Imazamox and Plant Growth Regulator Mixtures for Parasitic Weed Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inadequate for long-term control of parasitic weeds, particularly root parasitic weeds like Orobanche spp. and Striga spp., as they often require toxic concentrations to translocate within the host plant and have limited seasonal effectiveness, leading to significant crop damage and economic losses.
Innovation Solution
A synergistic herbicidal mixture comprising imazamox and one, two, or three plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as prohexadione, prohexadione-calcium, trinexapac, or trinexapac-ethyl, applied in specific ratios to effectively control parasitic weeds while minimizing harm to the host plant, with optional inclusion of fungicidal or insecticidal components for broad-spectrum activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toxic concentrations of herbicides are applied to control parasitic weeds, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but harm to the host plant increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by combining imazamox with plant growth regulators (prohexadione, trinexapac) to create a synergistic mixture. This allows achieving better weed control at lower effective concentrations, reducing phytotoxicity while maintaining efficacy through modified chemical composition and interaction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite herbicidal compositions combining imazamox (herbicide) with plant growth regulators. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where the combination provides superior weed control compared to individual components, while the PGRs help mitigate host plant damage through hormonal regulation
2Reliability
If herbicides are applied to control root parasitic weeds, then weed damage is reduced, but seasonal effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies herbicides at multiple growth stages including pre-emergence and post-emergence timing. The plant growth regulators modify plant development and extend the effective control period by affecting vegetative growth, flowering, and seed set, thereby prolonging protection beyond typical single-application windows
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of imazamox with plant growth regulators creates continuous control through synergistic action. The PGRs affect multiple physiological processes (growth, development, senescence) that extend the duration of effective weed control throughout the growing season, maintaining crop protection continuously
3Reliability
If mechanical weeding is used to prevent parasite seed setting, then crop losses are reduced, but intervention timing is too late
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary chemical control applications before parasitic weeds reach seed-setting stage. The herbicidal compositions can be applied at early growth stages to prevent weed establishment and development, acting proactively rather than reactively as with mechanical methods
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 mixture demonstrates enhanced activity against parasitic weeds, achieving better-than-expected control and increasing crop yields by inhibiting ethylene biosynthesis and perception, thereby effectively managing parasitic weed infestations and promoting healthier crop growth.
Implementation Method 1
Prohexadione, prohexadione-calcium, trinexapac and trinexapac-ethyl act as inhibitors of aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase and hence inhibit the biosynthesis of ethylene
Implementation Method 2
They have to be able to translocate within the host plant in order to control the parasitic weeds effectively
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling parasitic weeds, comprising applying to the host plant, the weeds and/or their habitat herbicidal mixtures or compositions comprising one, two or three acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor(s) and one, two or three plant growth regulator(s) (PGR) which act as ethylene modulators. The present invention also relates to a method for improving the yield of the crop plant comprising applying to the host plant, and/or their habitat mixtures comprising components as defined herein. The present invention also relates to herbicidal mixtures comprising one, two or three acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor(s) selected from imazamox or tribenuron-methyl and one, two or three plant growth regulator(s) (PGR) selected from prohexadione, prohexadione-calcium, trinexapac or trinexapac-ethyl, compositions comprising said mixtures and their use for the control of parasitic weeds.