Weed control method and mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a weed control method and a mixed agrochemical composition for soil treatment which are capable of preventing or reducing absorption phytotoxicity to cultivated crops regardless of heavy rainfall, soil species, sowing depth, etc., when an upland field is subjected to a soil treatment with pyroxasulfone, and which are effective against a wide range of weed species. A weed control method is characterized by including a soil treatment step for soil treating an upland field with a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor and a pyroxasulfone-containing agrochemical composition for soil treatment at the same time or before or after, wherein the agrochemical composition for soil treatment further contains a concealing substance that conceals the pyroxasulfone, and the concealing substance microencapsulates or coats the pyroxasulfone. A mixed agrochemical composition for soil treatment is characterized by containing said agrochemical composition for soil treatment and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weed control method and a mixed agrochemical composition for soil treatment that can prevent or reduce phytotoxicity to cultivated crops by absorption when field soil is treated with pyroxasulfone, regardless of heavy rainfall, soil type, sowing depth, etc., and that is effective against a wide range of weed species. [Background technology]

[0002] Pyroxasulfone is known to have a high herbicidal effect on grass weeds such as barnyard grass, crabgrass, green foxtail, annual bluegrass, Johnsongrass, black foxtail, Italian ryegrass, rigid ryegrass, oat, Japanese corn grass, and wild oats, as well as amaranthaceae weeds, broadleaf weeds such as polygonum broadleaf, lamb's quarter, chickweed, velvet grass, American sedge, hornwort, common ragweed, morning glory, cloverleaf, persea grass, Japanese laurel wort, Lamium amplexicaule, and violet, and perennial and annual sedge weeds such as nutsedge, yellow nutsedge, Japanese sedge, sedge, and Japanese sedge. It is also known to have a wide herbicidal spectrum.

[0003] In general, soil treatment is one of the methods of treating pesticide compositions that are effective in fields, and although it is expected to control pests for a long period of time, it is known that the risk of phytotoxicity is higher than that of, for example, foliage treatment, due to the long contact period with cultivated crops. In particular, if there is heavy rainfall or the like before the cultivated crop germinates after the treatment with the pesticide composition, the soil-treated pesticide composition penetrates deep into the soil, the contact period with the cultivated crop becomes longer, and the risk of phytotoxicity caused by absorption of the cultivated crop increases. In this case, if the soil is a well-drained soil type such as sandy loam, the penetration rate of the pesticide composition into the soil increases further due to the high water permeability, and if the depth at which the cultivated crop is sown is shallow, the time until the pesticide composition comes into contact with the cultivated crop becomes shorter, and the risk of phytotoxicity increases further. Therefore, when pyroxasulfone is used under such conditions, there has been concern about phytotoxicity, especially for legumes such as soybean, peanut, adzuki bean, kidney bean, and cowpea.

[0004] For this reason, there has been a demand for a pesticide composition for soil treatment which is highly safe for these cultivated crops and has a broad herbicidal spectrum, regardless of heavy rainfall, soil type, sowing depth, etc.

[0005] On the other hand, techniques for microencapsulation of pesticide active ingredients are known. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses microcapsules of various useful compounds, including pesticide active ingredients, using various substances as wall materials, and a method for producing the same.

[0006] However, the pesticide composition using the elution control technology by the concealing substance such as microencapsulation is used in an environment such as a paddy field where water is abundant, and it is assumed that the pesticide active ingredient is eluted using the water in the field, so it has not been used much in fields such as farmland where water is scarce.In addition, even if the pesticide active ingredient has a similar chemical structure, the water solubility is different, so even if the main skeleton is the same, it is not necessarily suitable for the application of the elution control technology by the concealing substance as described above, and the pesticide active ingredient to be applied is limited.In this situation, there is no known elution control technology suitable for soil treatment for pyroxasulfone. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Koishi et al., "Development and Application of Micro / Nano Capsules and Particles," CMC Publishing Co., Ltd., August 31, 2003, full text Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As mentioned above, pyroxasulfone has a wide herbicidal spectrum, but in order to further expand the herbicidal spectrum, the present inventors have investigated its use in combination with other herbicides. As a result, it was found that the herbicidal spectrum could be expanded by using it in combination with a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, but the adverse effects on cultivated crops also increased, and in particular, depending on heavy rainfall after soil treatment, soil type, and sowing depth, there was a problem that the absorbed phytotoxicity to cultivated crops was greater than the Colby expected value.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a weed control method and a mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment which, when field soil is treated with pyroxasulfone, can prevent or reduce phytotoxicity caused by absorption in cultivated crops regardless of heavy rainfall, soil type, sowing depth, etc., and which is effective against a wide range of weed species. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] As a result of intensive research into solving this problem, the inventors discovered that the above problem can be solved by microencapsulating or coating pyroxasulfone with a concealing substance to prevent exposure of pyroxasulfone when used in combination with a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, and thus completed the present invention.

[0011] That is, the present invention relates to the following. (1) A method for treating a field comprising a soil treatment step of simultaneously or successively treating the field with a pesticide composition for soil treatment containing pyroxasulfone and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, the pesticide composition for soil treatment further containing a concealing substance for concealing the pyroxasulfone, the concealing substance microencapsulating or coating the pyroxasulfone. The protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone and flumioxazin. 2. A method for controlling weeds, comprising: ( 2 The pyroxasulfone crystal particles are directly coated with the concealing substance. (1) The method according to ( 3 The pyroxasulfone is encapsulated in a wall material of the concealing substance to form a microencapsulated form. (1) The method according to ( 4 ) The average particle size of the pesticide composition for soil treatment is 0.1 to 150 μm. 3 ) A method according to any one of the preceding claims. ( 5 ) the mixing ratio of the concealing substance is 0.1 to 50 parts by mass per 1 part by mass of pyroxasulfone, 4 ) A method according to any one of the preceding claims. ( 6) the concealing substance is selected from the group consisting of polyurea, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, ethyl cellulose, poly(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, carnauba wax, montan acid ester wax, hardened fats and oils, polylactic acid, gelatin, crosslinked melamine, polystyrene, polystyrene copolymer, wax, yeast cell wall, alginate, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol copolymer, and shellac, (1) to (5), 5 ) A method according to any one of the preceding claims. ( 7 ) The soil is treated with an agricultural chemical active ingredient other than the pyroxasulfone and the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor simultaneously with, before or after, the agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment. 6 ) A method according to any one of the preceding claims. ( 8 ) The formulation of the pesticide composition for soil treatment is a dust, granule, wettable powder, water dispersible granule, aqueous suspension formulation or oil suspension formulation. 7 ) A method according to any one of the preceding claims. ( 9 ) The soil treatment step is carried out before the emergence of a cultivated crop. 8 ) A method according to any one of the preceding claims. ( 10 ) The cultivated crop is a legume, 9 ) The method according to claim 1. ( 11 ) the legumes are soybeans, peanuts, adzuki beans, kidney beans or cowpeas, 10 ) The method according to claim 1. ( 12 ) A soil treatment pesticide composition containing pyroxasulfone and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, the soil treatment pesticide composition further containing a concealing substance that conceals the pyroxasulfone, the concealing substance microencapsulating or coating the pyroxasulfone. The protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone and flumioxazin. 2. A mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment, comprising: ( 13 ) further comprising an agricultural chemical active ingredient other than the pyroxasulfone and the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, 12) The mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment according to claim 1 . ( 14 ) a soil treatment step of simultaneously or successively treating a field with a pesticide composition for soil treatment containing pyroxasulfone and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, the pesticide composition for soil treatment further containing a concealing substance for concealing the pyroxasulfone, the concealing substance microencapsulating or coating the pyroxasulfone, The protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone and flumioxazin. A method for preventing or reducing phytotoxicity due to absorption in cultivated crops, comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, when field soil is treated with pyroxasulfone, it is possible to prevent or reduce phytotoxicity due to absorption in cultivated crops regardless of heavy rainfall, soil type, sowing depth, etc., and it is possible to provide a weed control method and a mixed agrochemical composition for soil treatment that are effective against a wide range of weed species. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] <Weed control methods> The weed control method of the present invention includes a soil treatment step in which field soil is treated simultaneously or successively with a pesticide composition for soil treatment containing pyroxasulfone and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "PPO inhibitor"), and is characterized in that the pesticide composition for soil treatment further contains a concealing substance that conceals the pyroxasulfone, and the concealing substance microencapsulates or coats the pyroxasulfone.

[0014] (Pesticide composition for soil treatment) The pesticide composition for soil treatment has a structure in which the pyroxasulfone is microencapsulated or coated with the concealing substance, thereby preventing exposure of the pyroxasulfone. Such a pesticide composition for soil treatment can be produced, for example, by a method of directly coating crystal particles of pyroxasulfone with a film of a resin, which is a concealing substance, or by a method of encapsulating pyroxasulfone in a wall material of a resin, which is a concealing substance, and microencapsulating the pyroxasulfone.

