Reduced viscosity compositions containing pretilachlor and florpiruxifen

Abstract

A composition comprising pretilachlor, florpilauxifen and one or more surfactants, wherein the viscosity of the composition is less than 600 cp.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to compositions for controlling plant growth and to the preparation and use of said compositions. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a need for herbicidal compositions suitable for application to rice paddies. However, directly applied formulations such as suspension concentrates (SC), oil dispersions (OD), or granules (GR) may settle on the paddy field floor and / or clumps may cause localized phytotoxicity. Such composition forms also strictly require a water level of at least 5 cm before and after application.

[0003] Water-based emulsions (EW) have the advantage that they are simple to prepare, have good chemical stability, can be applied to paddy field water either directly or after dilution, and spontaneously form an emulsion of oil droplets containing the active ingredient, resulting in droplets that float or rise to the surface and are dispersed over the entire paddy field without settling. Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, EW formulations, especially concentrated EW formulations, typically have high viscosities, which are undesirable for direct splash application in the field and are less aesthetically pleasing to the end user, while low viscosity compositions struggle to achieve sufficient concentrations of the oil phase, and therefore the active ingredient.

[0005] Therefore, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising pretilachlor, florpilaxifen and one or more surfactants, wherein the composition has a viscosity of less than 600 cps (centipoise). Preferably, the composition is an aqueous emulsion (EW). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 shows the shear rate sweep of Composition 2 at 25° C. [Figure 2] On the left, composition 2 with 20 ppm xanthan added before emulsification; in the center, composition 2 without xanthan gum; on the right, composition 2 with 20 ppm xanthan added after the emulsification step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Advantageously, the viscosity of the composition can be less than 500 cps, less than 450 cps, less than 400 cps, or even less than 350 cps.

[0008] The viscosity is measured in a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 2 at a rotation speed of 30 rpm.

[0009] The structures of the active ingredients are shown in Table 1.

[0010] [Table 1]

[0011] Advantageously, the oil phase:aqueous phase ratio (Φ) is 1.1:1 or greater, such as 1.2:1 or greater, 1.3:1 or greater, 1.4:1 or greater, and most preferably 1.5:1 or greater. The higher this ratio in a composition, the more concentrated the composition can be prepared.

[0012] Pretilachlor may be present in an amount of preferably 10 to 50% by weight, for example, 12 to 45% by weight, 15 to 42% by weight, 20 to 40% by weight, or even 25 to 35% by weight.

[0013] Florpirauxifen may be present in an amount of preferably 0.01 to 10% by weight, for example 0.05 to 8% by weight, 0.09 to 7% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight, or even 0.5 to 1.5% by weight.

[0014] Suitable surfactant(s) for the composition according to the invention include tristyrylphenol ethoxylates, such as Soprophor TS-10 (RhonePoulenc SA) or BSU (Rhodia Geronazzo Spa), EO / PO / EO block copolymers, such as Pluronic F-108, Pluronic F-38, Pluronic P-105 (BASF Wyandotte Corp.) and / or sodium salts of sulfonated naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates, such as Morwet D-425 (Witco Chem. Corp.) or Orotan SN (Rohm and Haas, France SA), lignosulfonates, PO / EO butanol copolymers, such as Atlox G-5000, block copolymers of polyhydroxystearic acid and polyalkylene glycols, such as Atlox 4912 or 4914 (American Hoechst) or partial or complete hydrolysates of polyvinyl acetate, for example Mowiol 18-88 or Mowiol 4-88 (Hoechst AG).

[0015] Particularly preferably, the one or more surfactants are selected from the group comprising: polyalkylene glycols (e.g., Atlox 4914), butyl polyalkylene oxide block copolymers (e.g., Toximul 8320), ethoxylated sorbitol esters (e.g., polyoxyethylene (8) sorbitan monolaurate "Tween 22"), polyoxyethylene tridecyl phosphate esters (e.g., Rhodalfac RS610E) and anionic acrylic copolymers (e.g., Zephrym PD3315).

[0016] The surfactant(s) are present in a total amount of from 1 to 10% by weight, such as from 2 to 8%, from 2.5 to 7%, or even from 2.8 to 6% by weight.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more surfactants include Atlox 4914, Tween 20 and Toximul 8320.

[0018] Advantageously, the composition can contain xanthan gum.Surprisingly and counterintuitively, it has been found that xanthan gum acts as a viscosity reducing agent in the present invention, and serves to reduce viscosity.It can also help form fine droplets when applied.

[0019] Xanthan gum is preferably present in an amount that is not zero, but is less than 0.2% by weight, e.g., less than 0.1% by weight, less than 0.05% by weight, less than 0.01% by weight, or even less than 0.005% by weight (e.g., 0.00001 to 0.005% by weight).

