Methods for controlling undesired plants in herbicide tolerant crop plants using PPO herbicides and combinations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for weed control in a PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop comprising applying to the sunflower crop a composition comprising a PPO inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof wherein the PPO herbicide is saflufenacil and / or flumioxazin. The composition may further comprise at least one additional herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, the additional herbicide is selected from the group consisting of auxin mimetics, inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC enzyme), inhibitors of very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis, inhibitors of microtubule assembly, and inhibitors of PSII photosynthesis, and combinations thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling weeds in a protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crop, the method comprising applying a composition to the sunflower crop, the composition comprising a protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, wherein the PPO inhibitor (A) is saflufenacil and / or fluazifop-propyl. The composition may further comprise at least one additional herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, the additional herbicide being selected from the group consisting of an auxin mimetic, an inhibitor of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), an inhibitor of acetolactate synthase (ALS), an inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), an inhibitor of very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis, an inhibitor of microtubule assembly, an inhibitor of PSII photosynthesis, and combinations thereof. Background Art

[0002] In crop protection, it is generally desirable to increase the specific activity and reliability of the active compound's effect. In particular, it is desirable for the crop protection product to effectively control harmful plants while at the same time being compatible with the useful plants in question. Also desirable is a broad spectrum of activity that allows for simultaneous control of harmful plants. This cannot usually be achieved with a single herbicidal active compound.

[0003] Furthermore, herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming increasingly common. These biotypes survive herbicide applications at doses normally effective for species control. Resistant weed biotypes are the result of a fundamental evolutionary process. Individuals within a species best suited to a particular practice are selected and increase in the population. Once a weed population is exposed to one or more herbicides to which plants are naturally resistant, the herbicide kills susceptible individuals but allows resistant ones to survive and reproduce. With repeated herbicide use, resistant weeds that initially appear as isolated plants or small plots in a field can spread rapidly, becoming dominant in the population and in the soil seed bank.

[0004] For example, herbicide resistance in weeds has become a major concern for farmers, leading to serious weed control problems. Herbicides from the groups of acetolactate synthase (ALS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors are most affected by the evolution of resistance, but various other herbicides also face this problem.

[0005] Imidazolinone herbicides share a common mechanism of herbicidal action involving inhibition of acetolactate synthase (ALS). For example, imazamox is an effective herbicide for weed control and is a member of the imidazolinone class of herbicides.

[0006] Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an important crop plant grown in temperate and subtropical climates worldwide. Sunflower is primarily grown for the production of vegetable oil. Sunflower seeds are also used in animal feed (such as poultry feed) and food manufacturing.

[0007] The Clearfield system in sunflower is based on imazamox and is widely used because Clearfield herbicide (imazamox) can be sprayed on top of ALS-tolerant sunflowers to provide continuous weed control, while the sunflower plants tolerate imazamox. Since sunflower weeds are at risk of evolving resistance to ALS inhibitors, it is of interest to develop sunflower plants that are tolerant to herbicides with a mode of action different from that of ALS inhibition.

[0008] Since the 1960s, herbicides that inhibit protoporphyrinogen oxidase (hereinafter referred to as Protox or PPO; EC 1.3.3.4), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of protoporphyrin IX, have been used for selective weed control. PPO catalyzes the oxidation of protoporphyrinogen IX to protoporphyrin IX, the last common step in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and heme.

[0009] PPO inhibitors include molecules of many different structural classes (Duke et al. 1991. Weed Sci. 39:465; Nandihalli et al. 1992. Pesticide Biochem. Physiol. 43:193; Matringe et al. 1989. FEBS Lett. 245:35; Yanase and Andoh. 1989. Pesticide Biochem. Physiol. 35:70). These herbicidal compounds include (see HRAC Mode of Action Classification 2022 Map | Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (hracglobal.com)) diphenyl ethers (e.g., lactofensulfuron, acifluorfen, oxyfluorfen, fomesafen, cyfluthrin), N-phenyl-oxadiazolone (e.g., oxadiazon), N-phenyl-imides (e.g., saflufenacil, fluazifop-butyl, trifluoperazin), N-phenyl-triazolinone (e.g., sulfentrazone), and pyraclostrobin.

[0010] Herbicides that target PPO (PPO inhibitors) have very rapid contact action, resulting in leaf burning, drying, and growth inhibition (Li and Nicholl, Development of PPO inhibitor-resistant cultures and crops. Pest Management Sci 61:277-285 (2005)). Although herbicides targeting PPO were developed more than 50 years ago, the natural occurrence of weed resistance to PPO inhibitors has only been reported for a few plants, such as Amaranthus palmeri (Salas et al. Manag Sci. 2016 May;72(5):864-9. doi:10.1002 / ps.4241. Epub 2016 Mar 4. PMID:26817647; PMCID:PMC5069602). Li and Nicholl (supra) describe that PPO herbicide resistance mutations often reduce enzyme function. This may explain why only a few plants have produced resistant enzymes to date. Furthermore, Li et al. (Plant Physiol 133:736-747 (2003)) describe the inability to produce field-resistant transgenic maize events without increasing the activity of the promoter driving the mutant PPO gene.

[0011] WO 2012 / 080975, WO 2013 / 189984, WO 2015 / 022636, and WO 2016 / 203377 disclose various plants in which tolerance to PPO inhibitors is increased by transforming the plants with nucleic acids encoding mutant PPO mutant enzymes. Among other crops, sunflower is mentioned as a target crop. In WO 2012 / 080975, WO 2015 / 022636, and WO 2016 / 203377, transgenic plants expressing mutant PPO genes under the control of a strong constitutive ubiquitin promoter have been generated. However, no transgenic sunflower has been produced.

[0012] The sunflower genome has been sequenced. It is known that sunflower contains two PPO genes, PPO1 and PPO2. For example, the sequence of the sunflower PPO2 gene is disclosed under NCBI Protein ID XP_021982414.1. However, until now, PPO genes have not been analyzed, for example, in the context of PPO tolerance.

[0013] Due to the difficulty in modifying the sunflower genome, no sunflower plants have been reported to be tolerant to broad-spectrum PPO inhibitors. Therefore, PPO herbicides are currently used only for pre-planting weed control and pre-emergence application (i.e., before the sunflower plants emerge) to control weeds.

[0014] International patent application PCT / US2022 / 077037 (published as WO 2023 / 049906A1) discloses non-transgenic sunflower plants comprising a mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene encoding a mutant sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase, wherein the mutant sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises a phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) substitution (F383I substitution) at a position corresponding to residue 383 in protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase. The plants are generated by mutagenesis.

[0015] US2013 / 042366A1 discloses crop plants containing recombinant polynucleotides encoding cytochrome P450 polypeptides (CYP450, CYP72A15, CYP81A, or CYP73A) that confer tolerance to the herbicide saflufenacil. Examples of successfully transformed crop plants are corn and soybean. Although sunflower is mentioned as a "target plant species" for transformation, no such recombinant sunflower plants have been generated.

[0016] Jursik M. et al. analyzed the effects of different adjuvants on the phytotoxicity of fluazifop-butyl to sunflowers at different growth stages (Romanian Agricultural Research, April 17, 2013, pp. 365-372). The authors found that fluazifop-butyl could be applied to sunflowers with at least two true leaves without causing serious damage to the crop. However, for effective weed control, adjuvants must be added, which leads to increased phytotoxicity to sunflowers and unacceptable crop damage. The document does not disclose sunflower plants that are tolerant to agronomically useful compositions comprising benzylsulfuron or fluazifop-butyl.

[0017] CN 110 583 678 discloses a herbicide composition comprising bensulfuron-methyl and saflufenacil in a certain weight ratio, and is suitable for use in sunflowers resistant or tolerant to saflufenacil. However, the prior art does not disclose saflufenacil-tolerant sunflowers, nor does it produce saflufenacil-tolerant sunflower plants.

[0018] There is a need for methods for controlling weed growth near such PPO-tolerant sunflower plants or crop plants. These methods would allow the use of over-the-top spraying techniques (OTT (over-the-top application)) when applying PPO herbicides to areas containing non-transgenic sunflower plants. There is also a need for methods that allow the use of mixtures comprising at least one PPO herbicide and at least one additional herbicide (e.g., a herbicide with a different mode of action). Summary of the Invention

[0019] The present invention relates to a method for controlling weeds in a PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crop, the method comprising applying a composition (I) to the sunflower crop and / or the site of cultivation of the sunflower crop before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, the composition (I) comprising a PPO inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, fluazifop-propyl and combinations thereof. The site of cultivation may be any site where sunflowers are grown or to be grown.

[0020] In an embodiment, the PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop is a transgenic or non-transgenic PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop.

[0021] In an embodiment, a sunflower crop comprises a mutated protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene encoding a mutated sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase, wherein the mutated sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises a phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) substitution at a position corresponding to residue 383 (F383I substitution) relative to SEQ ID NO:2.

[0022] In embodiments, the mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, or a variant thereof having at least 98%, or at least 99%, or at least 99.5% identity to SEQ ID NO:2, provided that the variant comprises a substitution of phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) at the position corresponding to residue 383.

[0023] In embodiments, the sunflower crop further comprises

[0024] a. The herbicide tolerance trait is: (1) AHASL (acetohydroxyacid synthase large subunit) has an A122(At)T substitution or (2) an AHASL variant thereof contains both an A122(At)T substitution and a second substitution, the second substitution being one or more of P197(At)Q, P197(At)S, P197(At)LT203(At)I, T203(At)X, A205(At)D, A205(At)V, W574(At)L, A653(At)N, A653(At)T, A653(At)F or A653(At)V, wherein X can be selected as any natural amino acid;

[0025] b. Two herbicide tolerance traits: the trait is an AHASL A122(At)T substitution, and the second trait is an AHASL having an A205(At)V substitution, an AHASL having a P197(At)S substitution, an AHASL having a P197(At)L substitution, or an AHASL having a W574(At)L substitution;

[0026] c. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has an A205(At)V substitution;

[0027] d. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has a P197(At)L substitution;

[0028] e. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has a P197(At)S substitution; or

[0029] f. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has a W574(At)L substitution.

[0030] In an embodiment, in addition, a herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof is applied to the sunflower crop, wherein (B) is selected from the group consisting of: auxin mimetics, inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), inhibitors of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) synthesis, inhibitors of microtubule assembly and inhibitors of PSII photosynthesis, and combinations thereof.

[0031] In an embodiment, (B) is an additional PPO inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: N-phenyl-imide, diphenyl ether, N-phenyl-triazolinone and phenylpyrazole. Preferably, the additional PPO inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: fenpyroxen, fomesafen, acifluorfen, oxyfluorfen, carfentrazone, pyrafluanid, sulfentrazone, trifluoperazine and combinations thereof, more preferably, the additional PPO inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: fenpyroxen, fomesafen, carfentrazone, pyrafluanid, sulfentrazone, trifluoperazine and combinations thereof, most preferably, the additional PPO inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: fenpyroxen, fomesafen, pyrafluanid, sulfentrazone, trifluoperazine and combinations thereof.

