Pyroxasulfone Microencapsulation for Upland Crop Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pyroxasulfone, a herbicide effective against a broad spectrum of weeds, causes phytotoxicity to cultivated crops when used for foliage treatment in upland fields, limiting its application to soil treatment, and existing microencapsulation technologies are not suitable for upland fields due to water scarcity.

Innovation Solution

Microencapsulating or coating pyroxasulfone with a masking material, such as polyurea or carnauba wax, to prevent exposure and adhesion to crops, using a specific ratio and process to ensure quick diminishment of the masking effect, thereby avoiding phytotoxicity while maintaining herbicidal efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pyroxasulfone is used for foliage treatment in upland fields, then herbicidal effect on weeds is improved, but phytotoxicity to cultivated crops increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveherbicidal effectVSAvoidphytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A masking material is introduced as an intermediary substance that temporarily covers the pyroxasulfone particles, preventing direct contact with crop foliage. The masking material acts as a mediator that blocks the harmful effect initially, then gradually disappears to allow the herbicide to function, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and surface properties of pyroxasulfone by coating or microencapsulating it with masking materials. This parameter change modifies how the herbicide interacts with crop surfaces, reducing initial phytotoxicity while maintaining eventual herbicidal activity through controlled release or degradation of the masking layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If microencapsulation is used to reduce phytotoxicity, then crop safety is improved, but applicability to upland fields deteriorates due to water scarcity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovephytotoxicityVSAvoidapplicability to upland fields

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The masking material is designed as a temporary, short-lived component that serves its protective function briefly and then degrades or disappears. This disposable approach allows the system to work in upland fields without requiring persistent water-dependent mechanisms, as the masking effect is only needed during initial contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing microencapsulation systems that rely on water for gradual release (suitable for paddy fields), the invention inverts the approach by using masking materials that work through physical barrier effects and degrade in low-moisture conditions, making the system adaptable to upland field environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If masking material is applied to prevent phytotoxicity, then crop safety is improved, but herbicidal effectiveness may deteriorate if masking effect persists

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovephytotoxicityVSAvoidherbicidal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The masking material's properties are designed to be dynamic rather than static - it provides protection initially but gradually changes over time through degradation, dissolution, or removal. This dynamic behavior ensures the masking effect diminishes to allow the herbicide to become effective, resolving the contradiction between safety and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system operates in periodic phases: first the masking material provides protection (safety phase), then it gradually disappears to allow herbicidal action (effectiveness phase). This temporal separation of functions ensures both crop safety during application and subsequent herbicidal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic 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 agrochemical composition effectively prevents phytotoxicity to cultivated crops during foliage treatment in upland fields while maintaining a high herbicidal effect on weeds, with the masking effect being quickly diminished after application.

Implementation Method 1

a masking material that masks the pyroxasulfone, wherein the pyroxasulfone is microencapsulated in the masking material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3111761B1Agrochemical composition for foliage treatment

Publication Date: 2024.05.01 KUMIAI CHEM IND CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an agrochemical composition for foliage treatment, which does not cause phytotoxicity to a cultivated crop due to adhesion thereto when foliage treatment of an upland field is performed with pyroxasulfone, but has a high level of safety and an herbicidal effect on a broad spectrum of weeds. The agrochemical composition for foliage treatment comprises pyroxasulfone and a masking material that masks the pyroxasulfone, wherein the pyroxasulfone is microencapsulated in or coated with the masking material such that phytotoxicity to a cultivated crop due to adhesion thereto when foliage spraying is performed is avoided.