Pyroglutamic acid as a herbicide safener and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling the growth of unwanted vegetation in a target area, the method comprising: applying to the target area a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicide composition comprising a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a growth regulation inhibitor, and combinations thereof; and applying to the target area a herbicide safener composition comprising pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutaramate at a concentration of less than 1 g / L, wherein the herbicide safener composition is applied to the target area in an amount effective to cause a herbicide safener effect, the target area comprising plants of a cultivated crop selected from a specialty crop, a sugar crop, a legume, and combinations thereof.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is directed to pyroglutamic acid-containing compositions or formulations thereof that find particular utility as herbicide safeners to prevent and / or minimize damage to crops of cultivated plants treated with the herbicide compositions. [Background technology]

[0002] Weed management in modern agriculture requires efficient weed control techniques that are safe for crops. The search for environmentally compatible herbicides with high biological activity and crop resistance is a challenge in pesticide research. Poor crop resistance is one of the main constraints in the development of new herbicides and the use of existing herbicides. Thus, recent efforts aim to protect crops from herbicidal injury by improving crop resistance to new and existing herbicides through the use of herbicide safeners.

[0003] Herbicide safeners are a group of chemically diverse compounds that have the unique ability to protect crop plants from injury by certain herbicides without compromising the effectiveness of weed control. Herbicides attack fundamental physiological and biochemical processes essential to plant growth and function. Herbicide safener compounds are typically applied with herbicides to increase herbicide species specificity (Jablonkai, 2013) or to improve injury recovery in crop plants. Herbicide safeners come from diverse chemical families and therefore have different modes of action (University of Wisconsin Extension, 2013). Many herbicide safeners induce plant gene expression of enzymes that detoxify herbicides before they cause damage to the plant (Riechers et al., 2010). Safeners can be applied to crops (especially monocotyledonous crops) as foliar or in-furrow applications with herbicides, but also as seed applications.

[0004] Because herbicides and herbicide safeners are becoming increasingly important in weed control and maintaining food safety, current research efforts are focused on developing safeners to both improve the tolerance of newly developed herbicides with limited selectivity for target crops and to extend the use of available herbicides to additional crops.

[0005] There is therefore a constant demand for the development of herbicides which must be as efficient at killing weeds as possible whilst being as non-toxic as possible to the crop, and there is also an increasing demand for the development of herbicide safeners.

[0006] In this context, the main object of the present invention is to provide environmentally friendly products and methods for regulating weed control with minimal damage to crop plants in order to produce high yielding crops, as will be explained in more detail below. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one aspect, the subject matter described herein is directed to a method of controlling the growth of unwanted vegetation in a target area, the method comprising: applying to the target area a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicide composition comprising a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a growth regulation inhibitor, and combinations thereof; and applying to the target area a herbicide safener composition comprising pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutaramate at a concentration of less than 1 g / L, wherein the herbicide safener composition is applied to the target area in an amount effective to cause a herbicide safener effect, and the target area comprises plants of a cultivated crop selected from a specialty crop, a sugar crop, a legume, and combinations thereof.

[0008] In further embodiments, the subject matter described herein is directed to compositions, including amounts and rates of pyroglutamic acid (PGA) effective to cause a herbicide safeguarding effect, the amount of PGA present in the herbicide safeguarding composition, and methods of applying the herbicide safeguarding composition to a target area, as well as what types of cultivated plants are present in a given target area.

[0009] These and other embodiments and / or aspects are more fully described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Corn (Zea mays) plants treated with pyroglutamic acid (PGA), glyphosate herbicide, and a combination of the two are shown. From left to right, treatments are untreated (control), pyroglutamic acid (PGA; 0.137 g / L), 100% label rate glyphosate, 10% label rate glyphosate, and 10% label rate glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), where a dip application of PGA was done on the same day immediately after application of the herbicide, N=3, and each treatment is shown for two plants. [Diagram 2] 1 is a bar graph showing the average dry weight (g) of corn plants 7 days after treatment. Treatments were as follows: no glyphosate and no PGA, no glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), 1% label-rated glyphosate, 1% label-rated glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), 10% label-rated glyphosate, 10% label-rated glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), 100% label-rated glyphosate, with a dip application of PGA applied on the same day immediately after herbicide application, N=3. [Diagram 3] 1 is a bar graph showing the average leaf area (cm2) of corn plants 7 days after treatment. Treatments were as follows: no glyphosate and no PGA, no glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), 10% label-rated glyphosate, 10% label-rated glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), 100% label-rated glyphosate, and 100% label-rated glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), with a dip application of PGA done simultaneously and immediately after herbicide application, N=3. [Figure 4]Corn (Zea mays) plants treated with pyroglutamic acid, glyphosate herbicide, and a combination of the two are shown. From left to right, treatments are untreated (control), pyroglutamic acid (PGA; 0.137 g / L), 100% label-rated glyphosate, 10% label-rated glyphosate, and 10% label-rated glyphosate and PGA (0.137 g / L), with a dip application of PGA applied 24 hours after herbicide application, N=3, and each treatment is shown for two plants. [Diagram 5] Shown are corn (Zea mays) plants treated with pyroglutamic acid, herbicides, and a combination of the two. From left to right, the treatments are: untreated (control); pyroglutamic acid (PGA; 0.137 g / L); 100% label-rate Bayer's All-in-One Herbicide® (a mixture of 4.85% 2,4-D, dimethylamine salt (CAS#2008-39-1), 0.45% dicamba, dimethylamine salt (CAS#2300-66-5), and 1.61% quinclorac (CAS#84087-1-4)); 100% label-rate Bayer's All-in-One Herbicide and PGA (0.137 g / L); 10% label-rate Bayer's All-in-One Herbicide; and 10% label-rate Bayer's All-in-One Herbicide. Herbicide and PGA (0.137 g / L), dip application of PGA was done on the same day immediately after herbicide application, injury of this mode of action (MOA) is typically shown as non-vertical growth of the stem, in contrast to brown necrotic tissue of glyphosate type MOA, N=3, each treatment is shown for two plants. [Figure 6] 1 is a bar graph showing plant height of soybean plants untreated with 2,4-D herbicide, treated with a 25% label-rate of 2,4-D herbicide, and treated with a 25% label-rate of 2,4-D herbicide and PGA-CP (a PGA-containing product). [Figure 7]1 is a bar graph showing the average number of days it takes to reach BBCH growth stages 20, 31, and 39. Sample size = 10 plants per plot, replicates (n) = 5, error bars are expressed as standard error of the mean. The groups of plants were (from left to right): untreated (UTC), herbicide, 1 L / ha herbicide + PGA-CP (PGA containing product), and 2 L / ha herbicide + PGA-CP (PGA containing product). [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a photograph of beet plants showing the phytotoxicity shown in treatment 3 of herbicide (1 L / ha) without a PGA-containing product after application C. [Figure 9] Photograph of beet plants showing phytotoxicity as shown in treatment 4 of herbicide (1 L / ha) containing a PGA-containing product after application C. [Figure 10] Photograph of beet plants showing phytotoxicity as shown in treatment 4 of herbicide (2 L / ha) containing a PGA-containing product after application C. [Figure 11] 1 is a bar graph showing the average chlorophyll content in BBCH20, BBCH31, and BBCH39. Sample size = 10 plants per plot, replicates (n) = 5, and error bars are expressed as standard error of the mean. Groups of plants included untreated (UTC), herbicide, and herbicide + PGA-CP (PGA-containing product) at 1 L / ha (light grey) and 2 L / ha (dark grey). [Figure 12] 1 is a bar graph showing the average fresh plant weight at the end of the trial. Sample size = 10 plants per plot, replicates (n) = 5, and error bars are expressed as standard error of the mean. The populations of plants were treated with (from left to right on the graph): untreated (UTC), herbicide, 1 L / ha herbicide + PGA-CP (PGA containing product), and 2 L / ha herbicide + PGA-CP (PGA containing product). [Figure 13]1 is a bar graph showing the average beet weight at the end of the trial. Sample size = 10 plants per plot, replicates (n) = 5, and error bars are expressed as standard error of the mean. The plant populations were (from left to right on the graph): untreated (UTC), herbicide, 1 L / ha herbicide + PGA-CP (PGA containing product), and 2 L / ha herbicide + PGA-CP (PGA containing product). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The subject matter of the present disclosure will now be described more fully below. However, many modifications and other embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure described herein will occur to those skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description. Therefore, it should be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure should not be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In other words, the subject matter described herein covers all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. In the event that one or more of the incorporated documents, patents, and similar materials differ from or conflict with this application, including but not limited to defined terms, use of terms, described techniques, and the like, this application controls. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0012] Surprisingly, it has been discovered that pyroglutamic acid (PGA), a known biostimulant, can exhibit herbicide mitigation properties when applied at low concentrations / label rates compared to concentrations / label rates typically used in the field. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that when PGA is applied to plants at certain amounts, a herbicide mitigation effect, rather than a biostimulant effect, may be observed.

[0013] PGA at low concentrations / label rates exhibits herbicide safening behavior on plants and / or seeds, expressed as improved plant growth and / or vigor of herbicide-treated plants and / or seeds compared to plants and / or seeds treated with herbicide alone and not treated with PGA (i.e., herbicide safener). Because PGA is an analog of 2-oxoglutaramate, it is expected that 2-oxoglutaramate will act as a biostimulant even at such low concentrations.

[0014] Such PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate-containing herbicide safener compositions are described in further detail below.

[0015] I. Definition As used herein, the term "biostimulant" refers to a compound that stimulates physiological processes in plants independent of the nutritional content of the compound, with the primary purpose of improving one or more of the following plant characteristics: growth rate, development rate, nutrient utilization efficiency, resistance to abiotic stress, crop quality, and yield.

[0016] As used herein, the term "crop" includes reference to a whole plant, a plant organ (e.g., a leaf, stem, twig, root, trunk, leaf blade, bud, fruit, etc.), a plant cell, or a plant seed. The term also encompasses harvestable parts of a plant, such as fruit.

[0017] As used herein, the term "control of unwanted vegetation" refers to interference with the normal growth and development of unwanted vegetation. Examples of control activity include, but are not limited to, inhibition of root growth, inhibition of shoot growth, inhibition of shoot emergence, inhibition of leaf expansion, inhibition of cell division, inhibition of cell elongation, inhibition of seed production, or reduction of weed biomass.

[0018] As used herein, the term "herbicidally effective amount" refers to the amount of such a compound / composition, or a combination of such compounds and / or compositions, that can produce a control effect on plant growth. Disclosed herein are herbicidal compositions that can produce a control effect on the growth of unwanted vegetation, as described in more detail below. Those skilled in the art are well aware of the fact that such amounts can vary within a wide range and depend on various factors, such as weather, target species, locus, application mode, soil type, treated crop, climatic conditions, etc.

[0019] As used herein, the term "regulatory effect" includes any deviation from natural development, such as death, stunting, leaf scorch, chlorosis, dwarfing, etc. For example, plants that do not die are often stunted, flowering ceases and they become non-competitive.

[0020] As used herein, the term "pesticides" refers to substances intended to control pests. The term pesticide includes all of the following: insecticides (which may include insect growth regulators, termiticides, etc.), nematicides, molluscicides, piscicides, bird killers, bactericides, insect repellents, animal repellents, antibacterial agents, and fungicides.

[0021] As used herein, the term "herbicide" refers to any known substance used to control unwanted vegetation. In general, herbicides (often called weed killers) are classified into "selective" and "non-selective" herbicides. Selective herbicides control certain species of unwanted vegetation while leaving desired crops relatively unharmed, while non-selective herbicides (sometimes called total weed killers) kill all plant material they come into contact with, and therefore can be used to clear wasteland, industrial and construction sites, railways and railway embankments.

[0022] As used herein, the term "unwanted vegetation" refers to any plant that is considered unwanted in a particular situation, e.g., an undesirable plant, or a plant that is more harmful than beneficial. Such plants are often referred to as weeds.

[0023] As used herein, the term "injured" refers to a plant that has suffered plant injury due to an external stimuli. Plant injury is a sudden change in form or function caused by a discrete external stimuli, such as insects, animals, and physical, chemical, or environmental agents / toxins. In particular, the term "injured" herein refers to a plant that has been exposed to the herbicidal composition disclosed herein (considered as an external stimuli) resulting in any plant injury.

[0024] As used herein, the term "seed" includes all types of vegetative propagation material, such as, for example, caryopsis, grains, achenes, legumes, samaras, nuts, as well as vegetative propagation material related to pods, capsules, siliques, drupes, berries, tubers, corms, bulbs and similar forms. The seeds used may be the seeds of useful plants as mentioned above, but also the seeds of transgenic plants or plants obtained by conventional breeding methods.

[0025] As used herein, the term "plant parts" refers to a variety of different parts of a plant, such as the roots, leaves, stems, fruits, flowers, and seeds.

[0026] As used herein, the term "insecticide" refers to any substance used to kill insects.

[0027] As used herein, the term "larvicide" refers to an insecticide that specifically targets the larval life cycle of an insect.

[0028] As used herein, the term "bactericide" refers to any substance used to kill bacteria.

[0029] As used herein, the term "acaricide" refers to any substance used to kill members of the arachnid subclass Acari, which includes ticks and mites.

[0030] As used herein, the term "nematicide" refers to any substance used to kill nematodes.

[0031] As used herein, the term "molluscicide" refers to any substance used to kill mollusks.

[0032] As used herein, the term "acaricide" refers to any substance used to kill mites.

[0033] As used herein, the term "plant growth regulator" refers to any substance or mixture of substances intended to accelerate or retard the rate of growth or maturation, or otherwise change the behavior of a plant or its production, through a physiological effect.

[0034] As used herein, the term "monocotyledonous plants" refers to flowering plants (angiosperms) that are monocotyledons, the seeds of which typically contain only one germ leaf or cotyledon. They constitute one of the major groups into which flowering plants are traditionally divided, the remaining flowering plants having two cotyledons and therefore classified as dicotyledons or dicotyledons. However, molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that monocotyledons form a monophyletic or clade (including all descendants of a common ancestor), whereas dicotyledons do not. Monocotyledonous plants include about 60,000 species. The largest group in this group (and in flowering plants overall) is the orchid (family Orchidaceae), with over 20,000 species. About half of the species belong to the grass family (Poaceae), which is the most economically important family of monocotyledons. In agriculture, the majority of the biomass produced is from monocotyledonous plants. These include the major cereals (rice, wheat, maize, etc.) but also grasses, sugarcane, and bamboo. Other economically important monocotyledonous crops include various palms (Arecaceae), bananas and plantains (Musaceae), ginger and its relatives, turmeric and cardamom (Zingiberaceae), asparagus (Asparagaceae), pineapple (Bromeliaceae), water chestnut (Cyperaceae), and leeks, onions, and garlic (Amaryllidaceae). Many ornamental plants are monocotyledonous epiphytes. In addition, the majority of horticultural bulbs, which are plants grown for their flowering, such as lilies, daffodils, irises, amaryllis, cannas, bluebells, and tulips, are monocotyledonous.

[0035] As used herein, the term "dicotyledonous plant" refers to any of a variety of flowering plants that are not monocotyledonous, that have two cotyledons in the seed, and usually a multiple of four or five flower parts, leaves with reticulate veins, pollen with three pores, and the ability for secondary growth. Dicotyledonous plants, including eudicots and magnolias, are no longer considered to form a single formal taxonomic group. Dicotyledonous plants are also known as dicotyledons (or more rarely dicotyledons), and the most typical feature of this group is that the seed has two germ leaves or cotyledons. This group includes approximately 200,000 species.

[0036] As used herein, the term "soil" is to be understood as a natural body consisting of living (e.g., microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi), animals and plants) and non-living materials (e.g., minerals and organic matter (e.g., organic compounds at various degrees of decomposition), liquids, and gases) occurring on the land surface and characterized by soil horizons distinguishable from the initial material as a result of various physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic processes. From an agricultural point of view, soil is primarily regarded as the anchorage and main nutrient base for plants (plant habitat).

[0037] As used herein, the term "fertilizer" should be understood as a compound applied to promote plant and fruit growth. Fertilizers are typically applied either through the soil (for uptake by plant roots) or through foliar feeding (for uptake from the leaves). The term "fertilizer" can be subdivided into two main categories: a) organic fertilizers (composed of decayed plant / animal matter) and b) inorganic fertilizers (composed of chemicals and minerals). Organic fertilizers include manure, slurry, earthworm castings, peat, seaweed, sewage, and guano. Green manure crops are also grown periodically to add nutrients (especially nitrogen) to the soil. Manufactured organic fertilizers include compost, blood meal, bone meal, and seaweed extract. Further examples are enzymatically digested protein, fish meal, and feather meal. Decomposing crop residues from several years ago are another source for fertilization. Naturally occurring minerals such as phosphate rock ore, sulfate of potash, and limestone are also considered inorganic fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizers are usually produced through chemical processes (e.g., the Haber-Bosch process) and by using naturally occurring deposits and chemically altering them (e.g., concentrated triple superphosphate). Naturally occurring inorganic fertilizers include Chilean sodium nitrate, rock phosphate ore, and limestone.

[0038] As used herein, the term "manure" is organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Depending on its structure, manure can be divided into liquid manure, semi-liquid manure, manure or solid manure, and straw manure. Depending on its origin, manure can be divided into manure derived from animals or plants. Common forms of animal manure include feces, urine, farm slurry (liquid manure), or compost (FYM), although FYM also contains a certain amount of plant material (typically straw) that may be used as animal bedding. Animals that can be used as a source of manure include horses, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits. Guano from seabirds and bats can also be used. The application rate of animal manure when used as a fertilizer depends largely on the source (type of animal). Vegetable manure can come from any type of plant, but plants may also be cultivated expressly for the purpose of cultivating them (e.g. legume plants), thus improving the structure and fertility of the soil. Additionally, vegetable matter used as manure may include the contents of the rumen of slaughtered ruminants, spent hops (left over from beer brewing), or seaweed.

[0039] As used herein, the term "emulsifiable concentrate" refers to a liquid formulation having active ingredients dissolved in one or more petroleum-based solvents. An emulsifier is added and the oil forms small globules that disperse in water. The formulation then mixes easily with water for proper application. Emulsifiable concentrates typically contain 2-8 pounds of active ingredient per gallon.

