Herbicidal mixtures comprising saflufenacil and fluroxypyr

Abstract

The present invention provides herbicidal mixtures comprising saflufenacil and fluroxypyr, compositions comprising said mixtures and their use in controlling weeds.

Description

HERBICIDAL MIXTURES COMPRISING SAFLUFENACIL ANDFLUROXYPYRTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention provides herbicidal mixtures comprising saflufenacil and fluroxypyr, compositions comprising said mixtures and their use in controlling weeds such as Commelina benghalensis, Alternanthera tenella, Sida rhombifolia, and Erigeron bonariensis (Conyza bonariensis).BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The vulnerability of crops to weeds makes crop protection management one of the major components of the total crop production system. Various insects and fungi along with the undesired weeds are very harmful to crop plants and can significantly reduce crop yields and qualities. Herbicides alone or in combination help minimize this damage by controlling threats to the crop. Many active ingredients either of the same class or having mixtures of different classes are commercially available for these purposes.

[0003] Controlling weed or undesired vegetation is important to achieve high crop yield and quality. Often, crop cultures contain various undesired weeds and although herbicides can provide protection against a spectrum of weeds, they may not have any effect on certain type of weeds that might be present in the crop culture. Therefore, there is usually a strong need for using a mixture of herbicides.

[0004] Moreover, in crop protection, it is desirable to increase the specificity and the reliability of the action of active compounds, more particularly, to make sure said active compounds effectively control the harmful plants and, at the same time, are tolerated by the useful plants in question.

[0005] Mixtures of selected herbicides have several advantages over the use of a single herbicide including (a) an increase in the spectrum of weeds controlled or an extension of weed control over a longer period of time; (b) an improvement in crop safety and reduction in crop phytotoxicity by using minimum doses of selected herbicides applied in combination rather than a single high dose of one herbicide; and (c) a delay in the appearance of resistant weed species to selected herbicides (Damalas, 2004). Yet, it is often difficult to predict the activity and selectivity of a specific herbicide mixture, considering that the behavior of a specific herbicide in the mixture may be affected by the presence of the other(s), and theactivity of the mixture may considerably vary depending on the chemical characters of the herbicides in the mixture, the plant species, the growth stage, and the environmental conditions. Mostly, this practice results in reduced activity of the herbicides in the mixture.

[0006] Saflufenacil (2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-l- (2H)pyrimidiny 1 ] -4-fluoro-N - [ [methyl( 1 -methylethyl) amino] sulfonyl]benzamide) is a herbicide belonging to the group of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors, more specifically a pyrimidinedione-based PPO inhibitor. Saflufenacil has been described in WO 01 / 083459. Further processes for its preparation are described in WO 03 / 097589, WO 05 / 054208, WO 06 / 097589, WO 06 / 125746, WO 08 / 043835, and WO 08 / 043836. Saflufenacil is particularly useful for preplant applications and selective pre-emergence weed control in multiple crops. In particular, it is useful as a foliar contact and residual broadleaved weed herbicide. It is absorbed by foliage and roots with translocation in the apoplast and limited movement in the phloem. Saflufenacil is applied to foliage and is used for residual control of broad-leaved weeds, including glyphosate- and ALS-resistant biotypes. Saflufenacil is applied pre-emergence in corn and sorghum, at 50-125 gram / hectare (g / ha); preplant for rapid foliar burn-down in soybeans, cereals, cotton, legumes; and post-directed in tree fruit and nuts, at 18-25 g / ha, and in sugarcane at 24.5-96 g / ha.

[0007] Fluroxypyr ([(4-Amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)oxy]acetic acid) is a pyridinoxy acid herbicide in the class of synthetic auxins and is used for control of a wide range of broadleaf weeds in, e.g., sugar cane, cereals, sweetcorn and olive trees. Fluroxypyr induces auxin-type responses in susceptible annual and perennial broadleaf weeds (auxin being a type of plant growth hormone).

[0008] It is usually commercialized as an ester called starane (fluroxypyr- 1 -methylheptyl ester), which is rapidly degraded to fluroxypyr acid. Its oral LD50 in rats is above 5000 mg / kg. It is classified by EPA as Toxicity Category II and as “not likely” human carcinogen. However, subchronic toxicity assays in rats showed nephrotoxicity, increased kidney weight, hispathological lesions and decreased renal function (Aramendfa el al., 2005).