[0032] In particularly preferred embodiments, the additional PPO inhibitor is trifluoxetine.

[0033] In an embodiment, (B) is an ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: imidazolinone, imazapyr, imazapyr, bensulfuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiazolinone-sulfuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron-methyl, trifloxysulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron-methyl, foramsulfuron-methyl, iodosulfuron-methyl, mesosulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: imidazolinone, imazapyr, imazapyr, bensulfuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiazolinone-sulfuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron-methyl, and combinations thereof, more preferably, the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: imidazolinone, imazapyr, imazapyr, imazapyr, bensulfuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiazolinone-sulfuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron-methyl, and combinations thereof.

[0034] In another embodiment, the ALS inhibitor is an imidazolinone herbicide selected from imazamox, imazapyr and imazethapyr, preferably imazamox.

[0035] In another embodiment, the ALS inhibitor is tribenuron-methyl.

[0036] In an embodiment, (B) is an ACCase inhibitor, which is selected from the group consisting of cyclohexanedione and aryloxyphenoxypropionate, more preferably selected from the group consisting of thiopyrad, sethoxydim, pyraclostrobin, sethoxydim, oxadiazon, clodinafop-butyl, oxadiazol-butyl, quizalofop-ethyl and combinations thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of thiopyrad, sethoxydim and combinations thereof, most preferably, the ACCase inhibitor is thiopyrad.

[0037] In an embodiment, (B) is an inhibitor of very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis, preferably α-chloroacetamide, more preferably selected from the group consisting of dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P (DMTA-P), metolachlor, pethodiamide, acetochlor, pyraclostrobin and combinations thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of dimethenamid-P, metolachlor and combinations thereof.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, (B) is DMTA-P.

[0039] In an embodiment, (B) is a microtubule assembly inhibitor, preferably selected from the group consisting of pendimethalin, trifluralin and a combination thereof, more preferably (B) is pendimethalin.

[0040] In an embodiment, (B) is an auxin mimetic, preferably a pyridine carboxylate, more preferably halopiapine.

[0041] In an embodiment, (B) is an inhibitor of PSII photosynthesis, preferably a triazine, such as terbuthylazine.

[0042] In an embodiment, the composition (I) comprises an additional herbicide (B).

[0043] In an embodiment, in addition to composition (I), composition (II) comprising herbicide (B) is applied to the sunflower crop and / or the site of cultivation of the sunflower crop, wherein composition (I) and composition (II) are applied separately or simultaneously.

[0044] In an embodiment, the sunflower crop and / or the locus for the cultivation of the sunflower crop is treated simultaneously with composition (I) and composition (II).

[0045] In the examples, the sunflower crop and / or the locus for the cultivation of a sunflower crop is initially treated with composition (I) and subsequently with composition (II).

[0046] In the examples, the sunflower crop and / or the locus for the cultivation of a sunflower crop is initially treated with composition (II) and subsequently with composition (I).

[0047] In an embodiment, composition (I) is applied by spraying, in particular foliar spraying.

[0048] In an embodiment, composition (II) is applied by spraying, in particular foliar spraying.

[0049] In an embodiment, composition (I) is administered in the form of microparticles.

[0050] In an embodiment, composition (II) is administered in the form of microparticles.

[0051] In this context, the application rates [g / ha] refer to the corresponding active ingredient.

[0052] In an embodiment, the rate of application of the herbicide (A) is in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha, and particularly in the range of 0.5 to 85 g / ha, such as 1, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 71, 72 or 80 g / ha. As mentioned above, the herbicide (A) is preferably applied to the cultivation site of the sunflower crop and / or the sunflower crop before or after emergence. The cultivation site can be any location where the sunflower grows or will grow, such as a greenhouse or a field. In the case where the cultivation site is a greenhouse, the rate of application of the herbicide (A) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 g / ha, such as in the range of 0.1 to 6.25 g / ha, such as 0.5, 1, 2 or 5 g / ha. Preferably, the cultivation site is a field. In this case, the application rate of the herbicide (A) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha, in particular 1 to 90 g / ha, such as 1, 2, 5, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 71, 72 or 80 g / ha.

[0053] In an embodiment, (A) is fluazifop or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, and the application rate of the herbicide (A) is in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha, preferably 0.5 to 90 g / ha and in particular 40 to 80 g / ha (such as 40, 50, 60, 70, 71, 72 or 80 g / ha), in particular 71 to 72 g / ha. When the cultivation site is a greenhouse and (A) is fluazifop, the application rate of the herbicide (A) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 g / ha, such as in the range of 0.1 to 6.25 g / ha, such as 0.1 to 5 g / ha, such as 0.5, 1, 2 or 5 g / ha. Preferably, the cultivation site is a field. When the cultivation site is a field and (A) is fluazifop-propyl, the application rate of the herbicide (A) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha, especially 40 to 80 g / ha (such as 40, 50, 60, 70, 71, 72 or 80 g / ha), especially 71 to 72 g / ha.

[0054] In an embodiment, (A) is benzylsulfuron or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, and the application rate of the herbicide (A) is in the range of 0.1 to 60 g / ha, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 50 g / ha, such as 1, 2, 5, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25 or 50 g / ha. When the cultivation site is a greenhouse and (A) is benzylsulfuron, the application rate of the herbicide (A) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 60 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 g / ha, such as in the range of 0.1 to 6.25 g / ha, such as 0.1 to 5 g / ha, such as 0.5, 1, 2 or 5 g / ha. Preferably, the cultivation site is a field. In the case where the cultivation site is a field and (A) is saflufenacil, the application rate of the herbicide (A) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 60 g / ha, more preferably 1 to 50 g / ha, such as 1, 2, 5, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25 or 50 g / ha.

[0055] In an embodiment, the sunflower crop and / or the cultivation site of the sunflower crop is treated with a combination of two herbicides (A) (safensulfuron or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof and fluazifop or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof) before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, and the application rate of safensulfuron is in the range of 0.1 to 60 g / ha, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 50 g / ha (such as 1, 2, 5, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25 or 50 g / ha), and the application rate of fluazifop is in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 90 g / ha and in particular in the range of 40 to 80 g / ha, such as 40, 50, 60, 70, 71, 72 or 80 g / ha.

[0056] In an embodiment, the sunflower crop and / or the site for cultivation of the sunflower crop is additionally treated with a herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, wherein the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 1 to 1500 g / ha and in particular in the range of 1.5 to 1200 g / ha.

[0057] In an embodiment, the sunflower crop and / or the site of cultivation of the sunflower crop is additionally treated with a herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, wherein (B) is another PPO inhibitor selected from the group consisting of carbofuran, fomesafen, pyraclostrobin, sulfentrazone, trifluoperazine and combinations thereof.

[0058] In an embodiment, (B) is fenvalerate and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 120 to 800 g / ha and in particular in the range of 150 to 720 g / ha, such as 150, 360, 480, 600 or 720 g / ha.

[0059] In an embodiment, (B) is fomesafen and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 100 to 500 g / ha and in particular in the range of 120 to 450 g / ha, such as 120, 187.5, 275, 350 or 450 g / ha.

[0060] In an embodiment, (B) is pyraclostrobin, and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 1 to 30 g / ha and in particular in the range of 1.5 to 20 g / ha, such as 1.5, 5, 10, 15 or 20 g / ha.

[0061] In an embodiment, (B) is sulfentrazone and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 20 to 150 g / ha and in particular in the range of 30 to 140 g / ha, such as 40, 75, 80, 100, 120 or 140 g / ha.

[0062] In an embodiment, (B) is trifluoxetine and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 5 to 40 g / ha and in particular in the range of 12.5 to 37.5 g / ha, such as 15, 20, 25 or 30 g / ha.

[0063] In an embodiment, the sunflower crop and / or the site of cultivation of the sunflower crop is additionally treated with a herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, wherein (B) is an ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of methoxam, imazapyr, imazethapyr, bensulfuron-methyl and combinations thereof.

[0064] In an embodiment, (B) is imazamox and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 5 to 60 g / ha and in particular in the range of 10 to 50 g / ha, such as 10, 25, 32, 40 or 50 g / ha.

[0065] In an embodiment, (B) is imazapyr and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 5 to 20 g / ha and in particular in the range of 7.5 to 15 g / ha, such as 7.5, 10, 12.5 or 15 g / ha.

[0066] In an embodiment, (B) is imazethapyr and the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 20 to 70 g / ha and in particular in the range of 30 to 60 g / ha, such as 30, 40, 50 or 60 g / ha.

[0067] In embodiments, (B) is benzobicylon, and the application rate of herbicide (B) is in the range of 2 to 40 g / ha and in particular in the range of 5 to 30 g / ha, such as 5, 15, 18, 22.5, or 30 g / ha.

[0068] In embodiments, the sunflower crop and / or the locus of the sunflower crop is additionally treated with herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, wherein (B) is selected from the group consisting of ordrap, DMTA-P, clopyralid, pendimethalin, and combinations thereof.

[0069] In embodiments, (B) is ordrap, and the application rate of herbicide (B) is in the range of 50 to 300 g / ha and in particular in the range of 100 to 250 g / ha, such as 100, 150, 200, or 250 g / ha.

[0070] In embodiments, (B) is clethodim, and the application rate of herbicide (B) is in the range of 20 to 300 g / ha and in particular in the range of 30 to 250 g / ha, such as 30, 100, 150, 200, or 250 g / ha.

[0071] In embodiments, (B) is DMTA-P, and the application rate of herbicide (B) is in the range of 1 to 1500 g / ha and in particular in the range of 50 to 1000 g / ha, such as 100, 350, 500, 650, 800, or 1000 g / ha.

[0072] In embodiments, (B) is clopyralid, and the application rate of herbicide (B) is in the range of 0.5 to 5 g / ha and in particular in the range of 1 to 3 g / ha, such as 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3 g / ha.

[0073] In embodiments, (B) is pendimethalin, and the application rate of herbicide (B) is in the range of 200 to 1500 g / ha and in particular in the range of 400 to 1400 g / ha, such as 600, 800, 1000, 1200, or 1400 g / ha.

[0074] The sunflower crop and / or the locus of the sunflower crop is treated with herbicide (A) and / or herbicide (B) before or after emergence of the sunflower crop.

[0075] In case of a pre-emergence treatment, herbicide (A) and / or herbicide (B) is applied before, at, or after sowing of the sunflower crop until before emergence of the sunflower crop. In embodiments, herbicide (A) and / or herbicide (B) is applied up to 14 days, such as up to 10 days, preferably up to 3 days after sowing of a PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crop.

[0076] In the case of post-emergence treatment, the herbicide (A) and / or the herbicide (B) is applied after emergence of the sunflower crop. In an embodiment, the herbicide (A) and / or the herbicide (B) is applied at BBCH stages 11 to 18 of the PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop.