[0040] As used herein, the term "wettable powder" refers to finely ground dry particles that can be dispersed and suspended in water. They usually contain about 25% to 80% active ingredient. Suspensions of wettable powders appear cloudy. Wettable powders are nearly insoluble and require agitation to remain in suspension.

[0041] As used herein, the term "dry flowables", also called "water dispersible granules (WDG or WG) or dispersible granules (DG)", refers to wettable powders that are formed into prills and are therefore easily poured into a spray tank without clumping or creating a cloud of dust. They are nearly insoluble and require agitation to remain in suspension.

[0042] As used herein, the terms "flowable" and / or "suspension concentrate" and / or "aqueous suspension" refer to finely divided wettable powders or solids that are already suspended in a liquid carrier so that they can be poured or pumped from one tank to another. They usually contain at least about 4 pounds of active ingredient per gallon of formulation. Flowables are nearly insoluble in water and require agitation to remain in suspension.

[0043] As used herein, the terms "microcapsule suspension" and / or "capsule suspension" refer to herbicides contained in very small capsules that can be suspended in a liquid carrier, pumped, and applied with conventional equipment. Microcapsule formulations are nearly insoluble in water and require agitation to remain in suspension, allowing the active ingredient to be released slowly over a period of time. This extends soil activity and improves weed control.

[0044] As used herein, the term "pellet" refers to a granule-like entity, but compressed into a larger cylinder about 1 / 4 inch long. Herbicides formulated as pellets usually contain about 5% to 20% active material and are applied by hand to control brush clumps. They can also be applied with helicopter or aircraft mounted cyclone type spinner spreaders to control brush in forests or permanent grasslands. The pellets are gradually broken down by rainfall and leached into the soil for uptake by the roots.

[0045] As used herein, the term "water-soluble" refers to a dry water-soluble powder (DS) that has been dried from a true solution in water and does not require agitation.

[0046] As used herein, the term "ultra-low volume concentrate" refers to the active ingredient in its original liquid form, typically applied as a very fine spray at a rate of 1.5 pints to 1.5 gallons per acre without further dilution in special aerial or ground equipment.

[0047] As used herein, the term "premix" refers to two or more herbicidal active ingredients mixed into one product by the manufacturer, rather than a formulation. The actual formulation may be any of those described above, and generally combines two or more herbicides that are already being used together. The primary reason for using a premix is ​​convenience.

[0048] As used herein, the term "organic solvent" refers to a non-aqueous solvent that solvates PGA to the extent described elsewhere herein.

[0049] As used herein, the term "water-insoluble" refers to a solvent having a water content of less than 0.2% by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent.

[0050] Throughout this specification and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprises," and "comprising," unless the context otherwise requires, are used in an open-ended sense and are synonymous with "including," "containing," or "characterized by," which means that they are open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0051] As used herein, the transitional phrase "consisting essentially of" limits the scope of a claim to the particular materials or steps "that do not materially affect the essential and novel characteristic(s)" of the claimed invention.

[0052] As used herein, the transitional phrase "consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.

[0053] Additional definitions can be found below:

[0054] II. Composition The present disclosure relates to herbicide safener compositions comprising pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutamarate, which exhibit potent herbicide safener properties when applied to cultivated crop plants in combination with the disclosed herbicide compositions at low concentrations and / or label rates. This observation was entirely surprising and unexpected, considering that PGA is known as a biostimulant, but has not been known to exhibit herbicide safener properties. Since PGA is an analog of 2-oxoglutamarate, 2-oxoglutamarate will exhibit essentially the same biostimulant properties as PGA does at low concentrations.

[0055] The disclosed herbicide safener compositions and herbicide compositions used herein are described in further detail below.

[0056] A. Herbicide safener compositions The herbicide safener composition disclosed herein comprises / consists essentially of / consists of pyroglutamic acid (pyroglutamate; PGA). PGA is a biostimulant whose application is known to improve crop plant growth and yield by increasing nitrogen assimilation in the glutamate biosynthetic pathway, which in turn improves how the plant utilizes other nutrients such as phosphorus and sulfur. PGA also leads to increased carbon fixation and metabolism, accelerating root and shoot growth. This results in larger plants that capture more nutrients and more sunlight from the soil, which in turn leads to increased plant vigor, growth, and productivity. These growth-promoting effects of PGA are typically observed after application to plant leaves or through uptake by the root system.

[0057] PGA exists in two forms, the D and L stereoisomers, which have the following stereochemical structures: [ka]

[0058] Therefore, pyroglutamic acid can be present in the combination product as either the D or L form, or as a ratio of D:L stereoisomers.

[0059] PGA has been used for many years as a biostimulant, either alone or together with various types of fertilizers, to improve nitrogen use efficiency, promote crop growth, and increase productivity. In some embodiments, PGA is used as a biostimulant only to improve the use efficiency of nutrients that are generally present in agricultural systems, i.e., as part of the soil. To date, PGA-containing products include TAKE-OFF™, such as TAKE OFF Calci-Phite™, TAKE OFF Magnesium™, TAKE OFF PGA™, TAKE OFF Phite MZ™, TAKE OFF Sulfone™, TAKE OFF™ P+K, and TAKE OFF BOOSTER™, with a label rate of 1x equivalent to 250g of PGA applied per hectare.

[0060] However, it has been surprisingly discovered that herbicide mitigation effects can be observed when PGA-containing compositions (such as commercial PGA products) are applied to plants at application rates much lower than the label rate. In particular, PGA-containing compositions exhibit herbicide mitigation effects when used at application rates that are half or less than the minimum FIFRA-registered label rate of PGA. Although the mode of action is unclear, PGA-mediated growth promotion provides the target crop with an advantage in that it allows crop plants to be less injured from herbicide application compared to plants treated only with herbicide.

[0061] Since PGA is an analogue of 2-oxoglutaramate, 2-oxoglutaramate is also expected to exhibit similar low concentration biostimulant properties as PGA. The structure of 2-oxoglutaramate is shown below. [ka]

[0062] Those skilled in the art will recognize that 2-oxoglutaramate is essentially the open form of PGA.

[0063] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener compositions disclosed herein exhibit a herbicide safener effect (i.e., protect plants of the cultivated crop) on one or more specific types of plants of the cultivated crop, where the herbicide safener effect is measured by at least one method selected from increased crop development, reduced plant toxicity, increased crop vigor, increased chlorophyll content, increased fresh plant weight or dry plant weight, increased root weight, increased crop yield, increased fruit quality, increased vertical plant growth, and increased plant leaf area of ​​plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition (and not treated with the herbicide safener composition). In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition exhibits a herbicide safener effect on one or more specific types of cultivated crops, the herbicide safener effect being measured by an increase of at least about 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or about 98% in crop development, crop vigor, chlorophyll content, fresh or dry plant weight, root weight, crop yield, fruit quality, vertical plant growth, plant leaf area, or a combination thereof, of plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition (and not treated with the herbicide safener composition). In some embodiments, such herbicide safener effect is greater than 100%, such as greater than 150%, 200%, 250%, or 300%. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition exhibits a herbicide safener effect as measured by an increase in plant height of about 1% to about 20% for plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition exhibits a herbicide safener effect as measured by an increase in dry plant weight of about 1% to about 98%, about 1% to about 90%, about 1% to about 50%, or about 1% to about 25% for plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition.In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition exhibits a herbicide safener effect, as measured by an increase in leaf area of ​​about 1% to about 300%, about 1% to about 200%, about 1% to about 100%, about 1% to about 50%, or about 1% to about 30% in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition.

[0064] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener compositions exhibit a herbicide safener effect on plants of one or more particular types of cultivated crops, as measured by a reduction in phytotoxicity of at least about 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or about 98% in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition.

[0065] The effective amount of PGA and / or 2-oxoglutaramate that produces such a herbicide safener effect may vary depending on a variety of factors known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, the type of crop being protected, the type of herbicide composition applied, the type of application method used, the type of formulation used, additional components present in the herbicide safener composition, environmental factors (such as air temperature and / or moisture content before, during, and after application), soil characteristics (such as pH, heavy metal content, nutrient content, microbial activity, grain size, composition (e.g., clay and / or sand)), and the like. In some embodiments, the effective amount of PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate to cause a herbicide safener effect is in the range of about 0.05 to about 250 grams per hectare (g / ha), about 0.05 to about 150 g / ha, about 0.05 to about 100 g / ha, about 0.05 to about 25 g / ha, about 0.05 to about 10 g / ha, about 0.05 to about 5 g / ha, about 0.05 to about 1 g / ha, about 0.05 to about 0.5 g / ha, or about 0.05 to about 0.42 g / ha.

[0066] In some embodiments, the compositions include those in which PGA is stereochemically enhanced or purified. Commercially available pyroglutamic acid synthesized by bacterial fermentation process has a stereochemical ratio of L-isomer to D-isomer of about 60:40. In some embodiments, the herbicide toxicity safener compositions described herein contain various ratios of L- and D-isomers of pyroglutamic acid, which contribute to the effectiveness of such compositions in exhibiting herbicide toxicity safener properties. Pyroglutamic acid may be in the forms described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,593,275, 6,831,040, 8,802,595, and 8,551,917, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0067] In some embodiments, the pyroglutamic acid (PGA) is L-pyroglutamic acid. In some embodiments, the pyroglutamic acid is a mixture of L-pyroglutamic acid and D-pyroglutamic acid. In these embodiments, the ratio of L to D ranges from about 80:20 to about 97:3. In certain embodiments, the total pyroglutamic acid is provided as a ratio of L to a mixture of D / L, such as 3 to 4.5:1 (D:D / L).

[0068] The amount of PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate present in the herbicide safener composition can vary. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition comprises PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, or about 20% to about 30%, based on the total weight of the herbicide safener composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition comprises PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 8% to 20%, about 12% to about 25%, or about 15% to about 23%, based on the total weight of the herbicide safener composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition comprises PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate in an amount ranging from about 15% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 25% to about 50%, from about 25% to about 45%, from about 30% to about 45%, or from about 30% to about 40%, based on the total weight of the herbicide safener composition.

[0069] In some embodiments, the concentration of PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate in the herbicide safener composition may vary. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition comprises about 0.1 g / L to about 1 g / L (or 1 g / L), about 0.1 g / L to about 0.75 g / L, about 0.1 g / L to about 0.5 g / L, or about 0.1 g / L to about 0.2 g / L of PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition comprises less than about 2 g / L, 1.75 g / L, 1.5 g / L, 1.25 g / L, 1.0 g / L, 0.75 g / L, 0.5 g / L, 0.25 g / L, or less than 0.1 g / L of PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate.

[0070] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener compositions disclosed herein exhibit little or no impedance to the control effect of the herbicide compositions disclosed herein on the growth of unwanted vegetation. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener compositions exhibit less than about 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or less than 1% impedance to the control effect of the herbicide compositions disclosed herein on the growth of unwanted vegetation.

[0071] In some embodiments, pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutamarate are in free base form. In some embodiments, PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate are not in their free base form but in salt form. Exemplary salts of PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate include any salt form known in the art, such as, but not limited to, ammonia, sodium, potassium, calcium, etc. Derivatives of pyroglutamic acid (PGA) also include its salts. Neutral salts are preferred derivatives.

[0072] In some embodiments, the PGA and / or 2-oxoglutaramate is neat. In some embodiments, the PGA is not neat, but is a commercially available PGA-containing composition. Exemplary commercially available PGA-containing compositions include, but are not limited to, TAKE-OFF™ (e.g., TAKE OFF Calci-Phite™, TAKE OFF Magnesium™, TAKE OFF PGA™, TAKE OFF Phite MZ™, TAKE OFF Sulfone™, TAKE OFF™ P+K) and TAKE OFF BOOSTER™.

[0073] In some embodiments, the PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate is formulated with an organic solvent to provide a PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate-containing formulation, as described in more detail below.

[0074] B. Herbicidal Compositions The herbicide compositions disclosed herein include a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a growth regulator inhibitor, a photosynthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a pigment inhibitor, a cell membrane disruptor, a seedling root growth inhibitor, a seedling growth inhibitor, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition includes a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a growth regulator inhibitor, a photosynthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a seedling root growth inhibitor, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition includes a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, a growth regulator inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a seedling root growth inhibitor, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition includes a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, a growth regulator inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a seedling root growth inhibitor, and combinations thereof.

[0075] In some embodiments, the lipid synthesis inhibitor is selected from allyloxyphenoxypropionic acid, cyclohexanedione, phenylpyrazoline, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lipid synthesis inhibitor is selected from clodinafob, cyhalofob, fenoxaprop, fluazifop, quizalofop, clethodim, sethoxydim, pinoxaden, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lipid synthesis inhibitor is present in commercially available formulations such as, but not limited to, Discover® NG, Clincher®, Ricestar®, Tecoma®, Fusilade® DX, Assure® II, Targa®, Select® Max, Poast®, Poast® Plus, and Axial® XL.

[0076] In some embodiments, the amino acid synthesis inhibitor is selected from imidazolines, pyrimidinylthiobenzoates, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, sulfonylureas, triazolopyrimidines, organophosphorus, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the amino acid synthesis inhibitor is selected from imazamox, imazapic, imazaquin, imazethapyr, bispyribac, pyrithiobac, flucarbazone, propoxycarbazone, thiencarbazone, bensulfuron, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, halosulfuron, iodosulfuron, mesosulfuron, metsulfuron, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, primisulfuron, prosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron, tribenuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, cloransulam, florasulam, flumetsulam, penoxsulam, pyroxisulam, glyphosate, and combinations.In some embodiments, the amino acid synthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, Raptor®, Beyond®, Clearmax®, Plateau®, Scepter®, Pursuit®, Newpath®, Regiment®, Staple®, Everest®, Pre-Pare®, Sierra®, Olympus®, Varro®, Londax®, Classic®, Glean®, Permit®, Autumn®, Osprey®, Ally®, Accent®, and / or other similar compounds. It is present in commercially available products such as Q®, Zest®, Strada®, Beacon®, Peak®, Resolve®, Matrix®, Maverick®, Harmony®, Amber®, Express®, Envoke®, UpBeet®, FirstRate®, Orion®, Python®, Accolade®, Grasp®, PowerFlex® HL, Roundup®, and Touchdown®.

[0077] In some embodiments, the growth regulator inhibitor is selected from allyl picolinate, benzoic acid, carboxylic acid, phenoxy compounds, semicarbazones, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the growth regulator is selected from haloxifene, dicamba, aminopyralid, clopyralid, fluroxypyr, triclopyr, quinclorac, 2,4-D, MCPA, quinmerac, diflufenzopyr, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the growth regulator inhibitor is present in commercially available products such as, but not limited to, Arylex®, Elevore®, Banvel®, Clarity®, DiFlexx®, Engenia®, FeXapan®, XtendiMax®, Milestone®, Stinger®, Starane®, Grandstand®, Facet®, 2,4-D®, MCPA®, and Status®.

[0078] In some embodiments, the photosynthesis inhibitor is selected from phenylcarbamates, triazines, triazinones, uracils, benzothiadiazoles, nitriles, amides, ureas, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the photosynthesis inhibitor is selected from desmedipham, phenmedipham, atrazine, prometryn, simazine, hexazinone, metribuzin, terbacil, bentazon, bromoxynil, propanil, diuron, metamitron, fluometholone, linuron, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, photosynthesis inhibitors are present in commercially available products such as, but not limited to, Betenex®, Betamix®, AATrex®, Caparol®, Princep®, Velpar®, Metribuzin®, Sinbar®, Basagran®, Buctril®, SuperWham®, Direx®, Karmex®, Cotoran®, Lorox®, and Linex®.

[0079] In some embodiments, the nitrogen metabolism inhibitor is an organophosphate, such as, but not limited to, glufosinate. In some embodiments, the nitrogen metabolism inhibitor is present in commercially available products, such as, but not limited to, Liberty® and / or Cheetah®.

[0080] In some embodiments, the dye inhibitor is selected from isoxazolidinones, isoxazoles, pyrazoles, pyrazolones, triketones, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the dye inhibitor is selected from fluridone, clomazone, isoxaflutole, pyrasulfotole, topramezone, mesotrione, tembotrione, bicyclopyrone, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the dye inhibitor is present in commercial products such as, but not limited to, Sonar®, Command®, Balance Flexx®, Huskie®, Armezon®, Impact®, Callisto®, Laudis®, and Acuron®.

[0081] In some embodiments, the cell membrane disrupting agent is selected from aryltriazinone, diphenylether, N-phenylphthalimide, pyrimidinedione, bipyridylium, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the cell membrane disrupting agent is selected from sulfentrazone, carfentrazone, fluthiacet, acifluorfen, fomesafen, lactofen, flumiclorac, flumioxazin, saflufenacil, diquat, paraquat, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the cell membrane is present in commercially available products such as, but not limited to, Spartan®, Aim®, Cadet®, Ultra Blazer®, Flexstar®, Reflex®, Cobra®, Phoenix®, Resource®, Valor®, Rowel®, Sharpen®, Reglone®, and Gramoxone® SL.

[0082] In some embodiments, the seedling root growth inhibitor is selected from benzamide, dinitroaniline, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the seedling root growth inhibitor is selected from pronamide, ethalfluralin, pendimethalin, trifluralin, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the seedling root growth inhibitor is present in commercially available products such as, but not limited to, Kerb®, Sonalan®, Prowl® H2O, and Treflan®.

[0083] In some embodiments, the seedling growth inhibitor is selected from thiocarbamate, chloroacetamide, oxyacetamde, pyrazole, benzofuran, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the seedling growth inhibitor is selected from butyrate, cycloate, EPTC, thiobencarb, triallate, acetochlor, alachlor, s-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, flufenacet, pyroxasulfone, ethofumesate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, seedling sprout growth inhibitors are present in commercially available products such as, but not limited to, Sutan®+, Ro-Neet®, Eradicane®, Eptam®, Bolero®, Far-Go®, Degree®, Harness®, Surpass® NXT, Topnotch®, Warrant®, Intrro®, Micro-Tech®, Dual Magnum®, Outlook®, Define®, Zidua®, and Nortron®.