[0009] CN 102696613 B shows that the herbicidal effect of the mixed combination of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr-mepthyl was higher than that of each of the components alone, on the tested weeds, e.g., Euphorbia helioscopia L., and Stellaria media (L.) Vill.

[0010] There is a need to provide a herbicidal combination that has advantageous properties, e.g., synergistic effect on weeds such as Commelina benghalensis, Alternantheratenella, Sida rhombifolia, and Erigeron bonariensis (Conyza bonariensis), thereby helping in resistance management, reducing dosage of herbicides used, and having excellent residual effect.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] It has now been found, in accordance with the present invention, that a mixture of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr had a synergistic effect in controlling broadleaves weeds. More specifically, and as shown herein, a mixture of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr-meptyl, had synergistic effect in controlling the weeds Commelina benghalensis, Alternanthera tenella, Sida rhombifolia, and Erigeron bonariensis (Conyza bonariensis).

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention thus provides a herbicidal mixture comprising: (i) saflufenacil; and (ii) fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising: (i) saflufenacil; (ii) fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof; and (iii) agriculturally acceptable carrier.

[0014] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to methods for using an herbicidal composition as defined above. For example, in a particular such aspect, disclosed herein is a method of controlling weed comprising applying to a locus, such as a field of crop, an effective amount of such a composition.

[0015] In certain embodiments, said weed belongs to: (i) the Commelinaceae family such as Commelina benghalensis (COMBE), (ii) the Amaranthaceae family such as Alternanthera tenella (ALRFI), (iii) the Malvaceae family such as Sida rhombifolia (SIDRH), or (iv) the Asteraceae family such as Erigeron bonariensis (Conyza bonariensis', ERIBO).DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In one aspect, disclosed herein is a herbicidal mixture comprising: (i) saflufenacil; and (ii) fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the fluroxypyr comprised within the herbicidal mixture of the invention is in its acid free form rather than a salt form, i.e., wherein all its acid groups are in their free acid form.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the fluroxypyr comprised within the herbicidal mixture of the invention is in its salt form.

[0019] Non-limiting salts of fluroxypyr include alkali metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts; ammonium salts or substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and tri- Ci-Cs-alkylammonium salts (e.g., methyl ammonium, dimethylammonium, and isopropylammonium); mono-, di- and tri-hydroxy-C2-Cs- alkylammonium salts such as hydroxyethylammonium, di(hydroxyethyl)ammonium, tri(hydroxy ethyl) ammonium, hydroxypropylammonium, di(hydroxypropyl)ammonium and tri(hydroxypropyl) ammonium salts (e.g., monoethanolammonium and triisopropanolammonium salts); olamine salts; and diglycolamine salts.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the fluroxypyr comprised within the herbicidal mixture of the invention is in its ester form.

[0021] Non-limiting examples of esters of fluroxypyr include Ci-Cs-alkyl esters and Ci- C4-alkoxy-C2-C4-alkyl esters, such as methyl esters, ethyl esters, isopropyl, butyl, hexyl, heptyl, isoheptyl, isooctyl, 2-ethylhexyl, methylheptyl (MHE; meptyl), butoxypropyl (butometyl), and butoxy ethyl esters; and aryl esters such as benzyl.

[0022] In particular such embodiments, the fluroxypyr comprised within the mixture of the present invention is in its meptyl ester form.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the weight ratio between saflufenacil and fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof in the mixture of the invention according to any one of the embodiments above is from about 1:100 to about 100:1, e.g., from about 1:1 to about 1:50, from about 1:2 to about 1:20, from about 1:4 to about 1:15, from about 1:5 to about 1:10, from about 1:6 to about 1:8, or about 1:7, respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising: (i) saflufenacil; (ii) fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof; and (iii) agriculturally acceptable carrier.

[0025] The term “agriculturally acceptable carrier” as used herein refers to an inert substance which is known and accepted in the art for the formation of compositions for agricultural or horticultural use, and which facilitates the application of the active ingredients. The carrier may be in the form of a solid or a liquid.

[0026] Examples of solid carriers include, but are not limited to, mineral earths such as silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, sericite, attaclay, limestone, bentonite, lime, chalk, bole, mirabilite, loess, clay, dolomite, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, sodium carbonate and bicarbonate, andsodium sulfate; ground synthetic materials; resins; waxes; fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas, and products of vegetable origin such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal, and nutshell meal; and cellulose powders.