[0077] In an embodiment, the weeds to be controlled in a PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crop are at least one weed selected from the genera: convolvulus, Cirsium, Xanthium, Abuthilon, Polygonum, Sorghum, Portulaca, Ambrosia, Sonchus, Datura, Chenopodium, Amaranthus, Echinochloa, Setaria, Sinapis and Matricaria.

[0078] In another embodiment, the weeds to be controlled in the PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop are at least one weed selected from the group consisting of: field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), silk thistle (Cirsium arvense), Xanthium spp., Abuthilon theophrasti, Polygonum spp., Sorghum halepense, purslane (Portulaca oleracea), ragweed (Ambrosia artimisifolia), sonchus oleraceus, Datura stramonium, pigweed (Chenopodium album), Amaranthus spp., Echinochloa crus-galli, Setaria spp., Sinapis spp., and Matricaria chamomilla.

[0079] DETAILED DESCRIPTION - DEFINITIONS

[0080] In the studies described in the Examples section, the inventors tested the effects of a herbicidal composition comprising two herbicides on the growth of undesirable plants (weeds) that typically affect sunflower plants. In particular, the herbicidal effects of at least one PPO inhibitor (safensulfuron or fluazifop-propyl) and additional herbicides (e.g., pendimethalin, fluazifop-propyl, sulfentrazone) were tested alone and in combination against a variety of undesirable plants, including Amaranthus reteroflexus (Pigweed), Amaranthus palmeri (Palmeramaranth), Ambrosia trifida (Giant ragweed), Mercuralisannua (Annual mercury), Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard grass), Urochloa texana (Texas panicum), Eleusine indica (Goosegrass), Setaria faberi (Giant foxtail), and Digitaria sanguinalis (Crabgrass). Surprisingly, combinations with a synergistic herbicidal effect on the growth of related sunflower weeds have been identified. Such combinations can be advantageously used for weed control in PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crops.

[0081] As used herein, "herbicide" refers to one or more agents, compounds, and / or compositions having herbicidal and / or herbicidal activity.

[0082] As used herein, the terms "undesirable vegetation," "undesirable species," "undesirable plants," "noxious plants," "undesirable weeds," "volunteer plants," or "noxious weeds" are used synonymously.

[0083] Herbicides (A) and (B) and herbicide compositions used in the methods of the present invention

[0084] As described above, the composition (I) comprises a PPO inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, fluazifop-propyl and a combination thereof.

[0085] Additionally, preferably, a herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof is applied to the sunflower crop, wherein (B) is selected from the group consisting of auxin mimetics, inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), inhibitors of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) synthesis, inhibitors of microtubule assembly and inhibitors of PSII photosynthesis, and combinations thereof.

[0086] The herbicide (B) may be contained in the composition (I), and thus the herbicide (B) may be applied to the sunflower plants together with the herbicide (A). Alternatively, the composition (II) comprising the herbicide (B) may be applied to the sunflower plants, wherein the composition (I) and the composition (II) may be applied to the sunflower plants separately or simultaneously.

[0087] Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the composition (I) comprises a herbicide (B).

[0088] According to another preferred embodiment, the composition (II) comprising the herbicide (B) is additionally applied to a sunflower crop, wherein the composition (I) and the composition (II) can be applied to the sunflower plants separately or simultaneously. In one embodiment, the sunflower crop is initially treated with the composition (I) and subsequently treated with the composition (II). In another embodiment, the sunflower crop is initially treated with the composition (II) and subsequently treated with the composition (I).

[0089] Composition (I) and composition (II), if also applied, can be applied according to conventional methods, for example by spraying, irrigation, dusting and the like.

[0090] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition (I) is applied to the plants by spraying, in particular foliar spraying, or in the form of microgranules.

[0091] According to another preferred embodiment, the composition (II) is applied to the plants by spraying, in particular foliar spraying, or in the form of microparticles.

[0092] In the examples, composition (I) is applied by spraying.

[0093] Furthermore, it is envisaged to apply the composition (I) and optionally the composition (II) after emergence of the sunflower at any growth stage before row closure. Furthermore, it is envisaged to apply the PPO inhibitor more than once.

[0094] In addition to the herbicide (A) and optionally the herbicide (B), the composition (I) may contain other additives commonly used in crop protection. Additives include other herbicides, detergents, adjuvants, spreading agents, adhesives, stabilizers, etc.

[0095] Composition (I) may be a wet formulation or a dry formulation and may include, but is not limited to, flowable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, and liquid concentrates.

[0096] In addition to the herbicide (B), the composition (II) may contain other additives. Additives include other herbicides, detergents, adjuvants, spreading agents, adhesives, stabilizers, etc. The composition (II) may be a wet formulation or a dry formulation and may include, but is not limited to, flowable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, and liquid concentrates.

[0097] In general, if the herbicides that can be employed in the context of the present invention are capable of forming geometric isomers, for example E / Z isomers, both the pure isomers and their mixtures can be used in the compositions that can be used according to the invention. If the herbicides as described herein have one or more chiral centers and therefore exist as enantiomers or diastereomers, both the pure enantiomers and diastereomers and their mixtures can be used in the compositions according to the invention.

[0098] If the herbicides described herein have ionizable functional groups, they can also be used in the form of their agriculturally acceptable salts. Suitable are generally salts of those cations and acid addition salts of those acids, respectively, whose cations and anions do not adversely affect the activity of the active compounds.

[0099] Preferred cations are ions of alkali metals, preferably lithium, sodium and potassium, ions of alkaline earth metals, preferably calcium and magnesium, and ions of transition metals, preferably manganese, copper, zinc and iron, furthermore ammonium and substituted ammonium in which one to four hydrogen atoms are replaced by C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, preferably ammonium, methylammonium, isopropylammonium, dimethylammonium, diisopropylammonium, trimethylammonium, heptylammonium, dodecylammonium, tetradecylammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, 2- Hydroxyethylammonium (ethanolamine salt), 2-(2-hydroxyeth-1-oxy)eth-1-ylammonium (diglycolamine salt), di(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium (diethanolamine salt), tri(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium (triethanolamine salt), tri(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium, benzyltrimethylammonium, benzyltriethylammonium, N,N,N-trimethylethanolammonium (choline salt), furthermore phosphonium ions, sulfonium ions, preferably tri(C1-C4-alkyl)sulfonium, such as trimethylsulfonium, and sulfoxonium ions, preferably tri(C1-C4-alkyl)sulfoxonium, and finally salts of polyamines such as N,N-bis-(3-aminopropyl)methylamine and diethylenetriamine. Useful anions of the acid addition salts are primarily chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, hydrogensulfate, methylsulfate, sulfate, dihydrogenphosphate, hydrogenphosphate, nitrate, hydrogencarbonate, carbonate, hexafluorosilicate, hexafluorophosphate, benzoate and also anions of C1-C4-alkanoic acids, preferably formate, acetate, propionate and butyrate.

[0100] The herbicides having carboxyl groups as described herein can be used in the form of acids, in the form of agriculturally suitable salts as mentioned above, or else in the form of agriculturally acceptable derivatives, for example as amides such as mono- and di-C1-C6-alkylamides or arylamides, as esters such as allyl esters, propargyl esters, C1-C10-alkyl esters, alkoxyalkyl esters, tetrahydrofurfuryl ((tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl) esters and also as thioesters such as C1-C10-alkylthioesters. Preferred mono- and di-C1-C6-alkylamides are methylamide and dimethylamide. Preferred arylamide are, for example, anilide and 2-chloroanilide. Preferred alkyl esters are, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, 1-methylhexyl (mexyl, 1-methylhexyl), 1-methylheptyl (meptyl, 1-methylheptyl), heptyl, octyl or isooctyl (2-ethylhexyl) esters. Preferred C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl esters are straight-chain or branched C1-C4-alkoxyethyl esters, for example 2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-butoxyethyl (butoxyethyl / butotyl), 2-butoxypropyl or 3-butoxypropyl esters. An example of a straight-chain or branched C1-C10-alkylthio ester is ethylthio ester.

[0101] Herbicide A:

[0102] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition (I) comprises a PPO inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, wherein (A) is saflufenacil.

[0103] The common name of benzylpyrimidine is 2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1-(2H)pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N-[[methyl(1-methylethyl)amino]-sulfonyl]benzamide. Benzylpyrimidine is a herbicidal active substance, which has been disclosed in WO 01 / 083459. Additional processes for its preparation are described in WO 03 / 097589, WO 05 / 054208 and WO 06 / 125746. A crystalline and essentially solvent-free form of benzylpyrimidine (also called a crystalline anhydrate form) is disclosed in WO 08 / 043835.

[0104] The application rate of saflufenacil is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 60 g / ha and in particular in the range of 0.5 to 50 g / ha, such as 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25 or 50 g / ha.

[0105] It will be understood that the amount (g / ha) as used in the context of the present invention refers to the amount of active ingredient (ai) applied, thus in this case to the total amount of saflufenacil applied.

[0106] According to another preferred embodiment, the composition (I) comprises a PPO inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, wherein (A) is fluazifop-butyl. The herbicide fluazifop-butyl (chemical name: 2-[7-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-4-(2-propyn-1-yl)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione) is a commercially available herbicide. (available from Valent USA Corporation). The application rate of fluazifop-propyl is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha and in particular in the range of 0.5 to 90 g / ha, such as 0.5, 1, 40, 50, 60, 70, 71, 72 or 80 g / ha.

[0107] According to another preferred embodiment, the composition (I) comprises a PPO inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, wherein (A) is a combination of fluazifop and pyralid. In this case, the application rate of pyralid is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 g / ha and in particular in the range of 0.5 to 90 g / ha, such as 0.5, 1, 0, 50, 60, 70, 71, 72 or 80, and the application rate of fluazifop is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 60 g / ha and in particular in the range of 0.5 to 50 g / ha, such as 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25 or 50 g / ha.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is a combination of saflufenacil and fluazifop-propyl, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to fluazifop-propyl is in the range of 1:10 to 1:0.5, preferably in the range of 1:7 to 1:0.7.

[0109] Surprisingly, it has been found that the combination of saflufenacil and fluazifop-propyl can provide a synergistic (superadditive) herbicidal effect.

[0110] Herbicide (B)

[0111] As described above, preferably, in addition to the herbicide (A), at least one herbicide (B) is applied to the sunflower crop and / or the site of cultivation of the sunflower crop, wherein the herbicide (B) is preferably selected from the group consisting of: auxin mimetics, inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), inhibitors of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) synthesis, inhibitors of microtubule assembly and inhibitors of PSII photosynthesis and combinations thereof.

[0112] Surprisingly, it has been found that the combination of herbicide (A) and herbicide (B) can provide a synergistic (superadditive) herbicidal effect.

[0113] Thus, in the methods of the present invention, herbicide (A) and herbicide (B) are each present or applied in an amount sufficient to provide a synergistic herbicidal effect. Such amounts are disclosed elsewhere herein.

