Combination of asulam and adjuvant

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a herbicidal combination comprising a carbamate herbicide and an adjuvant.

Description

[0001] TITLE: COMBINATION OF ASULAM AND ADJUVANT

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE:

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a herbicidal combination comprising a carbamate herbicide and an adjuvant. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling weeds by applying an effective amount of the herbicidal combination thereof.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE:

[0005] Methods for controlling weeds are desirable in many instances, particularly in crops of commercial interest. Weeds are destructive to crop plants and can cause significant damage and loss of yield. For example, weeds can cause significant damage to standing crops and agricultural crops, which are intended for use as human food and animal feeds. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), weeds cause considerable losses to food crops globally. The total loss of food grains, for example, is approximately 1.3 billion tons per year. The key to achieve efficient weed management is to understand weed biology and behavior, the kinds of damage they produce, resistance they develop, and / or application of proper integrated weed management practices.

[0006] Resistance is defined as a change in the sensitivity of a weed population to a herbicide, resulting in the failure of correct application of the herbicide to control the weed. Resistance can develop when the same herbicide or similar ones with the same mode of action are used over and over again. However, it is not the individual weed that changes, but the entire weed population. The population may then be said to have become resistant. Therefore, in order to avoid development of herbicide resistance it is advisable to employ a combination of two or more herbicide(s) or a combination of herbicide(s) with other adjuvants, auxiliaries, excipients, surfactants, inactive agents, or combinations thereof. Herbicides are waning in efficacy due to acquired resistance by the weeds or lack of intrinsic bioavailability. Due to regulatory limitations and guidelines, the dose of herbicides is also restricted. Many herbicides are demonstrating lower efficacy and approaching the limit of dose application when applied solo. Therefore, such combinations of herbicides with other adjuvants, auxiliaries, excipients, surfactants, inactive agents, or combinations thereof, would increase growers' ability to manage their crops while staying within the monetary and regulatory requirements.

[0007] Adjuvants are products that are added to a herbicide to enhance the performance and / or physical properties of the herbicide. Adjuvants include, but are not limited to vegetable oils, surfactants, defoaming agents, deposition agents, thickeners, spreaders, compatibility agents, drift control agents, or combinations thereof. Using the proper adjuvant may reduce or even eliminate in some cases application problems, improving the overall effectiveness of the herbicide.

[0008] Asulam, also known as methyl A-(4-aminophenyl)sulfonylcarbamate), is a broadspectrum carbamate herbicide. Asulam is a plant growth inhibitor which inhibits folate synthesis by suppression of dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) in plants. The structure of Asulam is represented as:

[0009] Asulam is especially useful for post-emergence control of perennial grasses in crops such as sugarcane, soybean, cotton, etc. Furthermore, herbicidal combinations known in the art usually have some disadvantages. They have none or insufficient herbicidal activity against specific unwanted plants / weeds, the spectrum of unwanted plants / weeds which can be controlled with the herbicides is not broad enough, the selectivity and compatibility of the herbicides with crops is too low, thereby causing unwanted damage and / or reduced yield of the crops, the initial herbicidal activity is not acceptable or not strong enough, and / or the herbicidal activity does not last long enough. For these reasons, there is a constant need to develop herbicidal combinations with adjuvants, auxiliaries, excipients, surfactants, inactive agents, or combinations thereof, which overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. There also exists a need for an environmentally safe herbicidal combination that can selectively control the weeds, while leaving other plants and crops unharmed.

[0010] OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE:

[0011] It is a primary objective of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination for efficient weed control, weed suppression and weed eradication.

[0012] It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination comprising a herbicide and an adjuvant to enhance the effectiveness of the herbicide.

[0013] It is yet another objective of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination comprising a herbicide and an adjuvant, wherein the adjuvant enhances penetration and spreading abilities of the herbicide.

[0014] It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide an adjuvant with improved compatibility with the herbicide.

[0015] It is yet another objective of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination to control, suppress or prevent a wide spectrum of weeds comprising both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous, broad-leaved, and grassy weeds. It is yet another objective of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination which is safe to use, effective and can be applied pre-emergence, postemergence or at the time of sowing.

[0016] It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination achieving increased yield in the crops to which they are applied, by reducing the number of weeds in the crops.

[0017] It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a method for controlling resistant varieties of weeds with a herbicidal combination comprising a herbicide and an adjuvant.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE:

[0019] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising a carbamate herbicide and an adjuvant.

[0020] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising a carbamate herbicide and an adjuvant. Additionally, said composition may further comprise at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a process for preparing a herbicidal combination / composition comprising a carbamate herbicide and an adjuvant.

[0022] Yet another aspect provides use of a herbicidal combination / composition comprising a carbamate herbicide and an adjuvant for effective control of weeds.