[0027] Examples of liquid carriers include, but are not limited to, water; aromatic hydrocarbons such as alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes; alcohols such as cyclohexanol, and decanol; ethylene glycol; polypropylene glycol; dipropropylene glycol; N,N- dimethylformamide; dimethylsulfoxide; dimethylacetamide; N-alkylpyrrolidones such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; paraffins; various oils such as olive, castor, linseed, tung, sesame, corn, peanut, cotton-seed, soybean, rape-seed, or coconut oil; fatty acid esters; and ketones such as cyclohexanone, 2-heptanone, isophorone, and 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention according to any one of the embodiments above further comprises at least one, e.g., one, two, three, or more, excipient(s) such as a surfactant.

[0029] The term “agriculturally acceptable excipient” as used herein refers to an inert substance which is known and accepted in the art for the formation of compositions for agricultural or horticultural use, and that itself is not an active ingredient but is added to the formulation to improve one or more of its properties, such as stability, flowability, density, and the like. Examples of such excipients include, but are not limited to, pH modifiers (e.g., acids or bases), thickening agents (thickeners), sticking agents, surfactants, anti-oxidation agents, and anti-foaming agents.

[0030] The term “surfactant” as used herein refers to any agriculturally acceptable material which imparts or improves emulsifiability, spreading, wetting, dispersibility, or other surface-modifying properties of a herbicidal formulation, and optionally stability of said formulation, e.g., by inhibiting crystal growth or avoiding particle agglomeration. Nonlimiting examples of surfactants include (i) nonionic surfactants such as fatty alcohol surfactants (e.g., cetyl alcohol), monoglyceride surfactants (e.g., glycerol monolaurate), polysorbate surfactants (e.g., Tween-20, Tween-40, Tween-60, Tween-65, Tween-80, and Tween-85), tristyrylphenol ethoxylate surfactants (e.g., Soprophor® TS / 54), ethoxylated alkylphenol surfactants (e.g., a nonylphenol ethoxylate such as Tergitol NP-9™), ethoxylated arylphenol surfactants, ethoxylated castor oil surfactants (e.g., Alkamuls® OR / 36, Stepantex® CO-40, and Stepantex® CO-36), ethylene oxide- and propylene oxideblock copolymers, and polyvinyl alcohol- vinyl acetate copolymers; (ii) anionic surfactants such as fatty acid sulfonates (e.g., lauryl sulfonate); (iii) cationic surfactants such asquaternary ammonium surfactants (e.g., cetylpyridinium chloride and dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride); and (iv) ampholy tic surfactants such as cocamidopropyl betaine and (3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-l- propanesulfonate) .

[0031] In certain embodiments, the weight ratio between saflufenacil and fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof comprised within the composition of the invention according to any one of the embodiments above is from about 1:100 to about 100:1, e.g., from about 1:1 to about 1:50, from about 1:2 to about 1:20, from about 1:4 to about 1:15, from about 1:5 to about 1:10, from about 1:6 to about 1:8, or about 1:7, respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

[0032] According to the invention, the fluroxypyr comprised within the composition of the invention may be in its acid free form rather than a salt form, in its salt form, in its ester form, each as defined herein, or any combination thereof.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the fluroxypyr comprised within the composition of the invention according to any one of the embodiments above is in its meptyl ester form.

[0034] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to various agricultural uses, e.g., pre- and / or post-emergence weed control, in which a composition as defined in any one of the embodiments above is utilized.

[0035] In one particular such aspect, disclosed herein is a method of controlling weed, also referred to herein as undesired vegetation, comprising applying to a locus an effective amount of a composition as defined herein, in any one of the embodiments above.

[0036] The term "locus" as used herein refers not only to areas where the weed may already be developed, but also to areas where weeds have yet to emerge, and to areas under cultivation. Locus includes the crop and propagation material of the crop (all the generative parts of the crop such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers, which can be used for the multiplication of the plant). Examples of propagation material of the crop include seeds, tubers, spores, corms, bulbs, rhizomes, sprouts basal shoots, stolons, buds and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which could be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil. Locus also includes the area surrounding the crop and the growing media of the crop, such as soil and crop field.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the locus is a field of crop. The term “crop” (or “plant”) as used herein refers to whole plants, plant organs (e.g., leaves, stems, twigs, roots, trunks, limbs, shoots, fruits, etc.), plant cells, or plant seeds. Non-limiting examples of crops arecotton, rice, banana, potato, coffee, sugar cane, citrus, beans, sunflower, apple, com, soybean, wheat, barley, oats, chickpeas, fruit trees, nut trees, lentils, peanut, and grain sorghum.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the weeds that can be controlled by the method of the present invention include weeds that belong to: (i) the Commelinaceae family such as Commelina benghalensis (COMBE), (ii) the Amaranthaceae family such as Alternanthera tenella (ALRFI), (iii) the Malvaceae family such as Sida rhombifolia (SIDRH), or (iv) the Asteraceae family such as Erigeron bonariensis (Conyz.a bonariensis; ERIBO). Particular such embodiments are those wherein said weed is Commelina benghalensis (COMBE), Alternanthera tenella (ALRFI), Sida rhombifolia (SIDRH), or Erigeron bonariensis (Conyza bonariensis', ERIBO).