[0114] The term "synergistic herbicidal effect" refers to an in vivo interaction of two or more biologically active compounds such that their combined effect when applied together is greater than the sum of the effects observed when each is applied individually.

[0115] In some embodiments of the present invention, Colby's equation is applied to determine whether a combination of herbicide (A) and herbicide (B) exhibits a synergistic effect (see SR Colby, "Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations", Weeds 1967, 15, pp. 20-22).

[0116] E=X+Y–(XY / 100)

[0117] in

[0118] X = the effect (in percentage) achieved using the herbicide (A) at the application rate a;

[0119] Y = effect (in percentage) achieved using the herbicide (B) at the application rate b;

[0120] E = expected effect (in %) of herbicide (A) + herbicide (B) at application rate a + b.

[0121] In the Colby equation, if the activities of the individual compounds are additive, the value E corresponds to the expected effect (damage or injury to the plant). If the observed effect is higher than the value E calculated according to the Colby equation, a synergistic effect is present.

[0122] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compositions, uses and methods disclosed herein are synergistic as determined by the Colby equation. In particular, the synergistic herbicidal effect is determined according to the Colby equation.

[0123] In addition, the methods of the present invention provide excellent pre- and post-emergence control of weeds. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods can be used to control undesirable vegetation before it emerges (pre-emergence). In another embodiment, the compositions and methods can also be used to control undesirable vegetation after it emerges (post-emergence).

[0124] The compositions, uses and methods according to the invention also show good crop compatibility, i.e. the combined application of (a) herbicide (A) and (b) herbicide (B) in crops does not lead to increased damage to the crop plants when compared to the application of the herbicide (A) or the herbicide (B) alone.

[0125] In addition, the methods of the present invention provide effective control of weeds known to affect the growth of sunflower plants. Such weeds are disclosed elsewhere herein.

[0126] Preferably, the sunflower crop and / or the site for its cultivation is additionally treated with the herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, the application rate of the herbicide (B) typically being in the range of 1 to 1500 g / ha and in particular 1.5 to 1200 g / ha. Particularly preferred application rates of the herbicide (B) thus depend on the respective herbicide selected.

[0127] According to a preferred embodiment, (B) is another PPO inhibitor. In this case, (B) is preferably selected from the group consisting of: N-phenyl-imide, diphenyl ether, N-phenyl-triazolinone and phenylpyrazole. More preferably, the additional PPO inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: carbofuran, fomesafen, acifluorfen, oxyfluorfen, mesotrione, pyraclostrobin, sulfentrazone, trifluoperazine and combinations thereof. It should be understood that this includes agriculturally acceptable salts or derivatives thereof.

[0128] More preferably, the additional PPO inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: fenpyroxen, fomesafen, carfentrazone-butyl, pyrafluanid, sulfentrazone, trifluoperazine, and combinations thereof, and most preferably, the additional PPO inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: fenpyroxen, fomesafen, pyrafluanid, and combinations thereof. Preferably, in such cases, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 1 to 750 g / ha.

[0129] In case (B) is fenbenzoate (methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 120 to 800 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 120 to 750 g / ha and in particular in the range of 150 to 720 g / ha, such as 150, 360, 480, 600 or 720 g / ha.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is fenpropimorph, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to fenpropimorph is in the range of 1:70 to 1:7, preferably 1:60 to 1:12.

[0131] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is fenpropimorph, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to fenpropimorph is in the range of 1:20 to 1:2, preferably in the range of 1:18 to 1:4.

[0132] In case (B) is fomesafen (5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 100 to 500 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 120 to 450 g / ha and in particular in the range of 180 to 450 g / ha, such as 120, 187.5, 275, 350 or 450 g / ha.

[0133] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is fomesafen, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to fomesafen is in the range of 1:50 to 1:3, preferably in the range of 1:40 to 1:5.

[0134] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-butyl and (B) is fomesafen, the weight ratio of fluazifop-butyl to fomesafen is in the range of 1:20 to 1:1, preferably in the range of 1:12 to 1:2.

[0135] In case (B) is pyraclostrobin (ethyl 2-[2-chloro-5-[4-chloro-5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methylpyrazol-3-yl]-4-fluorophenoxy]acetate), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 1 to 30 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 1 to 25 g / ha and in particular in the range of 5 to 20 g / ha, such as 1.5, 5, 10, 15 or 20 g / ha.

[0136] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is pyraflufenacil, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to pyraflufenacil is in the range of 1:3 to 1:0.05, preferably in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.1.

[0137] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-butyl and (B) is pyraclostrobin, the weight ratio of fluazifop-butyl to pyraclostrobin is in the range of 1:1 to 1:0.02, preferably in the range of 1:0.8 to 1:0.05.

[0138] In case (B) is sulfentrazone (N-{2,4-dichloro-5-[4-(difluoromethyl)-3-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]phenyl}methanesulfonamide), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 20 to 150 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 20 to 150 g / ha and in particular in the range of 30 to 140 g / ha, such as 40, 75, 80, 100, 120 or 140 g / ha.

[0139] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is sulfentrazone, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to sulfentrazone is in the range of 1:20 to 1:1, preferably 1:15 to 1:2.

[0140] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-glycidyl and (B) is sulfentrazone, the weight ratio of fluazifop-glycidyl to sulfentrazone is in the range of 1:5 to 1:0.5, preferably in the range of 1:4 to 1:0.8.

[0141] In the case where (B) is trifluoxetine (1,5-dimethyl-6-sulfanylidene-3-(2,2,7-trifluoro-3-oxo-4-prop-2-ynyl-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4-dione), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 5 to 40 g / ha, preferably in the range of 10 to 38 g / ha and more preferably in the range of 12.5 to 37.5 g / ha.

[0142] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is trifluoxetine, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to trifluoxetine is in the range of 1:10 to 10:1, preferably 1:5 to 5:1, more preferably 1:2 to 2:1.

[0143] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is trifluoxetine, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to trifluoxetine is in the range of 1:10 to 10:1, preferably 1:5 to 5:1, more preferably 1:2 to 2:1.

[0144] According to another preferred embodiment, (B) is an ALS inhibitor. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors are also known as acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors. ALS inhibitors are compounds that have a mode of action that includes inhibiting a step in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids in plants and belong to Group B of the HRAC classification (see HRAC, Classification of Hormones by Mode of Action, http: / / www.plantprotection.org / HRAC / MOA.html).

[0145] The term "ALS inhibitor" is also intended herein to include the corresponding salts, isomers and esters of the above-mentioned compounds, as discussed above. Suitable salts are, in particular, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts or ammonium or organic ammonium salts, such as sodium salts, potassium salts, ammonium salts, isopropylammonium salts, and the like. Suitable isomers are, for example, stereoisomers, such as enantiomers. Suitable esters are, for example, C1-C8 (branched or unbranched) alkyl esters, such as methyl esters, ethyl esters and isopropyl esters.

[0146] In the case where (B) is an ALS inhibitor, the ALS inhibitor is preferably selected from the group consisting of: imidazolinone, sulfonylurea and a combination thereof, more preferably, the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: imazapic, imazapic, imazapic, tribenuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiamethoxam, sulfamethoxam, trifloxysulfuron, nicosulfuron, foramsulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl, mesosulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl and a combination thereof, more preferably, the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: imazapic, imazapic, imazapic, tribenuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiamethoxam, sulfamethoxam, and a combination thereof, more preferably, the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: imazapic, imazapic, imazapic, tribenuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiamethoxam, sulfamethoxam, and a combination thereof. Preferably, in the said case, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 2 to 100 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 5 to 70 g / ha.

[0147] In case (B) is imazamox (5-(methoxymethyl)-2-(4-methyl-5-oxo-4-propan-2-yl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine-3-carboxylic acid), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 5 to 60 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 10 to 60 g / ha and in particular in the range of 10 to 50 g / ha, such as 10, 15, 25, 32, 40 or 50 g / ha.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is imazamox, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to imazamox is in the range of 1:10 to 1:0.2, preferably in the range of 1:5 to 1:1.

[0149] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is imazamox, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to imazamox is in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.1, preferably in the range of 1:1.25 to 1:0.3.

[0150] In case (B) is imazapic acid ((RS)-2-(4-methyl-5-oxo-4-propan-2-yl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine-3-carboxylic acid), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 2 to 30 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 5 to 20 g / ha and in particular in the range of 7.5 to 15 g / ha, such as 7.5, 10, 12.5 or 15 g / ha.

[0151] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is imazapyr, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to imazapyr is in the range of 1:3 to 1:0.1, preferably in the range of 1:1.5 to 1:0.2.

[0152] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is imazapyr, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to imazapyr is in the range of 10:5 to 10:0.5, preferably in the range of 10:4 to 10:0.8.

[0153] In case (B) is imazethapyr (5-ethyl-2-(4-methyl-5-oxo-4-propan-2-yl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine-3-carboxylic acid), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 10 to 100 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 20 to 70 g / ha and in particular in the range of 30 to 60 g / ha, such as 30, 40, 50 or 60 g / ha.

[0154] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is imazethapyr, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to imazethapyr is in the range of 1:10 to 1:0.5, preferably 1:5 to 1:1.

[0155] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-glycidyl and (B) is imazethapyr, the weight ratio of fluazifop-glycidyl to imazethapyr is in the range of 1:3 to 1:0.1, preferably in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.2.

[0156] In case (B) is bensulfuron-methyl (methyl 2-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-methylcarbamoyl]aminosulfonyl]benzoate), the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 2 to 40 g / ha and in particular in the range of 5 to 30 g / ha, such as 5, 15, 18, 22.5 or 30 g / ha.

[0157] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is tribenuron-methyl, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to tribenuron-methyl is in the range of 1:5 to 1:0.3, preferably in the range of 1:3 to 1:0.5.

[0158] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is tribenuron-methyl, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to tribenuron-methyl is in the range of 1:1 to 1:0.05, preferably in the range of 1:0.75 to 1:0.1.

[0159] According to another preferred embodiment, (B) is an ACCase inhibitor (HRAC group A) acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase, EC 6.4.1.2), which catalyzes the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA in a multi-step reaction, involved in the first key step of fatty acid biosynthesis (Tang et al., Front. Agron., October 23, 2020, pp. 1-10).

[0160] In the case, (B) is preferably selected from the group consisting of: DIM, FOP and a combination thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of: thiopyrafur, clethodim, pyraclostrobin, sethoxydim, oxadiazol-butyl, clodinafop-butyl, oxadiazol-butyl, quizalofop-ethyl and a combination thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of: thiopyrafur, clethodim and a combination thereof, most preferably, the ACCase inhibitor is thiopyrafur. Preferably, in the case, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 20 to 400 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 50 to 300 g / ha.

[0161] In case (B) is thiopyran, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 20 to 400 g / ha, more preferably in the range of 50 to 300 g / ha and in particular in the range of 100 to 250 g / ha, such as 100, 150, 200 or 250 g / ha.