[0084] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition comprises a herbicide composition that is specifically used to control unwanted vegetation present in a target area of ​​cultivated crops selected from specialty crops, sugar crops, and / or legumes. One skilled in the art will recognize which herbicides to use in treating target areas containing such crops against the growth of unwanted vegetation (e.g., weeds).

[0085] For example, in some embodiments, the herbicide composition is used to treat a target area containing a sugar crop and includes, but is not limited to, 2,4-D, MCPA, dicamba, aminopyralid, clopyralid, picloram, triclopyr, haloxifene, aminocyclopyrachlor, quinclorac, imazamox, imazapyr, imazathepyr, chlorimuron, halosulfuron, mesosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, tribenuron, triflusulfuron, flucarbazone, propoxycarbazone, thiencarbazone, cloransulam, flumetsulam, pyroxisulam, glyphosate, clethodim, sethoxydim, clodinafob-P, fenoxaprop-P, fludifob-P, quizalofob, pinoxaden, ethalfluralin, pendimethalin , trifluralin, acetachor, s-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, pyroxasulfone, EPTC, triallate, cycloate, ethofumesate, linuron, diuron, tebuthiuron, terbacil, bentazon, bromoxynil, desmedifan, phenmedipam, gulfonsinate, clomazone, isoxaflutole, mesotrione, tembotrione, bicyclopyrone, topramezone, pyrasulfotole, acifluorfen, lactofen, fomesafen, fluthiacet, flumioxazin, saflufenacil, sulfentrazone, carfentrazone, paraquat, atrazine, clomazone, diuron, hexazinone, pendimethalin, metribuzin, terbacil, sulfentrazone, trifluralin, flumioxazin, and combinations thereof.

[0086] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is used to treat a target area containing legumes and includes an herbicide selected from, but not limited to, carfentrazone, quizalofob, bentazone, clomazone, napropamide, EPTC, paraquat, alacor, saflufenacil, imazethapyr, dimethenamid-P, pendimethalin, halosulfuron, sethoxydim, imazamox, fomesafen, glyphosate, clethodim, saflufenacil, ethalfluralin, sulfentrazone, trifluralin, and combinations thereof.

[0087] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition comprises a herbicide selected from glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, dicamba, quinclorac, quinmerac, metamitron, phenmedipam, ethofumesate, and combinations thereof.

[0088] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is a blend of esterified vegetable oil and a non-ionic surfactant, such as HASTEN®.

[0089] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is a non-selective herbicide composition (e.g., a broad spectrum herbicide composition). Those skilled in the art will understand that the degree of selectivity of the herbicide composition can vary and is often quantified in terms of the degree of damage to the crop when exposed to the herbicide composition disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the disclosed herbicide composition is a non-selective herbicide composition, and the proportion of crops that are damaged when contacted with the herbicide composition is at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%, based on the total number of crop plants in a given crop plant population.

[0090] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is a contact herbicide. Such herbicides do not migrate or move through (unwanted) plants. Only the part of the (unwanted) plant that is contacted by this type of herbicide is killed. Therefore, these types of herbicides are only effective when applied directly to the plant, not to the soil.

[0091] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is a systemic herbicide composition. It is understood that a systemic herbicide is absorbed by the leaves or roots and translocated to other parts of the plant. Furthermore, such herbicides can alter the normal biological function of the plant by interfering with certain biochemical reactions. They can be applied to the leaves or soil and, after entering the (unwanted) plant, can translocate to the site of action.

[0092] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicide composition can vary depending on factors such as the type of unwanted vegetation targeted by the herbicide composition, the type of application method used, the type of formulation used, additional ingredients present in the herbicide composition (e.g., additional pesticides), environmental factors (such as atmospheric temperature and / or moisture content before, during, and after application, soil characteristics such as pH, heavy metal content, nutrient content, microbial activity, particle size, composition (e.g., clay and / or sand), etc.), the mode of action and / or selectivity of the applied herbicide composition, etc. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied to the target area in a herbicidally effective amount ranging from about 0.005 to about 500 kilograms per hectare (kg / ha), about 0.05 to about 500 kg / ha, about 0.5 to about 500 kg / ha, about 1 to about 500 kg / ha, about 5 to about 400 kg / ha, about 5 to about 300 kg / ha, about 10 to about 300 kg / ha, about 100 to about 250 kg / ha, or about 150 to about 200 kg / ha.

[0093] In some embodiments, the herbicide compositions disclosed herein exhibit a control effect on the growth of one or more particular types of unwanted plants by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 98% based on a given population of plants of the unwanted vegetation present in the target area. In some embodiments, the herbicide compositions disclosed herein inhibit the growth of one or more particular types of unwanted vegetation by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 98%, where the growth is measured as a function of the size and / or height of the plants and / or the leaves of the plants. In some embodiments, the herbicide compositions disclosed herein inhibit the proliferation of one or more particular types of unwanted vegetation by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 98% based on a given population of unwanted vegetation present in a target area. In some embodiments, the herbicide compositions disclosed herein kill the proliferation of one or more particular types of unwanted vegetation by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 98% based on a given population of unwanted vegetation present in a target area.

[0094] III. Formulation The disclosed herbicide compositions and herbicide safener compositions can be used in their unmodified original form (e.g., neat) or can be formulated into formulations containing organic solvents and / or other additional ingredients to produce formulations, as described in more detail below.

[0095] A. Herbicide Toxicity Modifiers The disclosed herbicide safener composition can be used in its unmodified original form (e.g., neat) or can be formulated into herbicide safener formulations containing one or more adjuvants selected from extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants (surface active agents), stabilizers, antifoaming agents, antifreeze agents, preservatives, biocides, antioxidants, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, light absorbers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, pH modifiers, flow promoters, lubricants, plasticizers, complexing agents, colorants, thickeners, solid adhesives, fillers, wetting agents, dispersants, lubricants, anticaking agents, deformants, and diluents. Such adjuvants are known in the art and are commercially available. Their use in formulating the disclosed herbicide compositions will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0096] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is formulated into a formulation that includes one or more organic solvents. Suitable organic solvents include all polar and non-polar organic solvents that are typically used for formulation purposes. Preferably, the solvent is a ketone, such as methyl-isobutyl-ketone and cyclohexanone, an amide, such as dimethylformamide, and an alkanecarboxylic acid amide, such as N,N-dimethyldecaneamide and N,N-dimethyloctanamide, as well as a cyclic solvent, such as N-methyl-pyrrolidone, N-octyl-pyrrolidone, N-dodecylpyrrolidone, N-octyl-caprolactam, N-dodecyl-caprolactam and butyrolactone, as well as a strongly polar solvent, such as dimethylsulfoxide, and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as xylol, SOLVESSO™, mineral oils, such as white spirit, petroleum oils, alkylbenzenes and spindle oils, also esters, such as propylene glycol-monomethyl ether acetate, butyl adipate, hexyl acetate, heptyl acetate, tri-n-butyl citric acid and di-n-butyl phthalate, and also alcohols, such as benzyl alcohol and 1-methoxy-2-propanol. Useful liquid solvents are essentially aromatic compounds such as xylene, toluene, or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatic compounds and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene, chloroethylene, or dichloromethane, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins such as mineral oil fractions, mineral oils, and vegetable oils, alcohols such as butanol or glycols and their ethers and esters such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide, or even water. The solvent can be present in an amount of about 1% to about 99% w / w, for example, about 5% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 35% to about 60%, about 40% to about 55%, or about 45% to about 50%. In some embodiments, the solvent is water.

[0097] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener formulation may include a carrier and / or a filler. The carrier is a natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic substance for mixing or combining with the composition for better applicability, especially for application to plants or plant parts. The carrier, which may be solid or liquid, should generally be inert and suitable for use in agriculture. Useful solid or liquid carriers include, for example, ammonium salts and natural rock flours such as kaolin, clay, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and synthetic rock flours such as micronized silica, alumina and natural or synthetic silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers, water, alcohols, especially butanol, organic solvents, mineral oils and vegetable oils, and derivatives thereof. Mixtures of such carriers can be used as well.

[0098] Suitable solid fillers and carriers include inorganic particles such as carbonates, silicates, sulfates and oxides having an average particle size of 0.005 to 20 μm, preferably 0.02 to 10 μm, such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, urea, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide, silicon dioxide, so-called fine particle silica, silica gels, natural or synthetic silicates, as well as alumosilicates and plant products such as flour, wood flour / sawdust and cellulose flour.

[0099] Useful solid carriers include, for example, crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, dolomite, and synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and also granules of organic materials such as sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs, and tobacco stalks.

[0100] Useful liquefied gas extenders or carriers are liquids that are gases at standard temperature and pressure, for example, halohydrocarbons, and even aerosol propellants such as butane, propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

[0101] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener formulations can include other additional ingredients, such as protective colloids, binders, extenders, adhesives, tackifiers, thickeners, thixotropic materials, penetrating agents, stabilizers, sequestrants, surfactants, complexing agents, etc. In general, the herbicide safener compositions can be combined with any solid or liquid additive commonly used for formulation purposes.

[0102] In the formulation, tackifiers such as carboxymethylcellulose, natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powder, granule or lattice, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, or natural phospholipids, such as cephalin and lecithin, and synthetic phospholipids, can be used.Further additives can be mineral oils and vegetable oils.When the extender used is water, it is also possible to use organic solvents, for example as auxiliary solvents.

[0103] The formulation may additionally contain a surfactant. Useful surfactants are emulsifiers and / or foaming agents, dispersants or wetting agents with ionic or nonionic properties, or mixtures of these surfactants. Examples of these are salts of polyacrylic acid, salts of lignosulfonic acid, salts of phenolsulfonic acid or naphthalenesulfonic acid, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or fatty acids or fatty amines, substituted phenols (preferably alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulfosuccinic acid esters, taurine derivatives (preferably alkyl taurates), phosphoric acid esters of polyethoxylated alcohols or phenols, sulfates, fatty acid esters of sulfonic acids and polyols, and derivatives of compounds containing sulfates, sulfonates and phosphoric acid esters, such as alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, arylsulfonates, protein hydrolysates, lignin-sulfite waste liquor and methylcellulose. If one of the active ingredients and / or one of the inert carriers is insoluble in water and the application is carried out in water, the presence of a surfactant is required. The proportion of the surfactant is about 5% to about 40% by weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the proportion of the surfactant is about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 25% by weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the proportion of the surfactant is less than about 40% by weight, less than about 30% by weight, less than about 25% by weight, less than about 20% by weight, less than about 10% by weight, or less than about 5% by weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the proportion of the surfactant is more than about 5% by weight, more than about 10% by weight, more than about 20% by weight, more than about 25% by weight, or more than about 30% by weight of the composition.

[0104] Suitable surfactants (adjuvants, emulsifiers, dispersants, protective colloids, wetting agents and adhesives) include all common ionic and non-ionic substances, such as ethoxylated nonylphenols, polyalkylene glycol ethers of linear or branched alcohols, reaction products of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide, reaction products of fatty acid amines with ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide, fatty acid esters, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether phosphates, aryl sulfates, ethoxylated arylalkylphenols (e.g. ethoxylated and propoxylated arylalkylphenols such as tristyryl-phenol-ethoxylates, sulfated or phosphated arylalkylphenol-ethoxylphenols and -ethoxy and -propoxylates). Further examples are natural and synthetic water-soluble polymers, such as lignosulfonates, gelatine, gum arabic, phospholipids, starch, hydrophobically modified starches and cellulose derivatives, in particular cellulose esters and cellulose ethers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid and copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylic acid esters, as well as copolymers of methacrylic acid and methacrylic acid esters neutralized with alkali metal hydroxides, and also condensation products of optionally substituted naphthalenesulfonates with formaldehyde.

[0105] In some embodiments, the formulation may include colorants and dyes, including inorganic pigments, such as iron oxide, titanium oxide, and Prussian blue, as well as organic dyes, such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes, and metal phthalocyanine dyes, and micronutrients, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, and zinc.

[0106] Antifoam agents that may be present in the formulation include, for example, silicone emulsions, long chain alcohols, fatty acids and their salts, and fluoroorganic materials and mixtures thereof.

[0107] Thickening agents include polysaccharides such as xanthan gum or veegum, silicates such as attapulgite, bentonite, and particulate silica.

[0108] The amount of active ingredient (e.g., PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate) in compositions and formulations is generally 0.05 to 99% by weight, about 0.01 to about 98% by weight, about 0.1 to about 95% by weight, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight, about 1% to about 80% by weight, about 10% to about 75% by weight, about 20% to about 70% by weight, about 25% to about 65% by weight, or about 30% to about 50% by weight. Alternatively, the formulations can contain the active ingredient in a concentration of about 0.1 g / L to about 1 g / L (or 1 g / L), about 0.1 g / L to about 0.75 g / L, about 0.1 g / L to about 0.5 g / L, or about 0.1 g / L to about 0.2 g / L. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition comprises less than about 2 g / L, 1.75 g / L, 1.5 g / L, 1.25 g / L, 1.0 g / L, 0.75 g / L, 0.5 g / L, 0.25 g / L, or less than 0.1 g / L of PGA.

[0109] The formulations mentioned can be prepared in a known manner, for example by mixing the active ingredient with at least one conventional extender, solvent or diluent, adjuvant, emulsifier, dispersant, and / or binder or fixative, wetting agent, water repellent, optionally drying agent and UV stabilizer, and optionally dyes and pigments, defoaming agent, preservative such as Bronopol in an amount of about 0.04%, inorganic and organic thickeners, adhesives, further processing aids, and water.Depending on the type of formulation to be prepared, further processing steps are required, such as wet milling, dry milling, and granulation.Those skilled in the art will also recognize the type and combination of auxiliaries required to optimize herbicide toxicity-reducing formulation based on the characteristics listed above and additional characteristics that are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0110] The herbicide safener formulations may be in liquid or solid form. Examples of liquid and solid herbicide formulations include, but are not limited to, water-soluble liquids (SF), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), wettable powders (WP), dry flowables (DF), flowables (F), water-soluble powders (SP), ultra-low volume concentrates (ULV), suspension concentrates (SC), aqueous suspensions (AS), microcapsule suspensions (ME or MT), capsule suspensions (CS), granules (G), or pellets (P). In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is in the form of a soluble salt that is water-soluble and requires little or no agitation to stay in solution. These types of formulations are often referred to as solutions (S), soluble concentrates (SC), liquids (L), and water-soluble concentrates (WSC). In some embodiments, these types of formulations (e.g., S) are "ready to use". In some embodiments, the formulations are tank-mix or premix formulations. In some embodiments, these types of formulations (e.g., SC, WSC) are diluted with water before use. In some embodiments, the herbicidal compositions disclosed herein are in the form of granules (G).

[0111] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener formulation is in a form selected from liquid, solid, aerosol, capsule suspension, cold fog, hot fog, encapsulated granule, fine granule, flowable concentrate, ready-to-use solution, dustable powder, emulsifiable concentrate, oil-in-water emulsion, water-in-oil emulsion, large granule, fine granule, oil-dispersible powder, oil-miscible flowable concentrate, oil-miscible liquid, gas (under pressure), gas generant, foam, paste, suspension concentrate, soluble concentrate, suspension, wettable powder, soluble powder, dust and granule, water-soluble and water-dispersible granule or tablet, water-soluble and water-dispersible powder, wettable powder microencapsulated in polymeric material or coating material. For the purposes of this disclosure, "ready-to-use" refers to compositions that are not in concentrated form and can be applied without modifying the relative amounts of the components in the product. They can be applied using suitable equipment, as well as commercially available concentrates, which require dilution with water, e.g., tank mixing, before use. Conventional application is, for example, dilution in water and subsequent spraying of the resulting spray liquid, application after dilution in oil, or direct application without dilution.

[0112] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener formulation is in the form of a concentrate for end-use tank mixing. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener formulation is of a type selected from the group consisting of an emulsifiable concentrate, a soluble concentrate, an oil-in-water emulsion, a microemulsion, an oil-based suspension concentrate, a suspension concentrate, and a dispersible concentrate. In some embodiments, the formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate or a soluble concentrate.

[0113] B. Herbicide Formulations The disclosed herbicide composition can be used in its unmodified original form (e.g., neat) or can be formulated into herbicide formulations containing one or more adjuvants selected from extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants (surface active agents), stabilizers, antifoaming agents, antifreeze agents, preservatives, biocides, antioxidants, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, light absorbers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, pH modifiers, flow promoters, lubricants, plasticizers, complexing agents, colorants, thickeners, solid adhesives, fillers, wetting agents, dispersants, lubricants, anticaking agents, deformants, and diluents. Such adjuvants are known in the art and are commercially available. Their use in formulating the disclosed herbicide composition will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0114] The amount of the herbicide composition present in the herbicide formulations disclosed herein can vary. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 99.9%, from about 10% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 70%, or from about 40% to about 60%, based on the total weight of the herbicide formulation.

[0115] In some embodiments, the herbicide formulation includes one or more auxiliary agents selected from carriers and / or solvents. Exemplary carriers and / or solvents that can be used in the liquid herbicide formulation include, but are not limited to, water, toluene, xylene, petroleum ether, vegetable oil, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acid anhydrides, acetonitrile, acetophenone, amyl acetate, 2-butanone, butylene carbonate, chlorobenzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, alkyl esters of acetic acid, diacetone alcohol, 1,2-dichloropropane, diethanolamine, p-diethylbenzene, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol abiet, diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, A / ,A / -dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1,4-dioxane, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, diproxitol, alkyl pyrrolidone, ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, ethylene carbonate, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 2-heptanone, α-pinene, d-limonene, ethyl lactate, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, gamma-butyrolactone, glycerol, glycerol acetate, glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate, hexadecane, hexylene glycol, isoamyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, isooctane, isophorone, isopropylbenzene, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, laurylamine, mesityl oxide, methoxypropanol, methyl isoamyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl laurate, methyl octanoate, methyl oleate, methylene chloride, m-xylene, n-hexane, n-octylamine, octadecanoic acid, octylamine acetate , oleic acid, oleylamine, o-xylene, phenol, polyethylene glycol, propionic acid, propyl lactate, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol methyl ether, p-xylene, toluene, triethyl phosphate, triethylene glycol, xylene sulfonic acid, paraffin, mineral oil, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and high molecular weight alcohols such as amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, hexanol, octanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and A / -methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

[0116] The amount of liquid carrier(s) and / or solvent(s) present in the liquid herbicide formulation can vary. In some embodiments, the liquid carrier(s) and / or solvent(s) are present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 99.9%, from about 10% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 70%, or from about 40% to about 60%, based on the total weight of the herbicide formulation.

