxyfluorfen, Chlomethoxyfen, Phenylpyrazoles, Pyraflufen-ethyl, N-Phenyl-oxadiazolones, Oxadiargyl, Oxadiazon, N-Phenyl-triazolinones, Azafenidin, Carfentrazone-ethyl, Sulfentrazone, N-phenylimide Phenyl-imides), Fluthiacet-methyl, Butafenacil, Saflufenacil, Pentoxazone, Chlorphthalim, Cinidon-ethyl, Flumiclorac-pentyl, Flumioxazin, Flumipropyn, Trifludimoxazin, Tiafenacil, and Pyraclonil.

[0030] The formulation of the present invention exhibits excellent stability. For example, no separation of the formulation of the present invention was observed through a 2-week freeze / thaw cycle and up to 6 weeks at 4°C. A thin layer of separation was observed on the top of the product with the formulation of the present invention at 35°C for up to 12 weeks, but the thin layer easily recovered to a uniform state after several inversions.

[0031] A specific feature of the present invention is the ability to provide agricultural chemical formulations, particularly spray formulations, with improved drift control properties without containing additives selected from polymers, particularly polymers selected from polyacrylamides and polyacrylates, and natural product thickeners, such as guar gum. A second feature of the present invention is the ability to provide chemically stable formulations in which the active ingredients do not degrade in the absence of metal additives such as copper. More specifically, the present invention provides an agricultural chemical formulation having no more than 25% by weight, preferably no more than 10% by weight, more preferably no more than 5% by weight, more preferably no more than 2% by weight, and most preferably no more than 0.5% by weight of additives. The ability to avoid the use of those substances that are generally considered necessary in HPPD and PPO agricultural chemical formulations minimizes the chemicals applied to crops, reduces costs, and simplifies the entire manufacturing and supply chain for the manufacture and use of agricultural chemical formulations.

[0032] Another specific feature of the present invention is stability. For the purposes of the present invention, a formulation is defined as stable if the concentration of the herbicide decreases by less than 10% by weight after storage at 35°C for 12 weeks. More preferably, the concentration of the herbicide decreases by less than 5% by weight, even more preferably by less than 3% by weight after storage at 35°C for 12 weeks.

[0033] Example

[0034] Table 1: Preparation ingredients

[0035]

[0036]

[0037] The general method for preparing HPPD inhibitor formulations includes four steps. The first step is to prepare a large grinding base by mixing 40.82% mesotrione (98%) with 30.55-30.95% water, 4% propylene glycol, a dispersant (3.75% Ethox5037), a wetting agent (1.25% Ethox4420) and 0.15% SAG1572. The mixture is ground to the desired herbicide particle size. The second step includes adding a slurry containing a thickener. In the second step, the grind is divided into two halves to evaluate two thickeners. Slurry 1 contains 5% propylene glycol, 0.13% ProxelGXL and 0.2% xanthan gum. For formulations using slurry 1, 5.33% of slurry 1 is added to the mesotrione grind prepared in the first step. Slurry 2 contains 0.2% xanthan gum, 0.4% Attagel 50, 5% propylene glycol and 0.13% Proxel GXL. For formulations using slurry 2, 5.73% of slurry 2 is added to the mesotrione grind prepared in the first step. After finding that the slurry is properly mixed, the DRA material is added, which is the third step. Each batch of grinding base containing thickener is separated so that various drift reducing agents can be mixed using a paddle. After confirming that the DRA is fully incorporated, the final product is buffered to the desired pH using phosphoric acid, which is the fourth step.

[0038] The following mesotrione formulations were prepared according to the general procedure described in the previous paragraph using 12% Ethox Oil Based Drift Reducing Agent (OBDRA). They are described in Table 2.

[0039] Table 2:

[0040]

[0041]

[0042] The following formulations were prepared using 0.1 wt% SC-1604 or polyacrylamide. Table 3 describes them.

[0043] Table 3

[0044]

[0045] The following formulations were prepared using 1 wt% SC-1604 or polyacrylamide. Table 4 describes them.