[0162] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is thiopyrafenib, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to thiopyrafenib is in the range of 1:30 to 1:2, preferably 1:25 to 1:3.

[0163] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-glycidyl and (B) is thiopyrafuran, the weight ratio of fluazifop-glycidyl to thiopyrafuran is in the range of 1:0.5 to 1:10, preferably in the range of 1:1 to 1:7.

[0164] In case (B) is clethodim, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is in the range of 20 to 300 g / ha, and in particular in the range of 30 to 250 g / ha, such as 30, 100, 150, 200 or 250 g / ha.

[0165] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is clethodim, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to clethodim is in the range of 1:70 to 1:2, preferably 1:60 to 1:7.

[0166] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is clethodim, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to clethodim is in the range of 1:0.5 to 1:10, preferably in the range of 1:1 to 1:7.

[0167] According to another preferred embodiment, (B) is a VLCFA (very long chain fatty acid) synthesis inhibitor. Inhibitors of VLCFA synthesis are compounds that have a mode of action that includes inhibiting VLCFA synthesis and / or inhibiting cell division in plants and that belong to group K3 of the HRAC classification system (see HRAC, Classification of Herbicides by Mode of Action, http: / / www.plantprotection.org / hrac / MOA.html). VLCFA inhibitors include, for example, dimethenamid-S, pyraclostrobin, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, pethodiamide, pretilachlor, pyraclostrobin, propamid, oxyacetamide herbicides (such as flufenacet and mefenacet), acetamide herbicides (such as bispyribac, naproxen and naproxen), tetrazolinone herbicides (such as tetrazolin), and VLCFA herbicides that do not belong to the common group (such as cypermethrin, cafenstrole and pyraclostrobin).

[0168] Preferably, the inhibitor of VLCFA synthesis is selected from the group consisting of α-chloroacetamide, more preferably selected from the group consisting of dimethenamid-P, metolachlor-S, pethodiolachlor, acetochlor, pyraclostrobin and combinations thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of dimethenamid-P, metolachlor-S and combinations thereof.

[0169] In case (B) is DMTA-P, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 1 to 1500 g / ha, preferably in the range of 50 to 1000 g / ha and in particular in the range of 100 to 1000 g / ha, such as 100, 200, 350, 500, 650, 800 or 1000 g / ha.

[0170] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is DMTA-P, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to DMTA-P is in the range of 1:100 to 1:5, preferably 1:80 to 1:10.

[0171] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is DMTA-P, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to DMTA-P is in the range of 1:1 to 1:30, preferably in the range of 1:4 to 1:20.

[0172] According to another preferred embodiment, (B) is an inhibitor of microtubule assembly ("MTA inhibitor"). MTA inhibitors are compounds that have a mode of action that includes inhibiting microtubule assembly in plants and that belong to group K1 of the HRAC classification system (see HRAC, Classification of Herbicides by Mode of Action, http: / / www.plantprotection.org / hrac / MOA.html). MTA inhibitors include, for example, dinitroaniline herbicides (such as fluazifop, dimethoprim, dimethoprim, diflufenican, sulfamethoxam, pendimethalin, and trifluralin), phosphamidon herbicides (such as methylamine glufosinate and glufosinate), pyridine herbicides (such as dithiopyr and thiapyr), benzamide herbicides (such as propyzamide and fenpropimorph), and benzoic acid herbicides (such as chlorthalid).

[0173] Preferably, the MTA inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of pendimethalin, trifluralin and combinations thereof, more preferably (B) is pendimethalin.

[0174] In case (B) is pendimethalin, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of 200 to 1500 g / ha, more preferably 400 to 1400 g / ha and in particular 600 to 1200 g / ha, such as 600, 800, 1000 or 1200 g / ha.

[0175] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is pendimethalin, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to pendimethalin is in the range of 1:150 to 1:10, preferably 1:100 to 1:20.

[0176] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is pendimethalin, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to pendimethalin is in the range of 1:1 to 1:40, preferably in the range of 1:5 to 1:30.

[0177] According to another preferred embodiment, (B) is an auxin mimetic. Auxin mimetic belongs to group 0 of the HRAC classification system and mimics the effects of auxin or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the plant growth hormone in higher plants. They are generally referred to as growth regulators because they disrupt the natural hormone balance in plants. They should bind to the transport inhibitor response 1 (TIR1) and auxin F-box (AFB) auxin receptors.

[0178] Exemplary synthetic auxin mimetics include, but are not limited to, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, clopromazine, aminopyralid, clofopyralid, dicamba, Dicloprop-P, fluroxypyr 1-methylheptyl ester (MHE), MCPA, Mecoprop-P, Amiloride, Quinclorac, Triclopyr, Halocaine, and Halocaine-methyl.

[0179] In case (B) is an auxin mimetic, (B) is preferably a pyridine carboxylate, more preferably halopiapine.

[0180] In case (B) is haloxicam, the application rate of the herbicide (B) is preferably in the range of preferably 0.5 to 10 g / ha, more preferably 0.5 to 5 g / ha and in particular in the range of 1 to 3 g / ha, such as 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 or 3 g / ha.

[0181] In a preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is saflufenacil and (B) is haclopyralid, the weight ratio of saflufenacil to haclopyralid is in the range of 10:4 to 10:0.4, preferably 10:3 to 10:0.5.

[0182] In another preferred embodiment, wherein (A) is fluazifop-propyl and (B) is haclopyralid, the weight ratio of fluazifop-propyl to haclopyralid is in the range of 100:1 to 100:10, preferably in the range of 100:2 to 100:8.

[0183] According to another preferred embodiment, (B) is an inhibitor of PSII photosynthesis. These inhibitors include triazines such as atrazine; triazinones such as terbuthylazine and metribuzin; uracils such as herbicide; nitriles such as bromoxynil; benzothiadiazoles such as bentazon; and ureas such as diuron. PSII inhibitors work by inhibiting the transfer of electrons during photosynthesis. Inhibition blocks photosynthesis, the fixation of CO2, and the production of ATP or NADPH. Plant death occurs due to the generation of free radical species that can trigger lipid peroxidation and ultimately lead to cell death. In the case where (B) is a PSII inhibitor, (B) is preferably a triazine, more preferably selected from the group consisting of terbuthylazine, metribuzin, and combinations thereof, more preferably terbuthylazine.

[0184] Besides the herbicide (A) and optionally the herbicide (B), the composition (I) and / or the composition (II) may further comprise at least one safener (C).

[0185] Safeners are chemical compounds that prevent or reduce damage to useful plants and do not significantly affect the herbicidal action of the herbicidal active ingredients against unwanted plants. Safeners can be applied before sowing (e.g., seed treatment), on buds or seedlings, and in pre- or post-emergence treatments of useful plants and their habitat.

[0186] Thus, in one embodiment, composition (I) comprises at least one safener (C).

[0187] In another embodiment, composition (II) comprises at least one safener (C).

[0188] In another embodiment, composition (I) comprises at least one safener (C) and composition (II) comprises at least one safener (C1), wherein (C) and (C1) may be the same or different.

[0189] Exemplary safeners (C) and (C1) include oxazolidinone, oxazolidinone, oxazolidinone, cyclopropylsulfonamide, dichlormid, dicyclonon, dietholate, fenchlorazole, fenclorim, flurazole, fluxofenim, furilazole, isoxadifen, mefenpyr, mephenate, naphthylacetic acid, naphthalic anhydride, oxazolidinone, 4-(dichloroacetyl)-1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.5]decane (MON4660, CAS 71526-07-3), 2,2,5-trimethyl-3-(dichloroacetyl)-1,3-oxazolidine (R-29148, CAS 52836-31-4), N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)-4-[(methylaminocarbonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide (CAS 129531-12-0), and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters or amides thereof.

[0190] In particular, the safeners (C) and optionally (C1) are independently selected from the group consisting of benoxacor, oxalothiocarb, cyprosulfamide, isoxadiazole, pyraclostrobin, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters or amides thereof.

[0191] Most preferably, safeners (C) and optionally (C1) are independently selected from the group consisting of benoxacor, cloquintocet-mexyl, cyprosulfamide, isoxadiazine and mefenpyr-butyl.

[0192] The herbicides and safeners mentioned below and above are known herbicides and safeners, see, for example, The Pesticide Manual, British Crop Protection Council, 16th edition, 2012; The Compendium of Pesticide Common Names http: / / www.alanwood.net / pesticides / ; Farm Chemicals Handbook 2000 Vol. 86, Meister Publishing Company, 2000; B. Hock, C. Fedtke, RR Schmidt, Herbizide, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 1995; W. A. ​​H. hrens, Herbicide Handbook, 7th edition, Weed Science Society of America, 1994; and K. K. Hatzios, Herbicide Handbook. Herbicide Handbook, 7th edition supplement, Weed Science Society of America, 1998.

[0193] If the safeners as described herein are capable of forming geometric isomers, such as E / Z isomers, both pure isomers and mixtures thereof may be used in the compositions, uses and methods according to the invention. If the safeners as described herein have one or more chiral centers and therefore exist as enantiomers or diastereomers, both pure enantiomers and diastereomers and mixtures thereof may be used in the compositions, uses and methods according to the invention.

[0194] PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower plants

[0195] The herbicides (A) and (B) as mentioned herein or their combinations should be used for weed control in PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower plants. The plants may also be tolerant to other herbicides with different modes of action, in particular to ALS inhibitors.

[0196] In an embodiment, the PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop is a transgenic PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop.

[0197] In another embodiment, the PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop is a non-transgenic PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop. Preferably, the non-transgenic crop plant is a PPO tolerant sunflower plant as defined in PCT / US2022 / 077037, which is incorporated herein by reference for its entire disclosure (including sequence listing), particularly with respect to plants. The application is published as WO 2023 / 049906A1. In accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, seeds of a non-transgenic sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus L., HA452 inbred line, designated "21LHHA000892") comprising a mutated protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase as described in the Examples section of the above-mentioned PCT application were deposited on April 22, 2022 at the National Collections of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria (NCIMB) in Aberdeen, United Kingdom. The deposited seeds have been assigned accession number NCIMB 43974. The deposit of the seeds is intended solely for the convenience of those skilled in the art and does not constitute or imply any admission, acknowledgement, statement, or assertion that the deposited seeds are necessary to fully describe, fully realize, or practice the invention, or any part or aspect thereof. Furthermore, the deposit of the seeds does not constitute or imply any suggestion that the application of any method of the invention be limited to application to plants derived from the seeds.

[0198] Typically, the sunflower crop comprises a mutated protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene encoding a mutated sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase, wherein the mutated sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises a phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) substitution at a position corresponding to residue 383 (F383I substitution) relative to SEQ ID NO:2.