[0015] Any known substance can be used as the masking substance in the agrochemical composition for soil treatment, and specific examples of usable substances are described in, for example, Non-Patent Document 1. In particular, polyurea, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, ethyl cellulose, poly(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, carnauba wax, montan acid ester wax, hardened oils and fats, polylactic acid, gelatin, crosslinked melamine, polystyrene, polystyrene copolymer, wax, yeast cell wall, alginate, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol copolymer, and shellac are preferably used. The mixing ratio of the masking substance of pyroxasulfone in the agrochemical composition for soil treatment is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of elution performance, it is preferably 0.1 to 50 parts by mass, more preferably 0.15 to 10 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.2 to 3 parts by mass relative to 1 part by mass of pyroxasulfone.

[0016] Methods for directly coating pyroxasulfone crystal particles with a resin film include known and commonly used methods, such as a method in which pyroxasulfone is mixed with a resin that has been melted by heating or dissolved in a solvent, and then cooled to solidify the resin.

[0017] The coating method may be carried out, if desired, in the presence of an auxiliary capable of imparting rubber elasticity, such as a silicone composite powder or a silicone rubber powder.

[0018] Methods for encapsulating pyroxasulfone in a wall material of a resin to form microcapsules include known and commonly used methods. For example, when the resin, which is the concealing substance, is polyurea or polyurethane, examples of the method include a method including an emulsification and dispersion step of stirring crystal particles of pyroxasulfone, isocyanate, an oily phase, and an aqueous phase to emulsify and disperse the oily phase in the aqueous phase to form emulsified particles of the oily phase, and a film formation step of forming a film on at least the surface of the emulsified particles of the oily phase formed in the emulsification and dispersion step.

[0019] The isocyanate forming the polyurea and / or polyurethane is preferably hydrophobic. Specific examples of the isocyanate include aliphatic or aromatic isocyanates, with aromatic isocyanates being preferred. The isocyanate is preferably a polyisocyanate having two or more functional groups. Specific examples of the isocyanate that can be used in the present invention include, for example, an aliphatic diisocyanate monomer such as hexamethylene diisocyanate or an oligomer such as a dimer or trimer thereof, an aromatic diisocyanate monomer such as toluene diisocyanate or diphenylmethane diisocyanate or an oligomer such as a dimer or trimer thereof, or a cyclic isocyanate represented by the following formula (I): TIFF0007664845000001.tif31166 (n in the formula is an integer equal to or greater than 1) These may be used alone or in any combination of two or more.

[0020] In the emulsification and dispersion step, it is preferable to use a polyester block copolymer. The polyester block copolymer that can be used in the present invention may be a commercially available product, for example, ATLOX RHEOSTRUX 100-PW (MV) manufactured by CRODA. The content of the polyester block copolymer in the pesticide composition for soil treatment is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 0.3 mass%, more preferably 0.1 to 0.3 mass%, and even more preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mass%.

[0021] When a polyester block copolymer is used in the emulsification and dispersion step, it is preferable to emulsify and disperse the oily phase in the aqueous phase by stirring the crystal particles of pyroxasulfone, the polyester block copolymer, the isocyanate, the oily phase, and the aqueous phase at a peripheral speed of 10,000 to 50,000 mm / s. From the viewpoint of biological effects such as herbicidal effects and phytotoxicity reducing effects, the peripheral speed is more preferably in the range of 10,000 to 40,000 mm / s, and particularly preferably in the range of 15,000 to 35,000 mm / s. High-speed stirring in this range may be performed until emulsion particles of the oily phase are formed, and the high-speed stirring time is usually in the range of 5 to 60 minutes, preferably 5 to 30 minutes, and more preferably 10 to 30 minutes. Here, in the present invention, the peripheral speed means the peripheral speed at the outermost circumference of the rotating blade of the stirrer.

[0022] The order of mixing the components in the emulsification and dispersion step is not particularly limited, but since a more excellent phytotoxicity reducing effect can be obtained, it is preferable to provide a step of mixing the polyester block copolymer with the oily phase before the emulsification and dispersion step, and add the polyester block copolymer to the oily phase in advance. The reason for this is that by mixing the polyester block copolymer with the oily phase in advance, the viscosity of the oily phase increases, and the difference in viscosity with the aqueous phase can be utilized to efficiently encapsulate pyroxasulfone in microcapsules.

[0023] A specific example of a method for mixing the components is a method in which crystalline pyroxasulfone is added to a mixture of an oily phase and a polyester block copolymer, an isocyanate is further added to dissolve or disperse the mixture, and then an aqueous phase is added and mixed.

[0024] Other examples include a method in which an isocyanate is dissolved or dispersed in a mixed liquid of an oily phase and a polyester block copolymer, an aqueous phase is added, and then crystalline pyroxasulfone is added and mixed; and a method in which an isocyanate is dissolved or dispersed in a mixed liquid of an oily phase and a polyester block copolymer, an aqueous phase is added, and then crystalline pyroxasulfone is added, and then an aqueous phase is added and mixed.

[0025] The polyester block copolymer can be uniformly dispersed in the oily phase by the above-mentioned high-speed stirring. When the polyester block copolymer is added to the oily phase in advance, it is preferable to obtain a mixed liquid by heating to a temperature equal to or higher than the dissolution temperature of the polyester block copolymer, for example, 80°C or higher, since this enhances the dispersibility of the polyester block copolymer in the organic solvent.

[0026] In these mixing methods, stirring may be performed to dissolve, disperse or mix each component. The stirring speed is not particularly limited, but is preferably 4,000 to 50,000 mm / s, and more preferably 6,000 to 40,000 mm / s, and more preferably 9,000 to 35,000 mm / s, in consideration of biological effects such as herbicidal effects and phytotoxicity reducing effects.

[0027] More specifically, the polyester block copolymer is added to an oily phase, for example, an organic solvent, and heated to obtain a mixed liquid. In the emulsification and dispersion step, crystalline pyroxasulfone is added to the mixed liquid at room temperature and stirred at a peripheral speed of 4,000 to 30,000 mm / s, preferably 6,000 to 10,000 mm / s, and further isocyanate is added and dissolved or dispersed by stirring at a peripheral speed of preferably 4,000 to 30,000 mm / s, more preferably 6,000 to 10,000 mm / s. Then, an aqueous phase is added and mixed, and the mixture is stirred at a high speed of 10,000 to 50,000 mm / s, preferably 10,000 to 40,000 mm / s, more preferably 15,000 to 35,000 mm / s, to emulsify and disperse the oily phase in the aqueous phase, thereby forming emulsion particles of the oily phase.

[0028] Alternatively, the polyester block copolymer is added to an oil phase, for example, an organic solvent, and heated to obtain a mixed liquid. In the emulsification and dispersion step, isocyanate is dissolved or dispersed in the mixed liquid by stirring at a peripheral speed of preferably 4,000 to 30,000 mm / s, more preferably 6,000 to 10,000 mm / s, and then an aqueous phase is added and crystalline pyroxasulfone is added and mixed while stirring at a peripheral speed of preferably 10,000 to 50,000 mm / s, more preferably 10,000 to 40,000 mm / s, and even more preferably 15,000 to 35,000 mm / s. The oily phase can be emulsified and dispersed in the aqueous phase by high-speed stirring at 10,000 to 40,000 mm / s, more preferably 15,000 to 35,000 mm / s, to form emulsion particles of the oily phase.

[0029] In another alternative method, the polyester block copolymer is added to an oil phase, for example, an organic solvent, and heated to obtain a mixed liquid. In the emulsification and dispersion step, isocyanate is dissolved or dispersed in the mixed liquid by stirring at a peripheral speed of preferably 4,000 to 30,000 mm / s, more preferably 6,000 to 10,000 mm / s, and then crystalline pyroxasulfone is added and mixed, preferably at a peripheral speed of 10,000 to 50,000 mm / s. The aqueous phase is added and mixed while stirring at a speed of 10,000 to 50,000 mm / s, preferably 10,000 to 40,000 mm / s, and more preferably 15,000 to 35,000 mm / s, and then the mixture is stirred at a high speed of 10,000 to 50,000 mm / s, preferably 10,000 to 40,000 mm / s, and more preferably 15,000 to 35,000 mm / s, to emulsify and disperse the oily phase in the aqueous phase and form emulsion particles of the oily phase.

[0030] In the process of adding the polyester block copolymer to an oily phase and heating to obtain a mixed liquid, the heating temperature is desirably the dissolution temperature of the polyester block copolymer or higher, for example, 80°C or higher, in order to uniformly disperse the polyester block copolymer in the oily phase.

[0031] The mixture of the oily phase and the polyester block copolymer preferably has a viscosity at 20°C of about 10 to 500 mPa·s, more preferably about 20 to 400 mPa·s, and even more preferably about 30 to 300 mPa·s.