[0046] Table 4:

[0047]

[0048]

[0049] For use with commercial DRA products The mesotrione formulation was prepared using the following procedure. The first step was to prepare a large mill base by mixing 40.82% mesotrione (98%) with 19.95%-30.95% water, 4% propylene glycol, a dispersant (3.75% Ethox5037) and a wetting agent (1.25% Ethox4420) and 0.15% SAG1572. The mixture was ground to the desired herbicide particle size. The second step involved adding slurry 1. The third step was to mix the slurry with a paddle blade mixer after finding that the slurry was properly mixed. It was incorporated into BP6-020 at 12 wt% and into LAH22-59 at 23 wt%. After binding was deemed complete, the final product was buffered to the desired pH using phosphoric acid as the fourth step. The target mesotrione level in both BP6-020 and LAH22-59 was 40%. Table 5 describes the stability of these formulations.

[0050] The methods for determining physical stability are initial and subsequent testing of appearance, activity assay, and dilution stability. Acceptable appearance specifications are little or no visible exudate layer after the specified time and can be resuspended with minimal force. Dilution stability indicates the stability of the herbicide when diluted in water. To ensure that the spray solution is sufficiently uniform during application, no separation, precipitation of less than 1 mL (ppt), or flocculation will be detected after stirring and standing for 30 minutes at a 5% by weight dilution in hard water. The temperature stability of the samples was tested by placing the samples at 4°C for up to 6 weeks, at 35°C for up to 12 weeks, and through a two-week freeze / thaw (F / T) cycle, which means entering and leaving a refrigerator set at approximately -16°C. The results are listed in Tables 5, 6, 7 and 8.

[0051] Table 5

[0052]

[0053] Due to the viscosity of the preparation, use The mesotrione formulations prepared were considered unsuitable for commercial use at the concentrations prepared. The viscosity was measured using a DVE viscometer with a LV2 spindle at 12 rpm. The measured value for BP6-020 was 1498 cp, while LAH22-59 could not be measured due to its high viscosity.

[0054] Table 6

[0055]

[0056] Table 7

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

[0060] Table 8:

[0061]

[0062]

[0063] The general method for preparing a suspension concentrate of a PPO inhibitor includes three steps. In the first step, a large mill base is prepared by mixing 42.13% of sulfentrazone (98%) with 40.81% water, 0.5% Cab-O-Sil M5, 5% dispersant (3.75% Ethox 5037) and a wetting agent (1.25% Ethox 4420) and 0.20% SAG1572. The mill base is then milled until the herbicide reaches the desired particle size. In the second step, a slurry containing a thickener is added to the mill base prepared in the first step, wherein the slurry contains 5% propylene glycol, 0.16% xanthan gum and 0.2% Proxel GXL. The slurry is mixed using a paddle blade. In the third step, when the slurry is deemed to be properly mixed, a 6% solution of Ethox oil-based drift reducer (OB DRA) is added and mixed until it is properly uniform.

[0064] According to the general procedure described above, a sulfentrazone formulation was produced and the formulation and its corresponding stability are described in Table 9.

[0065] Table 9

[0066]

[0067]

[0068] The chemical stability of the formulation containing mesotrione formulated with Ethox oil-based drift reducing agent (OBDRA) at high temperature was also tested to demonstrate that the formulation maintained the chemical stability of the herbicide. The formulation was prepared using the procedures of BP5-044A and BP5-044B described above. The sample was divided into three equal parts and placed under the following conditions: initial (freshly prepared), 4°C and 35°C. The level of mesotrione was measured from the initial, freshly prepared sample and the sample stored at 4°C for 6 weeks and the sample stored at 35°C for 6 weeks.

[0069] Mesotrione was determined by HPLC with a detection wavelength of 230 nm. The samples were prepared in 40% acetonitrile and water. Separation was performed on an Agilent 1100 series HPLC equipped with a ThermoScientific BDS Hypersil phenyl column using a mobile phase of 60% 10 mM phosphoric acid, 40% acetonitrile and isocratic conditions. The data are shown in Table 10.

[0070] Table 10

[0071]

[0072] The results showed that the mesotrione active concentration remained within the initial result limits certified by the U.S. EPA OPPTS, and therefore remained chemically stable. According to OPPTS830.1750, the certification limits for active ingredients between 20.0% and 100.0% are ±3% of the nominal concentration of the active ingredient. For the mesotrione formulation, the nominal concentration was set at 41.30% and its limits were set at 40.06-42.54%.