[0023] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling weeds by applying to a plant or a locus thereof, a herbicidal combination / composition comprising a carbamate herbicide and an adjuvant. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a kit-of-parts comprising a component of a carbamate herbicide and another component of an adjuvant. The said components may be mixed at the time of application as per the given set of instructions.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE:

[0025] The present disclosure now will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying examples, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This description is not intended to be a detailed catalogue of all the different ways in which the disclosure may be implemented, or all the features that may be added to the instant disclosure. Thus, the disclosure contemplates that in some embodiments of the disclosure, any feature or combination of features set forth herein can be excluded or omitted. In addition, numerous variations and additions to the various embodiments suggested herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the instant disclosure, which do not depart from the instant disclosure. Hence, the following descriptions are intended to illustrate some particular embodiments of the disclosure, and not to exhaustively specify all permutations, combinations and variations thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described herein.

[0027] “About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±10 or ±5 of the stated value.

[0028] The use of the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” and similar referents (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms first, second etc., as used herein are not meant to denote any particular ordering, but simply for convenience to denote a plurality of, for example, layers.

[0029] The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to”) unless otherwise noted. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure as used herein.

[0030] While the disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0031] The term “control” relates to a weed, includes control of the weed, as well as protecting a plant, a portion of the plant, or a plant seed from attack or invasion by said weed. As used herein, the term “herbicide” encompasses both herbicides as well as plant growth regulators, as far as this does not otherwise emerge from the context. The term herbicide as used herein denotes a compound which controls or modifies the growth of undesired weeds / plants.

[0032] The term “herbicidally effective amount” indicates the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds which is capable of controlling or modifying effect on the growth of harmful plants / undesired vegetation / weeds. Controlling effects include all deviation from natural development, for example: killing, retardation, leaf bum, albinism, dwarfism, etc.

[0033] As used herein the term “plant” or “crop” refers to whole plants, plant organs (e.g., leaves, stems, twigs, roots, trunks, limbs, shoots, fruits etc.), plant cells, and plant seeds. This term also encompasses plant crops such as fruits. The term “plant” may further include the propagation material thereof, which may include all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers, which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, tubers, spores, corms, bulbs, rhizomes, sprouts basal shoots, stolon, and buds and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil.

[0034] As used herein, the term “plant propagation material” is understood to denote generative parts of a plant, such as seeds, vegetative material such as cuttings or tubers, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes and parts of plants, germinated plants and young plants which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from the soil. These young plants may be protected before transplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion.

[0035] As used herein, the term “seed” embraces seeds and plant propagules of all kinds including but not limited to true seeds, seed pieces, suckers, corms, bulbs, fruit, tubers, grains, cuttings, cut shoots and the like. In a preferred embodiment a seed is a true seed.

[0036] As used herein, the term “pre-emergence” refers to the time point before seedlings emerge from the ground. When any herbicide is applied at pre-emergence stage, it prevents establishment of the germinated weed seedlings. As used herein, the term “post-emergence” refers to the time point after seedlings emerge from the ground. When any herbicide is applied at post-emergence stage, it prevents growth of the germinated weed seedlings.

[0037] As used herein, the term “increased yield” of an agricultural plant means that the yield of a product of the respective plant is increased by a measurable amount over the yield of the same product of the plant produced under the same conditions, but without the application of the compositions described herein. According to the present disclosure, it is preferred that the crop yield be increased by at least 0.5%, preferably at least 2%, more preferably at least 5%, upon application of the combinations and compositions described herein.

[0038] The term “weed” as used herein refers to the plant whose growth is considered undesirable in a particular situation i.e., growth of a plant at a wrong place and includes pesticide resistant plants. In the broadest sense, the term “weed” refers to plants which grow in locations in which they are not desired. In other words, a “weed” is a plant in which in the context of a crop is undesirable due to competition for water, nutrients, sunlight, soil, etc. The term may also refer to crop plants which are undesirable at a location. As used herein, the terms “undesirable vegetation”, “harmful plants”, “unwanted plants”, “weeds” and “weed species”, as used herein, are synonyms.

[0039] Typically, the combinations / compositions of the present disclosure are applied to the targeted weed or to their locus or to the crop / plant. The term “locus” as used herein shall denote the vicinity of a desired crop in which weed control, typically selective weed control is desired. The locus includes the vicinity of desired crop plants wherein the weed infestation has either emerged or is yet to emerge. The term crop shall include a multitude of desired crop plants or an individual crop plant growing at a locus. The said locus could be a weed, an area adjacent to the weed, soil adapted to support growth of the weed, a root of the weed and / or foliage of the weed.