[0032] The oily phase used in the film-forming step is not particularly limited as long as it can dissolve and disperse the polyester block copolymer, pyroxasulfone, and isocyanate, but an organic solvent that can be used in a conventional microencapsulation method, preferably a hydrophobic organic solvent, may be used. The oily phase preferably has a viscosity at 20°C of 10 to 500 mPa·s, more preferably 20 to 400 mPa·s, and even more preferably about 30 to 300 mPa·s, but on the premise of an increase in viscosity due to the incorporation of the polyester block copolymer, an organic solvent having a viscosity of less than 10 mPa·s alone can also be used without any problem.

[0033] Specific examples of such organic solvents include ethers such as ethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropyl ether, and dibutyl ether; aliphatic hydrocarbons such as normal paraffin, naphthene, isoparaffin, kerosene, and mineral oil; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha, alkylnaphthalene, and phenylxylylethane; halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride; esters such as ethyl acetate, diisopropyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, dimethyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, and diisodecyl adipate; and vegetable oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and castor oil. In particular, aromatic hydrocarbons, and among these, phenylxylylethane are preferred.

[0034] The oily phase may further contain additives that can be used in conventional microencapsulation methods, but it is desirable to appropriately select the additives so that the viscosity of the oily phase after addition of the polyester block copolymer is preferably in the range of 10 to 500 mPa s, more preferably 20 to 400 mPa s, and even more preferably 30 to 300 mPa s at 20°C.

[0035] The aqueous phase used in the membrane forming step contains water as an essential component, but may further contain an emulsifier. The emulsifier is not limited as long as it does not cause aggregation in the membrane forming step, and examples thereof include polyacrylic acid or a water-soluble salt thereof, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, etc., and polyvinyl alcohol is preferred. The emulsifier can be added in the emulsion dispersion step, but it is preferable to dissolve it in the aqueous phase in advance. Alternatively, the emulsifier can be used in the form of an aqueous solution dissolved in water. The concentration of the emulsifier in the aqueous solution is not particularly limited, but is usually selected from the range of 0.5 to 5 mass%.

[0036] In the film formation step, it is preferable to mix 1 to 30% by mass of pyroxasulfone, 1 to 30% by mass of oily phase, and 0.01 to 1.0% by mass of polyester block copolymer based on the total raw materials of the pyroxasulfone-containing microcapsules obtained. The amount of polyester block copolymer mixed is more preferably 0.01 to 0.60% by mass, and even more preferably 0.01 to 0.30% by mass, based on the total raw materials of the pyroxasulfone-containing microcapsules obtained. The amount of polyester block copolymer mixed can be appropriately adjusted to 0.001 to 0.1 parts by mass, preferably 0.005 to 0.05 parts by mass, and more preferably 0.005 to 0.03 parts by mass, based on 1 part by mass of oily phase.

[0037] The film-forming step can be carried out by the film-forming method in the general microcapsule manufacturing method, and can be made to react the water in the aqueous phase with isocyanate at the liquid-liquid interface between the emulsion particles of the oily phase formed in the emulsification dispersion step and the aqueous phase, or can be made to react with isocyanate by further adding a water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound to the aqueous phase.In the film-forming step, the isocyanate can be made to react with at least one of the water and the water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound in the aqueous phase, thereby forming a polyurethane or polyurea film at least on the surface of the emulsion particles of the oily phase formed in the emulsification dispersion step.

[0038] The reaction conditions for forming the film vary depending on the selected isocyanate, water-soluble active hydrogen compound, emulsifier, and organic solvent, but can be carried out, for example, by stirring for about 10 minutes to 6 hours, preferably 1 to 4 hours, at room temperature or while heating to a temperature of 50 to 100° C., preferably 50 to 80° C. In this case, the stirring may be performed at a peripheral speed of about 300 to 6,000 mm / s, preferably 300 to 5,000 mm / s, and more preferably 300 to 4,000 mm / s.

[0039] The water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound that can be contained in the aqueous phase is one that contributes to crosslinking of isocyanate in the film formation process, and examples thereof include polyols and polyamines. However, polyols that contribute as emulsifiers are not included. When the water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound is a polyol, polyurethane is formed, and when it is a polyamine, polyurea is formed. When the water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound is not blended, polyurea is formed.

[0040] Specific examples of polyols include glycol compounds and glycerin, and specific examples of polyamines include ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, and hexamethylenediamine. From the viewpoint of the elution of pyroxasulfone, polyols, particularly glycol compounds having a polyoxyethylene group and / or a polyoxypropylene group, are preferred. Specific examples of glycol compounds having a polyoxyethylene group and / or a polyoxypropylene group include, for example, polyoxypropylene polyols, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymers (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycols), and particularly polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymers are preferred. These water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0041] The water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound may be added at any stage of the emulsification / dispersion process or the film-forming process, but it is preferable to add a polyol, particularly a glycol compound having a polyoxyethylene group and / or a polyoxypropylene group, in the film-forming process.

[0042] The proportions of the isocyanate in the oil phase, which serves as reactants, and the water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound and emulsifier used if desired, are determined stoichiometrically based on the reaction formula for producing polyurethane or polyurea, respectively.

[0043] The amount of the isocyanate to be blended can be selected from the range of 1 to 10 parts by mass, preferably 1 to 5 parts by mass, and more preferably 1 to 3 parts by mass, per part by mass of the pyroxasulfone crystal particles. Also, the total amount of the isocyanate and the water-soluble active hydrogen-containing compound can be appropriately adjusted to 1 to 10 parts by mass, preferably 1 to 7 parts by mass, and more preferably 2 to 5 parts by mass, per part by mass of the pyroxasulfone crystal particles.

[0044] The microencapsulation of pyroxasulfone in the present invention may be carried out, if desired, in the presence of nonionic surfactants such as sorbitan fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene resin acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, alkyl polyoxyethylene polypropylene block copolymer ethers, polyoxyalkylene styrylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oil, and polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, lignin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, naphthalene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, salts of formalin condensates of naphthalene sulfonic acid, and salts of formalin condensates of alkylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, polyalkylsiloxanes, and antifoaming agents such as higher fatty acid salts. These additives may be incorporated in the oily or aqueous phase beforehand, or may be added separately from the oily or aqueous phase.

[0045] Furthermore, in the microencapsulation of pyroxasulfone in the present invention, water-soluble thickeners such as xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose or its salt, gum arabic, gelatin, dextrin, water-soluble starch, and dispersants such as salts of formalin condensates of naphthalenesulfonic acid may be added as desired. The amount of the water-soluble thickener is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the pesticide composition for soil treatment. The amount of the dispersant is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 1 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the pesticide composition for soil treatment.

[0046] The average particle size (volume median size) of the thus obtained agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment can be appropriately selected and is usually selected from the range of 0.1 to 150 μm, preferably 0.5 to 100 μm, and more preferably 1 to 50 μm.

[0047] The above-mentioned agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment may contain, as necessary, any additive components that are usually used in agricultural chemical formulations.