[0117] In some embodiments, the herbicide formulation contains one or more adjuvants selected from carriers used in solid herbicide formulations.Exemplary solid carriers include, but are not limited to, talc, titanium dioxide, pyroferrite clay, silica, attapulgite clay, kieselguhr, limestone, calcium carbonate, bentonite, calcium montmorillonite, cottonseed hulls, wheat flour, soy flour, pumice, wood flour, ground walnut shells, lignin and similar materials.

[0118] The amount of solid carrier(s) present in the solid herbicide formulation can vary. In some embodiments, the solid carrier is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 99.9%, from about 10% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 70%, or from about 40% to about 60%, based on the total weight of the herbicide formulation.

[0119] In some embodiments, the herbicide formulation contains a surfactant (surface active agent). The surfactant is designed to improve the dispersion / emulsification, absorption, spreading, adhesion, and / or pest control properties of the liquid herbicide formulation, such as, for example, the spray mixture. Pure water is present as droplets with a small area of ​​contact with the waxy leaf surface of the unwanted plant / vegetation. The water droplets containing the surfactant spread in a thin layer on the waxy leaf surface. The effectiveness of the post-emergence herbicide composition is greatly influenced by the plant factors of the unwanted plant / vegetation, such as age, size, and growing conditions encountered before application, so the performance of the herbicide may vary. A way to minimize the variability of post-emergence herbicide performance is to use an adjuvant, such as, for example, a surfactant, in the spray solution containing the herbicide composition. Thus, surfactants can greatly improve the effectiveness of the post-emergence herbicide composition.

[0120] Based on chemical composition, surfactants can be divided into five groups: 1. Nonionic surfactants (NIS); 2. Crop oil concentrates (COC); 3. Nitrogen-surfactant blends; 4. Esterified seed oils; and 5. Organosilicones. NIS consist of linear or nonylphenol alcohols and / or fatty acids. This class of surfactants reduces surface tension and improves spreading, deposition and uptake of herbicides. Crop oil concentrates consist of paraffinic oils and blends of surfactants. This surfactant class reduces surface tension and improves uptake and foliar spreading of herbicides. Nitrogen-surfactant blends consist of premixed combinations of various forms of nitrogen and surfactants. Generally, they are used with herbicides that recommend the addition of ammonium sulfate or 28% nitrogen. These surfactants reduce surface tension and improve foliar spreading. Esterified seed oils are produced by reacting fatty acids from seed oils (corn, soybean, sunflower, and canola) with alcohols to form esters. The methyl or ethyl esters produced by this reaction are combined with a surfactant / emulsifier to form an esterified seed oil. These surfactants reduce surface tension and improve herbicide uptake by improving herbicide distribution on the foliage. Organosilicones are usually silicone / surfactant blends of silicone to nonionic or other surfactants, with a few within this category being composed entirely of silicones. These surfactants offer greater reduction in surface tension and spreading than traditional surfactants. In addition, this class of surfactants offers improved efficacy through maximum rain resistance.

[0121] It is a relatively common practice to add oils as surfactants in spray solutions, depending on the type of herbicide and the weeds involved. It is therefore important to note that not all oils provide the same surfactant effectiveness. In general, three types of oils are commonly referred to as surfactants: vegetable seed oils, crop oil concentrates, and esterified seed oils. Vegetable seed oils are blends of vegetable oils (cottonseed and soybean) with surfactants. These surfactants exhibit good crop tolerance but do not have good spreading, deposition, or pest control properties. Crop oil concentrates are blends of paraffin oils (petroleum-based) with surfactants. These surfactants exhibit good spreading and penetration properties, but crop tolerance can be an issue. Esterified seed oils consist of methyl or ethyl esters of vegetable seed oils (sunflower, soybean, corn, and canola) combined with surfactants / emulsifiers. These spray solution additives have good spreading and pest control properties and convey good crop tolerance. However, these additives are generally more expensive than vegetable seed oils or crop oil concentrates.

[0122] Thus, in some embodiments, the herbicide formulation contains one or more surfactants selected from nonionic surfactants, crop oil concentrates, nitrogen-surfactant blends, esterified seed oils, organosilicones, vegetable seed oils, esterified seed oils, and combinations thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize which surfactants to select to optimize the action and / or effectiveness of the herbicide composition, the formulation used, the application type (e.g., pre-plant, pre-emergence, and / or post-emergence), the application equipment used, environmental and / or human safety, environmental conditions (e.g., climate and / or soil characteristics) before, during, and / or after application, and / or plant characteristics (e.g., foliar characteristics) of undesirable vegetation and / or crops.

[0123] Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the types and combinations of adjuvants needed to optimize the herbicide formulation based on the properties listed above and additional properties that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0124] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is a commercially available herbicide composition. Such herbicide formulations are formulated into one of the liquid or solid formulations listed above. In some embodiments, the herbicide formulations can be used as is without any further modification. In some embodiments, the herbicide formulations are concentrates and require the addition of a diluent (e.g., water).

[0125] The herbicide formulations may be in liquid or solid form. Examples of liquid and solid herbicide formulations include, but are not limited to, water-soluble liquids (SF), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), wettable powders (WP), dry flowables (DF), flowables (F), water-soluble powders (SP), ultra-low volume concentrates (ULV), suspension concentrates (SC), aqueous suspensions (AS), microcapsule suspensions (ME or MT), capsule suspensions (CS), granules (G), or pellets (P). In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is in the form of a soluble salt that is water-soluble and requires little or no agitation to stay in solution. These types of formulations are often referred to as solutions (S), soluble concentrates (SC), liquids (L), and water-soluble concentrates (WSC). In some embodiments, these types of formulations (e.g., S) are "ready to use". In some embodiments, the formulations are tank-mix or premix formulations. In some embodiments, these types of formulations (e.g., SC, WSC) are diluted with water before use. In some embodiments, the herbicidal compositions disclosed herein are in the form of granules (G).

[0126] IV. Agricultural composition Any of the described herbicide safener compositions and formulations thereof, including PGA and / or 2-oxoglutaramate, can be combined with one or more agricultural products to provide agricultural compositions. The agricultural products can be selected from the group consisting of fertilizers, agriculturally active compounds, seeds, compounds having urease inhibitory activity, nitrification inhibitory activity, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, acaricides, other herbicide safeners, and the like. In some embodiments, the agricultural compositions can include organic solvents, such as those already discussed above.

[0127] In some embodiments, the described herbicide safener composition may be mixed with a fertilizer product, applied as a surface coating to the fertilizer product, or otherwise thoroughly mixed with the fertilizer product. In some embodiments, in such combined fertilizer / herbicide safener compositions, the fertilizer is in the form of particles having an average diameter of about powder size (less than about 0.001 cm) to about 10 mm, more preferably about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm, and even more preferably about 0.15 mm to about 3 mm. The PGA and / or 2-oxoglutaramate may be present in such combined products at a level of about 0.001 g to about 20 g per 100 g of fertilizer, about 0.01 to 7 g per 100 g of fertilizer, about 0.08 g to about 5 g per 100 g of fertilizer, or about 0.09 g to about 2 g per 100 g of fertilizer. In some embodiments, the PGA and liquid fertilizer may be mixed at a rate of about 0.25 to about 0.50 g / L. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is used as a coating to prepare a coated solid fertilizer product. Fertilizer

[0128] In some embodiments, the agricultural product is a fertilizer. The fertilizer may be a solid fertilizer, such as, but not limited to, a granular fertilizer, and the herbicide safener composition may be applied to the fertilizer as a liquid dispersion. The fertilizer may be in liquid form, and the herbicide safener composition may be mixed with the liquid fertilizer. The fertilizer may be selected from the group consisting of starter fertilizers, phosphate-based fertilizers, fertilizers containing nitrogen, fertilizers containing potassium, fertilizers containing calcium, fertilizers containing magnesium, fertilizers containing boron, fertilizers containing chlorine, fertilizers containing zinc, fertilizers containing manganese, fertilizers containing copper, fertilizers containing urea and ammonium nitrite and / or fertilizers containing molybdenum materials, iron and / or sulfur containing materials. In some embodiments, the fertilizer is an NPK fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (e.g., NPK 6-24-6 and / or NPK 15-5-15). In some embodiments, the fertilizer is or contains urea and / or ammonia, including anhydrous ammonia fertilizers. In some embodiments, the fertilizer contains plant available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, or micronutrients. In some embodiments, the fertilizer is a solid, granular, fluid suspension, gas, or solutionized fertilizer. In some embodiments, the fertilizer comprises micronutrients. Micronutrients are essential elements required by plants in small amounts. In some embodiments, the fertilizer comprises a metal ion selected from the group consisting of: Fe, Mn, Mg, Zn, Cu, Ni, V, Mo, and Ca. In some embodiments, the fertilizer comprises gypsum, a member of the xerite group, potassium products, magnesium potassium sulfate, elemental sulfur, or magnesium potassium sulfate. Such fertilizers can be granular, liquid, gas, or mixtures (e.g., suspensions of solid fertilizer particles in liquid materials).

[0129] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is combined with any suitable liquid or dry fertilizer for application to fields and / or crops.

[0130] The described herbicide safener compositions, or formulations thereof, can be applied together with the application of fertilizer. The herbicide safener compositions can be applied before, after, or simultaneously with the application of fertilizer.

[0131] The herbicide safener-containing fertilizer composition can be applied in any manner that benefits the crop of interest. In some embodiments, the fertilizer composition is applied to the growing medium in a band or row application. In some embodiments, the composition is applied to or throughout the growing medium prior to sowing or transplanting the desired crop plant. In some embodiments, the composition can be applied to the root zone of the growing plant. In some embodiments, the composition can be applied directly adjacent to the growing plant. In some embodiments, the composition can be applied to one or more parts of the plant (e.g., foliar application). In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied in a different manner than the fertilizer composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied in the same manner as the fertilizer composition.

[0132] A. Seeds In some embodiments, agricultural seeds coated with one or more of the described herbicide safener compositions are described. The herbicide safener composition may be present in the seed product at a level of about 0.001 to about 10% by weight, about 0.004% to about 2% by weight, about 0.01% to about 1% by weight, or about 0.1% to about 1% by weight (or about 10% or less, about 9%, about 8%, about 7% about 6%, about 5%, about 4%, about 3%, about 2%, about 1%, about 0.5%, about 0.1%, about 0.01%, or about 0.001% or less) based on the total weight of the coated seed product. The seed may be, but is not limited to, wheat, barley, oat, triticale, rye, rice, corn, soybean, cotton, or canola.

[0133] B.Other In some embodiments, urease inhibitor compounds, nitrification inhibitor compounds, pesticides, and / or other herbicide safeners are described that are combined with one or more of the described herbicide safener compositions to form multi-active ingredient compositions and combinations thereof. As used herein, "pesticide" refers to any agent having pesticidal activity (e.g., herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and / or acaricides), preferably selected from the group consisting of insecticides, herbicides, and mixtures thereof, but generally excluding materials that are claimed to have plant fertilizing effects, such as sodium borate, and zinc compounds such as zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, and zinc chloride. For a comprehensive list of pesticides, see "Farm Chemicals Handbook 2000, 2004" (Meister Publishing Co, Willoughby, OH), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the types of urease inhibitor compounds, nitrification inhibitor compounds, pesticides, and / or other herbicide safeners that are compatible with the PGAs present in the disclosed herbicide safener compositions to form suitable multi-active ingredient compositions.

[0134] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is combined with a herbicide composition disclosed herein to form a multi-active ingredient composition.

[0135] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is combined with a suitable insecticide to form a multi-component composition. Examples of insecticides include, but are not limited to, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,3-dichloropropene, abamectin, acephate, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, acetion, acetoprole, acrinathrin, acrylonitrile, alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, aldrin, allethrin, allosamidin, allyloxycarb, alphacypermethrin, alphaecdysone, amidithione, amidoflumet, aminocarb, amiton, amitraz, anabasine, arsenic oxide, atidathion, and azadirachtin. , azamethiphos, azinphos ethyl, azinphos methyl, azobenzene, azocyclotin, azotoate, barium hexafluorosilicate, bartholin, benclothiaz, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, benoxafos, bensultap, benzoximate, benzyl benzoate, beta-cyfluthrin, beta-cypermethrin, bifenazate, bifenthrin, binapacryl, bioallethrin, bioethanomethylin, biopermethrin, bistrifluron, borax, boric acid, bromofenvinphos, bromoDDT, bromocyclo bromophos, bromophosethyl, bromopropylate, bufencarb, buprofezin, butacarb, butathiophos, butocarboxim, butonate, butoxycarboxim, cadusafos, calcium arsenate, calcium polysulfide, campechlor, carbanolate, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, carbophenothione, carbosulfan, cartap, chinomethionate, chlorantraniliprole, chlorbeneside, chlorbicyclen, chlordane, chlordecone, chlordimeform , chlorethoxyphos, chlorfenapyr, chlorphenetole, chlorfenson, chlorphenesulfide, chlorfenvinphos, chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chlorobenzilate, chloroform, chloromebform, chloromethiron, chloropicrin, chloropropylate, chlorphoxim, chlorprazofos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorthiophos, chromafenozide, cinerin I, cinerin II, cismethrin, cloethocarb, clofentezine, closantel, clothianidin,Copper acetoarsenite, copper arsenate, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, coumaphos, coumitoate, crotamiton, crotoxyphos, cruentarens A and B, crufomate, cryolite, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, cyantoate, cyclethrin, cycloprothrin, cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyhexatin, cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, cyromazine, cythioate, d-limonene, dazomet, DBCP. DCIP, DDT, decarbofuran, deltamethrin, demefion, demefion O, demefion S, demeton, demeton methyl, demeton O, demeton O methyl, demeton S, demeton S methyl, demeton S methyl sulfone, diafenthiuron, dialifos, diamidaphos, diazinon, dikapton, diclofenthion, dichlofluanid, dichlorvos, dicofol, dicresyl, dicrotophos, dicyclanil, dieldrin , dienochlor, diflobidazine, diflubenzuron, dilol, dimefluthrin, dimefox, dimethane, dimethoate, dimethrine, dimethylvinphos, dimethiran, ginex, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocap4, dinocap6, dinokton, dinopenton, dinoprop, dinosam, dinosulfone, dinotefuran, dinotervon, difenolan, dioxabenzophos, dioxacarb, dioxathion, diphenylsulfone, Disulfiram, Disulfoton, Dicyclofos, DNOC, Dofenapine, Doramectin, Ecdysterone, Emamectin, EMPC, Empentrin, Endosulfan, Endothion, Endrin, EPN, Epofenonane, Eprinomectin, Esfenvalerate, Ethaphos, Ethiofencarb, Ethion, Ethiprole, Ethoate-methyl, Ethoprophos, Ethyl DDD, Ethyl formate, Ethylene dibromide, Ethylene dichloride, Oxid Ethylene, Etofenprox, Etoxazole, Etrimphos, EXD, Fenpha, Fenamiphos, Fenazaflor, Fenazaquin, Fenbutatin Oxide, Fenchlorphos, Fenetacarb, Fenfluthrin, Fenitrothion, Fenobucarb, Fenothiocarb, Fenoxacrim, Fenoxycarb, Fenpyrithrin, Fenpropathrin, Fenpyroximate, Fenthone, Fensulfothion, Fenthion,Fenthion-ethyl, fentrifanil, fenvalerate, fipronil, flonicamid, fluacrypyrim, fluazuron, flubendiamide, flubenzimine, flucofuron, flucycloxuron, flucysrinate, fluenethyl, flufenerim, flufenoxuron, flufenprox, flumethrin, fluorbenside, fluvalinate, fonofos, formetanate, formothion, formoparanate, fosmetiran, fospirate, fosthiazate, fostietan, fostietan, furathiocarb, furfural, furfural , gamma cyhalothrin, gamma HCH, halfenprox, halofenozide, HCH, HEOD, heptachlor, heptenophos, heterophos, hexaflumuron, hexythiazox, HHDN, hydramethylnon, hydrogen cyanide, hydroprene, hikincarb, imidacloprid, imiprothrin, indoxacarb, iodomethane, IPSP, isamidophos, isazofos, isobenzan, isocarbophos, isodrin, isofenphos, isoprocarb, isoprothiolane, isothioate, isoxathion, ivermectin Jasmolin I, Jasmolin II, Jodofenphos, Juvenile Hormone I, Juvenile Hormone II, Juvenile Hormone III, Kereban, Kinoprene, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Lead Arsenate, Lepimectin, Leptophos, Lindane, Lilimphos, Lufenuron, Ritidathion, Malathion, Malonoben, Magidox, Mecaban, Mecapon, Menazone, Mephosphorane, Mercuric Chloride, Mesulfen, Mesulfenphos, Metaflumizone, Metam, Methacrifos, Methamidophos, Methidathion, Methiocarb, Metoclotophos, Methomyl, Methoprene, Methoxychlor, Methox Cifenozide, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methylchloroform, methylene chloride, metofluthrin, metolcarb, metoxadiazone, mevinphos, mexacarbate, milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, mipafox, mirex, MNAF, monocrotophos, morphothion, moxidectin, naphthalophos, naled, naphthalene, nicotine, nifluridide, nikkomycin, nitenpyram, nithiazine, nitrilacarb, novaluron, noviflumuron, omethoate, oxamyl, oxydemeton methyl, oxydeprophos,Oxydisulfoton, paradichlorobenzene, parathion, parathion methyl, penfluron, pentachlorophenol, permethrin, fencapton, fenothrin, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phospholane, phosmet, phosnichlor, phosphamidon, phosphine, phosphocarb, phoxim, phoxim methyl, pyrimetaphos, pirimicarb, pirimiphos ethyl, pirimiphos methyl, potassium arsenite, potassium thiocyanate, pp'DDT, prallethrin, precocene I, precocene II, precocene III, primidophos, proclono , profenofos, profluthrin, promacyl, promecarb, propafos, propargite, propetamphos, propoxar, prothidathion, prothiofos, protoate, protrifenbut, pyraclofos, pyrafluprole, pyrazophos, pyresmethrin, pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, pyridaben, pyridalyl, pyridaphenthion, pyrifluquinazon, pyrimidifen, pyrimitate, pyriprole, pyriproxyfen, cassia, quinalphos, quinalphos, quinalphos-methyl, quinothion, quinatify ), rafoxanide, resmethrin, rotenone, riania, sabadilla, shradan, selamectin, silafluofen, sodium arsenite, sodium fluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate, sodium thiocyanate, sofamid, spinetoram, spinosad, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, sulcofuron, sulfiram, sulfuramide, sulfotep, sulfur, sulfuryl fluoride, sulprofos, taufluvalinate, tazimcarb, TDE, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tebupirinphos, teflubenzuron , tefluthrin, temephos, TEPP, teralethrin, terbufos, tetrachloroethane, tetrachlorvinphos, tetradifon, tetramethrin, tetranactin, tetrasul, thetacypermethrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, cyclophos, thiocarboxim, thiocyclam, thiodicarb, thiofanox, thiometon, thionazine, thioquinox, thiosultap, thuringiensin, tolfenpyrad, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, transpermethrin, triatene, triazamate, triazophos, trichlorfon,Trichlormethaphos 3, trichloronat, tripenophos, triflumuron, trimethacarb, triplen, vamidothion, vaniliprole, vaniliprole, XMC, xylylcarb, zetacypermethrin, and zolaprophos.