[0040] As used herein, the term “phytotoxicity” refers to any adverse effect or reaction on plant growth, physiology, or metabolism caused by any chemical substance, fertilizer, herbicide, heavy metal, etc.

[0041] As used herein, the term “adjuvant” refers to additives that can be used together with herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides to make them more effective. Adjuvants cannot be used on their own, but they significantly enhance the activity of other crop protection products. These can be a part of the formulation itself (built- in adjuvants) or be a separate product that can be mixed in with the crop protection chemical before it is applied to the crops (tank mix-adjuvants).

[0042] The term “g / L” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” present in “per liter” of the solution. The terms “g ai / L”, “g a.i. / L” and “g / L” may be used interchangeably.

[0043] The terms “g a.i. / ha” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” applied “per hectare” of the crop field. The terms “g ai / ha”, “g a.i. / ha” and “g / ha” may be used interchangeably.

[0044] The expression of various quantities in terms of “% v / v” means the percentage by volume of the total composition unless otherwise specified.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination for controlling weeds. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination for controlling herbicide -resistant weeds and / or herbicide-tolerant weeds.

[0046] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising: a carbamate herbicide; and an adjuvant.

[0047] In another embodiment, the mode of action of the carbamate herbicide is by inhibition of dihydropteroate synthase.

[0048] In another embodiment, the carbamate herbicide is selected from the group comprising asulam, barban, 1 -methylpropyl (3-chlorophenyl)carbamate (BCPC), carbasulam, carbetamide, carboxazole, 2-chloroethyl-N-3 -chlorophenylcarbamate (CEPC), chlorbufam, 2-chloro- 1-methylethyl (3-chlorophenyl)carbamate (CPPC), dichlormate, famoxacarb, fenasulam, propham, swep, terbucarb, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamate herbicide is asulam.

[0049] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising: asulam; and an adjuvant.

[0050] In another embodiment, the adjuvant is selected from alkyl esters of vegetable oils. The vegetable oils are selected from the group comprising soybean oil, olive oil, kapok oil, castor oil, papaya oil, camellia oil, palm oil, sesame oil, com oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, cotton seed oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, tung oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, tall oil, or combinations thereof.

[0051] In another embodiment, the adjuvant is selected from the group comprising methyl ester soybean oil (or soy methyl ester), ethyl ester soybean oil, propyl ester soybean oil, butyl ester soybean oil, fatty acid ester soybean oil, methyl ester olive oil, ethyl ester olive oil, propyl ester olive oil, butyl ester olive oil, fatty acid ester olive oil, methyl ester kapok oil, ethyl ester kapok oil, propyl ester kapok oil, butyl ester kapok oil, fatty acid ester kapok oil, methyl ester castor oil, ethyl ester castor oil, propyl ester castor oil, butyl ester castor oil, fatty acid ester castor oil, methyl ester papaya oil, ethyl ester papaya oil, propyl ester papaya oil, butyl ester papaya oil, fatty acid ester papaya oil, methyl ester camellia oil, ethyl ester camellia oil, propyl ester camellia oil, butyl ester camellia oil, fatty acid ester camellia oil, methyl ester palm oil, ethyl ester palm oil, propyl ester palm oil, butyl ester palm oil, fatty acid ester palm oil, methyl ester sesame oil, ethyl ester sesame oil, propyl ester sesame oil, butyl ester sesame oil, fatty acid ester sesame oil, methyl ester corn oil, ethyl ester corn oil, propyl ester com oil, butyl ester corn oil, fatty acid ester com oil, methyl ester rice bran oil, ethyl ester rice bran oil, propyl ester rice bran oil, butyl ester rice bran oil, fatty acid ester rice bran oil, methyl ester peanut oil, ethyl ester peanut oil, propyl ester peanut oil, butyl ester peanut oil, fatty acid ester peanut oil, methyl ester cotton seed oil, ethyl ester cotton seed oil, propyl ester cotton seed oil, butyl ester cotton seed oil, fatty acid ester cotton seed oil, methyl ester rapeseed oil, ethyl ester rapeseed oil, propyl ester rapeseed oil, butyl ester rapeseed oil, fatty acid ester rapeseed oil, methyl ester linseed oil, ethyl ester linseed oil, propyl ester linseed oil, butyl ester linseed oil, fatty acid ester linseed oil, methyl ester tung oil, ethyl ester tung oil, propyl ester tung oil, butyl ester tung oil, fatty acid ester tung oil, methyl ester sunflower oil, ethyl ester sunflower oil, propyl ester sunflower oil, butyl ester sunflower oil, fatty acid ester sunflower oil, methyl ester safflower oil, ethyl ester safflower oil, propyl ester safflower oil, butyl ester safflower oil, fatty acid ester safflower oil, methyl ester tall oil, ethyl ester tall oil, propyl ester tall oil, butyl ester tall oil, fatty acid ester tall oil, or combinations thereof.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the adjuvant comprises an alkyl ester of soybean oil. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuvant comprises methyl ester soybean oil or soy methyl ester. In another embodiment, methyl ester soybean oil (or soy methyl ester) comprises methyl ester, linear dodecylbenzene sulfonate calcium salt in hexanol, castor oil ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylated and propoxylated, soybean oil, or combinations thereof.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises asulam and methyl ester soybean oil (or soy methyl ester).