[0020] Advantageously, the composition comprises an adjuvant to enhance the effectiveness of the composition. Preferably, the adjuvant comprises an alkyl methyl ester. The alkyl chain length may be 1 to 30 carbons, such as 5 to 25 carbons, or even 10 to 20 carbons, e.g., C 18 It can be oleic acid methyl ester ("Agnique ME 181").

[0021] The presence of an adjuvant allows the formation of fine droplets, e.g., D 95 It was also found that the formation of droplets with a diameter of 2.5 microns was promoted.

[0022] It is also possible to include a solvent. Any solvent that is substantially insoluble in water is suitable as the hydrophobic solvent, for example, an aromatic solvent selected from toluenes, xylenes, alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes, as well as saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, aryl alkyl ketones, esters, fatty acid methyl esters, rapeseed oil C1-C6 alkyl esters, in particular rapeseed oil methyl ester and rapeseed oil ethyl ester, esters of acetic acid or benzoic acid, amides of alkanecarboxylic acids, linear or cyclic acetic acid esters, alkylpyrrolidones, alkylcaprolactones, as well as alkyl carbonates or mixtures of these solvents.

[0023] For effective field dispersion, it is advantageous for the density of the oil phase to be less than 1 g / ml, therefore low density solvents are preferred.

[0024] Suitable oil phase stabilizers for the compositions according to the invention include polymers, copolymers and oligomers or mixtures thereof selected from the following classes: polystyrene, water-insoluble poly(n-alkylene) glycols (n>2), polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl acetate-copolyethylene.

[0025] The oil phase stabilizer can be: 1) Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins. 2) Mixtures of the polymers mentioned in 1), mixtures of different types of polyethylene (e.g. LDPE / HDPE). 3) Copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers. 3a) Hydrocarbon resins (e.g., C5 to C9) (including hydrogenated modifications thereof). 4) Polystyrene, poly(p-methylstyrene), poly(α-methylstyrene). 5) Copolymers of styrene or a-methylstyrene with dienes or acrylic derivatives. 6) Graft copolymers of styrene or methylstyrene. 7) Halogenated polymers. 8) Polymeric derivatives of α-unsaturated acids and their derivatives. 9) Copolymers of the monomers mentioned in 8) with each other or with other unsaturated monomers, such as acrylonitrile / butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile / alkyl acrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile / alkoxyalkyl acrylate or acrylonitrile / vinyl halide copolymers, or acrylonitrile / alkyl methacrylate / butadiene terpolymers. 10) Polymers derived from unsaturated alcohols and amines or their acyl and acetal derivatives; and copolymers thereof with the olefins mentioned under 1). 11) Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ethers. 12) Polyacetals such as polyoxymethylene and polyoxymethylenes containing ethylene oxide as a comonomer. 13) Polyphenylene oxides and sulfides. 14) Polyurethanes derived from polyethers, polyesters and polybutadienes having terminal hydroxyl groups on the one hand and aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanates on the other hand. 15) Polyamides and copolyamides derived from diamines, dicarboxylic acids and from the aminocarboxylic acids of the corresponding lactams. 16) Polyureas, polyimides and polyamideimides and polybenzimidazoles. 17) Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and / or from hydroxycarboxylic acids and their lactones. 17a) Derived from aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and diols and / or oligoethers, of the general formula: -(OXOC(=O)-YC(O=)) z (In the formula, X=-(CH2) n and n=2 to 12, or X=[-(CH2) n -O-(CH2)n] r where n=2 to 4 and r=2 to 10. Y=-(CH2) m-, m=0 to 12, z=5 to 100) and copolymers thereof. 18) Polycarbonate and polyester carbonate. 19) Polysulfone, polyethersulfone and polyetherketone. 20) Polyethers of diglycidyl compounds including diglycidyl ethers and diols. 21) Natural polymers such as rubber, as well as chemically modified homologous derivatives of natural polymers, such as cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate and cellulose butyrate, or cellulose ethers such as methylcellulose (degree of substitution >2.5); as well as resins and derivatives thereof. 22) Mixtures of the above polymers. 23) Mineral oil, fatty acid alkyl ester or rapeseed oil C 1-6 Alkyl esters.

[0026] The molecular weight of the polymers of oil phase stabilizers suitable for the compositions according to the invention, determined for example by light scattering measurements or by osmometry, can be up to 1,000,000 daltons, and is usually between 1,000 and 1,000,000 daltons, preferably between 1,000 and 100,000 daltons. In the case of very hydrophobic and therefore very poorly water-soluble compounds, such as alkanes and fatty acid alkyl esters, the Mw can be less than 1,000.