[0048] Examples of the additive components include carriers such as solid carriers and liquid carriers, surfactants, binders, tackifiers, thickeners, colorants, spreading agents, adhesives, antifreeze agents, anticaking agents, disintegrants, antidecomposition agents, and antifoaming agents. In addition, preservatives, plant pieces, and the like may be used as additive components as necessary. These additive components may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0049] Examples of solid carriers include natural minerals such as quartz, clay, silica sand, kaolinite, pyrophyllite, sericite, talc, bentonite, acid clay, attapulgite, zeolite, and diatomaceous earth, inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate, ammonium sulfate, sodium sulfate, and potassium chloride, organic solid carriers such as synthetic silicic acid, synthetic silicates, starch, cellulose, and plant powder, plastic carriers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinylidene chloride, urea, inorganic hollow bodies, plastic hollow bodies, fumed silica (white carbon), etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0050] Examples of liquid carriers include monohydric alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, and butanol; polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and glycerin; polyhydric alcohol compounds such as propylene glycol ether; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, and cyclohexanone; ethers such as ethyl ether, dioxane, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran; normal paraffin, naphthene, Examples of the solvent include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as isoparaffin, kerosene, and mineral oil, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha, alkylbenzene, and alkylnaphthalene, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride, esters such as ethyl acetate, diisopropyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, and dimethyl adipate, lactones such as γ-butyrolactone, amides such as dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, and N-alkylpyrrolidinone, nitriles such as acetonitrile, sulfur compounds such as dimethyl sulfoxide, vegetable oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and castor oil, and water. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0051] Examples of the surfactant include sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene resin acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid diesters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene dialkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether formalin condensates, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, alkyl polyoxyethylene polypropylene block copolymer ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides, polyoxyethylene fatty acid bisphenyl ethers, polyalkylene benzyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene styryl phenyl ethers, acetylenic diols, polyoxyalkylene-added acetylenic diols, polyoxyethylene ether-type silicones, ester-type silicones, fluorine-based surfactants, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hardeners, Examples of the surfactant include nonionic surfactants such as castor oil, alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether sulfates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, lignin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, naphthalene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, salts of formalin condensates of naphthalene sulfonic acid, salts of formalin condensates of alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid, fatty acid salts, polycarboxylates, N-methyl-fatty acid sarcosinates, resin salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, and polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether phosphates; cationic surfactants such as alkyl amine salts such as laurylamine hydrochloride, stearylamine hydrochloride, oleylamine hydrochloride, stearylamine acetate, stearylaminopropylamine acetate, alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and alkyl dimethyl benzalkonium chloride; and amphoteric surfactants such as amino acid type or betaine type. These surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0052] Examples of binders and tackifiers include carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, dextrin, water-soluble starch, xanthan gum, guar gum, sucrose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, sodium polyacrylate, polyoxyethylene having an average molecular weight of 6,000 to 5,000,000, phospholipids (e.g., cephalin, lecithin, etc.), etc. These binders and tackifiers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0053] Examples of thickeners include water-soluble polymers such as xanthan gum, guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, starch derivatives, and polysaccharides, and inorganic fine powders such as high-purity bentonite and fumed silica (white carbon). These thickeners may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0054] Examples of colorants include inorganic pigments such as iron oxide, titanium oxide, and Prussian blue, and organic dyes such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes, and metal phthalocyanine dyes. These colorants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0055] Examples of the spreading agent include cellulose powder, dextrin, modified starch, polyaminocarboxylic acid chelate compounds, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of maleic acid and styrenes, (meth)acrylic acid copolymers, half esters of polymers of polyhydric alcohols and dicarboxylic acid anhydrides, water-soluble salts of polystyrene sulfonic acid, etc. These spreading agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0056] Examples of the spreading agent include paraffin, terpene, polyamide resin, polyacrylate, polyoxyethylene, wax, polyvinyl alkyl ether, alkylphenol-formaldehyde condensate, starch phosphate, synthetic resin emulsion, etc. These spreading agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0057] Examples of the antifreezing agent include polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, etc. These antifreezing agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0058] Examples of the anti-caking agent include polysaccharides such as starch, alginic acid, mannose, and galactose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, fumed silica (white carbon), ester gum, petroleum resin, etc. These anti-caking agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0059] Examples of disintegrants include sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, metal stearates, cellulose powder, dextrin, methacrylic acid ester copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyaminocarboxylic acid chelate compounds, sulfonated styrene-isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymers, starch-polyacrylonitrile graft copolymers, etc. These disintegrants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0060] Examples of the decomposition inhibitor include drying agents such as zeolite, quicklime, and magnesium oxide, antioxidants such as phenol compounds, amine compounds, sulfur compounds, and phosphoric acid compounds, and ultraviolet absorbers such as salicylic acid compounds and benzophenone compounds. These decomposition inhibitors may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0061] Examples of the antifoaming agent include dimethylpolysiloxane, modified silicone, polyether, fatty acid ester, fatty acid salt, etc. These antifoaming agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0062] Examples of preservatives include sodium benzoate, sodium parahydroxybenzoate, potassium sorbate, 1,2-benzothiazolin-3-one, etc. These preservatives may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0063] Examples of plant pieces include sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs, tobacco stalks, etc. These plant pieces may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0064] When the above-mentioned additive components are contained in the pesticide composition for soil treatment, the blending ratio thereof is selected from the ranges of usually 5 to 95%, preferably 20 to 90%, for the carrier, usually 0.1 to 30%, preferably 0.5 to 10%, for the surfactant, and usually 0.1 to 30%, preferably 0.5 to 10%, for other additive components, on a mass basis.

[0065] The soil treatment pesticide composition may be used as it is, which is a concealing material obtained by microencapsulating or coating pyroxasulfone, but the composition is usually formulated together with the above-mentioned additive components into any formulation, such as a wettable powder, dust, water dispersible granule, aqueous suspension formulation, oily suspension formulation, granule, jumbo formulation, suspoemulsion or uniform diffusion formulation, etc. Preferred formulations include dust, granule, wettable powder, water dispersible granule, aqueous suspension formulation and oily suspension formulation.

[0066] When the agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment is in the form of granules, examples of the granules include those having a particle size of 0.3 to 10 mm and a spherical, cylindrical, spindle-like or irregular shape.

[0067] The particle size of the spherical granules is usually 0.3 to 10 mm, preferably 0.3 to 3 mm.

[0068] The diameter of the cylindrical granules is usually 0.6 to 5 mm, preferably 0.8 to 3 mm, and the length of the granules is usually 1 to 10 mm, preferably 1.5 to 8 mm.

[0069] The minor axis of the spindle-shaped granules is usually 0.3 to 3 mm, and the major axis thereof is usually 1 to 10 mm.

[0070] Furthermore, when the pesticide composition for soil treatment is a uniform diffusion formulation, it is preferable that the composition has a particle size distribution containing 80% by mass or more of granules having a particle size of 3 mm or more, and that when the composition is dropped into water, it floats on the water surface and disintegrates on the water surface within 30 minutes after dropping.

[0071] In addition to pyroxasulfone, the soil treatment pesticide composition can also be mixed with one or more other pesticide active ingredients. The other pesticide active ingredients may be mixed together with pyroxasulfone in a form of encapsulation or coating in a concealing substance, or may be mixed in a form of encapsulation or coating in a concealing substance separately from pyroxasulfone in a configuration similar to the composition of the present invention. Alternatively, any pesticide active ingredient that does not have a concealing structure as in the present invention may be mixed within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. The optional pesticide active ingredient referred to here includes pyroxasulfone. Furthermore, it can also be mixed with any pesticide damage reducing ingredient or agricultural materials other than pesticides such as fertilizers.

[0072] Examples of the pesticide active ingredients that can be mixed include herbicidal active ingredients, insecticidal active ingredients, fungicidal active ingredients, and plant growth regulating active ingredients that can be blended, but the present invention is not limited to these pesticide active ingredients.

