Clomazone Timing Strategy for Selective Weed Control in Turfgrass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing herbicides for turf and ornamental markets cause adverse effects on turf aesthetics such as phytotoxicity, bleaching, and impaired growth, making selective weed control in improved turfgrass challenging.
Innovation Solution
The use of clomazone-containing herbicidal formulations with specific application timing, moisture activation, and use rates for controlling weeds like Poa annua and Poa trivialis in turfgrass while maintaining acceptable turf aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing herbicides are used for weed control in turfgrass, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but turf aesthetics deteriorate due to phytotoxicity, bleaching, and impaired growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical formulation parameters of clomazone herbicides, including adjusting concentration levels, combining with specific adjuvants, and optimizing application rates. These parameter modifications enable the herbicide to achieve effective weed control while reducing phytotoxicity and aesthetic damage to turfgrass, directly resolving the contradiction between control effectiveness and aesthetic preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adjuvants and carriers as intermediary substances that facilitate the delivery of clomazone to weeds while protecting turfgrass. These intermediaries enhance the selectivity of the herbicide, allowing effective weed control without direct harmful effects on desirable turf plants, thus resolving the contradiction between weed control and aesthetic preservation.
2Reliability
If clomazone is applied at higher rates for better weed control, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but turf aesthetics deteriorate due to increased phytotoxicity and bleaching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of clomazone by identifying and testing specific application rates that achieve effective weed control at the lowest possible concentration. This parameter optimization prevents excessive phytotoxicity and bleaching while maintaining adequate control effectiveness, directly addressing the contradiction between control efficacy and aesthetic preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using lower than maximum clomazone rates combined with adjuvants that enhance efficacy. This approach achieves sufficient weed control without the excessive phytotoxicity and bleaching associated with high-rate applications, resolving the contradiction between control effectiveness and aesthetic preservation.
3Reliability
If clomazone is applied during critical turfgrass growth periods, then weed control is achieved, but turfgrass growth is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by timing clomazone applications before critical turfgrass growth periods or using formulations with enhanced selectivity that become active only after turf establishment. This timing strategy allows weed control to be achieved without inhibiting turfgrass emergence and initial growth, resolving the contradiction between weed control effectiveness and turfgrass productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses selective adjuvants and carriers as intermediaries that enable clomazone to target weeds specifically without affecting turfgrass growth. These intermediaries protect desirable plants while maintaining herbicidal activity against weeds, thus achieving control without inhibiting turfgrass productivity during critical growth periods.
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
Achieves selective weed control in improved turfgrass with minimal aesthetic impact, effectively controlling target weeds without significant bleaching or growth inhibition of desirable turf types.
Implementation Method 1
Clomazone is an isoxazolidinone herbicide that suppresses chlorophyl biosynthesis
Implementation Method 2
Clomazone is an isoxazolidinone herbicide that suppresses chlorophyl biosynthesis
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments provide methods for selectively controlling weeds in improved turfgrass, comprising applying clomazone to the improved turfgrass. Until now, clomazone has not been considered for use in improved turf due to unacceptable/anti-aesthetic bleaching properties, which are overcome by the methods described herein. The methods include consideration and management of clomazone application timing relative to turf type, turf dormancy, and overseeding timing and planting depth. The present methods provide the use of clomazone in the control of Poa (Poa annua and P. trivialis) in warm-season and cool-season improved turf types, such as Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, Ryegrass, Fescue turf types, Kentucky Bluegrass, or mixtures of thereof. The methods further facilitate the use of clomazone to control Poa and other weeds in overseeding practices, such as overseeding with Ryegrass or Kentucky Bluegrass. These methods achieve desired turfgrass tolerance and turf aesthetics while still achieving desired selective weed control efficacy, supporting a new use for clomazone in improved turfgrass markets.