[0073] To test DRA performance, a commercial product containing 40% mesotrione (mesoSC) and a certified commercial DRA (CDRA) were used as tank mix (TM) standards (std) against an integrated experimental product using an oil-based drift reducer (OB DRA). A tank mix of Roundup containing glyphosate was also sprayed. 3 (RUPM3) and an HPPD inhibitor and a PPO inhibitor containing DRA to evaluate the interaction of a multi-active system in a single spray application. The spray test used an AIXR11004 nozzle at 40 psi. The spray concentrations were as follows: 3 ounces / acre of mesoSC (0.14 wt%), 30 ounces / acre (oz / a) of RUPM3 (1.57 wt%), 10 ounces / acre of sulfentrazone (0.49%), and 4 ounces / acre of CDRA (0.20%). All mixtures were prepared to achieve the specified use rate at a spray volume of 15 gallons / acre (gpa). Fine particle % and DV50 results were measured using a Sympatec HELOS laser with an R7 lens, and the results were analyzed using Sympatec software.

[0074] In the spray test using sulfentrazone and 6% OBDRA, the fine particles produced were comparable to the results obtained in the example using mesotrione, demonstrating that OBDRA also works with the PPO inhibitor.

[0075] In mesotrione formulations, 0.1% water-based polyacrylamide and polyacrylate produced 2-2.7 times more fine particles than 12% oil-based polymers. When combined with RUPM3, fine particles were 2.7-3.3 times more. At 1% WB, polyacrylamide and polyacrylate produced 2.2-2.6 times more fine particles. When added to RUPM3, fine particles increased by 2.6-3.2 times.

[0076] Figure 4 Comparison of commercial products and oil based drift reducing agents (OB DRA) as weight percent of fine particles less than 150 μm. Figure 5 Comparison of oil-based drift reducing agent (OBDRA) and waterborne polyacrylate DRA as weight % of fine particles less than 150 μm. Figure 6 Comparison of oil based drift reducing agent (OBDRA) with waterborne polyacrylate DRA containing RUPM3 as weight % of fine particles less than 150 μm. Figure 7 Comparison of oil-based drift reducing agent (OBDRA) and water-based polyacrylamide DRA as weight % of fine particles less than 150 μm. Figure 8 Comparison of oil based drift reducing agent (OBDRA) with aqueous polyacrylamide DRA containing RUPM3 as weight % of fine particles less than 150 μm.

[0077] A second round of spray chamber testing was conducted using the same equipment described in paragraph 39 to confirm the results. These studies focused on formulations containing 40% mesotrione and various additives with the goal of testing their effects on the percentage of mean particle size (DV50) of fine particles (<150 μm). The concentrated formulations were diluted as described below for spray chamber testing. In some cases, a second herbicide, RUPM3, was added to the diluted spray mixture for spray chamber testing. Two liters of the concentrated mixture were used to produce three or more replicates for each treatment. Shown in Tables 11 and 12 are the averages of three consistent replicates. Mesotrione Products - The production flow rate of LAH24-07A1&C1 and LAH24-03A1-I1 is 3 fluid ounces per acre (floz / a), which is equivalent to 3.1mL / 2L at 15gpa. Prepared at 4 fl oz / a, equivalent to 4.2 mL / 2 L at 15 gpa. Roundup 3Prepared at 30 fl oz / a, equivalent to 31.3 mL / 2 L at 15 gpa.

[0078] Table 11. Volume median diameter (Dv50) and percentage of droplets less than 150 μm (Pct < 150 μm) for mesotrione treatments sprayed with AIXR11004 at 40 psi and 15 gpa.

[0079] Table 11

[0080]

[0081]

[0082] Table 12 provides the results of Mesotrione + Roundup sprayed with AIXR11004 at 40 psi and 15 gpa. 3 (RUPM3) treatment with median volume diameter (Dv50) and percentage of droplets smaller than 150 μm (Pct<150 μm).

