Aqueous herbicidal concentrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for highly concentrated herbicidal compositions containing encapsulated acetanilide herbicides and PPO inhibitors that are stable, convenient to use, and avoid tank mixing errors, while providing effective residual control against herbicide-resistant weeds.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous herbicidal concentrate compositions comprising microcapsules of acetanilide herbicides with a concentration of at least 25 wt.% and a water-soluble PPO inhibitor, along with specific concentrations of pseudoplastic thickener and structure-breaking agents, ensure stability and ease of use by agricultural workers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If highly concentrated herbicidal compositions are formulated to reduce storage space and improve convenience, then concentration is improved, but stability of the composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The acetanilide herbicide is microencapsulated into discrete particles, separating the active ingredient from the bulk composition. This segmentation allows high concentration of herbicide while maintaining stability through physical isolation, preventing premature interaction and degradation
Solution Approach 2:
A pseudoplastic thickener is introduced as an intermediary substance to stabilize the concentrated composition. The thickener modifies the rheological properties of the formulation, preventing separation and maintaining homogeneity at high concentration levels
2Object-affected harmful factors
If encapsulated acetanilide herbicides are used to reduce crop injury, then crop safety is improved, but complexity of formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines encapsulated acetanilide herbicide with PPO inhibitor herbicide in a single concentrated formulation. This merging eliminates the need for separate tank mixing operations, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the crop safety benefits of encapsulation
Solution Approach 2:
The formulated composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: the encapsulated acetanilide provides residual control and crop safety, while the PPO inhibitor provides additional weed control activity. This multi-functionality is achieved in a single product that simplifies application procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If dilute tank mix compositions are prepared at point of use to maintain flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but risk of mixing errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The herbicides are pre-formulated at optimal concentrations and ratios in a concentrated composition. This preliminary action eliminates the need for field mixing operations, preventing mixing errors while allowing farmers to adjust application rates as needed through controlled dilution
4Object-affected harmful factors
If acetanilide herbicides are applied post-emergent to crop to reduce crop injury, then crop safety is improved, but timing window for application narrows
Solution Approach 1:
The microencapsulation provides dynamic control over herbicide release, allowing the formulation to be applied post-emergent to the crop with controlled release kinetics. The encapsulation protects the crop from immediate exposure while maintaining residual activity, creating a more flexible application window
Data Source
AI summary
Herbicidal concentrate compositions containing a combination of herbicides are provided. In particular, the present invention relates to aqueous herbicidal concentrate compositions containing a particulate encapsulated acetanilide herbicide and a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor (PPO inhibitor).