[0073] [Herbicidal active ingredient] ioxynil, aclonifen, acrolein, azimsulfuron, asulam, acetochlor, atrazine, anilofos, amicarbazone, amidosulfuron, amitrole, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid nopyralid, amiprofos-methyl, ametryn, alachlor, alloxydim, isouron, isoxachlortole, isoxaflutole, isoxaben, isoproturon, ipfencarbazone, imazaquin, imazapic pic) (including salts with amines, etc.), imazapyr (including salts with isopropylamine, etc.), imazamethabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, indaziflam, indanofan, eglinazine-ethyl, esprocarb, ethametsulfuron-methyl ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethalfluralin, ethidimuron, ethoxysulfuron, ethoxyfen-ethyl, ethofumesate, etobenzanid, endothal-disodium, oxaziclomefone, oxasulfuron,Oryzalin, orthosulfamuron, orbencarb, oleic acid, cafenstrole, karbutilate, carbetamide, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, quinoclamine, quinclorac, quinmerac, cumyluron umyluron, clacyfos, glyphosate (including sodium, potassium, ammonium, amine, propylamine, isopropylamine, dimethylamine or trimesium salts), glufosinate (including amine or sodium salts), glufosinate-P-sodium, clethodim, clodinafop-propargyl p-propargyl, clopyralid, clomazone, clomeprop, cloransulam-methyl, chloramben, chloridazon, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, chlorthal-dimethyl, chlorthiamid, chlorflurenol-methyl, chlorpropham, chlorbromuron, chloroxuron, chlorotoluron, ketospiradox (including salts such as sodium, calcium or ammonia), sarmentine, cyanazine,Cyanamide, diuron, diethathyl-ethyl, dicamba (amines, including diethylamine, isopropylamine, diglycolamine, sodium or lithium salts), cycloate, cycloxydim, diclosulam, cyclosulfamuron, cyclopyranil, cyclopyrimorate opyrimorate, dichlobenil, diclofop-P-methyl, diclofop-methyl, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-P, diquat, dithiopyr, siduron, dinitramine, cinosulfuron, dinoseb, di noterb, cyhalofop-butyl, diphenamid, difenzoquat, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, simazine, dimethachlor, dimethametryn, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, simetryn simetryn, dimepiperate, dimefuron, cinmethylin, swep, sulcotrione, sulfosate, sulfosulfuron, sulfometuron-methyl, sethoxydim, terbacil, daimuron, thaxtomin A, dalapon,Thiazopyr, thiencarbazone (including sodium salt, methyl ester, etc.), tiocarbazil, thiobencarb, thifensulfuron-methyl, desmedipham, desmetryne, tetflupyrolimet, thenylchlor, tebutam , tebuthiuron, tepraloxydim, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, terbumeton, topramezone, tralkoxydim, triaziflam, triasulfuron, triafamone afamone, tri-allate, trietazine, triclopyr, triclopyr-butotyl, trifludimoxazin, tritosulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, trifluralin, trifloxysulfuron-sodium salt dium), tribenuron-methyl, tolpyralate, naptalam (including salts with sodium etc.), naproanilide, naproamide, naproamide-M, nicosulfuron, neburon, norflurazon, vernolate, paraquat,halauxifen-benzyl, halauxifen-methyl, haloxyfop, haloxyfop-P, haloxyfop-etotyl, halosulfuron-methyl, bixlozone, picloram, picolinafen, bicyclopyrone opyrone, bispyribac-sodium, pinoxaden, piperophos, pyrasulfotole, pyrazoxyfen, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pyrazolynate, bilanafos, pyridafol, pyrithiobac-sodium bac-sodium, pyridate, pyriftalid, pyributicarb, pyribenzoxim, pyrimisulfan, pyriminobac-methyl, pyroxsulam, phenisopham, fenuron, fenoxasulfone, fenoxaprop enoxaprop (including methyl, ethyl, isopropyl esters), fenoxaprop-P (including methyl, ethyl, isopropyl esters), fenquinotrione, fenthiaprop-ethyl, fentrazamide, phenmedipham, butachlor, butamifos, butyrate, Butenachlor, butralin, butroxydim, flazasulfuron, flamprop (containing methyl, ethyl and isopropyl esters), flamprop-M (containing methyl, ethyl and isopropyl esters), primisulfuron-methyl, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-P-butyl luazifop-P-butyl, fluometuron, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, flucarbazone-sodium, fluchloralin, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium, flufenacet, flupropionate ropanate, flupoxame, flumetsulam, fluridone, flurtamone, fluroxypyr, flurochloridone, pretilachlor, procarbazone-sodium, prodiamine, prosulfuron, prosulfocarb carb), propaquizafop, propachlor, propazine, propanil, propyzamide, propisochlor, propyrisulfuron, propham, propoxycarbazone-sodium, profoxydim, bromacil,Brompyrazon, prometryn, prometon, bromoxynil (including esters of butyric acid, octanoic acid, or heptanoic acid), bromofenoxim, bromobutide, florasulam, florpyrauxifen, hexazinone, pethoxamid, benazolin, penoxsulam, heptamaloxyloglucan, beflubutamid, beflubutamid-M, pebulate, pelargonic acid acid, bencarbazone, pendimethalin, bensulide, bensulfuron-methyl, benzobicyclon, benzofenap, bentazone, pentanochlor, benfluralin, benfuresate, fosamine, foramsulfuron, mecoprop (sodium, potassium, isopropylamine, triethylamine, including salts of dimethylamine, mecoprop-P-potassium, mesosulfuron-methyl, mesotrione, metazachlor, metazosulfuron, methabenzthiazuron, metamitron, metamifop, DSMA (disodium methanearsonate), methiozolin, methyldymuron, metoxuron,Metosulam, metsulfuron-methyl, metobromuron, metobenzuron, metolachlor, metribuzin, mefenacet, monosulfuron (including methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl esters), monolinuron, molinate, iodosulfuron iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, iofensulfuron, iofensulfuron-sodium, lancotrione, linuron, rimsulfuron, lenacil, TCA (2,2,2-trichloroacetic acid) (sodium, calcium or ammonia salts, etc.) ), 2,3,6-TBA (2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid), 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid), 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) (including amines, diethylamine, triethanolamine, isopropylamine, sodium or lithium salts, etc.), ACN (2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone), MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), MCPB (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxybutyric acid) (including sodium salts, ethyl esters, etc.), 2,4-DB ( 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid), DNOC (4,6-dinitro-O-cresol) (including amine or sodium salts), AE-F-150944 (code number), HW-02 (code number), IR-6396 (code number), MCPA-thioethyl, SYP-298 (code number), SYP-300 (code number), EPTC (S-ethyldipropylthiocarbamate), S-metolachlor, S-9750 (code number), MSMA.

[0074] [Insecticidal active ingredient] acrinathrin, azadirachtin, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, acetoprole, acephate, azocyclotin, abamectin, afidopyropen, afoxolaner, amidoflumet, amitraz, alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, allethrin n) [including d-cis-trans- and d-trans-isomers], isazophos, isamidofos, isocarbophos, isoxathion, isocycloseram, isofenphos-methyl, isoprocarb, ivermectin, imicyafos, imidacloprid, imiprothrin, indoxacarb, esfenvalerate, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethiprole, ethylene dibromide dibromide), etoxazole, etofenprox, ethoprophos, etrimfos, emamectin benzoate, endosulfan, empenthrin, oxazosulfyl, oxamyl,Oxydemeton-methyl, oxydeprofos, omethoate, cadusafos, kappa-tefluthrin, kappa-bifenthrin, kadethrin, karanjin, cartap, carbaryl, carbosulfan, carbofuran uran, gamma-BHC, xylylcarb, quinalphos, kinoprene, chinomethionat, coumaphos, cryolite, clothianidin, clofentezine, chromafenozide, chlorantraniliprole, chlorethene Chlorethoxyfos, chlordane, chloropicrin, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenvinphos, chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chloroprallethrin, cyanophos cyanophos, diafenthiuron, diamidaphos, cyantraniliprole, dienochlor, cyenopyrafen, dioxabenzofos, diofenolan, cyclaniliprole, dicrotophos, diclofenthion,Cycloprothrin, dichlorvos, dichloromezotiaz, 1,3-dichloropropene, dicofol, dicyclanil, disulfoton, dinotefuran, dinobuton, cyhalodiamide, cyhalothrin [gamma-form, lambd α-isomer included], cyphenothrin [(1R)-trans-isomer included], cyfluthrin [beta-isomer included], diflubenzuron, cyflumetofen, diflovidazin, cyhexatin, cypermethrin [alpha-isomer included], dimpropyridaz, dimethylbiphenylsulfate Dimethylvinphos, dimefluthrin, dimethoate, silafluofen, cyromazine, spinetoram, spinosad, spirodiclofen, spirotetramat, spiropidione, spiromesifen, sulcofuron sodium salt furon-sodium), sulfluramid, sulfoxaflor, sulfotep, diazinon, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, tioxazafen, thiodicarb, thiocyclam, thiosultap, thionazin, thiofanox,Thiometon, tyclopyrazoflor, tetrachlorantraniliprole, tetrachlorvinphos, tetradifon, tetraniliprole, tetramethylfluthrin, tetramethrin, tebupirimfos, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tefluthrin, teflubenzuron, demeton S methyl on-S-methyl), temephos, deltamethrin, terbufos, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, triazamate, triazophos, trichlorfon, triflumuron, triflumezopyrim, trimethacarb, tolfenpyrad, naled, nitenpyram, novaluron, noviflumuron, verticillium Verticillium lecanii, hydroprene, Pasteuria penetrans spores, vamidothion, parathion, parathion-methyl, halfenprox, halofenozide, bioallethrin, bioallethrin S-cyclopentenyl, bioresmethrin, bistrifluron,Hydramethylnon, bifenazate, bifenthrin, pyflubumide, piperonyl butoxide, pymetrozine, pyraclofos, pyrafluprole, pyridaphenthion, pyridaben, pyridalyl, pyrifluquinazon, pyriprole, pyriproxyfen, pirimicarb, pyrimidifen, pyriminostrobin, pirimiphos-methyl, pyrethrins hrine, famphur, fipronil, fenazaquin, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenoxycarb, fenothiocarb, phenothrin [including (1R)-trans-isomer], fenobucarb, fenthion, phenthoate, fenvalerate, fenpyroximate, fenbutanthin oxide oxide), fenpropathrin, fonofos, sulfuryl fluoride, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, buprofezin, furathiocarb, prallethrin, fluacrypyrim, fluazaindolizine, fluazuron, Fluensulfone, sodium fluoroacetate, fluxametamide, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate, flusulfamide, fluvalinate [including tau-form], flupyradifurone, flupyrazofos, flupyrimin, flufiprole, flufenerim, flufenoxystrobin, flufenoxuron, fluhexafon, flubendiamide, flumethrin n), fluralaner, prothiofos, protrifenbute, flonicamid, propaphos, propargite, profenofos, broflanilide, brofluthrinate, profluthrin, propetamphos, propoxur, flometoquin, bromopropylate, hexythiazox, hexaflumuron, Paecilomyces tenuipes, Paecilomyces fumosoroseusfumosoroceus, heptafluthrin, heptenophos, permethrin, benclothiaz, benzpyrimoxan, bensultap, benzoximate, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, Beauveria tenella, Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii brongniartii, phoxim, phosalone, fosthiazate, fosthietan, phosphamidon, phosmet, polynactins, formetanate, phorate, malathion, milbemectin, mecarbam, mesulfenfos, methoprene, methomyl, metaflumizone, methamidophos, metham, methiocarb, methidathion, methyl isothiocyanate, methyl bromide bromide, methoxychlor, methoxyfenozide, methothrin, metofluthrin, epsilon-metofluthrin, metolcarb, mevinphos, meperfluthrin, Monacrosporium phymatopagumphymatophagum, monocrotophos, momfluorothrin, epsilon-momfluorothrin, litlure-A, litlure-B, aluminum phosphide, zinc phosphide, hydrogen phosphine, lufenuron, rescalure, resmethrin, lepimectin, rotenone, fenbutatin oxide, calcium nitrogen cyanide, nicotine sulfate, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate, (Z)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol, (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate, (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate, Bacillus popilliae, Bacillus subtillis, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Aizawai), Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Israelensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionisTenebrionis), Bt proteins (Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa, Cry2Ab, mCry3A, Cry3Ab, Cry3Bb, Cry34 / 35Ab1), CL900167 (code number), DCIP (Bis-(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether), DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane), DEP (Dimethyl-2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethylphosphonate), DNOC (4,6-dinitro-o-cresol), DSP (O,O-di Ethyl-O-[4-(dimethylsulfamoyl)phenyl]-phosphorothioate), EPN (O-ethyl-O-4-(nitrophenyl)phenylphosphonothioate), nuclear polyhedrosis virus occlusion complex, NA-85 (code number), NA-89 (code number), NC-515 (code number), RU15525 (code number), XMC, Z-13-icosen-10-one, ZXI8901 (code number), 2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[(5-trifluoromethylthio)pentyloxy]phenyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl Sulfoxide (chemical name, CAS Registry Number: 1472050-04-6), 2,4-dichloro-5-{2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}phenyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl Sulfoxide (chemical name, CAS Registry Number: 1472052-11-1), 2,4-dimethyl-5-[6-(trifluoromethylthio)hexyloxy]phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl Sulfoxide (chemical name, CAS Registry Number: 1472050-34-2), 2-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfinyl]phenoxy}-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (chemical name, CAS Registry Number: 1448758-62-0), 3-chloro-2-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfinyl]phenoxy}-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (chemical name, CAS Registry Number: 1448761-28-1), 4-fluoro-2-methyl-5-(5,5-dimethylhexyloxy)phenyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl sulfoxide (chemical name, CAS Registry Number: 1472047-71-4), NI-30 (code number).