[0083] Table 12

[0084]

[0085]

[0086] Particle drift studies were conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel at the Pesticide Application Technology Laboratory (University of Nebraska-Lincoln). All treatments tested had 3 g / L of 1,3,6,8-pyrenetetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt (PTSA) fluorescent tracer added. In the low-speed wind tunnel, three nozzles (AIXR11004, GA11004, and TDXL11004) were used to spray the tank mix at 40 psi for 3 seconds under 10 mph airflow. The nozzles were arranged perpendicular to the wind flow in the wind tunnel and real application scenarios. Mylar cards (4×4 inches) were used to collect downwind particle drift deposition at 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 12 meters (m) from the nozzle. Downwind deposition data at 12 meters are not shown because deposition data were not collected for all treatments. Applications were made at a height of 20 inches relative to the Mylar card. Each treatment (barrel mix through the nozzle) was repeated three times.

[0087] The Mylar cards were collected 30 seconds after application and placed in a pre-labeled plastic zipper bag. Immediately after collection, the zipper bag with the Mylar cards was placed in a dark container to avoid photodegradation of PTSA. Spray particle drift deposition of each Mylar card was determined by fluorescence analysis at the Pesticide Application Technology Laboratory. The Mylar cards were washed with 40 mL of a 9:1 solution of distilled water and 91% isopropyl alcohol. With the tracer completely suspended, a 5 mL aliquot was transferred to a glass test tube and analyzed using a flame fluorescence spectrophotometer. The relative fluorescence unit data was converted to micrograms of PTSA per square centimeter (of Mylar card) using the tracer's calibration curve.

[0088] Figure 1-3 The spray deposition (mg / cm2) of the AIXR11004, GA11004 and TDXL11004 nozzles at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 meters downwind is shown.2 ). In each figure, the samples at each distance are from left to right: add add Add RUPM3; Add RUPM3 Add RUPM3 LAH24-07A; and LAH24-07A plus RUPM3. The data showed that formulation LAH24-07A was at least as effective as the commercial oil-based DRT in reducing off-target deposition. are equally effective, and both are more effective than commercially available water-based drift reducers. More effective.

[0089] As shown in the examples, the formulations of the present invention provide less than 6 wt% of fine particles less than 150 μm, more preferably less than 4 wt% of fine particles less than 150 μm, containing an oil-based drift control agent without the need for additional ingredients.

[0090] Unless stated to the contrary, all percentages are by weight.

[0091] The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments but is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will recognize additional embodiments as described and set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An agricultural chemical preparation comprising: 10-70% by weight of at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicides and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicides; and 10-30 wt% of an oil based drift control agent.

2. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicide is selected from the group consisting of isoxazole, isoxaflutole, pyrazole, pyraclostrobin, pyrasulfuron, pyrazoline, benzylpyrazone, fenpyrazone, topiramate, triketone, benzobicyclon, flupyrazone, fenquinoxaline, mesotrione, sulcotrione, tampoxone and terfuroxil.

3. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicide is selected from the group consisting of diphenyl ether, lactofen, acifluorfen, cypermethrin, cypermethrin, fomesulfuron, cyfluthrin, fluazifop-butyl, fluorinated herbicide, nitropropane, oxyfluorfen, methoxyfensulfuron, phenylpyrazole, pyraclostrobin, N-phenyloxadiazolone, oxadiazol-butyl, oxadiazol-butyl, N-phenyl-triazolinone, mesotrione, foramsulfuron, mesotrione, N-phenyl-triazolinone, mesotrione, foramsulfuron, N-phenylimide, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-butyl, bensulfuron, amyloxazolone, chlorimide, indolepyralid, flufenoxac, fluazifop-butyl, flufenoxac, trifluoperazine, flusulfuron-butyl and bispyribac.

4. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises vegetable oil or methylated vegetable oil, ethoxylated fatty acid, ethoxylated polyol esterified with fatty acid.

5. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 4, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least one substance selected from soybean oil, methylated soybean oil, ethoxylated oleic acid esters, and ethoxylated glycerol esterified with poly(hydroxystearic acid).

6. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 5, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least two substances selected from soybean oil, methylated soybean oil, ethoxylated oleic acid esters and ethoxylated glycerol esterified with poly(hydroxystearic acid).

7. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 1, wherein the oil-based drift control agent comprises 85-94.5 wt% of methylated soybean oil, 0.5-3 wt% of polyethoxylated (POE) tall oil fatty acid, and 5-12 wt% of POE glycerol esterified with 12 hydroxystearate.

8. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 7, wherein the POE tall oil fatty acid is ethoxylated with 3 to 20 ethylene oxide groups.