[0039] In certain embodiments, the saflufenacil and fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof, utilized according to the method of the invention according to any one of the embodiments defined above, are applied from a sole composition, e.g., in the form of a “ready mix” (“ready-for-use”) composition, which is optionally diluted with water before use.

[0040] In certain embodiments, saflufenacil and fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof, utilized according to the method of the invention according to any one of the embodiments defined above, are applied from two separate compositions (i.e., one of said compositions comprises said saflufenacil, and the second composition comprises said fluroxypyr), either: (i) concurrently (simultaneously), e.g., in the form of a “tank mix”, or (ii) sequentially in any order, e.g., after diluting each one said compositions with water.

[0041] The composition(s) applied according to the method of the invention according to any one of the embodiments defined above, each independently may be of any type known in the art, e.g., in the form of a liquid formulation such as a soluble liquid, suspension concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, suspoemulsion, concentrated aqueous emulsion, or a dry formulation such as a granule, a wettable powder, a soluble powder, a water-dispersible granule, or a dry flowable.

[0042] In certain embodiments, saflufenacil utilized according to the method disclosed herein according to any one of the embodiments above is applied at a rate in the range of from about 5 to about 50 g / ha, e.g., in the range of from about 10 to 45 g / ha, from about 15 to about 40 g / ha, from about 20 to about 35 g / ha, from about 24 to about 30 g / ha, or about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 g / ha.

[0043] In certain embodiments fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof utilized according to the method disclosed herein according to any one of the embodiments above is applied at a rate in the range of from about 100 to about 300 g / ha, e.g., in the range of from about 105 to 290 g / ha, from about 110 to about 280 g / ha, from about 115 to about 270 g / ha, from about 120 to about 260 g / ha, from about 125 to about 250 g / ha, from about 130 to about 240 g / ha, from about 135 to about 235 g / ha, from about 140 to about 230 g / ha, from about 145 to about 225 g / ha, from about 150 to about 220 g / ha, from about 155 to about 215 g / ha, from about 160 to about 210 g / ha, or about 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 ,200, 210, 220, 230, 240, or 250 g / ha (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

[0044] In certain embodiments, saflufenacil utilized according to the method disclosed herein according to any one of the embodiments above is applied at a rate in the range of from about 5 to about 50 g / ha, e.g., in the range of from about 10 to 45 g / ha, from about 15 to about 40 g / ha, from about 20 to about 35 g / ha, from about 24 to about 30 g / ha, or about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 g / ha; and fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof utilized according to the method disclosed herein according to any one of the embodiments above is applied at a rate in the range of from 100 to about 300 g / ha, e.g., in the range of from about 105 to 290 g / ha, from about 110 to about 280 g / ha, from about 115 to about 270 g / ha, from about 120 to about 260 g / ha, from about 125 to about 250 g / ha, from about 130 to about 240 g / ha, from about 135 to about 235 g / ha, from about 140 to about 230 g / ha, from about 145 to about 225 g / ha, from about 150 to about 220 g / ha, from about 155 to about 215 g / ha, from about 160 to about 210 g / ha, or about 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 ,200, 210, 220, 230, 240, or 250 g / ha (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

[0045] In certain embodiments, the ratio between the application rate (g / ha) of saflufenacil and the application rate (g / ha) of fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof, utilized according to the method disclosed herein according to any one of the embodiments above, is from about 1:2 to about 1:10, e.g., from about 1:2.5 to about 1:9, from about 1:3.5 to about 1:8.5, from about 1:4 to about 1:8, from about 1:4.5 to about 1:7.5, from about 1:5 to about 1:7, or about 1:4, 1:4.5, 1:5, 1:5.5, 1:6, 1:6.5, 1:6.66, 1:7, or 1:7.5, respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