[0136] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is combined with a suitable fungicide to form a multi-component composition. Exemplary fungicides include, but are not limited to, acibenzolar, acyl amino acid fungicides, acipetac, aldimorph, aliphatic nitrogen fungicides, allyl alcohol, amide fungicides, ampropylphos, anilazine, anilide fungicides, antibiotic fungicides, aromatic fungicides, aureofungin, azaconazole, adityram, azoxystrobin, barium polysulfide, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, benquinox, bentaluron, benthiavalicarb, benzalkonium chloride, benzamacryl, Benzamide fungicides, benzamorph, benzanilide fungicides, benzimidazole fungicides, benzimidazole fungicides, bethoxadin, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, bithionol, bixafen, blasticidin-S, Bordeaux mixture, boric acid, boscalid, bridged diphenyl fungicides, bromuconazole, bupirimate, Burgundy mixture, buthiobate, sec-butylamine, calcium polysulfide, captan, carbamate, carbamorph, carbanilate fungicides, cal Bendazim, Carboxin, Carpropamid, Carvone, Cheshunt mixture, Quinomethionate, Chlobenthiazone, Chloraniformethane, Chloranil, Chlorphenazole, Chlorodinitronaphthalene, Chloroform, Chloroneb, Chloropicrin, Chlorothalonil, Chloroquinox, Chlozolinate, Ciclopirox, Climazole, Cloto(triazole), Copper(II) acetate, Copper(II) carbonate, Basic, Copper fungicide, Copper hydroxide, Copper naphthenate, Copper oleate, Copper oxychloride, Copper(II) sulfate, Copper sulfate, Basic Sexuality, copper zinc chromate, cresol, khufraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclafuramid, cyclic dithiocarbamate fungicides, cycloheximide, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cypendazole, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dazomet, DBCP, debacarb, decafentin, dehydroacetic acid, dicarboximide, diclobutazole, diclocymet, diclomedine, dicloran, diethofencarb, diethyl pyrocarbonate, difenoconazole, diflumetrimol, dimethirimol,Dimethomorph, Dimoxystrobin, Diniconazole, Diniconazole-M, Dinitrophenol fungicide, Dinobuton, Dinocap, Dinocap-4, Dinocap-6, Dinoktone, Dinopentone, Dinosulfone, Dinotervone, Diphenylamine, Dipyrithione, Disulfira fungicide, DNOC, Dodemorph, Dodizin, Dodine, Donatidine, Drazoxolone, Edifenphos, Epoxiconazole, Etaconazole, Ethem, Esavoxam, Ethirimol, Ethoxyquin, Ethylene oxide, Ethylmercury 2,3-dihydroxypropyl mercaptidine ethylmercury acetate, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulf, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenitropan, fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, fluxapyroxad, folpet, formaldehyde Dehyde, fosetyl, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, furamide fungicide, furanilide fungicide, flucarbanil, fluconazole, fluconazole-cis, furfural, flumecyclox, furofante, gliodin, griseofulvin, guazatine, halacrinate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexachlorobutadiene hymexazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, imidazole fungicide, iminooctadine, inorganic fungicide, inorganic mercury fungicide, iodomethane, ipconazole, ip Robenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb, isopropyl alcohol, isoprothiolane, isovaledione, isopyrazam, kasugamycin, ketocon), mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, mebenil, mecarbinzide, mepanipyrim, mepronil, mercuric chloride (discontinued), mercuric oxide (discontinued), mercuric chloride (discontinued), metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (also known as mefenoxam), metam, metazoxolone, metconazole, metasulfocarb, metofloxam, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methylmercuric benzoate, methylmercuric dicyandiamide,Pentachlorophenoxide methylmercury, metiram, metominostrobin, metrafenone, methsulfovax, milneb, morpholine fungicides, myclobutanil, myclozolin, N-(ethylmercury)-p-toluenesulfonanilide, nabam, natamycin, nystatin, β-nitrostyrene, nitrotar-isopropyl, nuarimol, OCH, octhilinone, ofurace, oprodione, organomercurial fungicides, organophosphorus fungicides, organotin fungicides (discontinued), orthophenylphenol, oli, oxazole fungicides, oxine copper , oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad, phenylmercuric urea, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric chloride, phenylmercuric derivatives pyrocatechol, phenylmercuric nitrate, phenylmercuric salicylate, phenyl fungicides, picoxithrobin, piperalin, polycarbamate, polymeric dithiocarbamate fungicides, polyoxin, polyoxorim, polysulfide fungicides, potassium azide, potassium polysulfide, potassium thiocyanate, probena zole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, pyracarbollide, pyraclostrobin, pyrazole fungicides, pyrazophos, pyridine fungicides, pyridinitrile, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyrimidine, quinacetol, quinazamide, quinconazole, quinoline fungicides, quinomethionate, quinone fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides, quinoxyfen, quintozene, labenzazole, salicylanilide, silthiofam, silver, simeconazole, sodium azide , sodium bicarbonate [2][3], sodium polysulfide, spiroxamine, streptomycin, strobilurin fungicides, sulfonanilide fungicides, sulfur, sulfuryl fluoride, sulfotene, TCMTB, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tecoram, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thiadifluoro, thiazole fungicides, thiabendazole thiochlorfenfim, thiomersal, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, thiophene fungicides, thioquinox, thiram, thiadinil, thioximide, thivedo, tolclofos-methyl,Tolnaftate, tolylfluanid, tolylmercuric acetate, triadimefon, triadimenol, triamiphos, triarimol, triazbutyl, triclamide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforin, triticonazole, unclassified fungicide, undecylenic acid, uniconazole, uniconazole-P, urea fungicide, validamycin, valinamide fungicide, vinclozolin, voriconazole, zaliramide, zinc naphthenate, zineb, ziram, and / or zoxamide.

[0137] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is combined with a suitable acaricide to form a multi-component composition. Exemplary classes of acaricides include, but are not limited to, botanical acaricides, bridged diphenyl acaricides, carbamate acaricides, oxime carbamate acaricides, carbazic acid acaricides, dinitrophenol acaricides, formamidine acaricides, isoxaline acaricides, macrocyclic lactone acaricides, avermectin acaricides, milbemycin acaricides, milbemycin acaricides, mite growth regulators, organochlorine acaricides, organophosphate acaricides, organothiophosphate acaricides, phosphonate acaricides, and the like. These include acaricides, phosphoamyl thiolate acaricides, organic acaricides, phenylsulfonamide acaricides, pyrazole carboxamide acaricides, pyrethroid ether acaricides, quaternary ammonium acaricides, olethroid ester acaricides, pyrrole acaricides, quinoxaline acaricides, methoxyacrylate strobilurin acaricides, teronic acid acaricides, thiazolidine acaricides, thiocarbamate acaricides, thiourea acaricides, and unclassified acaricides. Examples of these classes of acaricides include, but are not limited to, botanical acaricides - carvacrol, sanguinarine; bridged diphenyl acaricides - azobenzene, benzoximate, benzil, benzoate, bromopropylate, chlorbencide, chlorphenetole, chlorfenson, chlorphenesulfide, chlorobenzilate, chloropropylate, cyflumetofen, DDT, dicofol, diphenyl, sulfone, dofenapine, fenson, fentrifanil, fentrifani ... Luorubenside, genit, hexachlorophene, phenproxide, proclonol, tetradifon, tetrasul; carbamate acaricides - benomyl, carbanolate, carbaryl, carbofuran, methiocarb, metolcarb, promacyl, propoxur; oxime carbamate acaricides - aldicarb, butocarboxim, oxamyl, thiocarboxim, thiofanox; carbazate acaricides - bifenazate;Dinitrophenol acaricides - Binapacryl, Zinex, Dinobuton, Dinocap, Dinocap-4, Dinocap-6, Dinokton, Dinopenton, Dinosulfone, Dinotervone, DNOC;Formamidine acaricides - Amitraz, Chlordimeform, Chloromebuform, Formetanate, Formoparanate, Medimeform, Semiamitraz;Isoxazoline acaricides - Afoxolaner, Fluralaner, Lotilaner, Sarolaner;Macrocyclic lactamicides - Tetranactin;Avermectin acaricides - Aba Mectin, Doramectin, Eprinomectin, Ivermectin, Selamectin;Milbemycin acaricides-milbemectin, milbemycin, oxime, moxidectin;Mite growth regulators-clofentezine, cyromazine, diflovidazine, dofenapine, fluazuron, flubenzoimine, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexythiazox;Organochlorine acaricides-bromocyclen, camphechlor, DDT, dienochlor, endosulfan, lindane;Organophosphate acaricides-chlorfenvinphos, crotoxyphos, dichlorvos , heptenophos, mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, TEPP, tetrachlorvinphos;organothiophosphate acaricides - amidithione, amiton, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, azotoate, benoxafos, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, carbophenothion, chlorpyrifos, chlorthiophos, coumaphos, cyanthoate, demeton, demeton-O, demeton-S, demeton-methyl, demeton-O-methyl, demeton-S-methyl, demeton-S-methylsulfone, dialifos, diazinon, dimethoate, dioxathion , disulfoton, endothion, ethion, ethoeate-methyl, formothion, malathion, mecarbam, methacrifos, omethoate, oxydeprophos, oxydisulfoton, parathion, fenkapton, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phostin, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, protidathion, protoate, pirimitate, quinalphos, quintiofos, sofamid, sulfotep, thiometon, triazophos, tripenophos, vamidothion; phosphonate acaricides - trichlorfon;Phosphoramidothioate acaricides - isocarbophos, methamidophos, propetamphos;phosphorodiamide acaricides - dimefox, mipafox, shradan;organotin acaricides - azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin, oxide, phostin;phenylsulfamide acaricides - dichlofluanid;phthalimide acaricides - dialifos, phosmet;pyrazole acaricides - cyenopyrafen, fenpyroximate; Phenylpyrazole acaricides - acetoprole, fipronil, vaniliprole; pyrazolecarboxamide acaricides - piflubumid, tebufenpyrad; pyrethroid ester acaricides - acrinathrin, bifenthrin, brofluthrinate, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, flumethrin, fluvalinate, Tau-fluvalinate, permethrin;pyrethroid ether acaricides-halfenprox;pyrimidinamine acaricides-pyrimidifen;pyrrole acaricides-chlorfenapyr;quaternary ammonium acaricides-sanguinarine;quinoxalin acaricides-quinomethionate, thioquinox;methoxyacrylate strobilurin acaricides-bifujunzhi, fluacrypyrim, flufenoxystrobin (fl ufenoxystrobin, pyriminostrobin;sulfite acaricides - aramite, propargite;tetronic acid acaricides - spirodiclofen;tetrazine acaricides, clofentezine, diflovidazine;thiazolidine acaricides - flubenzoimine, hexythiazox;thiocarbamate acaricides - fenothiocarb;thiourea acaricides - chloromethiuron, diafenthiuron;Unclassified acaricides - acequinocyl, acinonapyr, amidoflumet, arsenous, oxide, clenpirin, closantel, crotamiton, cycloplate, cymiazole, disulfiram, etoxazole, fenazaflor, fenazaquin, fluenethyl, mesulfen, MNAF, nifluridide, nikkomycin, pyridaben, sulfiram, sulfluramide, sulfur, thuringiensin, triatane;

[0138] In some embodiments, the acaricide may also be selected from the group consisting of abamectin, acephate, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, aldicarb, allethrin, aluminum phosphide, aminocarb, amitraz, azadirachtin, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, Bacillus thuringiensis, bendiocarb, beta-cyfluthrin, bifenazate, bifenthrin, bomil, buprofezin, calcium cyanide, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, chlorfenvinphos, chlorobenzilate, chloropicrin, chlorpyrifos, clofentezine, chlorfenapyr, clothianidin, coumaphos, crotoxyphos, crotoxyphos + dichlorvos, cryolite. , cyfluthrin, cyromazine, cypermethrin, DEET, deltamethrin, demeton, diazinon, diclofenthion, dichloropropene, dichlorvos, dicofol, dicrotophos, dieldrin, dienochlor, diflubenzuron, dikar (fungicide + acaricide), dimethoate, dinocap, dinotefuran, dioxathion, disulfoton, emamectin benzoate, endosulfan, endrin, es Fenvalerate, ethion, ethoprop, ethylene dibromide, ethylene dichloride, etoxazole, famflu, fenitrothion, fenoxycarb, fenpropathrin, fenpyroximate, fensulfothion, fenthion, fenvalerate, flonicamid, flucythrinate, fluvalinate, fonofos, formetanate hydrochloride, gamma-cyhalothrin, halofenozide, hexakis, hexythiazox, hydramethyl Non, hydrated lime, indoxacarb, imidacloprid, kerosene, kinoprene, lambda-cyhalothrin, lead arsenate, lindane, malathion, mephosphorane, metaldehyde, metham-sodium, methamidophos, methidathion, methiocarb, methomyl, methoprene, methoxychlor, methoxyfenozide, methyl bromide, methyl parathion, mevinphos, mexacarbate, Milky Disease SporeSpores), Naled, Naphthalene, Nicotine Sulfate, Novaluron, Oxamyl, Oxydemeton-Methyl, Oxythioquinox, Para-Dichlorobenzene, Parathion, PCP, Permethrin, Petroleum, Phorate, Phosalone, Phosphorane, Phosmet, Phosphamidon, Phoxim, Piperonyl Butoxide, Pirimicarb, Pirimiphos-Methyl, Profenofos, Propargite, Propetamphos, Propoxer, Pymetrozine, Pyrethroids - Synthetic: See Allethrin, Pene may be selected from lumethrin, fenvalerate, resmethrin, cauliflower, pyridaben, pyriproxyfen, resmethrin, rotenone, s-methoprene, soap, pesticide, sodium fluoride, spinosad, spiromesifen, sulfotep, sulprofos, temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, tetrachlorvinphos + dichlorvos, tetradifon, thiamethoxam, thiodicarb, toxaphene, tralomethrin, trimethacarb, and tebufenozide.

[0139] The amount of herbicide safener composition in the multi-active ingredient composition (i.e., pesticide / herbicide safener containing composition) can vary. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition (containing PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate) is present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 99% by weight, about 10% to about 80% by weight, about 20% to about 70% by weight, or about 30% to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the multi-active ingredient composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition (containing PGA and / or 2-oxoglutamarate) is present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 99% by weight, about 10% to about 80% by weight, about 20% to about 70% by weight, or about 30% to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the multi-active ingredient composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is present in an amount of about 99%, about 90%, about 85%, about 80%, about 75%, about 70%, about 65%, about 60%, about 55%, about 50%, about 45%, about 40%, about 35%, about 30%, about 25%, about 20%, about 15%, less than about 10%, or less than about 5% by weight based on the total weight of the multi-active ingredient composition. In some embodiments, the amount of the herbicide safener composition is present at a level of about 0.05% to about 10% by weight (more preferably about 0.1% to about 4% by weight, most preferably about 0.2% to about 2% by weight) based on the total weight of the additional multi-active ingredient composition taken as 100% by weight.

[0140] In some embodiments, the multi-active ingredient composition comprises the disclosed herbicide safener composition and the disclosed herbicide composition. The amount of the herbicide safener composition and the herbicide composition present in the multi-active ingredient composition can vary. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition and the herbicide composition are present in a ratio of herbicide safener composition to herbicide composition of about 1:100 to about 100:1, about 1:50 to about 50:1, about 1:25 to about 25:1, about 1:20 to about 20:1, about 1:10 to about 10:1, about 1:5 to about 5:1, about 1:2 to about 2:1, or about 1:1, based on dry weight.

[0141] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is combined with another herbicide safener. Exemplary classes of other herbicide safener compositions include, but are not limited to, benoxacor, BPCMS, cloquintocet, cyometrinil, cyprosulfamide, dichlormid, dicyclonone, diethrate, fenchlorazole, fenclorim, flurazole, fluxofenim, furilazole, isoxadifen, diekaowane, diekaox, mefenpyr, metcamifen, naphthalic anhydride, oxabetrinil, and combinations thereof.

[0142] The amount of each herbicide safener in the multi-active ingredient composition may vary. Those skilled in the art will be able to determine the appropriate amount of each herbicide safener required in the multi-active ingredient composition to achieve the most optimal herbicide safener effect. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition and the other herbicide safener are present in a ratio of herbicide safener composition to herbicide safener of about 1:100 to about 100:1; about 1:50 to about 50:1, about 1:25 to about 25:1, about 1:20 to about 20:1, about 1:10 to about 10:1, about 1:5 to about 5:1, about 1:2 to about 2:1, or about 1:1, based on dry weight.

