Aqueous Herbicidal Intermixtures for Arid Weed Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing herbicide formulations, such as glufosinate-based ones, are not effective in arid regions due to weeds' adaptations like thick and waxy cuticle layers, making it difficult for foliar herbicides to penetrate and control weeds effectively.

Innovation Solution

Development of an aqueous herbicidal formulation comprising glufosinate and a multipart amine component, which forms an herbicidal intermixture with an electrolytic herbicide and water, enhancing the herbicidal activity and stability, especially in arid environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional glufosinate-based herbicide formulations are used, then they can control broad-leaved weeds and grasses under normal conditions, but they fail to penetrate the thick and waxy cuticle layers of weeds in arid regions, resulting in ineffective weed control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed control effectivenessVSAvoidthick and waxy cuticle layers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines glufosinate with a multipart amine component (comprising at least two different amines) to create a composite herbicide formulation. This composite approach enhances penetration through thick cuticles while maintaining herbicidal activity, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and the physical barrier of waxy layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical parameters of the herbicide formulation by using a multipart amine system with specific chain lengths (C8-C22) and structures (cyclic, acyclic, branched). These parameter changes improve the formulation's ability to penetrate arid-region weed cuticles while maintaining stability and efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high concentration of surfactants is added to glufosinate to improve bioefficacy, then penetration ability improves, but formulation complexity and potential phytotoxicity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebioefficacyVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multipart amine component acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates herbicide penetration without requiring high concentrations of traditional surfactants. The amine mixture (at least two different amines) mediates between the herbicide and the waxy cuticle, reducing formulation complexity while maintaining efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If herbicides are applied in arid regions with high evaporation rates, then immediate weed control is needed, but rapid evaporation reduces contact time and effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporation rateVSAvoidcontact time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The multipart amine formulation prepares the herbicide for enhanced penetration before evaporation can occur. The amine component pre-facilitates cuticle penetration, ensuring the herbicide acts quickly upon contact, thereby compensating for the rapid evaporation conditions in arid regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Quantity of substance

If low application rates are used to reduce cost and environmental impact, then economic efficiency improves, but herbicidal activity may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication rateVSAvoidherbicidal activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the parameters of the amine component (chain length, structure, ratio of different amines) to maximize herbicidal activity at lower application rates. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient weed control effectiveness while reducing the quantity of herbicide applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The herbicidal intermixture demonstrates superior herbicidal activity compared to prior art formulations, effectively controlling weeds in arid regions by penetrating the thick cuticle layers and providing efficient weed control even at low application rates.

Implementation Method 1

effectively controlling weeds in arid regions by penetrating the thick cuticle layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPenetration enhancement: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an herbicidal intermixture comprises: a) an electrolytic herbicide; and b) a multipart amine component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntermixture formation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12052993B2Aqueous herbicidal intermixtures
Publication Date: 2024.08.06 UPL LTD

AI summary

Described herein are aqueous homogeneous herbicide compositions including electrolytic herbicides and a multipart amine component, wherein the multipart amine component includes at least one tertiary amine having an alkyl group of at least 8 carbon atoms.