[0199] Protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (also referred to herein as "PPO" or "protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase") catalyzes the seventh step in the biosynthesis of protoporphyrin IX. In plants, protoporphyrin IX is a precursor to chlorophyll. In particular, protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (EC 1.3.3.4) catalyzes the dehydrogenation of protoporphyrinogen IX to form protoporphyrin IX. Preferably, the PPO polypeptide is a PPO2 polypeptide. For the purposes herein, note that type II PPO and PPO2 are used interchangeably.

[0200] The term "mutated PPO gene" refers to a PPO nucleic acid molecule having a sequence that is mutated from a wild-type PPO gene (i.e., a wild-type PPO2 gene). The nucleic acid sequence of the wild-type sunflower PPO2 coding sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO:3. The amino acid sequence of the wild-type PPO2 polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO:4. The mutated sunflower polypeptide should contain at least one mutation compared to the wild-type polypeptide. Preferably, the mutated sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises a phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) substitution (F383I substitution) at a position corresponding to residue 383 of SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:2. Thus, the mutated PPO oxidase should comprise such a substitution at residue 383 relative to SEQ ID NO:4 (when aligned using blast). Position 383 in the sunflower PPO2 polypeptide corresponds to position 420 in the Amaranthus sclerosus type II PPO.

[0201] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. However, the present invention is not limited to SEQ ID NO: 2. Rather, the present invention also relates to a variant of the mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, provided that the variant comprises a substitution of phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) at the position corresponding to residue 383 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4.

[0202] In an embodiment, the mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene is a mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene of a sunflower plant obtained by growing seeds of mutant line 21LHHA000892, a sample of which has been deposited under NCIMB accession number 43974.

[0203] The expression "mutated amino acid" will hereinafter be used to indicate an amino acid that is replaced by another amino acid, thereby indicating the mutation site in the primary sequence of a protein.

[0204] The term "variant" with respect to a sequence (eg, a polypeptide or nucleic acid sequence of the invention) is intended to mean a substantially similar sequence. The variant polypeptide should have protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase activity.

[0205] Enzyme variants can be defined by their sequence identity when compared with the parent enzyme.Sequence identity is usually provided in the form of "sequence identity %" or "identity %". In order to determine the identity percentage between two amino acid sequences, the first step is to generate paired sequence alignments between the two sequences, wherein the two sequences are aligned (that is, paired global alignments) over their full length. With the program implementing Needleman and Wunsch algorithm (J.Mol.Biol. [J.Molecular Biology] (1979) 48, 443-453 pages), preferably by using program "NEEDLE" (European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, EMBOSS) with program default parameters (gap open=10.0, gap extension=0.5 and matrix=EBLOSUM62) to generate an alignment. Preferred alignment for the purpose of the present invention is the alignment from which the highest sequence identity can be determined.

[0206] The following example is intended to illustrate two nucleotide sequences, but the same calculations apply to protein sequences:

[0207] Sequence A: AAGATACTG, length: 9 bases

[0208] Sequence B: GATCTGA, length: 7 bases

[0209] Therefore, the shorter sequence is sequence B.

[0210] Produces a pairwise global alignment of two sequences showing their full length, resulting in

[0211] Sequence A: AAGATACTG-

[0212] III III

[0213] Sequence B: --GAT-CTGA

[0214] The "I" symbol in the alignment indicates an identical residue (this means a base for DNA or an amino acid for protein). The number of identical residues is 6.

[0215] The "-" symbol in the alignment indicates a gap. The number of gaps introduced by the alignment within sequence B is 1. The number of gaps introduced by the alignment at the boundaries of sequence B is 2, while the number of gaps introduced at the boundaries of sequence A is 1.

[0216] The alignment length for the full length of aligned sequences is 10.

[0217] Thus, according to the present invention, pairwise alignments of shorter sequences showing the full length are generated, resulting in:

[0218] Sequence A: GATACTG-

[0219] III III

[0220] Sequence B: GAT-CTGA

[0221] Thus, according to the present invention, a pairwise alignment of sequence A showing the entire length is generated, resulting in:

[0222] Sequence A: AAGATACTG

[0223] III III

[0224] Sequence B: --GAT-CTG

[0225] Thus, according to the present invention, a pairwise alignment showing the entire length of sequence B is generated, resulting in:

[0226] Sequence A: GATACTG-

[0227] III III

[0228] Sequence B: GAT-CTGA

[0229] The alignment length of the shorter sequence shown is 8 (there is a gap which is included in the alignment length of the shorter sequence).

[0230] Therefore, the alignment length showing the full length of sequence A is 9 (meaning that sequence A is a sequence of the present invention).

[0231] Therefore, the alignment length showing the full length of sequence B is 8 (meaning that sequence B is a sequence of the present invention).

[0232] After comparing the two sequences, in a second step, the identity value is determined according to the comparison produced. For the purpose of this description, the identity percentage is calculated as follows: % identity = (identical residue / length of the comparison region of the two comparison sequences showing the full length) * 100. Therefore, the sequence identity relevant to the comparison of the two amino acid sequences according to this embodiment is calculated by dividing the number of identical residues by the length of the comparison region of the two comparison sequences showing the full length. This value is multiplied by 100 to obtain "% identity". According to the example provided above, % identity: (6 / 10) * 100 = 60%.

[0233] Typically, amino acid sequence variants will have at least 70% (e.g., preferably at least 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, to 79%), typically at least 80% (e.g., 81%-84%), at least 85% (e.g., 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%), at least 98%, at least 99% or at least 99.5% polypeptide "sequence identity" to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, provided that the encoded polypeptide comprises a substitution of phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) at the position corresponding to residue 383 of SEQ ID NO: 2. Thus, the variant polypeptide should comprise an isoleucine residue at the position corresponding to position 383 of SEQ ID NO: 2 (or SEQ ID NO: 4).

[0234] Similarly, nucleotide sequence variants will have at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, to 70% (e.g., preferably 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, to 79%), typically at least 80% (e.g., 81%-84%), at least 85% (e.g., 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%), at least 98%, at least 99% or at least 99.5% nucleotide "sequence identity" to the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, provided that the encoded polypeptide comprises a substitution of phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) at the position corresponding to residue 383 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4.

[0235] Similarly, nucleotide sequence variants will have at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, to 70% (e.g., preferably 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, to 79%), usually at least 80% (e.g., 81%-84%), at least 85% (e.g., 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%), at least 98%, at least 99% or at least 99.5% nucleotide "sequence identity" to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, provided that the encoded polypeptide comprises a substitution of phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) at the position corresponding to residue 383 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4.

[0236] In a preferred embodiment, the mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2, or a variant thereof having at least 98% (e.g., at least 99% or at least 99.5%) identity to SEQ ID NO:2, provided that the variant comprises a substitution from phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) at the position corresponding to residue 383.

[0237] Furthermore, it is envisaged that the mutated protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene comprises

[0238] a) the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, or

[0239] b) a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 98% (such as at least 99% or at least 99.5%) identical to SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0240] Furthermore, it is contemplated that the mutant PPO polypeptide comprises no more than three (eg, no more than two, such as no more than one) mutations in addition to the F383I substitution.

[0241] In an embodiment, the plant comprises a mutated PPO polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0242] SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 3 are coding sequences, i.e., sequences that are translated. The sunflower PPO2 gene contains a number of introns. It should be understood that the sequences of these introns are not encompassed by SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 3, respectively. Thus, the statement "a mutant protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence" should mean that the plant expresses a transcript comprising said sequence.

[0243] By "herbicide-tolerant mutant PPO protein" or "herbicide-resistant mutant PPO protein" is meant a PPO protein that exhibits increased PPO activity relative to the PPO activity of a wild-type (i.e., non-mutated) PPO protein in the presence of at least one herbicide known to interfere with PPO activity and at a concentration or level known to inhibit the PPO activity of a wild-type PPO protein. Furthermore, the PPO activity of such herbicide-tolerant or herbicide-resistant mutant PPO proteins may be referred to herein as "herbicide-tolerant" or "herbicide-resistant" PPO activity. These terms are used interchangeably herein. A "herbicide-tolerant" or "herbicide-resistant" plant is meant a plant that is tolerant or resistant to at least one herbicide at levels that would normally kill a normal or wild-type plant or inhibit its growth.

[0244] As used herein, the term "sunflower" shall refer to any plant belonging to the genus Helianthus. In embodiments, the term refers to a plant of the species Helianthus annuus.

[0245] In some embodiments, the mutated PPO gene is present in the plant (or a part thereof) in homozygous form.

[0246] As used herein, the term "homozygous" refers to a genetic condition that occurs when two identical alleles reside at a particular locus but are located individually on corresponding pairs of homologous chromosomes in a cell. In contrast, the term "heterozygous" refers to a genetic condition that occurs when two different alleles reside at a particular locus but are located individually on corresponding pairs of homologous chromosomes in a cell.

[0247] As used herein, the term "non-transgenic" refers to a plant or plant cell that does not have DNA derived from another organism inserted into its genome. Thus, non-transgenic plants should not be produced by recombinant means. For example, a mutant PPO gene should not be introduced by transformation (such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation). However, non-transgenic plants or cells can be produced by introducing targeted mutations in the PPO2 gene (e.g., by gene editing).

[0248] If the plant used in the method of the present invention is non-transgenic, it is understood that the position of the mutant PPO2 gene in the sunflower genome should be the same as that of the wild-type PPO2 gene. Thus, the mutant PPO2 gene can be operably linked to the native (i.e., wild-type) promoter of the protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO2) gene.

[0249] Typically, non-transgenic plants are not obtained solely through substantial biological processes.

[0250] Plants used in the methods of the present invention should be tolerant to PPO inhibitors. In embodiments of the present invention, the trait of tolerance to PPO inhibitors is an endogenous, non-transfected trait. Therefore, a mutated PPO gene should not be introduced through transgenic transformation. In embodiments of the present invention, the trait of tolerance to PPO inhibitors is an endogenous, non-transfected trait. Therefore, the PPO gene should not be mutated through gene editing.

[0251] In the examples, plants were generated by ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis. Thus, mutations in the PPO2 gene as mentioned herein were introduced by EMS (ethyl methanesulfonate) mutagenesis. Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is a mutagenic compound that produces random mutations in the genetic material through nucleotide substitutions, particularly G:C to A:T conversions induced by guanine alkylation.

[0252] In another embodiment of the present invention, the plant has been generated by radiation induced mutagenesis. Thus, the mutation in the PPO2 gene as mentioned herein has been introduced by radiation induced mutagenesis.