9. The agrochemical formulation according to claim 7, wherein the glycerol is ethoxylated with 3 to 35 ethylene oxide groups.

10. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 1, comprising no more than 25% by weight of an additive selected from a polymer, a natural product thickener or a metal additive.

11. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 10, comprising not more than 5% by weight of an additive selected from a polymer, a natural product thickener or a metal additive.

12. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 11, comprising not more than 0.5% by weight of an additive selected from a polymer, a natural product thickener or a metal additive.

13. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 10, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide and polyacrylate.

14. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 10, wherein the natural product thickener is guar gum.

15. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 10, wherein the metal is copper.

16. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 1, further comprising water.

17. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 1, comprising 20-60 wt% of the herbicide and 10-30 wt% of the oil-based drift control agent.

18. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 17, comprising 40-50% by weight of the herbicide.

19. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation does not contain an auxin-based herbicide.

20. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 1, wherein fine particles are reduced by at least 5% to no more than 75% by weight and the average particle size is increased by no more than 25%.

21. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 20, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 10 wt% to no more than 40 wt%.

22. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 21, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 15 wt% to no more than 30 wt%.

23. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 22, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 20% to no more than 25% by weight.

24. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration decreases by less than 3% by weight after storage at 35°C for 12 weeks.

25. A method for treating crops, comprising: The crops are sprayed with an agricultural chemical formulation comprising: 10-70% by weight of at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicides and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicides; and 10-30 wt% of an organic drift control agent.

26. The method for treating crops according to claim 25, wherein the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicide is selected from the group consisting of isoxazole, isoxaflutole, pyrazole, pyraclostrobin, pyrasulfuron, pyrazoline, benzylpyrazone, benzathine, topiramate, triketone, benzobicyclon, flupyrad, fenquat, mesotrione, sulcotrione, tampoxone and terfuroxil.

27. The method for treating crops according to claim 25, wherein the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicide is selected from the group consisting of diphenyl ether, lactofen, acifluorfen, cypermethrin, chlorfenapyr, fomesafen, cypermethrin, fluazifop-butyl, fluorinated herbicide, nitropropane, oxyfluorfen, methoxyfenapyr, phenylpyrazole, pyraclostrobin, N-phenyloxadiazolone, oxadiazol-butyl, oxadiazol-butyl, N-phenyl-triazolinone, mesotrione, foramsulfuron, sulfentrazone, N-phenylimide, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-butyl, bensulfuron, amyloxazolone, chlorimide, indolepyralid, flufenacet, fluazifop-butyl, flufenacet, trifluoperazine, flusulfuron-butyl and bispyribac.

28. The method for treating crops according to claim 25, further comprising diluting the agricultural chemical formulation prior to said spraying.

29. The method for treating crops according to claim 28, wherein the dilution is performed with water.

30. The method for treating crops of claim 25, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least one of a vegetable oil, a methylated vegetable oil, an ethoxylated fatty acid, or an ethoxylated polyol esterified with a fatty acid.

31. The method of treating crops according to claim 30, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, methylated soybean oil, ethoxylated oleic acid esters, and ethoxylated glycerol esterified with poly(hydroxystearic acid).

32. The method of treating crops according to claim 31, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least two materials selected from soybean oil, methylated soybean oil, ethoxylated oleic acid esters, and ethoxylated glycerol esterified with poly(hydroxystearic acid).

33. The method of treating crops according to claim 25, wherein the oil-based drift control agent comprises 85-94.5 wt% methylated soybean oil, 0.5-3 wt% polyethoxylated (POE) tall oil fatty acid, and 5-12 wt% POE glycerol esterified with 12 hydroxystearate.

34. The method for treating crops according to claim 33, wherein the POE tall oil fatty acid is ethoxylated with 3 to 20 ethylene oxide groups.

35. The method for treating crops according to claim 33, wherein the glycerol is ethoxylated with 3 to 35 ethylene oxide groups.

36. The method for treating crops according to claim 25, wherein the herbicide contains less than 6% by weight of fine particles smaller than 150 μm.

37. The method for treating crops according to claim 36, wherein the herbicide contains less than 4% by weight of fine particles smaller than 150 μm.

38. The method for treating crops according to claim 25, comprising 20-60% by weight of the herbicide and 10-30% by weight of the oil-based drift control agent.