[0054] In an embodiment, the concentration of the carbamate herbicide ranges from about 10 g / L to about 600 g / L, preferably from about 50 g / L to about 550 g / L, preferably from about 100 g / L to about 500 g / L, and most preferably from about 300 g / L to about 450 g / L. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of carbamate herbicide is about 400 g / L. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of asulam is about 400 g / L.

[0055] In an embodiment, the concentration of the adjuvant ranges from about 300 g / L to about 1000 g / L, preferably from about 400 g / L to about 950 g / L, preferably from about 500 g / L to about 900 g / L, and most preferably from about 600 g / L to about 800 g / L. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of adjuvant is about 720 g / L. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of methyl ester soybean oil or soy methyl ester is about 720 g / L.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises:

[0057] (a) concentration of the carbamate herbicide ranging from about 300 g / L to about 450 g / L; and / or

[0058] (b) concentration of the adjuvant ranging from about 600 g / L to about 800 g / L.

[0059] In an embodiment, the herbicidal combination of the present disclosure further comprises an additional herbicide. In an embodiment, the herbicidal combination of the present disclosure optionally comprises an additional herbicide. In an embodiment, the additional herbicide is selected from the group comprising aliphatic acid herbicides, amide herbicides, aromatic acid herbicides, benzofuran herbicides, benzonitrile herbicides, benzophenone herbicides, benzothiadiazinone herbicides, benzyl ether herbicides, botanical herbicides, carbamate herbicides, cyclohexanedione oxime herbicides, dinitroaniline herbicides, dinitrophenol herbicides, diphenyl ether herbicides, diphenyl heterocycle herbicides, dithiocarbamate herbicides, fumigant herbicides, halogenated alkanoic acid herbicides, imidazolinone herbicides, inorganic herbicides, isoxazole herbicides, isoxazolidinone herbicides, isoxazoline herbicides, N-phenyl heterocycle herbicides, N-phenylimide herbicides, N-phenyloxadiazolone herbicides, N- phenyltriazolinone herbicides, organochlorine herbicides, organophosphorous herbicides, oxirane herbicides, oxyacetamide herbicides, phenol herbicides, phenoxy herbicides, phenylcarboxylic acid herbicides, phenyl ether herbicides, phenylthiourea herbicides, pyrazole herbicides, pyridazine herbicides, pyridazinone herbicides, pyridine herbicides, pyrimidinediamine herbicides, pyrimidinyloxybenzylamine herbicides, quaternary ammonium herbicides, quinone herbicides, alpha- thio acetamide herbicides, thiocarbamate herbicides, thiocarbonate herbicides, triazine herbicides, triazinone herbicides, triazole herbicides, triazolone herbicides, triazolopyrimidine herbicides, triketone herbicides, uracil herbicides, urea herbicides, unclassified herbicide, and combinations thereof.

[0060] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising: a carbamate herbicide; an adjuvant; and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

[0061] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising: asulam; an adjuvant; and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the agrochemically acceptable excipients are selected from the group comprising emulsifier(s), colorant(s), thickener(s) / binder(s), antifreeze agent(s), antifoaming agent(s), antioxidant(s), solvent(s), preservative(s), glidant(s), anticaking agent(s), pH- regulating agent(s), buffering agent(s), formulation aid(s), disintegrant(s), or combinations thereof.

[0063] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of the herbicidal combination / composition for controlling weeds, the combination / composition comprising: a carbamate herbicide; and an adjuvant.

[0064] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of the herbicidal combination / composition for controlling weeds, the combination / composition comprising: asulam; and an adjuvant.

[0065] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of the herbicidal combination / composition for controlling weeds. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of a herbicidal combination / composition, for controlling herbicide-resistant and / or herbicide-tolerant weeds. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of a herbicidal combination / composition, for improving yield of the desired crop. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling weeds, wherein the method comprises applying to a plant or a locus thereof an effective amount of a herbicidal combination / compo sition comprising: a carbamate herbicide; and an adjuvant.

[0066] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling weeds, wherein the method comprises applying to a plant or a locus thereof an effective amount of a herbicidal combination / compo sition comprising: asulam; and an adjuvant.