[0253] Gene editing technology may not currently be feasible in sunflower, but where available, such technology can be used to generate the plants of the present invention. Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, plants can be generated by genome editing. Thus, mutations in the PPO2 gene, as mentioned herein, can be introduced by genome editing. As used herein, genome editing refers to the targeted modification of genomic DNA using sequence-specific enzymes (e.g., endonucleases, nickases, base transfer enzymes) and / or donor nucleic acids (e.g., dsDNA, oligonucleotides) to introduce desired changes in the DNA. Sequence-specific nucleases that can be programmed to recognize specific DNA sequences include meganucleases (MGNs), zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), TAL effector nucleases (TALENs), and RNA-guided or DNA-guided nucleases such as Cas9, Cpf1, CasX, CasY, C2c1, C2c3, certain argonout systems (see, e.g., Osakabe and Osakabe, Plant Cell Physiol. 2015 Mar;56(3):389-400; Ma et al., Mol Plant. 2016 Jul 6;9(7):961-74; Bortesie et al., Plant Biotech J, 2016, 14; Murovec et al., Plant Biotechnol. J. Plant Biotechnol., Apr. 1, 2017; Nakade et al., Bioengineered, 8-3, 2017; Burstein et al., Nature, 542, 37-241; Komor et al., Nature, 533, 420-424, 2016; all incorporated herein by reference). Donor nucleic acids can be used as templates for repairing DNA breaks induced by sequence-specific nucleases, but can also be used as such for gene targeting (without DNA break induction) to introduce desired changes into genomic DNA.

[0254] By using the above techniques, plants comprising wild-type sunflower PPO2 can be transformed into plants comprising a mutated PPO2 gene as mentioned herein, thereby increasing tolerance to PPO inhibitors.

[0255] As described elsewhere herein, the sunflower plants to be used in the methods of the present invention should also be tolerant not only to the PPO herbicide A, but also to one or more herbicides (B), in particular to one or more herbicides selected from the group consisting of: auxin mimetics, inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), inhibitors of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) synthesis, inhibitors of microtubule assembly, and inhibitors of PSII photosynthesis. This may depend on the mode of action of the herbicide (B).

[0256] For example, if the herbicide (B) is another PPO inhibitor, such as formolybdate, fomesafen, pyraclostrobin, sulfentrazone, trifluoxetine, no further herbicide tolerance traits (ie, in addition to tolerance to PPO inhibitors) need to be added to the plants.

[0257] The same applies if the herbicide (B) is an auxin mimetic (e.g. haloxicam), or an inhibitor of ACCase (e.g. thiopyrad), an inhibitor of VLCFA synthesis (e.g. DMTA-P) or an inhibitor of microtubule assembly (e.g. pendimethalin). Commercially used sunflower plants are in principle tolerant to these herbicides.

[0258] However, if the herbicide (B) is an ALS inhibitor, it is typically necessary to first add an ALS inhibitor tolerance trait to the plant, thereby generating a sunflower plant tolerant to both a PPO inhibitor and an ALS inhibitor. Thus, the plants treated in the method of the present invention contain two additional herbicide tolerance traits compared to wild-type sunflower plants.

[0259] Sunflower plants that tolerate ALS inhibitors are well known in the art. Typically, the trait is conferred by one or more mutations in the acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) gene (R gene). The mutated acetohydroxy acid synthase therefore has lower binding to ALS inhibitors (compared to wild-type AHAS), which results in a reduction in the inhibitory efficiency of ALS inhibitors. For example, in Clearfield crops, the tolerance trait is conferred by a single point mutation in the acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) gene (R gene), with a substitution of alanine to valine at position 205 (Arabidopsis comparison). This mutation is also referred to as an "A205 (At) V" substitution. The "At" in the brackets indicates that the mutation is located at the position corresponding to position 204 in the large subunit of the acetohydroxy acid synthase of Arabidopsis thaliana.

[0260] The Clearfield Plus production system is based on a single gene that confers a higher level of tolerance to the imidazolinone trait and provides sunflower with increased crop tolerance, improved weed control, improved oil content and improved grain yield regardless of environmental stress.

[0261] Thus, sunflower plants may also contain a mutant gene encoding a mutant AHASL (acetohydroxyacid synthase large subunit) that confers resistance to ALS inhibitors, such as imidazolinone herbicides. Such mutant genes are described, for example, in WO 2008 / 124431A1 (incorporated herein by reference).

[0262] In a preferred embodiment, the sunflower crop preferably additionally contains

[0263] a. The herbicide tolerance trait is: (1) AHASL (acetohydroxyacid synthase large subunit) has an A122(At)T substitution or (2) an AHASL variant thereof contains both an A122(At)T substitution and a second substitution, the second substitution being one or more of P197(At)Q, P197(At)S, P197(At)LT203(At)I, T203(At)X, A205(At)D, A205(At)V, W574(At)L, A653(At)N, A653(At)T, A653(At)F or A653(At)V, wherein X can be selected as any natural amino acid;

[0264] b. Two herbicide tolerance traits: the trait is an AHASL A122(At)T substitution, and the second trait is an AHASL having an A205(At)V substitution, an AHASL having a P197(At)S substitution, an AHASL having a P197(At)L substitution, or an AHASL having a W574(At)L substitution;

[0265] c. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has an A205(At)V substitution;

[0266] d. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has a P197(At)L substitution;

[0267] e. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has a P197(At)S substitution; or

[0268] f. Herbicide tolerance trait: AHASL has a W574(At)L substitution.

[0269] PPO herbicide tolerance traits and ALS inhibitor tolerance traits can be combined in sunflower plants by gene stacking." Gene stacking" (also known as gene pyramiding) is the process of combining two or more target genes into a single plant. The combined traits produced by this process are called stacked traits. When stacking pieces are engineered or bred into crops, the crops have better overall performance because, in theory, multiple genes for controlling different problems can be stacked together. In addition, gene stacking allows for better performance because if the resistance or tolerance conferred by a single gene is destroyed, there are still remaining genes that confer some benefits. Stacking can be achieved by transgenic methods, achieved by genome editing, particularly by using conventional breeding techniques. For example, a non-transgenic sunflower plant expressing a mutated PPO polypeptide can be hybridized with a non-transgenic sunflower plant expressing a mutated AHASL polypeptide to obtain a plant with two herbicide tolerance traits.

[0270] The present invention relates to a method for weed control. The method comprises applying a composition as described above, i.e. a composition comprising herbicide (A) and herbicide (B), to a sunflower crop. The terms "crop" and "sunflower" are used interchangeably herein.

[0271] The term "weed control" is to be understood as meaning killing and / or otherwise retarding or inhibiting the normal growth of weeds. Weeds are to be understood in the broadest sense as meaning all those plants which grow in locations where they are not desired, for example at (crop) plant cultivation sites. Weeds to be controlled include, for example, dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous weeds. Dicotyledonous weeds include, but are not limited to, weeds of the genera Sinapis, Lepidium, Galium, Stellaria, Matricaria, Anthemis, Galinsoga, Chenopodium, Erigeron, Hibiscus, Urtica, Senecio, Amaranthus, Portulaca, Xanthium, Convolvulus, Ipomoea, Polygonum, Sesbania, Ambrosia, Mercurialis, Cirsium, Carduus, Sonchus, Solanum, Rorippa, Rotala, Lindernia, Lamium, Veronica, Abuthilon, Emex, Datura, Viola, Galeopsis, Papaver, Centaurea, Trifolium, Ranunculus, Helianthus and Taraxacum.Monocotyledonous weeds include, but are not limited to, weeds of the following genera: Echinochloa, Setaria, Panicum, Digitaria, Phleum, Poa, Festuca, Eleusine, Brachiaria, Lolium, Bromus, Avena, Cyperus, Sorghum, Agropyron, Bermudagrass Cynodon, Monochoria, Fimbristyslis, Sagittaria, Eleocharis, Scirpus, Paspalum, Ischaemum, Sphenoclea, Dactyloctenium, Urochloa, Agrostis, Alopecurus, and Apera.

[0272] In a preferred embodiment, the weeds to be controlled are weeds commonly found in sunflower cultivation, such as one or more weeds selected from the group consisting of field bindweed, silk thistle, Xanthium species, velvetleaf, Polygonum species, Sorghum oleracea, ragweed species (e.g., common ragweed, triflate ragweed), sow thistle, Datura, Chenopodium album, Amaranth species (e.g., Amaranthus retroflexus, Amaranthus longipes), barnyard grass, Setaria species (e.g., giant foxtail), Sinapis species, and chamomile.

[0273] Furthermore, preferred weeds to be controlled are one or more of the weeds in Table 2 in the Examples section.

[0274] In an embodiment, the weed is Amaranthus retroflexus.

[0275] In another embodiment, the weed is Palmer amaranth.

[0276] In yet another embodiment, the weed is Ambrosia trifida.

[0277] In yet another embodiment, the weed is annual Indigofera arvensis.

[0278] In yet another embodiment, the weed is barnyardgrass.

[0279] In yet another embodiment, the weed is Texas ceratospermum.

[0280] In yet another embodiment, the weed is goosegrass.

[0281] In yet another embodiment, the weed is giant foxtail grass.

[0282] In yet another embodiment, the weed is crabgrass.

[0283] The composition as described herein is applied to the cultivation site of the sunflower plant. The cultivation site can be any location where the sunflower grows or will grow. In an embodiment, the cultivation site is a greenhouse. In an alternative embodiment, the cultivation site is a field. In an embodiment, plants (including plants of the present invention and weed plants) grown in the cultivation site are contacted with an effective amount of the herbicide, for example by spraying.

[0284] In the method of the present invention, the composition, i.e., the composition comprising herbicide (A) and / or herbicide (B), can be applied by any method known in the art, including but not limited to soil treatment and foliar treatment. Preferably, the herbicide or herbicides present in the composition are applied in an effective amount (as disclosed elsewhere). Prior to application, the herbicide can be converted into conventional formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dusts, powders, pastes, and granules. The form of use depends on the specific intended purpose; in each case, a fine and uniform distribution of the composition should be ensured. A variety of formulations can be used to protect plants from weeds, thereby promoting plant growth and reducing competition for nutrients. The herbicides as described herein can themselves be used for weed control in the areas surrounding the crop plants described herein, before emergence, after emergence, before planting, and at planting. In addition, herbicide formulations containing other additives can be used. Additives found in herbicide formulations include detergents, adjuvants, spreading agents, adhesives, stabilizers, etc. The formulation containing the herbicide can be a wet formulation or a dry formulation and can include, but is not limited to, flowable powders, emulsifiable concentrates and liquid concentrates. The formulation containing the herbicide can be applied in a conventional manner, for example, by spraying, irrigation, dusting, etc.

[0285] In embodiments, the compositions as described herein are applied by spraying.

[0286] According to the method of the present invention, a herbicide-containing composition containing herbicide (A) and / or herbicide (B) is applied to a sunflower crop and / or a sunflower crop cultivation site before or after emergence of the sunflower crop, preferably after emergence of the sunflower crop, more preferably after emergence of the sunflower crop and weeds.

[0287] In embodiments of the present invention, a composition as described herein is applied to a sunflower crop before emergence. For example, the composition can be applied about 1 to 14 days before the sunflower crop emerges. In some embodiments, the composition is applied before sowing sunflower seeds. In some embodiments, the composition is applied after sowing sunflower seeds but before the sunflower crop emerges.