39. The method for treating crops according to claim 38, comprising 40-50% by weight of the herbicide.

40. The method of treating a crop plant according to claim 25, wherein the formulation does not comprise an auxin-based herbicide.

41. The method for treating crops according to claim 25, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 5% by weight to no more than 75% by weight and the average particle size is increased by no more than 25%.

42. The method for treating crops according to claim 41, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 10% by weight and no more than 40% by weight.

43. The method for treating crops according to claim 42, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 15% by weight and no more than 30% by weight.

44. The method for treating crops according to claim 43, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 20% by weight and no more than 25% by weight.

45. The method for treating crops according to claim 25, wherein the concentration decreases by less than 3% by weight after storage at 35°C for 12 weeks.

46. ​​An agricultural chemical formulation comprising: 10-70% by weight of at least one herbicide selected from mesotrione and sulfentrazone; and 10-30 wt% of an oil based drift control agent.

47. The agricultural chemical formulation according to claim 46, further comprising at least one 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicide selected from the group consisting of isoxazole, isoxaflutole, pyrazole, pyraclostrobin, pyrasulfuron, pyrazoline, benzylpyrazone, fenpyrazone, topiramate, triketone, benzobicyclon, flupyrazone, phenquam, sulfaquinoxaline, tampron and terfuroxil.

48. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, further comprising at least one protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicide selected from the group consisting of diphenyl ether, lactofen, acifluorfen, cypermethrin, cypermethrin, fomesafen, cyfluthrin, fluazifop-butyl, fluorinated herbicide, nitropropane, oxyfluorfen, methoxyfen, phenylpyrazole, pyraclostrobin, N-phenyloxadiazolone, oxadiazol-butyl, oxadiazol-butyl, N-phenyl-triazolinone, mesotrione, mesotrione, N-phenylimide, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-butyl, saflufenacil, amyloxazolone, chlorimide, indolecarb, flufenac, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-butyl, trifluoperazine, fluazifop-butyl and bispyribac.

49. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least one of a vegetable oil, a methylated vegetable oil, an ethoxylated fatty acid, or an ethoxylated polyol esterified with a fatty acid.

50. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 49, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, methylated soybean oil, ethoxylated oleate, and ethoxylated glycerol esterified with poly(hydroxystearic acid).

51. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 50, wherein the oil-based drift control agent further comprises at least two materials selected from soybean oil, methylated soybean oil, ethoxylated oleate, and ethoxylated glycerol esterified with poly(hydroxystearic acid).

52. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, wherein the oil-based drift control agent comprises 85-94.5 wt% methylated soybean oil, 0.5-3 wt% polyethoxylated (POE) tall oil fatty acid, and 5-12 wt% POE glycerol esterified with 12 hydroxystearate.

53. The agrochemical formulation of claim 52, wherein the POE tall oil fatty acid is ethoxylated with 3 to 20 ethylene oxide groups.

54. The agrochemical formulation of claim 52, wherein the glycerol is ethoxylated with 3 to 35 ethylene oxide groups.

55. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, comprising no more than 25% by weight of an additive selected from a polymer, a natural product thickener, or a metal additive.

56. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 55, comprising no more than 5% by weight of an additive selected from a polymer, a natural product thickener or a metal additive.

57. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 56, comprising no more than 0.5% by weight of an additive selected from a polymer, a natural product thickener or a metal additive.

58. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 56, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide and polyacrylate.

59. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 56, wherein the natural product thickener is guar gum.

60. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, comprising 20-60 wt% of the herbicide and 10-30 wt% of the oil-based drift control agent.

61. The agrochemical formulation of claim 60, comprising 40-50% by weight of the herbicide.

62. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, wherein the formulation does not contain an auxin-based herbicide.

63. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, wherein fine particles are reduced by at least 5% to no more than 75% by weight and the average particle size is increased by no more than 25%.

64. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 63, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 10 wt% to no more than 40 wt%.

65. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 64, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 15 wt% to no more than 30 wt%.

66. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 65, wherein the fine particles are reduced by at least 20% to no more than 25% by weight.

67. The agricultural chemical formulation of claim 46, wherein the concentration decreases by less than 3 wt% after storage at 35°C for 12 weeks.

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