[0067] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling weeds by application of the herbicidal combination / composition. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling herbicideresistant and / or herbicide-tolerant weeds by application of the herbicidal combination / composition.

[0068] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling weeds by application of an effective amount of the herbicidal combination / composition to a plant, or a plant propagation material, or a locus thereof. The selection of the effective amount depends on the density of weed infestation, weather patterns, crop health, etc. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling weeds, wherein the weeds are treated by applying concurrently or subsequently or sequentially the herbicidal combination / composition.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the herbicidal combination is present either in a form of a tank mix or a pre-formulated (pre-mix) composition. In another embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises a carbamate herbicide applied at an application rate from about 1 g a.i. / ha to about 5000 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 100 g a.i. / ha to about 4500 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 500 g a.i. / ha to about 4000 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 750 g a.i. / ha to about 3900 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 1000 g a.i. / ha to about 3800 g a.i. / ha, and more preferably from about 1100 g a.i. / ha to about 370s0 g a.i. / ha.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises asulam applied at an application rate of about 3600 g a.i. / ha. In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises asulam applied at an application rate of about 2400 g a.i. / ha. In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises asulam applied at an application rate of about 2200 g a.i. / ha. In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises asulam applied at an application rate of about 2000 g a.i. / ha. In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises asulam applied at an application rate of about 1800 g a.i. / ha. In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises asulam applied at an application rate of about 1400 g a.i. / ha.

[0071] In another embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises an adjuvant applied at an application rate from about 1 g a.i. / ha to about 500 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 10 g a.i. / ha to about 450 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 50 g a.i. / ha to about 400 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 75 g a.i. / ha to about 390 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 100 g a.i. / ha to about 380 g a.i. / ha, and more preferably from about 110 g a.i. / ha to about 370 g a.i. / ha.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises methyl ester soybean oil or soy methyl ester applied at an application rate of about 360 g a.i. / ha.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises:

[0074] (a) application rate of the carbamate herbicide ranging from about 1 g a.i. / ha to about 5000 g a.i. / ha; and / or (b) application rate of the adjuvant ranging from about 1 g a.i. / ha to about 500 g a.i. / ha.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the herbicidal combination comprises:

[0076] (a) application rate of the carbamate herbicide ranging from about 1100 g a.i. / ha to about 3700 g a.i. / ha; and / or

[0077] (b) application rate of the adjuvant ranging from about 110 g a.i. / ha to about 370 g a.i. / ha.

[0078] In another embodiment, the adjuvant is applied at an application rate ranging from about 0.1% v / v to about 10% v / v, preferably from about 0.15% v / v to about 5% v / v, and most preferably from about 0.2% v / v to about 3% v / v. In a preferred embodiment, methyl ester soybean oil or soy methyl ester is applied at an application rate of about 0.5% v / v.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the carbamate herbicide and the adjuvant are present in a ratio from about 1 : 100 to about 100: 1 , preferably from about 1 :90 to about 90: 1 , preferably from about 1:80 to about 80: 1, preferably from about 1:70 to about 70:1, preferably from about 1:60 to about 60: 1, preferably from about 1:50 to about 50: 1, preferably from about 1:40 to about 40: 1, preferably from about 1:30 to about 30: 1, preferably from about 1:20 to about 20: 1, and most preferably from about 1: 10 to about 10: 1.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the carbamate herbicide the adjuvant are present in a ratio of about 10: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamate herbicide the adjuvant are present in a ratio of about 6.6: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamate herbicide the adjuvant are present in a ratio of about 6.1: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamate herbicide the adjuvant are present in a ratio of about 5.5: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamate herbicide the adjuvant are present in a ratio of about 5: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamate herbicide the adjuvant are present in a ratio of about 3.8: 1. Unless otherwise indicated, the ratios disclosed throughout the specification are weight ratios.