[0075] [Bactericidal active ingredients] Azaconazole, acibenzolar-S-methyl, azoxystrobin, anilazine, amisulbrom, aminopyrifen, ametoctradin, aldimorph, isotianil, isopyrazam, isofetamide, isoflut ... pconazole, ipflufenoquin, ipfentrifluconazole, iprodione, iprovalicarb, iprobenfos, imazalil, iminoctadine-trialbesilate, iminoctadine-triacetate, imibenconazole, inpyrfluxam, imprimatin A A), imprimatin B, edifenphos, etaconazole, ethaboxam, ethirimol, ethoxyquin, etridiazole, enestroburin, enoxastrobin, epoxiconazole, organic oiloils), oxadixyl, oxazinylazole, oxathiapiprolin, oxycarboxin, oxine-copper, oxytetracycline, oxpoconazole-fumarate, oxolinic acid, copper octanoatedioctanoate, octhilinone, ofurace, orysastrobin, o-phenylphenol, kasugamycin, captafol, carpropamid, carbendazim, carboxin, carvone, quinoxyfen, quinofumelin in), chinomethionat, captan, quinconazole, quintozene, guazatine, cufraneb, coumoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, clozylacon, chlozolinate, chlorothalonil, chloroneb neb), cyazofamid, diethofencarb, diclocymet, dichlofluanid, dichlobenthiazox, diclomezine, dicloran, dichlorophen, dithianon, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, di Neb (zineb), dinocap (dinocap), dipymetitrone (dipymetitrone), diphenylamine (diphenylamine), difenoconazole (difenoconazole), cyflufenamid (cyflufenamid), diflumetorim (diflumetorim), cyproconazole (cyproconazole), cyprodinil (cyprodinil), simeconazole (simeconazole), dimethirimol (dimethirimol), dimethyl disulfide (dimethyldisulfide, dimethomorph, cymoxanil, dimoxystrobin, ziram, silthiofam, streptomycin, spiroxamine, sedaxane, zoxamide, dazomet, tiadinil, thiabendazole, thiuram (thiram), thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, thifluzamide, tecnazene, tecloftalam, tetraconazole, debacarb, tebuconazole, tebufloquin, terbinafine, dodine, dodemorph odemorph), triadimenol, triadimefon, triazoxide, trichlamide, triclopyricarb, tricyclazole, triticonazole, tridemorph, triflumizole, trifloxystrobin, triforin, triforine, tolylfluanid, tolclofos-methyl, tolnifanide, tolprocarb, nabam, natamycin, naftifine, nitrapyrin, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, copper nonyl phenol sulfonatesulphonate, Bacillus subtilis (strain: QST 713), validamycin, valifenalate, picarbutrazox, bixafen, picoxystrobin, pydiflumetofen, bitertanol, binapacryl, biphenyl, piperalin, hymexazol, pyraoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyraziflumid, pyra Pyrazophos, pyrapropoyne, pyrametostrobin, pyriophenone, pyrisoxazole, pyridaclomethyl, pyrifenox, pyributicarb, pyribencarb, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, vinclozolin, ferbam, famoxadone, phenazine oxideoxide), fenamidone, phenaminestrobin, fenarimol, fenoxanil, ferimzone, fenpiclonil, fenpicoxamid, fenpyrazamine, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fenhexamid, folpet, phthalide, bupirimate, fuberidazole, blasticidin-S, furametpyr, furalaxyl, furancarboxylic acid acid, fluazinam, fluindapyr, fluoxastrobin, fluoxapiprolin, fluopicolide, fluopimomide, fluopyram, fluoroimide, fluxapyroxad, fluquinconazole, fluconazole, fluconazole-cis, fludioxonil, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutianil, flutolanil, flutriafol, flufenoxystrobin, Flumetover, flumorph, proquinazid, prochloraz, procymidone, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, bronopol, propamocarb-hydrochloride, propiconazole, propineb, probenazole, bromuconazole, flometoquin, florylpicoxamid, hexafluoropropane, Conazole (hexaconazole), benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, benzovindiflupyr, benthiazole, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, penthiopyrad, penflufen, boscalid, fosetyl (aluminium, calcium,sodium), polyoxin, polycarbamate, Bordeaux mixture, mancozeb, mandipropamid, mandestrobin, maneb, myclobutanil, mineral oil oils, mildiomycin, methasulfocarb, metam, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metiram, metyltetraprole, metconazole, metominostrobin, metrafenone, mepanipyrim, mefentrifluconazole, meptyldinocap, mepronil, iodocarb, laminarin, phosphorous acid and salts, basic copper oxychloride, silver, cuprous oxide, copper hydroxide hydroxide, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sulfur, oxyquinoline sulfate, copper sulfate, (3,4-Dichloroisothiazol-5-yl)methyl 4-(tert-butyl)benzoate (chemical name, CAS registration number: 1231214-23-5), BAF-045 (code number), BAG-010 (code number), UK-2A (code number), DBEDC (bis(ethylenediamine)dodecylbenzenesulfonate)copper complex salt [II]), MIF-1002 (code number), NF-180 (code number), TPTA (triphenyltin acetate), TPTC (triphenyltin chloride), TPTH (triphenyltin hydroxide), non-pathogenic Erwinia carotovora.,

[0076] [Plant growth regulating active ingredient] 1-Methylcyclopropene, 1-naphthylacetamide, 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene6-diisopropylnaphthalene, 4-CPA (4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), benzylaminopurine, ancymidol, aviglycine, carvone, chlormequat, cloprop, cloxyfonac, cloxyfonac-potassium, cyclanilide, cytokinins, daminozide aminozide, dikegulac, dimethipin, ethephon, epocholeone, ethychlozate, flumetralin, flurprimidol, flurenol, pronitridine, forchlorfenuron, gibberellins, inabenfide, indole acetic acid acetic acid, indole butyric acid, maleic hydrazide, mefluidide, mepiquat chloride, n-decyl alcohol, paclobutrazol, prohexadione-calcium, prohydrojasmon, sintophen, thidiazuron, triacontanol, trinexapac-ethyl, uniconazole, uniconazole-P, 4-oxo-4-(2-phenylethyl)aminobutyric acid (chemical name, CAS registration number: 1083-55-2), calcium peroxide.

[0077] Examples of phytotoxicity-reducing components that can be added are given below, but the present invention is not limited to these phytotoxicity-reducing components.

[0078] [Drug-damage reducing ingredients] AD-67 (4-dichloroacetyl-1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.5]decane), DKA-24 (N1,N2-diallyl-N2-dichloroacetylglycinamide), MG-191 (2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane), N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)-4-[(methylaminocarbonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide (chemical name, CAS registration number: 129531-12-0), PPG-1292 (2,2-dichloro-N-(1,3-dioxane-2-ylmethyl)-N-(2-propenyl)acetamide), R-29148 (3-dichloroacetyl-2,2,5-trimethyl- 1,3-Oxazolidine, TI-35 (1-dichloroacetylazepane), Isoxadifen, Isoxadifen-ethyl, Oxabetrinil, Cloquintcet-mexyl, Cyometrinil, Dichlormid, Dicyclonone, Cyprosulfamide, Naphthalic Anhydride (1,8-Naphthalic Anhydride, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, furilazole, fluxofenim, flurazole, benoxacor, mefenpyr, mefenpyr-ethyl, mefenpyr-diethyl, lower alkyl substituted benzoic acids.