[0046] It should be noted that all numbers throughout this specification which refer to fluroxypyr, e.g., ratios and application rate, are calculated on an acid equivalent base offluroxypyr. The term “acid equivalent” (a.e.) refers to the amount of the acid form of an active ingredient such as fluroxypyr that is calculated from the amount of a salt or ester form of that active ingredient. For example, if the acid form of an active ingredient "Z” has a molecular weight of 100 Dalton, and the salt form of Z has a molecular weight of 130 Dalton, an application of 130 g ai / ha of the Z salt would be equal to applying 100 g ae / ha of the acid form of Z: 130 g ai / ha Z salt * (100 Da Z acid / 130 Da Z salt) = 100 g ae / ha Z acid. Specifically, 288 g of fluroxypyr in the form of meptyl-ester thereof (367 g / mol) equals to 200 g of fluroxypyr in the acid form thereof (255 g / mol).

[0047] According to the invention, a synergistic effect exists whenever the action of an active ingredient combination is greater than the sum of the actions of the individual components.

[0048] In the field of agriculture, it is often understood that the term “synergy” is as defined by Colby S. R. in an article entitled "Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations" published in the journal Weeds, 1967, 15, p. 20-22.

[0049] The action expected for a given combination of two active components can be calculated as follows: E = X + Y - XY / 100, in which E represents the expected effect, e.g. percentage of pest control, for the combination of the active ingredients at defined doses (for example equal to x and y respectively), X is the effect, e.g. percentage of pest control, observed for compound (I) at a defined dose (equal to x), Y is the effect, e.g. percentage of pest control, observed for compound (II) at a defined dose (equal to y).

[0050] Here, efficacy or percent inhibition is determined in %. 0% means efficacy that corresponds to the Control, i.e., as if no treatment had been applied. Whereas a percent inhibition of 100% means that complete control is observed. When the percent control observed for the combination is greater than E, there is a synergistic effect. When the percent control observed for the combination is equal to E, there is an additive effect and wherein the percent control observed for the combination is lower than E, there is an antagonistic effect.

[0051] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, e.g., application rates or ratios between components, used in this specification, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in this specification are approximations that may vary by up to plus or minus 10% depending upon the desired properties to be obtained by the present invention.

[0052] The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples.EXAMPLESExample 1. The efficacy of a mixture of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr in controlling weeds

[0053] Objective. Evaluating the efficacy of the mixture of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr- meptyl under field conditions in the control of different weeds.

[0054] Materials and methods. The trials were conducted under field conditions with natural infestations of the evaluated weeds, and foliar application was performed on the postemergence of the studied weeds. For the spray, a pressurized backpack sprayer with CO2 was used, equipped with an application boom containing six flat fan nozzles (110.02), spaced at 50 cm intervals. The pressure used was 40 PSI, providing a constant volume of 150 L / ha.

[0055] Assessments. Each treatment was performed in 4 repetitions and an un-treated control was included for each weed species. The percentage of control of the weed infestations was assessed using a visual scale ranging from 0-100%, where 0% indicates the absence of symptoms, and 100% represents the death of the weeds [Brazilian Society of Weed Science — SBCPD (1995) Procedures for Installation, Evaluation and Analysis of Experiments with Herbicides, Londrina]. These assessments were conducted at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after application (DAA).

[0056] The tested weeds used were Commelina benghalensis from the Commelinaceae family, Alternanthera tenella from the Amaranthaceae family, Sida rhombifolia from the Malvaceae family, and Conyza bonariensis from the Asteraceae family.

[0057] Table 1 summarizes the efficacy of the mixture of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr- meptyl on the tested weeds at 28 days after application; and Table 2 summarizes the Colby calculations obtained for the tested mixture of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr-meptyl. The numbers refer to fluroxypyr are calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr.Table 1g ai / Ha = gram active ingredient per hectareCOMBE - Commelina benghalensisALRFI - Alternanthera tenellaSIDRH - Sida rhombifoliaERIBO - Erigeron bonariensis (Conyza bonariensis)Table 2