[0081] In another embodiment, the combination of the present disclosure is used to control weeds in various agricultural crops. Non-limiting examples of weeds controlled by the combination of the present disclosure include Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica, Lolium multiflorum, Commelina benghalensis, Raphanus raphanistrum, Raphanus sativus, Sinapis arvensis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Brassica juncea, Brassica campestris, Descurainia pinnata, Rorippa islandica, Rorippa sylvestris, Thlaspi arvense, Myagrum rugosum, Eepidium virginicum, Coronopus didymus, Dinebra retroflexa, Echinochloa colonum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Setaria viridis, Setaria faberi, Setaria glauca, Setaria italica, Digitaria ciliaris, Digitaria sanguinalis, Digitaria horizontalis, Digitaria insularis, Poa annua, Alospecurus aequalis, Alopecurus myosuroides, Avena fatua, Sorghum halepense, Sorghum vulgare, Agropyron repens, Eolium perenne, Eolium rigidum, Bromus secalinus, Bromus tectorum, Hordeum jubatum, Aegilops cylindrica, Phalaris arundinacea, Phalaris minor, Apera spicaventi, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Panicum texanum, Panicum maximum, Bidens subalternans, Brachiaria reptains Brachiaria platyphylla, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria plantaginea, Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria humidicola, Brachiaria mutica, Cenchrus echinatus, Cenchrus pauciflorus, Eriochloa villosa, Pennisetum setosum, Chloris gayana, Chloris barbata, Eragrostis ilosa, Rhynchelitrum repens, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Ischaemum rugosum, Oryza sativa, Paspalum notatum, Paspalum maritimum, Pennisetum clandestinum, Pennisetum setosum, Rottboellia cochinchinensis , Conzya species, Avena Sativa, Glycine max, Phaseolus vulgaris, or combinations thereof.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the combination of the present disclosure is applied for controlling weeds selected from the group comprising Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica, Eolium multiflorum, Commelina benghalensis, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the combination of the present disclosure is used to control weeds in various agricultural crops.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling weeds in crops comprising rice, wheat, barley, rye, oat, sorghum, cotton, soybean, peanut, buckwheat, beet, rapeseed, sunflower, durum wheat, fall wheat, field corn, winter barley, cotton, fall barley, fallow, spring wheat, triticale, winter wheat, sugar cane, tobacco, etc.; vegetables; solanaceous vegetables such as eggplant, tomato, pimento, popper, potato, etc., cucurbit vegetables such as cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, water melon, melon, squash, etc., cruciferous vegetables such as radish, white turnip, horseradish, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, leaf mustard, broccoli, cauliflower, etc., asteraceous vegetables such as burdock, crown daisy, artichoke, lettuce, etc., liliaceous vegetables such as green onion, onion, garlic, and asparagus, ammiaceous vegetables such as carrot, parsley, celery, parsnip, etc., chenopodiaceous vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, etc., lamiaceous vegetables such as Perilla frutescens, mint, basil, etc. strawberry, sweet potato, Dioscorea japonica, colocasia, etc., flowers, foliage plants, turf grasses, fruits: pome fruits such apple, pear, quince, etc. stone fleshy fruits such as peach, plum, nectarine, Prunus mume, cherry fruit, apricot, prune, etc., citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, rime, grapefruit, etc., nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almond, pistachio, cashew nuts, macadamia nuts, etc. berries such as blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, etc., grape, kaki fruit, olive, plum, banana, coffee, date palm, coconuts, etc., trees otter than fruit trees; tea, mulberry, flowering plant, trees such as ash, birch, dogwood, Eucalyptus, Ginkgo biloba, lilac, maple, Quercus, poplar, Judas tree, liquidambar formosana, plane tree, zelkova. Japanese arborvitae, fir wood, hemlock, juniper, Pinus, Picea, and Taxus cuspidate, or combinations thereof.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the herbicidal combination / composition is usually applied to the unwanted plants / weeds by spraying on the leaves. Here, the application can be carried out using, for example, water as carrier by customary spraying techniques. In an embodiment, the application of the herbicidal combination / composition may be done before, during and / or after, preferably before and / or after, the sowing of the crops. In an embodiment, the application of the herbicidal combination / composition may be done on fallow field. In a preferred embodiment, the application of the herbicidal combination / composition may be done to control the growth of weeds at the preemergence stage or the post-emergence stage. In a preferred embodiment, the application of the herbicidal combination / composition may be done to control the growth of weeds close to the sowing stage of the crop.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the herbicidal combination / composition may be applied pre-or post-emergence of weeds, or together with the plant, or plant propagation material, or locus of a plant thereof. It is also possible to apply the herbicidal combination / composition to a plant, or a plant propagation material, or a locus thereof or pre-treating a crop plant with the herbicidal combination.

[0086] In another embodiment, the herbicidal combination / composition of the present disclosure may be applied in combination with agrochemical components such as fertilizers, macronutrients, micronutrients, biologicals, plant extracts, or combinations thereof, such that said components may be tank mixed before spraying. In an embodiment, the macronutrients or a micronutrient is selected from the group comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, boron, manganese, chlorine, molybdenum, nickel, or combinations thereof.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the herbicidal combination / composition is applied from a pre-dosage device, a knapsack sprayer, a spray tank, a spray plane, or an irrigation system, or a drone, or an spot spray system. Typically, the herbicidal combination is made up with water, buffer, and / or further auxiliaries to the desired application concentration and the ready-to-use spray liquor of the herbicidal combination is thus obtained.

[0088] In another embodiment, the herbicidal combination / compo sition may be used for foliar application, application to a ground, or to the soil, or to a plant, or a locus or a plant propagation material, or combinations thereof.