[0143] V. Method In some embodiments, the herbicide and / or herbicide safener compositions can be used directly, in other embodiments, the herbicide and / or herbicide safener compositions are formulated in a manner that makes their use convenient in the context of productive agriculture.

[0144] Specifically, the herbicide compositions and herbicide safener compositions disclosed herein may be used in a method of controlling the growth of unwanted vegetation in a target area by applying to the target area a herbicidally effective amount of the herbicide compositions disclosed herein and applying a herbicide safener composition comprising pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutamarate. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition comprises a herbicide selected from lipid synthesis inhibitors, amino acid synthesis inhibitors, nitrogen metabolism inhibitors, growth regulator inhibitors, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition comprises pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutamarate at a concentration of less than 1 g / L. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied to the target area in an amount effective to cause a herbicide safener effect. In some embodiments, the target area is an agricultural field, a garden, a lawn, an orchard, a vineyard, a farm, and combinations thereof.

[0145] In some embodiments, the herbicide compositions and / or formulations thereof are applied to the soil and / or unwanted vegetation (if emerged) after the crop has been planted but before emergence. Such herbicide compositions are referred to as pre-emergence herbicide compositions with respect to cultivated plant crops.

[0146] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or formulation thereof is applied to the soil and / or unwanted vegetation (if emerged) after the crop has been planted and after emergence. Such herbicide compositions are referred to as post-emergence herbicide compositions with respect to crops of cultivated plants.

[0147] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied to the soil of the target area, to the cultivated crop plants (when emerged), or a combination thereof.

[0148] In some embodiments, the target region is: (a) includes emergent plants of cultivated crops but does not include emergent plants of unwanted vegetation; or (b) includes emergent plants of cultivated plants and emergent plants of unwanted vegetation; (c) does not include emergent plants of cultivated crops but includes emergent plants of unwanted vegetation; or (d) does not include emergent plants of cultivated crops and does not include emergent plants of unwanted vegetation.

[0149] In some embodiments, the target area includes unwanted vegetation and plants of a cultivated crop, and the herbicide composition is applied to the soil of the target area, the plants of the cultivated crop, or a combination thereof.

[0150] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or herbicide safener composition is applied to the soil adjacent to the plant (or stem) and / or to the root zone of the plant. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or herbicide safener composition is applied directly to the emerged plant, such as directly to one or more plant parts of an unwanted plant or cultivated crop (e.g., foliar application method). In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or herbicide safener composition is applied to only a portion of the target area.

[0151] The herbicide safener composition is applied at the same time as the herbicide composition is applied or after the herbicide composition is applied. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and the herbicide safener composition are applied to the target area simultaneously. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied before the application of the herbicide safener composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and the herbicide safener composition are applied within 24 hours of each other. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied about 1 minute to about 60 minutes, about 1 minute to about 30 minutes, or about 1 minute to about 15 minutes (or about 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or about 60 minutes) before the application of the herbicide safener composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied about 1 to about 48 hours, about 1 to 36 hours, about 1 to about 24 hours, about 1 to 12 hours, or about 1 to about 6 hours (or about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 hours) before the herbicide safener application is applied to the target area. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied less than about 1 minute before the application of the herbicide safener composition.

[0152] The number of applications of herbicide and herbicide safener compositions may vary depending on the type of unwanted vegetation, the type of crop, the climate, etc. One skilled in the art will recognize such factors and apply the herbicide and / or herbicide safener composition accordingly. For example, in some embodiments, the herbicide and / or herbicide safener composition and formulations thereof are applied at least 1-10 times (or at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 times) over a period of 1-6 months. In some embodiments, the herbicide and / or herbicide safener composition and formulations thereof are applied weekly or monthly over a period of 1-12 months.

[0153] The application rate of the herbicide composition or formulations thereof for treating the target area may vary within wide limits and may depend on the nature of the soil, the application method (such as pre-emergence or post-emergence), the crop plant, the type(s) of unwanted vegetation to be controlled, the prevailing climatic conditions, as well as the application method, application time, and other factors governed by the target crop. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or formulations thereof may be applied at a rate of about 0.1 to about 100 gallons per acre, about 1 to about 90 gallons per acre, about 10 to about 80 gallons per acre, 20 to about 70 gallons per acre, or about 30 to about 60 gallons per acre.

[0154] In some embodiments, the herbicide compositions and / or formulations thereof may be administered at a rate of from about 1 to about 2,000 pounds per acre (about 1.12 to about 2241 kg / ha), from about 20 to about 1,900 pounds per acre (about 22.4 to about 2129.6 kg / ha), from about 50 to about 1,800 pounds per acre (about 56 to about 2017.5 kg / ha), from about 100 to about 1,700 pounds per acre (about 112.1 to about 1905.4 kg / ha), or from about 20 to about 1,900 pounds per acre (about 22.4 to about 2129.6 kg / ha). ), about 125 to about 1,650 pounds per acre (about 140.1 to about 1849 kg / ha), about 137.5 to about 1,650 pounds per acre (about 154.12 to about 1849.4 kg / ha), about 200 to about 1,500 pounds per acre (about 224.1 to about 1681.2 kg / ha), or about 500 to about 1,000 pounds per acre (about 560.4 to about 1120.8 kg / ha).

[0155] The amount of the herbicide composition and / or its formulation for treating the target area may vary within wide limits and may depend on the nature of the soil, the application method (such as pre-emergence or post-emergence), the crop plant, the weed(s) to be controlled, the prevailing climatic conditions, as well as the application method, application time, and other factors governed by the target crop. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is used in an amount of about 1 to about 1,000 liters per hectare (L / ha), about 100 to about 900 L / ha, about 200 to about 800 L / ha, about 250 to 600 L / ha, or about 350 to about 500 L / ha.

[0156] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or formulation thereof is used in an amount of from about 1 to about 500 kg per hectare (kg / ha), from about 10 to about 400 kg / ha, from about 20 to about 350 kg / ha, from about 25 to about 300 kg / ha, from about 50 to about 275 kg / ha, from about 75 to about 250 kg / ha, or from about 100 to about 200 kg / ha.

[0157] In some embodiments, the amount of herbicide composition applied to the target area depends on the plant population density present in the target area. In some embodiments, the plant population density (including unwanted plants, alone or in combination with emerged crop plants) ranges from about 1 to about 10,000 plants per acre (plants / acre) (or 1 to about 40,485 plants / hectare), about 100 to about 100,000 plants / acre (100 to about 50,485 plants / hectare), about 1,000 to about 100,000 plants / acre, about 10,000 to about 75,000 plants / acre, about 10,0000 to about 60,000 plants / acre, or about 25,000 to about 50,000 plants / acre. In some embodiments, the plant population density (including plants of unwanted vegetation, either alone or in combination with emerged crop plants) ranges from about 1 to about 40,485 plants / hectare, about 45 to about 50,485 plants / hectare, about 350 to about 50,000 plants / hectare, about 3,500 to about 40,000 plants / hectare, about 3,500 to about 30,000 plants / hectare, or about 2,500 to about 25,000 plants / hectare.

[0158] Thus, in some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied to the target area in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 400 kg / ha, based on a planting density ranging from about 10,000 to 60,000 plants / ha, or from about 25 to about 300 kg / ha, based on a planting density ranging from about 10,000 to 60,000 plants / ha.

[0159] In such embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied to each plant of a plant population present in a target area at an effective herbicidal rate, which can vary, hi some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied at an effective herbicidal amount of from about 1 to about 10 grams, from about 2 to about 7.5 grams, or from about 2.5 to about 5.25 grams per plant of unwanted vegetation.

[0160] Similarly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the rate of the herbicide safener composition or formulations thereof required to cause a safener effect can vary because it depends on factors such as the type of cultivated crop targeted by the herbicide safener composition, the type of application method used, the type of formulation used, additional components present in the herbicide safener composition (e.g., additional pesticides and / or fertilizers), environmental factors (air temperature and / or moisture content before, during and after application, soil characteristics such as pH, heavy metal content, nutrient content, microbial activity, particle size, composition (e.g., clay and / or sand), etc.) etc. Thus, in some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied at a rate of about 0.1 to about 625 gallons / acre, or about 0.1 to about 5,846 L / ha.

[0161] In some embodiments, the application rate of the herbicide safener composition or formulation thereof depends on the density of the plant population present in the target area. In some embodiments, the plant population density (including unwanted plants, either alone or in combination with emerged crop plants) ranges from about 1 to about 200,000 plants per acre (plants / acre), from about 100 to about 200,000 plants / acre, from about 1,000 to about 200,000 plants / acre, from about 10,000 to about 175,000 plants / acre, from about 25,0000 to about 150,000 plants / acre, from about 75,000 to about 125,000 plants / acre, or from about 10,000 to about 100,000 plants / acre. In some embodiments, the plant population density (including unwanted plants, either alone or in combination with emerged crop plants) ranges from about 1 to about 100,000 plants per acre (plants / hectare), from about 50 to about 100,000 plants / hectare, from about 5000 to about 100,000 plants / hectare, from about 5,000 to about 85,000 plants / hectare, from about 8,0000 to about 75,000 plants / hectare, from about 35,000 to about 55,000 plants / hectare, or from 8,000 to about 50,000 plants / hectare.

[0162] In such embodiments, the herbicide mitigating composition is applied to each plant of a plant population present within a target area at an effective herbicide mitigating rate, which may vary. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied in an effective amount of about 0.001 mg to about 50 mg, 0.001 mg to about 25 mg, about 0.01 mg to about 15 mg, about 0.01 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, about 1 mg to about 10 mg, or about 5 mg to about 10 mg per plant of the cultivated crop.

[0163] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied to each plant in liquid form. For example, in some embodiments, the amount of the herbicide safener composition applied to each plant is in the range of about 1 mL to about 250 mL, about 10 mL to about 200 mL, about 10 mL to about 100 mL, about 10 mL to about 75 mL, about 10 mL to about 50 mL, about 25 mL to about 75 mL, about 30 mL to about 60 mL, about 40 mL to about 55 mL, or about 45 mL to about 55 mL per plant.

[0164] The concentration of the herbicide toxicity safener composition applied to each plant in liquid form can also vary. For example, in some embodiments, the herbicide toxicity safener composition has a concentration ranging from about 0.1 g / L to about 0.2 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 0.15 g / L, from about 0.12 g / L to about 0.14 g / L, or from about 0.13 g / L to about 0.14 g / L.

[0165] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener compositions of the formulations disclosed herein exhibit a herbicide safener effect (i.e., protect plants of the cultivated crop) on one or more specific types of plants of the cultivated crop, where the herbicide safener effect is measured by at least one method selected from increased crop development, reduced plant toxicity, increased crop vigor, increased chlorophyll content, increased fresh or dry plant weight, increased root weight, increased crop yield, increased fruit quality, increased vertical plant growth, and increased plant leaf area of ​​plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants that were not treated with the herbicide safener composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition of the formulation exhibits a herbicide safener effect on one or more specific types of cultivated crops, as measured by an increase in crop development, crop vigor, chlorophyll content, fresh or dry plant weight, root weight, crop yield, fruit quality, vertical plant growth, plant leaf area, or a combination thereof, of at least about 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or about 98% of the plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition of the formulation exhibits a herbicide safener effect on one or more specific types of cultivated crops, as measured by an increase in plant height of about 1% to about 20% of the plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition of the formulation exhibits a herbicide safener effect, as measured by an increase in dry plant weight of about 1% to about 98%, about 1% to about 90%, about 1% to about 50%, or about 1% to about 25% of the plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition. In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition of the formulation exhibits a herbicide safener effect, as measured by an increase in leaf area of ​​about 1% to about 300%, about 1% to about 200%, about 1% to about 100%, about 1% to about 50%, or about 1% to about 30% of the plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition.

[0166] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener compositions or formulations thereof exhibit a herbicide safener effect on plants of one or more particular types of cultivated crops, as measured by a reduction in phytotoxicity of at least about 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or about 98% in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition.

[0167] The herbicide composition and herbicide safener composition can be applied to the target area using application methods commonly used in agriculture. Exemplary application methods include, but are not limited to, band application, broadcast application, directional application, and spot application. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and herbicide safener composition are applied to the target area using the same application method. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and herbicide safener composition are applied to the target area using different application methods.

[0168] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied to the target area using a broadcast application method, which applies the herbicide composition and / or its formulation non-selectively to the soil throughout the target area and / or to the plants of unwanted vegetation and / or the plants of cultivated crops present throughout the target area. The broadcast application method can be used for pre-emergence and / or post-emergence herbicide compositions (with respect to cultivated crops) of non-selective or selective herbicide compositions and / or their formulations. Thus, in some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied to the soil (and / or plants, if present) of the target area using a broadcast application method for pre-emergence and / or post-emergence herbicide compositions before the emergence of unwanted vegetation.

[0169] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied to the target area using a band application method, which applies the herbicide composition and / or its formulation in the form of a narrow strip on the row of the cultivated crop. The band application method uses a smaller amount of the herbicide composition and / or its formulation compared to the broadcast application method, since the target area is much smaller. The band application method can be used for selective post-emergence (with respect to the cultivated crop) herbicide composition and / or its formulation. In some embodiments, the herbicide composition or / and its formulation is applied to the soil and / or plant parts of the cultivated crop and unwanted vegetation (if present) using this particular application method.

[0170] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied to the target area using a direct application method. In these types of applications, the target area is typically the area between the rows of cultivated crops, and the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied with little or no herbicide composition and / or its formulation applied to the leaves of the crop. The direct application method is used for post-emergence (with respect to cultivated crops) herbicide compositions, where unwanted vegetation may or may not have emerged in the target area. In some embodiments, the directional application method of the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied to the soil of the target area before emergence of the unwanted vegetation. In some embodiments, the direct application method of the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied to the plant parts (e.g., leaves, stems, and / or flowers) of the plants of the unwanted vegetation present in the target area.

[0171] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition and / or its formulation is applied to the target area using a spot application method, which applies the herbicide composition and / or its formulation to a small target area where unwanted vegetation is present or at risk of being present. The spot application method can be used for pre-planting, pre-emergence, and post-emergence (for reposting to the crop) non-selective herbicide compositions. In some embodiments, the composition is applied to the soil of the target area before emergence of the unwanted vegetation using a spot application method. In some embodiments, the composition is applied to the plant parts of the already emerged unwanted vegetation using a spot application method.

[0172] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition and / or its formulation is applied to the target area using broadcast application, band application, and / or spot application. During the broadcast application method, the herbicide safener composition and / or its formulation is applied non-selectively to the soil and / or plants over the entire target area. During the band application method, the herbicide safener composition and / or its formulation is applied in the form of a narrow strip onto the row of cultivated plants. During the spot application method, the herbicide safener composition and / or its formulation is applied to a small target area. The target area can be any one of the following: (a) the emergent plants of the cultivated crop but not including emergent plants of unwanted vegetation, or (b) the emergent plants of the unwanted vegetation but not the emergent plants of the cultivated crop, or (c) neither the emergent plants of the unwanted vegetation nor the emergent plants of the cultivated crop, or (d) the emergent plants of the unwanted vegetation and the emergent plants of the cultivated plants.

[0173] In some embodiments, the herbicide safener composition or formulation thereof is applied to the target area using application methods such as fertilization, irrigation, dripping, soaking, spraying, or combinations thereof. In such application methods, the composition can be applied to the entire target area or to a portion of the target area (e.g., a row and / or a smaller target area).

[0174] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied using a broadcast application method. In such embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied using a broadcast application method, a band application method, or a spot application method. In such embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied to the entire target area or a portion thereof using fertilization, irrigation, soaking, dripping, or spraying.

[0175] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied using a band application method. In such embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied using a broadcast application method, a band application method, or a spot application method. In such embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied to the entire target area or a portion thereof using fertilization, irrigation, soaking, dripping, or spraying.

[0176] In some embodiments, the herbicide composition is applied using a spot application method. In such embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied using a broadcast application method, a band application method, or a spot application method. In such embodiments, the herbicide safener composition is applied to the entire target area or a portion thereof using fertilization, irrigation, soaking, dripping, or spraying.

[0177] The herbicide composition and / or herbicide safener composition and its formulations can be applied using any known agricultural equipment known in the art to perform such functions. Exemplary agricultural equipment includes, but is not limited to, sprayers (e.g., boom sprayers, spot sprayers, high volume spray trucks, backpack sprayers, spray dusters), power dusters, misters, blanket wipers, rope wick applicators, handheld rope wick wipers, rotary and drop spreaders, etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize the agricultural equipment that may be suitable for a given herbicide composition and / or its formulation and application method.

[0178] The cultivated crop plants are selected from specialty crops, sugar crops, legumes, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the cultivated crop plants are specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits and nuts, vegetables, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal herbs, horticultural crops, and combinations thereof. Specialty crops selected from fruits and nuts include almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, breadfruit, cacao, cashews, citrus, cherimoya, cherries, chestnuts, coconuts, coffee, cranberries, currants, dates, feijoas, figs, filberts, gooseberries, grapes, guavas, kiwis, lychees, macadamias, mangoes, melons, nectarines, olives, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, pears, pecans, persimmons, pineapples, pistachios, plums, pomegranates, quince, raspberries, strawberries, Surinam cherries, walnuts, and combinations thereof. Specialty crops selected from vegetables include artichokes, asparagus, green beans, green lima, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, collards, cucumbers, edamame, eggplant, endive, garlic, horseradish, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, peas, onions, opuntia, parsley, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, rhubarb, rutabaga, salsify, spinach, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard, taro, tomatoes, tomatillos, turnips, and combinations thereof.Specialty crops selected from culinary herbs and spices include ajowan, allspice, angelica, anise, annatto, artemisia, asafoetida, basil, bay, bladderwrack, Bolivian coriander, borage, calendula, chamomile, candlenut, capers, caraway, cardamom, cassia, catnip, chervial, chicory, chives, cicely, cilantro, cinnamon, clary, clove, comfrey, common rue, coriander, watercress, cumin, and curry. , dill, fennel, fenugreek, file, finger root, French sorrel, galangal, ginner, hops, horehound, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, lemon thyme, lovage, mace, mahalab, malabaslam, marjoram, mint, nutmeg, oregano, orris root, paprika, parsley, pepper, rocket (arugula), rosemary, rue, saffron, sage, savory, terragon, thyme, turmeric, vanilla, wasabi, watercress, and combinations thereof. Specialty crops selected from medicinal herbs include artemisia, arum, astragalus, boldo, cananga, comfrey, cornflower, ephedra, fenugreek, feverfew, foxglove, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goat's rue, goldenseal, gypsywort, horehound, horsetail, lavender, yerba buena, licorice, marshmallow, mullein, passionflower, pennyroyal, pokeweed, St. John's wort, senna, skullcap, sonkus, sorrel, stevia, transy, urtica, witch hazel, wood betony, wormwood, yarrow, and combinations thereof. Specialty crops selected from horticultural crops include bedding plants, Christmas trees, cut flowers, honey, tea leaves, ornamental trees and shrubs, maple syrup, hops, and combinations thereof.