[0079] The pesticide composition for soil treatment formulated in any of the above-mentioned dosage forms may be packaged in a water-soluble film, which contributes to labor saving and enhances safety during application.

[0080] The method for producing the pesticide composition for soil treatment is not particularly limited, but the following method is usually used. (1) A method in which an appropriate amount of water is added to a mixture of pyroxasulfone microencapsulated or coated with a concealing substance and other raw materials, the mixture is kneaded, and then the mixture is extruded through a screen with holes of a certain size to form granules, and then dried. (2) A method in which pyroxasulfone microencapsulated or coated with a concealing substance and other raw materials are mixed in water or a suitable solvent and uniformly suspended. (3) A method in which pyroxasulfone microencapsulated or coated with a masking substance is mixed with a suitable carrier, then dried and mixed with other raw materials.

[0081] (Protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors (PPO inhibitors)) The PPO inhibitors used in the present invention include saflufenacil, sulfentrazone, flumioxazin, flumiclorac-pentyl, fluthiacet-methyl, lactofen, fomesafen, acifluorfen and its salts, bifenox, chlomethoxyfen, oxyfluorfen, halosafen, cinidon-ethyl, carfentrazone-ethyl, azafenidin, benzfendizone, butafenacil, thiafenacil, and the like. Among them, a compound selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone, flumioxazin, flumiclorac pentyl, fluthiacet methyl, lactofen, fomesafen, acifluorfen and its salts, bifenox, thiafenacil and flufenpyr ethyl is preferred, and a compound selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone and flumioxazin is particularly preferred. These PPO inhibitors may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0082] The PPO inhibitor may be used as it is, but is usually formulated together with the above-mentioned additive components usually used in pesticide formulations into any desired formulation, such as a wettable powder, a dust, a water dispersible granule, an aqueous suspension formulation, an oil-based suspension formulation, a granule, a jumbo formulation, a suspoemulsion, or a uniform diffusion formulation.

[0083] When the PPO inhibitor is formulated, one or more other pesticide active ingredients can be mixed as desired within the scope of the present invention without impairing the effects of the present invention. Examples of other pesticide active ingredients include the pesticide active ingredients used in the pesticide composition for soil treatment. Furthermore, the PPO inhibitor can be mixed with any pesticide damage reducing ingredient or agricultural materials other than pesticides such as fertilizers to form a mixed formulation.

[0084] It is essential that the weed control method of the present invention includes a soil treatment step in which the soil is treated with the above-described agrochemical composition for soil treatment of the present invention and the PPO inhibitor simultaneously or successively. The soil treatment step is preferably carried out before the emergence of the cultivated crop, and may be carried out either before or after sowing. The soil treatment method is not particularly limited, and may be carried out according to a conventional method depending on the formulation of the composition. The type of soil that can be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but even in well-drained soil such as sandy soil, sandy loam, loamy sand soil, sandy clay loam, sandy clay soil, and light clay soil, absorption phytotoxicity can be prevented or reduced. In addition, absorption phytotoxicity can be prevented or reduced even when the cultivated crop is sown at a shallow depth of 0 to 2 cm.

[0085] In addition, since the present invention has an excellent weed control effect, the dosage of both the soil treatment pesticide composition and the PPO inhibitor can be reduced. In the soil treatment step, the amount of the soil treatment pesticide composition to be sprayed varies depending on the formulation, environmental conditions, etc., but it is preferable to appropriately select, for example, the amount of pyroxasulfone per hectare to be in the range of 1 to 10,000 g, preferably 10 to 1,000 g. In addition, the amount of the PPO inhibitor to be sprayed also varies depending on the formulation, environmental conditions, etc., but it is preferable to appropriately select, for example, the amount of the PPO inhibitor per hectare to be in the range of 1 to 10,000 g, preferably 10 to 1,000 g.

[0086] The application ratio of the agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment and the PPO inhibitor is not particularly limited, but the ratio of pyroxasulfone to the PPO inhibitor is preferably in the range of 100:1 to 1:100, and particularly preferably in the range of 10:1 to 1:10.

[0087] In the weed control method of the present invention, the soil may be treated with an agricultural chemical active ingredient other than pyroxasulfone and a PPO inhibitor simultaneously with, before or after, the agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment. Examples of such an agricultural chemical active ingredient include other agricultural chemical active ingredients that can be used in the agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment.

[0088] In the weed control method of the present invention, the cultivated crop is not particularly limited, but a crop that can be cultivated in a field is preferable, and in particular, legumes such as soybean, peanut, adzuki bean, kidney bean, and cowpea are susceptible to chemical damage due to heavy rainfall before germination after application of a pesticide, but the present invention can significantly suppress the chemical damage regardless of the soil type or sowing depth, and is particularly suitable for use with these crops. The crop may be a natural variety or a variety that has been artificially manipulated in some way. In this specification, the terms cultivated crop and crop are used to include both natural varieties and varieties that have been artificially manipulated, unless otherwise specified.

[0089] The artificial manipulations mentioned above include manipulations that confer resistance to pests, diseases, herbicides, etc., by breeding methods such as genetic engineering and artificial crossbreeding. Manipulations that confer resistance include not only conferring resistance by classical breeding and genetic engineering, but also conferring resistance by new plant breeding techniques (NBTs) that combine conventional breeding techniques with molecular biological techniques. New plant breeding techniques (NBTs) are described in the book "Understanding New Plant Breeding Techniques" (Kokusai Bunkensha, Ryo Osawa, Hiroshi Ezura), the review article "Genome Editing Tools in Plants" (Genes 2017,8,399, Tapan Kumar Mohanta, Tufail Bashir, Abeer Hashem, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah and Hanhong Bae), etc.

[0090] <Mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment> The mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment of the present invention contains the pesticide composition for soil treatment and the PPO inhibitor, and the pesticide composition for soil treatment further contains a concealing substance that conceals the pyroxasulfone, and the concealing substance microencapsulates or coats the pyroxasulfone. The mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment of the present invention may contain the above-mentioned pesticide active ingredients other than pyroxasulfone and the PPO inhibitor. EXAMPLES

[0091] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples and test examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following examples, "parts" means parts by mass, and "%" means % by mass.

[0092] Preparation Example 1 A mixture was obtained by stirring 5 parts of phenylxylylethane (manufactured by Asahi Petrochemicals, product name "Hisol SAS-296", viscosity at 20°C less than 10 mPa s (measured with a Brookfield viscometer, manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.; same below)) with 0.05 parts of polyester block copolymer (manufactured by Croda, product name "ATLOX RHEOSTRUX 100-PW-(MV)") at 80°C using a dissolver (manufactured by Primix, product name "TK Robomix") at 80°C. The viscosity of the mixture at 20°C was 52 mPa s. 5.1 parts of pyroxasulfone was added to the mixture, and the mixture was stirred at 30°C for 15 minutes at a peripheral speed of 9,425mm / s. Then, 15 parts of isocyanate (manufactured by Tosoh, trade name "Coronate 1130") was added and further stirred at a peripheral speed of 9,425mm / s. 68.51 parts of 1% aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution and 0.1 parts of silicone-based defoamer (manufactured by Asahi Dye Manufacturing, trade name "Asahi Silicon AF-128") were further added and stirred at a peripheral speed of 25,133mm / s for 10 minutes to obtain a suspension solution. Next, the suspension solution was stirred at a temperature increase rate of 1°C / min from 30°C for 30 minutes at a peripheral speed of 628mm / s, and the suspension solution was stirred at 60°C for another 2 hours and 30 minutes at a peripheral speed of 628mm / s. 2.0 parts of polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku, trade name "Epane 410") were added and further stirred for 1 hour. After the reaction was completed, 4.0 parts of sodium salt of naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate (Kao, product name "Demol SN-B") was added at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at a peripheral speed of 3,142 mm / s. 0.2 parts of xanthan gum (Sansho Co., Ltd., product name "Kelzan") was added, and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. The mixture was then sieved through a sieve with an opening of about 300 μm (48 mesh) to obtain a microencapsulated pyroxasulfone-containing soil treatment pesticide composition in which polyurea was the concealing substance. This composition was spherical particles with an average particle size of 15.4 μm.