[0288] In another embodiment, the composition as described herein is applied to a sunflower crop after emergence. For example, the composition is applied at BBCH stage 10 to 32 (of a sunflower crop), for example, at BBCH stage 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 of a sunflower crop. The BBCH-scale is used to identify the phenological developmental stage of a plant. The scale is described, for example, by Meier, U. (2001). in "Growth stages of mono- and dicotyledonous plants" BBCH monograph, doi: 10.5073 / bbch0515, incorporated herein by reference. In addition, LANCASHIRE et al. describe the scale (Annals of Applied Biology [Annals of Applied Biology]. Vol. 119, No. 3. Available from: https: / / doi.org / 10.1111 / j.1744-7348.1991.tb04895.x ).

[0289] Preferably, the definitions and explanations given above apply mutatis mutandis to the following.

[0290] The invention further relates to the use of a composition as described in conjunction with a method of weed control in transgenic or non-transgenic PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crops.

[0291] The present invention further relates to a method for producing a product from sunflower seeds, said method comprising

[0292] a) growing sunflower plants at a plant cultivation site as described in conjunction with the weed control method,

[0293] b) harvesting seeds from said plants, and

[0294] c) producing a product from the seeds harvested in step b.

[0295] Step a) of the above method may comprise applying an effective amount of a composition comprising herbicide (A) and / or herbicide (B) (as defined in conjunction with the weed control method) to the cultivation site as described elsewhere herein. In an embodiment, the composition is applied before emergence. In another embodiment, the composition is applied after emergence.

[0296] Preferably, plants growing at the locus of cultivation (including plants of the present invention and weed plants) are contacted with an effective amount of the composition, for example by spraying.

[0297] In an embodiment of the method, the product is poultry feed.

[0298] In another embodiment, the product is seed meal.

[0299] In another embodiment, the product is sunflower oil.Thus, the above method may comprise extracting sunflower oil from the harvested or provided seeds.

[0300] The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications or publications referenced or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0301] The present invention will be further described with reference to the examples described herein; however, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to such examples.

[0302] Example 1: Study Setup

[0303] The effect of the herbicidal composition according to the invention on the growth of unwanted plants in a cultivation site of PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflowers was discovered and demonstrated by the following field experiments, compared to the individual herbicidally active compounds:

[0304] Combination of saflufenacil and pendimethalin

[0305] Purpose of the study: To investigate the efficacy of a tank mix of saflufenacil and pendimethalin against weeds and grasses in the early post-emergence period.

[0306] Combination of saflufenacil and fluazifop-propyl

[0307] Purpose of the study: To investigate the efficacy of a tank mix of saflufenacil and fluazifop-propyl applied to bare ground before weed emergence.

[0308] Combination of saflufenacil and sulfentrazone

[0309] Purpose of the study: To investigate the efficacy of a tank mix of saflufenacil and sulfentrazone applied to bare ground before weed emergence.

[0310] Table 1: Materials

[0311]

[0312] At field test sites, natural weed infestations were treated either pre-emergence or post-emergence on bare soil.

[0313] For pre-emergence treatment, the active compound suspended or emulsified in water is applied to bare ground through fine-dispensing nozzles.

[0314] For post-emergence treatment, weed plants are treated between the 2-4 true leaf stage (GS12-14) and the 6 true leaf stage (GS16). The herbicidal composition is suspended or emulsified in water as a dispersion medium and sprayed using a commercial flat fan nozzle at a rate of between 100 and 200 l / ha.

[0315] In the following experiments, the herbicidal activity of the individual herbicidal compositions (applied alone and in combination) was evaluated up to 36 days after treatment (DAT). The damage to undesirable weeds caused by the chemical compositions was assessed using a scale of 0 to 100% compared to untreated control plants. Here, 0 means no damage, and 100 means complete destruction of the plants.

[0316] Table 2: List of weeds

[0317] The plants evaluated in the field experiments belonged to the following species:

[0318] EPPO code scientific name English name AMARE Amaranthus retroflexus pigweed AMAPA Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Palmer amaranth AMBTR Three-leaf ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) Giant ragweed MERAN Annual Mountain Indigo (Mercuralis annua) Annual mercury ECHCG Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) Barnyard grass PANTE Texas sedge (Urochloa texana) Texas panicum ELEIN Eleusine indica goosgras SETFA Setaria faberi Giant foxtail DIGSA Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Crabgrass

[0319] Colby's equation was applied to determine whether the combination of herbicide (A) and herbicide (B) showed a synergistic effect (see SR Colby, "Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations", Weeds 1967, 15, pp. 20-22).

[0320] E=X+Y–(X*Y / 100)

[0321] Where X = the effect (in percentage) achieved using the herbicide (A) at the application rate a;

[0322] Y = effect (in percentage) achieved using the herbicide (B) at the application rate b;

[0323] E = expected effect (in %) of herbicide (A) + herbicide (B) at application rate a + b.

[0324] If the activities of the individual compounds are additive, the value E corresponds to the expected effect (damage or injury to the plant). If the observed effect is higher than the value E calculated according to the Colby equation, a synergistic effect is present.

[0325] Example 2: Results

[0326] Tables 3 to 5 show the results obtained in the study described in Example 1. These tables show the expected effects (based on Colby) and the observed effects of the herbicidal combinations of herbicides (A) and (B) according to the invention on the growth of undesirable plants. Advantageously, synergistic effects were observed between the test compositions and the various herbicides.

[0327]

[0328]

[0329] Example 3: Study Setup

[0330] The effect of the herbicidal compositions according to the invention on the growth of undesirable plants and sunflower crops was demonstrated by the following greenhouse experiments in comparison with the individual herbicidally active compounds:

[0331] For post-emergence treatment, the plants were first grown to the 2- to 4-leaf stage (GS12 / 14). Depending on the individual requirements of the plants, the plants were cultivated at 10-25° C. to 20-35° C. The plants were irrigated as needed.

[0332] Here, the herbicidal composition is suspended or emulsified in water as a dispersion medium and sprayed using a fine distribution nozzle. 1% methylated seed oil (MSO) has been added as an adjuvant to each of the individual and mixed treatments.

[0333] In greenhouse experiments, the herbicidal activity of the individual herbicidal compositions (applied singly and in mixtures) was evaluated up to 20 / 21 days after treatment (DAT).

[0334] The evaluation of the damage to unwanted weeds caused by the chemical composition was carried out using a scale of 0 to 100% compared to untreated control plants, where 0 means no damage and 100 means complete destruction of the plants.

[0335] Table 6: Materials:

[0336]

[0337] Table 7: List of weeds

[0338] Plants used in the greenhouse experiments belonged to the following species:

[0339]

[0340]

[0341] The Colby equation as described in Example 1 was applied to determine whether the combination of herbicide (A) and herbicide (B) exhibited a synergistic effect.

[0342] Table 8: Synergistic effect of the combination of fluazifop-propyl and imazamox

[0343]

[0344] Table 9: Synergistic effect of the combination of fluazifop-methyl and bensulfuron-methyl

[0345]

[0346] Table 10: Synergistic effect of the combination of fluazifop-propyl and fluclopyralid

[0347]

[0348] Table 11: Synergistic effect of flumioxazin in combination with acifluorfen

[0349]

[0350] Table 12: Synergistic effect of flumioxazin in combination with fomesafen

[0351]

[0352] Table 13: Synergistic effect of flumioxazin in combination with bifenox

[0353]

[0354]

[0355] Table 14: Synergistic effect of saflufenacil in combination with flumioxazin

[0356]

[0357] Table 15: Synergistic effect of saflufenacil in combination with imazamox

[0358]

[0359] Table 15: Synergistic effect of saflufenacil in combination with tribenuron

[0360]

[0361] Table 16: Synergistic effect of saflufenacil in combination with fluroxypyr

[0362]

[0363]

[0364] Table 17: Synergistic effect of saflufenacil in combination with fomesafen

[0365]

[0366] Table 18: Synergistic effect of saflufenacil in combination with bifenox

[0367]

[0368] Table 19: Synergistic effect of saflufenacil in combination with clethodim

[0369]

[0370] Table 20: Crop safety of PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower - Fluazifop-propyl and Haloxyfop combination

[0371]

[0372] Table 21: Crop safety of PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower - Flumioxazin and fensulfuron combinations

[0373]

[0374]

Claims

1. A method for weed control in a protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crop, the method comprising applying a composition (I) to the sunflower crop and / or the site of cultivation of the sunflower crop, the composition (I) comprising a PPO inhibitor (A) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, fluazifop-butyl and combinations thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition (I) is applied before emergence of the PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crop.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition (I) is applied post-emergence to the PPO inhibitor-tolerant sunflower crop.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein in addition, a herbicide (B) or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof is applied to the sunflower crop and / or the site of cultivation of the sunflower crop, wherein (B) is selected from the group consisting of auxin mimetics, inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), inhibitors of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) synthesis, inhibitors of microtubule assembly and inhibitors of PSII photosynthesis, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the PPO inhibitor (A) and the herbicide (B), if present, are applied in synergistically effective amounts.

6. The method of claims 4 and 5, wherein (B) is another PPO inhibitor selected from the group consisting of fensulfuron, fomesafen, pyrafluanid, sulfentrazone, trifluoperazine, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claims 4 and 5, wherein (B) is an ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapyr, imazethapyr, and tribenuron-methyl.

9. The method of claims 4 and 5, wherein (B) is an ACCase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of thiopyrafuran, clethodim, pyraclostrobin, sethoxydim, cypermethrin, clodinafop-butyl, fenoxaprop-butyl and quizalofop-ethyl.

10. The method of claims 4 and 5, wherein (B) is an inhibitor of VLCFA synthesis selected from the group consisting of dimethenamid-S, metolachlor-S, pethodiamide, acetochlor and pyraclostrobin.

11. The method of claims 4 and 5, wherein (B) is an inhibitor of microtubule assembly selected from the group consisting of pendimethalin and trifluralin.

12. The method of claims 4 and 5, wherein (B) is an auxin mimetic selected from the group consisting of haloxicam and haloxicam-methyl.

13. The method of claims 4 and 5, wherein (B) is a PSII inhibitor selected from the group consisting of terbuthylazine and metribuzin.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop is a non-transgenic PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop is a transgenic PPO inhibitor tolerant sunflower crop.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the sunflower crop comprises a mutated protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) gene encoding a mutated sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase, wherein the mutated sunflower protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase comprises a phenylalanine (F) to isoleucine (I) substitution at the position corresponding to residue 383 (F383I substitution) relative to SEQ ID NO:

2.

17. A composition (I) comprising (Ia) the PPO inhibitor (A) according to claim 1 or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, or (Ib) the PPO inhibitor (A) according to claim 1 or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof, and the herbicide (B) according to any one of claims 4 to 13 or an agriculturally acceptable salt or derivative thereof.

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