Glucosinolate Hydrolysate Foliar Herbicide for Post-Emergence Weed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective biological herbicides that can be applied post-emergence to control weed growth without harmful environmental impact, as chemical herbicides have significant toxicity concerns and few biological alternatives are available for post-emergence foliar application.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a liquid formulation containing a herbicidally effective amount of thiocyanate or isothiocyanate preparation, derived from hydrolyzed glucosinolate extracts, particularly from mustard plants, to the foliage of weeds for controlling their growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical herbicides are used to control weed growth, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but environmental toxicity and harm to non-target species increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of glucosinolates (which cause throat swelling and respiratory issues in humans) into a beneficial herbicidal action. The glucosinolate compounds, when applied to weed foliage, are metabolized by the weeds into active herbicidal substances that effectively control weed growth while being safe for cultivated plants and the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (glucosinolate preparation from plant seeds) that acts as a mediator between the application method and the herbicidal effect. This intermediary is applied to weed foliage and serves as a precursor that the weeds themselves convert into active herbicidal compounds, thereby delivering the herbicidal action selectively to the target weed without direct contact of the active toxin with non-target species.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biological herbicides are used to reduce environmental impact, then environmental toxicity is reduced, but availability of effective post-emergence herbicidal agents is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state and application timing parameters to achieve post-emergence effectiveness. The glucosinolate preparation is applied to weed foliage after the weed has emerged, and the compound undergoes metabolic transformation within the weed plant to become active. This parameter change from pre-emergence to post-emergence application, combined with the specific chemical transformation mechanism, enables effective biological herbicidal action at the desired timing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If post-emergence herbicide application is implemented, then herbicide use is limited and environmental impact is reduced, but effectiveness of weed control at this stage is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service mechanism where the weed plant itself performs the conversion of the applied glucosinolate precursor into the active herbicidal substance. The weed's own metabolic enzymes facilitate the transformation, ensuring that the herbicidal action is delivered efficiently and reliably at the post-emergence stage without requiring external activation or complex delivery systems.
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
This approach effectively retards or kills weeds, limiting herbicide use and reducing environmental impact, while being applicable at various stages of weed growth, including post-emergence, and can be used with other herbicides or pesticides.
Implementation Method 1
applying a liquid formulation comprising a herbicidally effective amount of a thiocyanate or isothiocyanate preparation to foliage of a weed plant to thereby control growth of the weed plant
Implementation Method 2
the thiocyanate or isothiocyanate preparation can be a hydrolyzed glucosinolate preparation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods to control growth of weed plants. The methods involve the application of a liquid formulation comprising a herbicidally effective amount of a thiocyanate preparation or isothiocyanate preparation to the foliage of weed plants. The thiocyanate preparation or isothiocyanate preparation can be provided in the form of a glucosinolate hydrolysate.