[0089] In another embodiment, the herbicidal combination / compo sition can be used in agricultural lands such as fields, paddy fields, lawns and orchards or in non- agricultural lands, fallow fields, or for the purpose of chemical fallow application.

[0090] In an embodiment, the herbicidal combination / composition is applied in a form of a tank mix or a pre-formulated (pre-mix).

[0091] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides asulam applied at a rate of 3600 g a.i. / ha, in association with 360 g a.i. / ha of methyl ester soybean oil to control the weed Cynodon dactylon, wherein the combination provides at least about 70% control of the weed at or within 21 and 28 days after its application.

[0092] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides asulam applied at a rate of 1400 g a.i. / ha, in association with 360 g a.i. / ha of methyl ester soybean oil to control the weed Eleusine indica, wherein the combination provides at least about 60% to about 70% control of the weed at or within 21, 28 and 35 days after its application.

[0093] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides asulam applied at a rate of 1400 g a.i. / ha, in association with 360 g a.i. / ha of methyl ester soybean oil to control the weed Commelina benghalensis, wherein the combination provides at least about 15% to about 85% control of the weed at or within 7, 21 and 28 days after its application. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides asulam applied at a rate of 1400 g a.i. / ha, in association with 360 g a.i. / ha of methyl ester soybean oil to control the weed Lolium multiflorum, wherein the combination provides at least about 8% to about 20% control of the weed at or within 7, 14 and 28 days after its application.

[0094] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides asulam applied at various application rates ranging from about 1800 g a.i. / ha, 2000 g a.i. / ha, 2200 g a.i. / ha, and 2400 g a.i. / ha in association with 360 g a.i. / ha of methyl ester soybean oil to control the weed Eleusine indica, wherein the combination provides at least about 55% to about 95% control of the weed at or within 28, 35 and 42 days after its application.

[0095] In another embodiment, the combination / composition is applied jointly, or separately, or sequentially, or simultaneously to a plant or locus thereof to control from about 10% to about 100% of the weeds.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing a herbicidal combination / composition comprising: a carbamate herbicide; an adjuvant; and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient thereof; wherein the process comprises mixing the carbamate herbicide, an adjuvant and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient homogenously to form the herbicidal combination / composition.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the various components of the herbicidal combination may be used individually or already partially or completely mixed with one or more to prepare the herbicidal combination. It is also possible for the components to be separately packaged and used as a component in a kit of parts. In one embodiment, the kits may include one or more of the components that are used to prepare the herbicidal combination. For examples, the kits may include active ingredients and / or at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient. One or more of the components may already be combined together or pre-formulated.

[0098] One or more of the components may already be combined together or preformulated. In those embodiments where more than two components are provided in a kit, the components may already be combined and as such are packaged in a single container such as a vial, bottle, can, pouch, bag and / or canister. In other embodiments, two or more components of a kit may be packaged separate from one another, i.e., they are not pre-formulated. As such, a kit may include one or more separate containers such as vials, cans, bottles, pouches, bags and / or canisters, each container containing a separate component of the herbicidal combination.

[0099] According to an embodiment, the kit of parts comprises:

[0100] (a) a carbamate herbicide;

[0101] (b) an adjuvant; and optionally further comprises:

[0102] (c) instructions for use.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the kit of parts comprises:

[0104] (a) asulam;

[0105] (b) methyl ester soybean oil or soy methyl ester; and optionally further comprises:

[0106] (c) instructions for use.

[0107] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several advantages of the disclosure are achieved, and other advantageous results attained. Although the present disclosure has been disclosed in full, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustration only, since numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The following examples illustrate the basic methodology and versatility of the present disclosure. It will be understood that the specification and examples are illustrative but not limitative of the present disclosure and that other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Other embodiments can be practiced that are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The following examples illustrate the disclosure, but by no means intend to limit the scope of the claims.

[0108] EXAMPLES:

[0109] Example 1: Composition for methyl ester soybean oil

[0110] The composition for methyl ester soybean oil (or soy methyl ester) has been disclosed in Table 1. The present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising asulam and methyl ester soybean oil or soy methyl ester.

[0111] Table 1

[0112] Example 2: Efficacy for asulam and adjuvant for controlling Cynodon dactylon

[0113] Experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant to control Cynodon dactylon. The percentage efficacy was calculated at 21 and 28 days after applications (DA- A). The results are recorded in Table 2.

[0114] Table 2 Therefore, enhanced efficacy was observed in the control of weed Cynodon dactylon by application of herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant.

[0115] Example 3: Efficacy for asulam and adjuvant for controlling Eleusine indica

[0116] Experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant to control Eleusine indica. The percentage efficacy was calculated at 21, 28 and 35 days after applications (DA- A). The results are recorded in Table 3.