[0027] The oil phase stabilizer is used in the composition according to the invention at a concentration of 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight, based on the final formulation. When the oil phase stabilizer is a compound with very high hydrophobicity and therefore very low water solubility, such as an alkane or fatty acid alkyl ester, and a low molecular weight compound, the concentration can be up to 25%.

[0028] Furthermore, substances that lower the melting point of the emulsion, ie substances that prevent the formulation from freezing at low temperatures (antifreeze agents), can also be added to the formulation according to the invention.

[0029] Such substances are usually water-soluble salts suitable for depressing the freezing point of the aqueous phase of the emulsion according to the invention, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate and sodium nitrate, and mixtures thereof. Water-soluble glycols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerol, and mixtures thereof, are also suitable. The salts and glycols are preferably used in concentrations of 0.5 to 10% by weight, in each case based on the final formulation of the emulsion.

[0030] The emulsion according to the present invention may additionally contain, as an adjuvant, a preservative (e.g., Acticide LG) or formaldehyde that inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Such adjuvants may be used in an amount of 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of the final formulation.

[0031] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing the composition defined herein. An organic phase containing pretilachlor and florpilaxifen can be emulsified into an aqueous phase using a suitable agitator, such as a YSTRALO X 40 / 32 emulsifier with an agitation speed of 3000-6000 rpm. Depending on the formulation and speed used, an emulsion with a particle size in the preferred range of 1-10 micrometers can be obtained.

[0032] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling undesirable plant growth, comprising applying a herbicidally effective amount of a composition as described herein to the plant or its habitat. Commercially available products will preferably be formulated as concentrates, but end users will typically dilute the compositions with water. Advantageously, the compositions are applied to rice paddies.

[0033] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of xanthan gum to reduce the viscosity of an agrochemical composition, preferably the agrochemical composition being an aqueous emulsion. Advantageously, the xanthan gum will be used in the amounts and forms described above.

[0034] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination of an unmanned aerial vehicle and a composition described herein.

[0035] Unless otherwise specified, percentages are expressed as percentages by total weight, and all embodiments and preferred features can be combined in any combination.

[0036] The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. [Example]

[0037] The following compositions were prepared:

[0038] [Table 2]

[0039] physical properties The viscosity of the composition is as follows: Composition 1:580cps; Composition 2:300cps; Composition 3:385cps. Measurements were taken using a Brookfield viscometer with spindle 2 at a rotation speed of 30 rpm.

[0040] Figure 1 shows the shear rate sweep of Composition 2 at 25°C, which demonstrates shear thinning behavior, which is particularly advantageous for direct flood application.

[0041] The effects of xanthan gum The left side of Figure 2 shows Composition 2 with 20 ppm xanthan added before emulsification; the center shows Composition 2 without xanthan gum; and the right side shows Composition 2 with 20 ppm xanthan added after the emulsification process.

[0042] Unexpectedly, the addition of xanthan gum is found to improve and reduce viscosity compared to when this gum is not present.

[0043] Effectiveness The herbicidal activity of this composition was tested against barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) (ECHCG) by flood application or foliar application. Composition 2 was tested against a commercially available herbicide, Topshot™ (containing penoxsulam and cyhalofop as active ingredients).

[0044] The results are shown in Table 3.

[0045] [Table 3]

[0046] It is also seen that the compositions according to the invention exhibit improved performance in terms of efficacy against important weeds compared to commercially available compositions.

[0047] The invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A composition comprising pretilachlor, florpilauxifen and one or more surfactants, wherein the viscosity of the composition is less than 600 cps.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is an aqueous emulsion (EW).

3. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oil phase:water phase ratio (Φ) is 1.1:1 or greater, preferably 1.5:1 or greater.

4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pretilachlor is present in an amount of 20 to 40% by weight.

5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the florpiruxifen is present in an amount of 0.1 to 5% by weight.

6. 6. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the one or more surfactants are selected from the group comprising: polyalkylene glycols, butyl polyalkylene oxide block copolymers, ethoxylated sorbitol esters, polyoxyethylene tridecyl phosphate esters, and anionic acrylic copolymers.

7. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising xanthan gum, preferably in an amount of less than 0.2% by weight.

8. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an adjuvant, preferably an adjuvant comprising an alkyl methyl ester.

9. A method for preparing the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. 10. A method for controlling undesirable plant growth, comprising applying a herbicidally effective amount of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to the plant or its habitat.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the composition is applied to a rice field.

12. 1. Use of xanthan gum to reduce the viscosity of an agrochemical composition, preferably said agrochemical composition being an aqueous emulsion.

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