Herbicidal Mixture Synergy for Weed Control and Crop Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current herbicides often fail to effectively control certain types of weeds in crop cultures due to unpredictable activity and selectivity, leading to reduced efficacy and the emergence of resistant weed species, especially when used alone.

Innovation Solution

A herbicidal mixture comprising a carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor, such as aclonifen, and an ALS/AHAS inhibitor, such as imazamox, in specific ratios, which can be combined with agriculturally acceptable carriers and applied pre- or post-emergence to achieve selective control of weeds and grasses in crops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single herbicide is used, then the application is simple, but the spectrum of weeds controlled is limited and resistant weed species emerge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum of weeds controlledVSAvoidherbicide mixture composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different herbicides with distinct modes of action (carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor and ALS/AHAS inhibitor) into a single mixture formulation. This merging approach expands the spectrum of controlled weeds while managing complexity through optimized compatibility and synergistic interactions between the two active ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If high dose of single herbicide is applied, then strong weed control effect is achieved, but crop safety is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweed control efficacyVSAvoidcrop damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the dosing parameters by distributing the total herbicidal effect across two active ingredients at optimized, lower individual doses. The carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor and ALS/AHAS inhibitor work synergistically, achieving reliable weed control at reduced application rates that minimize crop phytotoxicity while maintaining efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If herbicide mixture is used, then spectrum of weeds controlled is expanded, but activity and selectivity behavior becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum of weeds controlledVSAvoidherbicide activity predictability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optimized formulation components and specific ratio ranges as intermediaries to mediate between the two active ingredients. The carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor and ALS/AHAS inhibitor interact through defined chemical and biological pathways, with the formulation acting as an intermediary system that ensures predictable synergistic behavior while expanding weed control spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If minimum doses of herbicides are applied, then crop safety is improved, but weed control efficacy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop damageVSAvoidweed control efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action through the carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor component, which disrupts carotenoid synthesis and protects chlorophyll from oxidation. This preliminary physiological disruption in weeds enhances the subsequent action of the ALS/AHAS inhibitor, allowing minimum doses to achieve reliable weed control while maintaining crop safety through the protective mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 combination of aclonifen and imazamox provides a synergistic effect, enhancing weed control while minimizing crop damage, extending the spectrum of controlled weeds, and delaying the appearance of resistant species, with improved efficacy and reduced active ingredient quantities.

Implementation Method 1

Some herbicides act by inhibiting the synthesis of carotenoids that protect chlorophyll from being destroyed by oxidation. Aclonifen (2-Chlor-6-nitro-3-phenoxyanilin), disclosed in US 4,394,159 is a carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarotenoid biosynthesis inhibition:

Implementation Method 2

Some herbicides act by inhibiting the synthesis of branched-chain amino acids, specifically the inhibition of acetolactate synthase (ALS) or acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS). All of the herbicides within this mode of action act upon specific enzymes to prevent production of amino acids. Imazamox (2-[(RS)-4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl]-5-methoxymethylnicotinic acid), disclosed in US 5,334,576, is a branched chain amino acid (leucine, isoleucine and valine) synthesis (ALS or AHAS) inhibitor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectALS/AHAS enzyme inhibition: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP3125690B1Herbicidal mixture of carotenoid biosynthesis inhibiting compound and an AHAS/ALS inhibiting compound and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2023.06.14 ADAMA AGAN LTD

AI summary

A herbicidal mixture for the selective control of weeds and grasses in crops of cultivated plants, comprising a) a herbicide which inhibits carotenoid biosynthesis; and b) a herbicide which inhibits the action of ALS/AHAS, or an ester or salt of any of the foregoing, or a combination thereof.