[0117] Table 3 Therefore, enhanced efficacy was observed in the control of weed Eleusine indica by application of herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant. Example 4: Efficacy for asulam and adjuvant for controlling Commelina benghalensis

[0118] Experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant to control Commelina benghalensis. The percentage efficacy was calculated at 7, 21 and 28 days after applications (DA- A). The results are recorded in Table 4.

[0119] Table 4

[0120] Therefore, enhanced efficacy was observed in the control of weed Commelina benghalensis by application of herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant.

[0121] Example 5: Efficacy for asulam and adjuvant for controlling Lolium multiflorum

[0122] Experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant to control Lolium multiflorum. The percentage efficacy was calculated at 7, 14 and 28 days after applications (DA- A). The results are recorded in Table 5.

[0123] Table 5

[0124] Therefore, enhanced efficacy was observed in the control of weed Eolium multiflorum by application of herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant.

[0125] Example 6: Efficacy for asulam and adjuvant at various application rates Experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant to control Eleusine indica at varying application rates. The percentage efficacy was calculated at 28, 35 and 42 days after applications (DA- A). The results are recorded in Table 6.

[0126] Table 6

[0127] Therefore, enhanced efficacy was observed in the control of weed Eleusine indica by application of herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant at various application rates. Example 7: Efficacy for asulam and adjuvant for controlling Bidens subalternans Experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant to control Bidens subalternans. The percentage efficacy was calculated at 28, 35 and 42 days after applications (DA-A). The results are recorded in Table 7.

[0128] Table 7

[0129] Therefore, enhanced efficacy was observed in the control of weed Bidens subalternans by application of herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant.

[0130] Example 8: Efficacy for asulam and adjuvant for controlling Digitaria insularis Experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant to control Digitaria insularis. The percentage efficacy was calculated at 21, 35 and 42 days after applications (DA-A). The results are recorded in Table 8.

[0131] Table 8

[0132] Therefore, enhanced efficacy was observed in the control of weed Digitaria insularis by application of herbicidal combination comprising asulam and adjuvant. The results represented in Examples 2 to 8 clearly demonstrate the enhanced efficacy achieved by the herbicidal combination comprising the carbamate herbicide and the adjuvant.

Claims

1. CLAIMS:

1. A herbicidal combination comprising: a carbamate herbicide; and an adjuvant.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbamate herbicide is selected from the group comprising asulam, barban, 1 -methylpropyl (3- chlorophenyljcarbamate, carbasulam, carbetamide, carboxazole, 2- chloroethyl-N-3-chlorophenylcarbamate, chlorbufam, 2-chloro- 1-methylethyl (3-chlorophenyl)carbamate, dichlormate, famoxacarb, fenasulam, propham, swep, terbucarb, or combinations thereof.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjuvant is selected from alkyl esters of vegetable oils.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vegetable oils are selected from the group comprising soybean oil, olive oil, kapok oil, castor oil, papaya oil, camellia oil, palm oil, sesame oil, com oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, cotton seed oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, tung oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, tall oil, or combinations thereof.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjuvant comprises an alkyl ester of soybean oil.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein(a) the concentration of the carbamate herbicide ranges from about 300 g / L to about 450 g / L; and / or(b) the concentration of the adjuvant ranges from about 600 g / L to about 800 g / L.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein(a) the application rate of the carbamate herbicide ranges from about 1 g a.i. / ha to about 5000 g a.i. / ha; and / or(b) the application rate of the adjuvant ranges from about 1 g a.i. / ha to about 500 g a.i. / ha.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein(c) the application rate of the carbamate herbicide ranges from about 1100 g a.i. / ha to about 3700 g a.i. / ha; and / or(d) the application rate of the adjuvant ranges from about 110 g a.i. / ha to about 370 g a.i. / ha.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbamate herbicide and the adjuvant are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 1 : 30 to about 30: 1.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjuvant is applied at an application rate ranging from about 0.2% v / v to about 3% v / v.

11. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the combination further comprises an additional herbicide.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the combination is applied in a form of a tank mix or a pre-mix.

13. A herbicidal composition comprising: a carbamate herbicide; an adjuvant; and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

14. Use of a herbicidal combination or a herbicidal composition for controlling weeds, the combination or the composition comprising: a carbamate herbicide; andan adjuvant.

15. A method for controlling weeds, wherein the method comprises applying to a plant or a locus thereof, an effective amount of a herbicidal combination or a herbicidal composition comprising: a carbamate herbicide; and an adjuvant.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the combination or the composition is applied jointly, or separately, or sequentially, or simultaneously to a plant or locus thereof to control from about 10% to about 100% of the weeds.

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