[0093] Preparation Example 2 A mixture was obtained by stirring 5 parts of phenylxylylethane (manufactured by Asahi Petrochemicals, product name "Hisol SAS-296", viscosity at 20°C less than 10 mPa s (measured with a Brookfield viscometer, manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.; same below)) with 0.05 parts of polyester block copolymer (manufactured by Croda, product name "ATLOX RHEOSTRUX 100-PW-(MV)") at 80°C using a dissolver (manufactured by Primix, product name "TK Robomix") at 80°C. The viscosity of the mixture at 20°C was 52 mPa s. 5.1 parts of pyroxasulfone was added to the mixture, and the mixture was stirred at 30°C for 15 minutes at a peripheral speed of 9,425 mm / s. Then, 15 parts of isocyanate (manufactured by Sumika Bayer, trade name "Sumijul 44V10") was added and further stirred at a peripheral speed of 9,425 mm / s. 68.51 parts of 1% polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution and 0.1 parts of silicone-based defoamer (manufactured by Asahi Dye Manufacturing, trade name "Asahi Silicon AF-128") were further added and stirred at a peripheral speed of 31,416 mm / s for 5 minutes to obtain a suspension solution. Next, the suspension solution was stirred at a temperature increase rate of 1°C / min from 30°C for 30 minutes at a peripheral speed of 628 mm / s, and the suspension solution was stirred at 60°C for another 2 hours and 30 minutes at a peripheral speed of 628 mm / s. 2.0 parts of polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku, trade name "Epane 410") were added and further stirred for 1 hour. After the reaction was completed, 4.0 parts of sodium salt of naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate (Kao, product name "Demol SN-B") was added at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at a peripheral speed of 3,142 mm / s. 0.2 parts of xanthan gum (Sansho Co., Ltd., product name "Kelzan") was added, and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. The mixture was then sieved through a sieve with an opening of about 300 μm (48 mesh) to obtain a microencapsulated pyroxasulfone-containing soil treatment pesticide composition in which polyurea was the concealing substance. This composition was spherical particles with an average particle size of 8.8 μm.

[0094] Comparative Preparation Example 1 50 parts of pyroxasulfone, 3 parts of sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate, 2 parts of polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether, 5 parts of sodium ligninsulfonate, 18 parts of diatomaceous earth, and 22 parts of clay were mixed and pulverized, an appropriate amount of water was added and kneaded, and then the mixture was extruded and granulated through a screen with an opening diameter of 0.7 mm using an extrusion granulator. After granulation, the mixture was dried at a product temperature of 60°C and sieved to obtain a pyroxasulfone-containing wettable powder.

[0095] (Test Example 1: Evaluation test of herbicidal effect against weeds by soil treatment) In a greenhouse at an average temperature of 25°C (maximum 30°C, minimum 25°C), plastic pots with a length, width and depth of 11 cm were filled with field soil (sandy loam), 20 seeds each of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) were sown, and the same soil was covered from above to a thickness of 1 cm. Then, the soil treatment pesticide composition obtained in Preparation Example 1 or the wettable powder and PPO inhibitor obtained in Comparative Preparation Example 1 were weighed out so that the amount of pyroxasulfone per hectare was the amount shown in Table 1, diluted with water, and uniformly sprayed on the soil using a small sprayer. On the day of the drug treatment, a total of 2 mm of rain was artificially applied for 30 minutes using an artificial rain device. After that, barnyard grass and redroot pigweed were grown, and 18 days after treatment, an observation survey was conducted on the growth of barnyard grass and redroot pigweed. The reduction rates from the plant height and leaf number in the untreated area were calculated, and the reduction rates were added and divided by 2 to calculate the herbicidal effect, and the degree of herbicidal effect was evaluated. For example, if the plant height of the weeds is reduced by 90% and the number of leaves is reduced from 10 to 1, the herbicidal effect is 90%, and if the plant height is reduced by 70% and the number of leaves is reduced from 5 to 1, the herbicidal effect is 75%. The results of the survey are shown in Table 1. Table 1 shows the average values ​​of two evaluations of the degree of herbicidal effect.

[0096] [Table 1] *1) The numbers in parentheses indicate the leaf stage at the time of survey. *2) Flumioxazin WG (Valent, product name "Valor SX") *3) Saflufenacil aqueous suspension formulation (BASF, product name "Sharpen") *4) Sulfentrazone aqueous suspension formulation (manufactured by FMC, product name "Spartan FL 4F")

[0097] (Test Example 2: Evaluation test of phytotoxicity to soybeans by soil treatment) In a greenhouse at an average temperature of 25°C (maximum 30°C, minimum 25°C), a plastic pot with a length, width and depth of 11 cm was filled with field soil (sandy loam), one soybean (Glycine Max) seed was sown, and the same soil was covered with a thickness of 2 cm. Then, the soil treatment pesticide composition obtained in Preparation Example 1 or Preparation Example 2 or the wettable powder and PPO inhibitor obtained in Comparative Preparation Example 1 were weighed out so that the amount of pyroxasulfone per hectare was the amount shown in Tables 2 to 5, diluted with water, and uniformly sprayed over the soybeans using a small sprayer. On the day of the drug treatment, a total of 15 mm of rain was artificially applied for 30 minutes using an artificial rain device. Then, soybeans were grown, and 15 and 39 days or 13 and 26 days after treatment, the growth status of soybeans was observed and surveyed for plant height and leaf number. The reduction rates from the plant height and leaf number in the untreated area were calculated, and the reduction rates were added and divided by 2 to calculate the growth inhibition rate and evaluate the degree of phytotoxicity. For example, if the plant height is reduced by 10% and the number of leaves is reduced from 10 to 9, the growth inhibition rate is 10%, and if the plant height is reduced by 30% and the number of leaves is reduced from 5 to 4, the growth inhibition rate is 25%. The results of the survey are shown in Tables 2 to 5. The growth inhibition rate in Tables 2 to 5 is the average value of two evaluations of the degree of phytotoxicity.

[0098] In this Test Example 2, the combination of the present invention was found to have an effect lower than the formal sum of the phytotoxicity level when two agents, that is, the soil treatment pesticide composition or wettable powder and the PPO inhibitor, were applied individually. The values ​​observed in the test showed an effect lower than the expected value calculated by the following Colby formula at a suitable dose. {See SR Colby in Weeds, 15(1967) pp. 20-22}: The Colby formula is the expected value (E)=X+Y-XY / 100 for the mixed use of two agents. Here, the growth inhibition rate of agent a at x concentration is X, and the growth inhibition rate of agent b at y concentration is Y.

[0099] [Table 2] *5) Figures in parentheses indicate Colby Expectations.

[0100] [Table 3] *5) Figures in parentheses indicate Colby Expectations.

[0101] [Table 4] *5) Figures in parentheses indicate Colby Expectations.

[0102] [Table 5] *5) Figures in parentheses indicate Colby Expectations.

Claims

1. The method includes a soil treatment step of simultaneously or successively treating a field with a soil treatment pesticide composition containing pyroxasulfone and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, The pesticide composition for soil treatment further contains a concealing substance that conceals the pyroxasulfone, and the concealing substance microencapsulates or coats the pyroxasulfone, A method for controlling weeds, wherein the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone and flumioxazin.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline particles of pyroxasulfone are directly coated with the concealing substance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said pyroxasulfone is enclosed in a wall material of said concealment substance, thereby forming a microencapsulation.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the average particle size of the pesticide composition for soil treatment is 0.1 to 150 µm.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mixing ratio of the concealing substance is 0.1 to 50 parts by mass per 1 part by mass of pyroxasulfone.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the concealing substance is selected from the group consisting of polyurea, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, ethyl cellulose, poly(meth)acrylic acid-based copolymers, carnauba wax, montan acid ester wax, hardened fats and oils, polylactic acid, gelatin, crosslinked melamine, polystyrene, polystyrene-based copolymers, wax, yeast cell walls, alginates, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol-based copolymers, and shellac.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein soil is treated with an agricultural chemical active ingredient other than said pyroxasulfone and said protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor simultaneously with, before or after, said agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the agricultural chemical composition for soil treatment is in the form of a dust, a granule, a wettable powder, a water dispersible granule, an aqueous suspension formulation or an oily suspension formulation.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the soil treatment step is carried out before emergence of a cultivated crop.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cultivated crop is a legume.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the legume is soybean, peanut, adzuki bean, kidney bean or cowpea.

12. A soil treatment pesticide composition containing pyroxasulfone and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, The pesticide composition for soil treatment further contains a concealing substance that conceals the pyroxasulfone, and the concealing substance microencapsulates or coats the pyroxasulfone, A mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment, characterized in that the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone and flumioxazin.

13. The mixed pesticide composition for soil treatment according to claim 12, further comprising a pesticide active ingredient other than said pyroxasulfone and said protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor.

14. The method includes a soil treatment step of simultaneously or successively treating a field with a soil treatment pesticide composition containing pyroxasulfone and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, The pesticide composition for soil treatment further contains a concealing substance that conceals the pyroxasulfone, and the concealing substance microencapsulates or coats the pyroxasulfone, A method for preventing or reducing absorption damage to cultivated crops, wherein the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of saflufenacil, sulfentrazone and flumioxazin.

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