[0179] In some embodiments, the specialty crop is a legume, which includes alfalfa, clover, bean, pea, chickpea, lentil, lupin, mesquite, carob, soybean, peanut, and tamarind.

[0180] In some embodiments, the specialty crop is a sugar crop selected from sugar beet, sugar cane, and combinations thereof.

[0181] In some embodiments, the crop is not a genetically modified crop. In some embodiments, the crop is a genetically modified crop.

[0182] The herbicidal compositions and formulations disclosed herein are capable of controlling the growth of a wide variety of unwanted vegetation, including monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed species. In some embodiments, the unwanted vegetation controlled is monocotyledonous. Exemplary monocotyledonous genera include, but are not limited to, Agrostis spp., Alopecurus spp., Apera spp., Avena spp., Brachiaria spp., Bromus spp., Digitaria spp., Echinochloa spp., Eleusine spp., Eriochloa spp., Leptochloa spp., Lolium spp., Ottochloa spp., Panicum spp., Paspalum spp., Phalaris spp., Poa spp., Rottboelia spp., Setaria spp., Sorghum spp., Commelina spp., Monochoria spp., Sagittaria spp., Cyperus spp., and Scirpus and sedges such as spp.. Exemplary monocotyledonous weed species include, but are not limited to, Alopecurus myosuroides, Avena fatua, Brachiaria plantaginea, Bromus tectorum, Cyperus esculentus, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, Lolium perenne, Lolium multiflorum, Panicum miliaceum, Poa annua, Setaria viridis, Setaria faberi, and Sorghum bicolor.

[0183] In some embodiments, the unwanted vegetation is dicotyledonous. Exemplary genera of dicotyledonous weed species include, but are not limited to, Abutilon spp., Ambrosia spp., Amaranthus spp., Chenopodium spp., Erysimum spp., Euphorbia spp., Fallopia spp., Galium spp., Hydrocotyle spp., Ipomoea spp., Lamium spp., Medicago spp., Oxalis spp., Plantago spp., Polygonum spp., Richardia spp., Sida spp., Sinapis spp., Solanum spp., Stellaria spp., Taraxacum spp., Trifolium spp., Veronica spp., Viola spp., and Xanthium spp. Exemplary dicotyledonous weed species include, but are not limited to, Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Bidens pilosa, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia heterophylla, Galium aparine, Ipomoea hederacea, Kochia scoparia, Polygonum convolvulus, Sida spinosa, Sinapis arvensis, Solanum nigrum, Stellaria media, Veronica persica, and Xanthium strumarium.

[0184] Unwanted vegetation may also be considered crop plants, but may include plants growing outside of the crop area ("escapes") or growing from seeds left over from a previous planting of a different crop ("volunteers"). Such volunteers or escapes may be resistant to certain other herbicides.

[0185] In some embodiments, the unwanted vegetation is selected from monocotyledonous weeds such as grasses (e.g., barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli), large smooth crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis, Digitaria ischaemum), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), bentgrass (Agrostis spp.), and nimbleweed), and dicotyledonous weeds such as dandelion.

[0186] In some embodiments, the unwanted vegetation is a broadleaf species. Exemplary broadleaf weeds include, but are not limited to, foxtail (Setaria spp.), wild finger millet (Eleusine spp.), cuffgrass (Digitaria spp.), ryegrass (Lolium spp.), shepherd's purse (Capsella bursapastories), lamb's quarter (Chenopodium album), doublethorn (Oxygonum sinuatum), bindweed (polygonum convolvulus), Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta), gallant soldier (Galinsoga parviflora), white charlock (Raphanus raphanastrium), blackgrass (Alopecurus spp.), meadowgrass (Poa spp.), silky bentgrass (Apera spp.), balneyardgrass (Echinochloa spp.), cleavers (Galium aparine), common chickweed (Stellaria spp.), and others. media), Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale), Parsley-Pierre, Scented Mayweed (Matricaria chamomilla), Scentless Mayweed (Matricaria perforate), Mugwort (Artemisia spp.), Milkweed (Asclepias spp.), Canada Thistle (Cirsium spp.), Velvet Leaf (Abutilon theophrasti), Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.), Buttonweed (Borreria spp.), Canola, Indian Mustard, Commelina spp., Fillery (Eradium spp.), Sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.), Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Mallow (Malva spp.), Wild Buckwheat, Smartweed (Polygonum spp.), purslane (Portulaca spp.), Russian thistle (Salsola spp.), fern (Sida spp.)), wild mustard (Sinapis arventis) and cocklebur (Xanthium spp.), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), kudzu (Pueraria), shepherd's needle, shepherd's purse, volunteer oilseed rape (Brassica napus), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), charlock (Sinapis arvensis), poppy (Papaver rhoeas), especially blackgrass, meadowgrass, silky bentgrass, cleavers, chickweed, mayweed, poppy, charlock and volunteer oilseed rape.

[0187] In some embodiments, the unwanted vegetation is a narrow-leaved species. Exemplary monocotyledonous species include, but are not limited to, oats (Avena fatua), carpet grass (Axonopus spp.), downy brome (Bromus sectorum), crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), baloon grass (Echinochola crus-galli), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), rice (Oryza sativa), ottochloa (Ottochloa nodosa), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), canary grass (Phalaris spp.), foxtail (Setaria spp.), wheat (Triticum aestivum), corn (Zea mays), bracheria (Braacheria spp.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus spp.), and the like. esculentus), purple nutedge (C. rotundus), quokgrass (Elymus repens), larang (Imperata cylinderica), perennial ryegrass (Lotium perenne), guineagrass (Panicum masimum), dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), reeds (Phragmites app.), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and cattails (Typha spp.).

[0188] In some embodiments, the unwanted vegetation is a glyphosphate resistant weed species. Exemplary glyphosphate resistant weed species include, but are not limited to, rigid ryegrass, marestail, Italian ryegrass, common ragweed, common amaranth, waterhemp, goosegrass, ragweed, plantain, Johnson grass, and wild poinsettia.

[0189] In yet another embodiment, the unwanted vegetation is Brassica napus, Brassica nigra, Arctotheca calendula, Fallopia convolvulus, Sinapis arvensis, Stellaria media, Sonchus oleraceus, Buglossoides arvense, Ipomoea lonchophylla, Crassula spp., Lamium spp., Lamium amplexicaule, Fumaria densiflora, Rumex spp., Emex australis, Chenopodium spp., Chenopodium album, Senecio spp., Senecio vulgaris, Centaurea cyanus, Fumaria spp., Sisymbrium officinale, Melilotus indicus, Marrubium vulgare, Lythrum hyssopifolia, Mesembryanthemum spp., Sisymbrium orientale, Sisymbrium irio, Erodium botrys, Cerastium glomeratum, Matthiola longipetala, Echium plantagineum, Lepidium spp., Lactuca serriola, Scleroblitum atriplicinum, Papaver hybridum, Carthamus lanatus, Anagallis arvensis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Chondrilla juncea, Rumex spp., Onopordum acaulon, Juncus bufonius, Polygonum spp., Polygonum convolvulus, Polygonum patulum, Rapistrum rugosum, Silybum marianum, Vicia sativa, Lupinus spp., Carrichtera annua, Raphanus raphanistrum, Brassica tournefortii, Polygonum aviculare, Malva parviflora, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus retroflexus, Gallium aparine, Matricaria spp., Matricaria recutita, Matricaria chamomilla, Veronica spp., Papaver rhoeas, Viola arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Geranium spp., volunteer oilseed rape, Myosotis arvensis, Galium aparine, Brassica nigra, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Fallopia convolvulus, Matricaria Spp., Matricaria chamomilla, Viola arvensis, Stellaria media, Veronica spp., Lamium spp., Myosotis arvensis, Senecio vulgaris, Centaurea cyanus, Papaver rhoeas, Polygonum spp., and Chenopodium spp.

[0190] In some embodiments, the above methods are further combined with one or more additional methods for controlling unwanted vegetation. Exemplary methods include, but are not limited to, crop rotation, crop competition, introduction of natural enemies, and / or mechanical control (e.g., hoeing, tilling, mowing, flooding, and / or smothering).

[0191] Particular embodiments of the subject matter described herein include the following.

[0192] 1. A method for controlling the growth of unwanted vegetation in a target area, comprising: applying to the target locus a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicidal composition comprising a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a growth regulator inhibitor, and combinations thereof; applying a herbicide safener composition comprising pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutaramate at a concentration of less than 1 g / L; A herbicide safener composition is applied to the target area in an amount effective to cause a herbicide safener effect; The method, wherein the target area comprises plants of a cultivated crop selected from specialty crops, sugar crops, legumes, and combinations thereof.

[0193] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the amount of PGA effective to cause a herbicide safening effect is from about 0.001 mg to about 50 mg per plant of the cultivated crop.

[0194] 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the herbicide safener composition comprises PGA at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 g / L to about 0.2 g / L.

[0195] 4. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the herbicide safener effect is measured by at least one method selected from increased crop development, reduced phytotoxicity, increased crop vigor, increased chlorophyll content, increased fresh or dry plant weight, increased root weight, increased crop yield, increased fruit quality, increased plant growth, and increased leaf area of ​​plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition and not treated with the herbicide safener composition.

[0196] 5. The method of embodiment 4, wherein an increase in plant height of about 1% to about 20% is observed in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants that were not treated with the herbicide safener composition.

[0197] 6. The method of embodiment 4, wherein an increase in dry plant weight of about 1% to about 90% is observed in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition.

[0198] 7. The method of embodiment 4, wherein an increase in leaf area of ​​about 1% to about 300% is observed in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition.

[0199] 8. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the target area comprises unwanted vegetation and cultivated crop plants, and the herbicide safener composition is applied to the soil of the target area, to the cultivated crop plants, or a combination thereof.

[0200] 9. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide safener composition is applied to the soil adjacent to the plant, to the rhizosphere of the plant, to one or more plant parts of a cultivated crop plant, or a combination thereof.

[0201] 10. The method according to any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide composition and herbicide safener composition are applied to the soil of a target area containing a crop of cultivated plants that have not yet emerged.

[0202] 11. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide composition and the herbicide safener composition are applied to the target area simultaneously.

[0203] 12. The method according to any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide safener composition is applied using fertilization, irrigation, soaking, dripping, spraying, or a combination thereof.

[0204] 13. Cultivated crop plants Specialty crops selected from fruits and nuts such as almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, breadfruit, cacao, cashews, citrus fruits, cherimoyas, cherries, chestnuts, coconuts, coffee, cranberries, currants, dates, feijoas, figs, filberts, gooseberries, grapes, guavas, kiwis, lychees, macadamias, mangoes, melons, nectarines, olives, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, pears, pecans, persimmons, pineapples, pistachios, plums, pomegranates, quince, raspberries, strawberries, Surinam cherries, walnuts, watermelons, and / or The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the specialty crop is selected from vegetables such as artichoke, asparagus, green beans, green lima, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, collards, cucumber, edamame, eggplant, endive, garlic, horseradish, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, peas, onions, opuntia, parsley, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, rhubarb, rutabaga, salsify, spinach, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard, taro, tomato, tomatillo, turnip, and combinations thereof.

[0205] 14. The method of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the cultivated crop is a legume selected from alfalfa, clover, bean, pea, chickpea, lentil, lupin, mesquite, carob, soybean, peanut, and tamarind.

[0206] 15. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the cultivated crop is a sugar crop selected from sugar beet, sugar cane, and combinations thereof.

[0207] 16. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the cultivated crop is not a genetically modified crop.

[0208] 17. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the PGA is a mixture of L-PGA and D-PGA stereoisomers.

[0209] 18. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the PGA is an L-PGA stereoisomer.

[0210] 19. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the PGA is a D-PGA stereoisomer.

[0211] 20. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the PGA is a mixture of L-PGA and D-PGA stereoisomers in a molar ratio of L to D of about 80:20 to about 97:3.

[0212] 21. A herbicide composition comprising: a lipid synthesis inhibitor selected from fenoxaprop, fluazifob, quizalofob, clethodim, sethaxydim, and combinations thereof; an amino acid synthesis inhibitor selected from chlorimuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, iodosulfuron, nicosulfuron, primisulfuron, prosulfuron, rimsulfuron, thifensulfuron, tribenuron, imazamox, imazaquin, imazethapyr, flumetsulam, cloransulam, thiencarbazone, glyphosate, and combinations thereof; a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor selected from glufosinate; a growth regulator inhibitor selected from 2,4-D, dicamba, quinmerac, clopyralid, fluroxpyr, diflufenzopyr, and combinations thereof; 3. The method of any one of the above embodiments, selected from:

[0213] 22. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide composition is selected from glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, dicamba, quinmerac, metamitron, phenmedipham, ethofumesate, quinclorac, and combinations thereof.

[0214] 23. The method according to any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicidal composition is a non-selective herbicidal composition.

[0215] 24. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicidally effective amount is in the range of 0.005 to about 500 kilograms per hectare (kg / ha).

[0216] 25. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide composition is applied to the target area using a broadcast application method, a direct application method, or a spot application method.

[0217] 26. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide composition is applied to the target area at a rate of about 0.1 to about 10 gallons per acre.

[0218] 27. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide composition is applied at a field strength of at least about 10% of the label rate.

[0219] 28. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the target area is selected from an agricultural field, a garden, a lawn, an orchard, a vineyard, a farm, and combinations thereof.

[0220] 29. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide composition and / or herbicide safener composition is applied to a portion of the target area.

[0221] 30. Unwanted vegetation Agrostis spp., Alopecurus spp., Apera spp., Avena spp., Brachiaria spp., Bromus spp., Digitaria spp., Echinochloa spp., Eleusine spp., Eriochloa spp., Leptochloa spp., Lolium spp., Ottochloa spp., Panicum spp., Paspalum spp., Phalaris spp., Poa spp., Rottboelia spp., Setaria spp., Sorghum spp., Commelina spp., Monochoria spp., Sagittaria spp., Cyperus spp. and Scirpus and / or Abutilon spp., Ambrosia spp., Amaranthus spp., Chenopodium spp., Erysimum spp., Euphorbia spp., Fallopia spp., Gallium spp., Hydrocotyle spp., Ipomoea spp., Lamium spp., Medicago spp., Oxalis spp., Plantago spp., Polygonum spp., Richardia spp., Sida spp., Sinapis spp., Solanum spp., Stellaria spp., Taraxacum spp., Trifolium spp., Veronica spp., Viola spp. and Xanthium spp. and / or glyphosphate resistant weeds selected from the group consisting of rigid ryegrass, marestail, Italian ryegrass, common ragweed, common amaranth, waterhemp, goosegrass, ragweed, plantain, Johnson grass, and wild poinsettia.

[0222] 32. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide safener composition is formulated into a formulation comprising one or more auxiliaries selected from polyanions, extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants (surface active agents), stabilizers, antifoaming agents, antifreeze agents, preservatives, antioxidants, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, light absorbing agents, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, pH adjusting substances, flow promoters, lubricants, plasticizers, complexing agents, colorants, thickeners, solid adhesives, fillers, wetting agents, dispersants, lubricants, anti-caking agents, deformation agents, and diluents.

[0223] 33. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide safener composition is in a form selected from a water soluble liquid (SF), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a wettable powder (WP), a dry flowable powder (DF), a flowable powder (F), a water soluble powder (SP), an ultra low volume concentrate (ULV), a suspension concentrate (SC), an aqueous suspension (AS), a microcapsule suspension (ME or MT), a capsule suspension (CS), a granule (G), or a pellet (P).

[0224] 34. The method of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the herbicide safener composition is in the form of a ready-to-use formulation, a premix formulation, or a tank-mix formulation. EXAMPLES

[0225] It should be understood that the following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only, and that nothing therein should be construed as limiting.

[0226] Example 1: Study of PGA as a herbicide safener for corn plants treated with glyphosate herbicide or Bayer's All-in-One® herbicide. Corn seeds were sown in standard 10 cm diameter pots in a peat-based medium (Fafard#2 / Sunshine Mix#8 soilless medium: 75% Canadian sphagnum peat moss, 20% perlite, 5% vermiculite, traces: dolomitic limestone, wetting agent, silicone). Plants were grown under the following environmental conditions: ●Temperature: 30℃ day / 23℃ Relative humidity: 60-70% ●Photoperiod: 16 hours light period / 8 hours dark period ●Light intensity: 800~1000μMol / m 2 / s

[0227] Treatments were applied 5 days after planting. In experiment 1, glyphosate was applied at label rates of 1%, 10%, and 100% with or without PGA (0.137 g / L) as outlined in the table below. In experiment 2, Bayer's All-in-One® herbicide was applied at label rates of 10% and 100% with or without PGA (0.137 g / L). In both treatments, control plants received water. In both experiments, herbicide was applied to the first fully expanded leaf as a 0.5 mL drop by pipette, and PGA was applied as a 50 mL soil drench. Plants were grown for an additional 2 days in a completely randomized design to allow treatments to take effect. Seven days after planting, plants were photographed and destructively harvested for leaf area and dry biomass. [Table 1]

[0228] See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for results.