[0058] Results. The efficacy of the tested mixture, at 28 days after application showed synergic effect on the evaluated weeds Commelina benghalensis, Alternanthera tenella, Sida rhombifolia and Conyza bonariensis. Specifically, for the Commelina benghalensis, each one of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr-meptyl showed control percent of 43.75 and 36.25, respectively, the calculated expected control using Colby’s formula was 64.14 percent of control, and the control levels of the mixture was superior to the expected, with 78.75 percent of control, confirming synergism of those a.i.’s in mixture for weeds of the Commelinaceae family; for Alternanthera tenella, each one of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr-meptyl obtained control percent of 65 and 11.25 respectively, the calculated expected control using Colby’s formula was for 68.94 percent of control, and the control levels of the mixture was superior to the expected, with 90 percent of control, confirming synergism of those a.i.’s in mixture for weeds of the Amaranthaceae family; for Sida rhombifolia each one of the saflufenacil and fluroxypyr-meptyl showed control percent of 65 and 11.25, respectively, the calculated expected control using Colby’s formula was 68.94 percent of control, and the control levels of the mixture was superior to the expected, with 100 percent of control, confirming synergism of those a.i.’s in mixture for the weeds from the Malvaceae family; for Conyzabonariensis each one of saflufenacil and fluroxypyr-meptyl showed control percent of 75.75 and 19.5, respectively, the calculated expected control using Colby’s formula was 80.47 percent of control, and the control levels of the mixture was superior to the expected, with 98 percent of control, confirming synergism of those a.i.’s in mixture for weeds of the Asteraceae family.REFERENCESDamalas, C.A., Herbicide tank mixtures: common interactions. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 2004, 6, 209-212Aramendfa M.A., Marinas A., Marinas J.M., Moreno J.M., Urbano F.J., Photocatalytic degradation of herbicide fluroxypyr in aqueous suspension of TiCh, Catalysis Today, 2005, 101, 187-193

Claims

CLAIMS1. A herbicidal mixture comprising: (i) saflufenacil; and (ii) fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof.

2. The herbicidal mixture of claim 1, wherein said fluroxypyr in the form of a free acid or an ester thereof.

3. The herbicidal mixture of claim 2, wherein fluroxypyr is in the form of meptyl ester thereof.

4. The herbicidal mixture of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the weight ratio between saflufenacil to fluroxypyr is from about 1:100 to about 100:1, respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

5. The herbicidal mixture of claim 4, wherein the weight ratio between saflufenacil to fluroxypyr is from about 1:1 to about 1:50, preferably from about 1:5 to about 1:10, respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

6. A composition comprising: (i) saflufenacil; (ii) fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof; and (iii) agriculturally acceptable carrier.

7. The composition of claim 6, further comprising at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient such as a surfactant.

8. The composition of claim 6 or 7, wherein the weight ratio between saflufenacil to fluroxypyr is from about 1 : 100 to about 100: 1 , respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the weight ratio between saflufenacil to fluroxypyr is from about 1:1 to about 1:50, preferably from about 1:5 to about 1:10, respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

10. The composition of any one of claims 6-9, comprising fluroxypyr in the form of a free acid or an ester thereof.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein fluroxypyr is in the form of meptyl ester thereof.

12. A method of controlling weed comprising applying to a locus an effective amount of a composition according to any one of claims 6-11.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said locus is a field of crop.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said crop is selected from cotton, rice, banana, potato, coffee, sugar cane, citrus, beans, sunflower, apple, corn, soybean, wheat, barley, oats, chickpeas, fruit trees, nut trees, lentils, peanut, and grain sorghum.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said weed belongs to: (i) the Commelinaceae family such as Commelina benghalensis (COMBE), (ii) the Amaranthaceae family such as Alternanthera tenella (ALRFI), (iii) the Malvaceae family such as Sida rhombifolia (SIDRH), or (iv) the Asteraceae family such as Erigeron bonariensis (Conyza bonariensis) (ERIBO).

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein saflufenacil and fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof are applied from a sole composition.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein saflufenacil and fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof are applied from two separate compositions, either concurrently or sequentially in any order.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein each one of said compositions is a soluble liquid composition, suspension concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, suspoemulsion, or concentrated aqueous emulsion.

19. The method of claim of any one of claims 12-18, wherein: (i) saflufenacil is applied at a rate in the range of from about 5 to about 50 g / ha, preferably in the range of from about 24 to 30 g / ha; and / or (ii) fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof is applied at a rate in the range of from about 100 to about 300 g / ha, preferably in the range of from about 160 to 210 g / ha (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

20. The method of any one of claims 12-19, wherein the ratio between the application rate (g / ha) of saflufenacil and the application rate (g / ha) of fluroxypyr or a salt, an ester, or a combination thereof is from about 1:2 to about 1:10, respectively (calculated on an acid equivalent base of fluroxypyr).

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