[0229] Example 2: Study of PGA (applied as TAKE OFF) as a herbicide safener for soybean plants treated with 2,4D. The same procedure was carried out as in Example 1. See Figure 6 for results.

[0230] Example 3: Study of PGA-containing products as herbicide safeners for sugar beet crop plants treated with various herbicides. Summary: The trials were carried out under controlled conditions in a greenhouse at i2L Research Ltd, Field Station, Shotley Bridge, UK.

[0231] This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PGA-containing products on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) in terms of their impact on early crop development and their impact on herbicide stress reduction. Herbicide products (Belvedere Duo, Goltix Titan and Hasten) were used in combination with PGA-containing test products as well as as stand-alone treatments for comparison. The following conclusions were made: There were no significant differences between the control and herbicides combined with both rates of PGA-containing products in crop development for plants to reach both BBCH 31 and BBCH 39. However, the untreated control reached BBCH 20 significantly faster than all other treatments. ● A PGA-containing product without herbicide (applied at 2 L / ha) resulted in an unexplained loss of plant vigor after application B. However, this effect was not observed when the same rates were combined with herbicide. Therefore, to ensure that the statistical analysis was not distorted by this data, this treatment was removed from the analysis. (See deviation 3 in Appendix III) • By the end of the trial, both rates of PGA containing products demonstrated significantly greater crop vigour compared to the untreated control in BBCH39. • No phytotoxicity was noted until after Application B, and all treatments containing herbicide showed significant levels of phytotoxicity that continued throughout the duration of the study. • For both BBCH31 and BBCH39, both PGA-containing products with herbicide showed significantly higher levels of chlorophyll content compared to the untreated control. • Also, a positive effect of high rate of PGA containing product (2L / ha) with herbicide was shown in both BBCH31 and BBCH39, this treatment showed significantly higher chlorophyll content compared to herbicide without PGA containing product. • Herbicides combined with high PGA containing product rates showed both higher fresh plant weight and higher beet weight compared to all other treatments, however this was not statistically significant.

[0232] Aims and objectives: A greenhouse trial was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of a biostimulant test product, a PGA-containing product, on sugar beet. The objectives of this trial were: • To determine the effectiveness of PGA containing products on sugar beet in terms of early crop development. • To determine the effectiveness of PGA-containing products on sugar beet in terms of reducing herbicide stress.

[0233] The tests will be carried out in accordance with the principles of Good Experimental Practice (GEP), also known as "Official Recognition of Efficacy Testing Facilities or Organisations", as set out in Regulation (EC) no. 1107 / 2009 and Commission Directive 93 / 71 / EC.

[0234] The test substances are summarized in Table 2 below. [Table 2]

[0235] methodology Part details: The trial was conducted at the i2L Research Ltd (Newcastle) Field Station, County Durham (54.875647°N, -1.839069°E, 191 m above sea level, EPPO climate zone: marine). Plots were arranged using a randomized block design.

[0236] Test system: Sugar beet seeds (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. "Degas") were sown on January 4, 2020 in 2 L pots at a rate of one seed per pot. Moisture was applied as needed and plants were allowed to germinate. The first application was applied at BBCH growth stages 09-12. Repeat applications were applied at BBCH 14-15 and 16-19.

[0237] All test products were supplied by Verdesian Life Sciences Ltd. Full details of all test products and treatment application rates are summarized in Table 3. [Table 3]

[0238] All chemicals were applied using a Cooper Pegler pressurized Knapsacks sprayer equipped with a hollow cone nozzle for application. All spray equipment was fully calibrated prior to use. Treatments were applied at three growth stage ranges: Application A at BBCH09-12, Application B at BBCH14-15, and Application C at BBCH16-19.

[0239] Experimental design The test was carried out under controlled conditions in a greenhouse with beet pant var. "Degas". Plants were grown from seeds in 2 L pots and plots consisted of 10 plants per plot.

[0240] Crop maintenance: All plants were watered as needed using a hose, taking care not to apply water directly to the leaves of the test plants.

[0241] evaluation: At each application the following information was recorded: Application time, temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, crop surface moisture (wet / moist / dry) and soil moisture (wet / moist / dry). ● BBCH growth stages of crops Visible phytotoxicity Crop vitality (0~10) Damage to crops (%)

[0242] At BBCH growth stages 20, 31 and 39 the following information was recorded: 1. Crop development (time to reach each BBCH growth stage (days)) 2. Chlorophyll content 3. Visible phytotoxicity 4. Crop Vitality (0-10) 5. Damage to crops (%) 6. Photographs of each plot were also taken at each evaluation. 7. Climate data (temperature and relative humidity)

[0243] Chlorophyll content was recorded using a calibrated SPAD502 Plus chlorophyll meter.

[0244] After the final evaluation in BBCH39, both fresh plant weight and root / beet biomass were recorded.

[0245] statistical analysis One-way ANOVAs were performed at each evaluation interval to investigate the effect of each treatment on plant toxicity, crop vigor, crop damage, crop development, chlorophyll content, and final fresh plant and beet weights. Subsequent Tukey Kramer HSD comparison tests were performed to distinguish treatment means. The analyses were performed using ARM.

[0246] In all analyses, the probability of no significant difference occurring between treatments was calculated as the F probability value (p(F)). All tests were initially performed at a 90% confidence interval. If a significant difference was found at 90%, the analysis was repeated at a 95% confidence interval. Residuals were tested for normality if P>0.05 indicated a normal distribution.

[0247] Modifications / Deviations • Additional assessment of fresh plant and beet weights obtained (see Appendix IV). Treatment 2 - PGA-containing products were removed from the statistical analysis (see Appendix IV).

[0248] result Table 4 below shows the application conditions in this test. [Table 4]

[0249] 1. Crop development The untreated control reached BBCH20 in significantly fewer days than all other treatments at both the 90% and 95% confidence intervals. However, there was no significant difference in the time it took for either BBCH31 or BBCH39 to reach the BBCH growth stage. The PGA-containing product without herbicide was omitted from all analyses due to an unexplained loss of vigor shown in all plots after the second application. This was unexpected, especially since the same rate of PGA-containing product was included in treatment 5 with herbicide and no such loss of vigor was observed in this treatment. Therefore, to prevent this unusual data from distorting the statistical analysis, it is omitted from the analysis (see Figure 7 and Table 5). [Table 5]

[0250] 2. Phytotoxicity and crop damage There was no cytotoxicity exhibited by any of the treatments until after Application B, and all three treatments containing herbicide showed significant levels of phytotoxicity (at both 90% and 95% confidence intervals) that continued throughout the study. The main injury symptoms exhibited were necrosis to leaf sections and discoloration of some leaves (see Table 6 and Figures 8-10). [Table 6]

[0251] 3. Crop vitality The herbicide alone treatment also showed significantly lower crop vigor and exhibited necrosis compared to the untreated control at 11 DAC. However, by the next evaluation interval, there was no longer a significant difference in crop vigor between these treatments. At the final evaluation of 35 DAC, at BBCH39, both herbicide treatments containing PGA-containing products showed significantly greater crop vigor (at both 90% and 95% confidence intervals) compared to the untreated control (see Table 7). [Table 7]

[0252] 4. Chlorophyll content At BBCH20, the herbicide without PGA-containing product treatments showed significantly lower chlorophyll content compared to the untreated control. With herbicide, there was no significant difference in chlorophyll content between the untreated control and the PGA-containing product at both rates.

[0253] With BBCH31, both PGA-containing product rates plus herbicide showed significantly higher levels of chlorophyll content compared to the untreated control. In this evaluation, the herbicide with the high rate of PGA-containing product (2 L / ha) also showed significantly higher chlorophyll content compared to the herbicide without the PGA-containing product.

[0254] In the final evaluation, BBCH39, this same trend continued with both herbicides including both herbicide and PGA-containing product treatments showing significantly higher levels of chlorophyll content than the untreated control. The high rate PGA-containing product (2L / ha) with herbicide also continued to show significantly higher levels of chlorophyll content compared to the herbicide without the PGA-containing product. All significant differences were found at both 90% and 95% confidence intervals (see Table 8 and Figure 11). [Table 8]

[0255] 5.Fresh plant weight The herbicide in combination with the high PGA-containing product rate (2 L / ha) showed the highest fresh plant weight, but this was not statistically significant including the 90% confidence interval (see Table 9 and Figure 12). [Table 9]

[0256] 6. Root / beet weight Similar to fresh plant weight, herbicide combined with high PGA-containing product rate (2 L / ha) showed the highest beet weight; however, this was not statistically significant including the confidence interval at 90% (see Table 10 and Figure 13). [Table 10]

[0257] Appendix I - Raw Data [Table 11-1] [Table 11-2] [Table 11-3] [Table 12-1] [Table 12-2] [Table 12-3] [Table 13-1] [Table 13-2] [Table 13-3] [Table 14-1] [Table 14-2] [Table 14-3] [Table 15-1] [Table 15-2] [Table 15-3] [Table 16-1] [Table 16-2] [Table 16-3]

[0258] Appendix II - Meteorological data [Table 17] [Table 18]

[0259] Appendix III - Final amendments [Table 19]

[0260] Appendix IV - Study Protocol [Table 20] [Table 21] [Table 22] [Table 23] [Table 24]

[0261] A volume sufficient to completely cover the upper and lower leaf surfaces but avoid runoff. Actual spray volume calculated at time of application. [Table 25]

[0262] Plot size / replication / randomization Plot size: 10 plants Replicas: Minimum 5 replicas Randomization: Complete randomized block

[0263] Experimental conditions [Table 26]

[0264] evaluation Record each application: Application time, temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, crop surface moisture (wet / moist / dry) and soil moisture (wet / moist / dry). BBCH growth stages of crops Visible phytotoxicity Crop Vitality (0-10) Damage to crops (%)

[0265] Ratings at BBCH20, BBCH31, and BBCH39: Crop development (time (days) for crops to reach BBCH growth stage) Chlorophyll Content Visible phytotoxicity Crop Vitality (0-10) Damage to crops (%) Photographs taken at each evaluation for all plots.

[0266] NB.BBCH20 - Beginning of rosette stage (10 leaves) BBCH31- Start of crop cover (10%) BBCH39-Crop Coverage Completion (90%)

[0267] Special requirements Usual crop maintenance treatments are applied, and no foliar fertilizers, fungicides, or insecticides are applied.

[0268] In addition, adverse effects on beneficial organisms used in the crop must be observed prior to application, as well as evaluation of pest control and crop safety (phytotoxicity).

[0269] statistical analysis All data will be subjected to appropriate statistical analysis using Minitab (v.16). The statistical analysis performed will be fully documented in the ARM file and in a written report. Statistical analysis up to 90% and 95% confidence levels when differences were indicated.

[0270] Protocol Modifications and Deviations Any modifications and / or deviations to the protocol will be documented, fully justified, and maintained with the protocol. * * * * *

[0271] All technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g., amounts, temperatures, etc.), but some experimental error and deviation should be accounted for.

[0272] As used herein, the term "about," when referring to a value, is meant to encompass variations from the specified amount of, in some embodiments, ±5%, in some embodiments, ±2%, in some embodiments, ±1%, in some embodiments, ±0.5%, and in some embodiments, ±0.1%, where such variations are appropriate for performing the disclosed methods or using the disclosed compositions.

[0273] Where a range of values ​​is stated, it is understood that each intermediate value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit, between the upper and lower limits of that range, or any intervening value within that stated range, is also included unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. To the extent that any specifically excluded limit is within the stated range, the upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges, which may be independently included in the smaller ranges, are also included. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included.

[0274] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention described herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the subject matter is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling unwanted vegetation growth in a target area, comprising: applying to the target area a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicide composition comprising a herbicide selected from a lipid synthesis inhibitor, an amino acid synthesis inhibitor, a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor, a growth regulator inhibitor, and combinations thereof; applying a herbicide safener composition comprising pyroglutamic acid (PGA) and / or 2-oxoglutaramate at a concentration of less than 1 g / L; the herbicide safener composition is applied to the target area in an amount effective to cause a herbicide safener effect; The method, wherein the target area comprises plants of a cultivated crop selected from specialty crops, sugar crops, legumes, and combinations thereof.

2. The method described in claim 1, wherein the amount of PGA effective to cause the herbicide toxicity mitigation effect is about 0.001 mg to about 50 mg per plant of the cultivated crop.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide safener composition comprises PGA at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 g / L to about 0.2 g / L.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide safener effect is measured by at least one method selected from increased crop development, decreased phytotoxicity, increased crop vigor, increased chlorophyll content, increased fresh or dry plant weight, increased root weight, increased crop yield, increased fruit quality, increased plant growth, and increased leaf area of ​​plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated only with the herbicide composition and not the herbicide safener composition.

5. an increase in plant height of about 1% to about 20% is observed in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants not treated with the herbicide safener composition; and / or an increase in dry plant weight of about 1% to about 90% is observed in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated with the herbicide composition alone; and / or 5. The method of claim 4, wherein an increase in leaf area of ​​about 1% to about 300% is observed in plants treated with the herbicide safener composition compared to plants treated with only the herbicide composition.

6. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the target area comprises unwanted vegetation and the cultivated crop plants, and the herbicide safener composition is applied to the soil of the target area, the cultivated crop plants, or a combination thereof.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the herbicide safener composition is applied to the soil adjacent to the plant, to the rhizosphere of the plant, to one or more plant parts of the cultivated crop plant, or a combination thereof.

8. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide composition and the herbicide safener composition are applied to the soil of the target area containing an unemerged crop of cultivated plants.

9. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide composition and the herbicide safener composition are applied to the target area simultaneously.

10. The cultivated crop plants are Specialty crops selected from fruits and nuts such as almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, breadfruit, cacao, cashews, citrus fruits, cherimoyas, cherries, chestnuts, coconuts, coffee, cranberries, currants, dates, feijoas, figs, filberts, gooseberries, grapes, guavas, kiwis, lychees, macadamias, mangoes, melons, nectarines, olives, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, pears, pecans, persimmons, pineapples, pistachios, plums, pomegranates, quince, raspberries, strawberries, Surinamese cherries, walnuts, watermelons, and / or Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, green beans, green lima, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, collards, cucumbers, edamame, eggplant, endive, garlic, horseradish, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, peas, onions, opuntia, parsley, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, rhubarb, rutabaga, salsify, spinach, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard, taro, tomatoes, tomatillos, turnips, and combinations thereof; and / or legumes selected from alfalfa, clover, beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, lupins, mesquite, carob, soybeans, peanuts, and tamarind; and / or 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sugar crop is selected from sugar beet, sugar cane, and combinations thereof.

11. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cultivated crop is not a genetically modified crop.

12. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PGA is a mixture of L-PGA and D-PGA stereoisomers in a molar ratio of L to D of about 80:20 to about 97:

3.

13. The herbicide composition comprises: a lipid synthesis inhibitor selected from fenoxaprop, fluazifob, quizalofob, clethodim, sethaxydim, and combinations thereof; an amino acid synthesis inhibitor selected from chlorimuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, iodosulfuron, nicosulfuron, primisulfuron, prosulfuron, rimsulfuron, thifensulfuron, tribenuron, imazamox, imazaquin, imazethapyr, flumetsulam, cloransulam, thiencarbazone, glyphosate, and combinations thereof; a nitrogen metabolism inhibitor selected from glufosinate; a growth regulator inhibitor selected from 2,4-D, dicamba, quinmerac, clopyralid, fluroxpyr, diflufenzopyr, and combinations thereof; and combinations thereof.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the herbicide composition is selected from glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, dicamba, quinmerac, metamitron, phenmedipham, ethofumesate, quinclorac, and combinations thereof.

15. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicidally effective amount ranges from 0.005 to about 500 kilograms per hectare (kg / ha).

16. the herbicide composition is applied to the target area at a rate of about 0.1 to about 10 gallons per acre; and / or 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide composition is applied at a field strength of at least about 10% of the label rate.

17. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide composition and / or the herbicide safener composition is applied to a portion of the target area.

18. Unwanted vegetation Agrostis spp., Alopecurus spp., Apera spp., Avena spp., Brachiaria spp., Bromus spp., Digitalia spp., Echinochloa spp., Eleusine spp., Eriochloa spp., Leptochloa spp., Lolium spp., Ottochloa spp., Panicum spp., Paspalum spp., Phalaris spp., and Poa spp. Monocotyledonous weeds selected from the group of genera consisting of: Rottboelias spp., Setaria spp., Sorghum spp., Commelina spp., Monochoria spp., Sagittaria spp., and sedges such as Cyperus spp. and Scirpus spp.; and / or Abutilon spp. , Ambrosia spp. , Amaranthus spp. , Chenopodium spp. , Erysimum spp. , Euphorbia spp. , Fallopia spp. , Gallium spp. , Hydrocotyle spp. , Ipomoea spp. , Lamium spp. , Medicago spp. , Oxalis spp. , Plantago spp. , Polygonum spp. , Richardia spp. , Sida spp.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the weeds are selected from the group of genera consisting of: Sinapis spp., Solanum spp., Stellaria spp., Taraxacum spp., Trifolium spp., Veronica spp., Viola spp., and Xanthum spp., and / or glyphosphate-resistant weeds selected from the group consisting of rigid drygrass, artemisia kambe (marestail), Italian ryegrass, common ragweed, giant amaranthus, waterhemp, goosegrass, ragweed, plantain, Johnsongrass, and wild poinsettia.

19. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide safener composition is formulated into a formulation comprising one or more adjuvants selected from polyanions, extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants (surface active agents), stabilizers, antifoaming agents, antifreeze agents, preservatives, antioxidants, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, light absorbers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, pH adjusters, flow promoters, lubricants, plasticizers, complexing agents, colorants, thickeners, solid adhesives, fillers, wetting agents, dispersants, lubricants, anticaking agents, deforming agents, and diluents.

20. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the herbicide safener composition is in a form selected from a ready-to-use formulation, a premix formulation, a tank-mix formulation, a water-soluble liquid (SF), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a wettable powder (WP), a dry flowable (DF), a flowable (F), a water-soluble powder (SP), an ultra-low volume concentrate (ULV), a suspension concentrate (SC), an aqueous suspension (AS), a microcapsule suspension (ME or MT), a capsule suspension (CS), a granule (G), or a pellet (P).