Sequential Herbicide Application for Resistant Spermacoce verticillate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current herbicide combinations are inadequate for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds, particularly Spermacoce verticillate, which is resistant to Group 4 and Group 9 herbicides, leading to poor control efficiency and increased phytotoxicity, posing challenges for agricultural sustainability and crop yield.

Innovation Solution

A sequential application method using a combination of glyphosate and triclopyr followed by glufosinate or its salts, along with other herbicides like flumioxazin, imazethapyr, metolachlor, and carfentrazone, effectively controls herbicide-resistant Spermacoce verticillate weeds without significant phytotoxicity to crops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current herbicide combinations are used to control weeds, then broader spectrum of control is achieved, but control efficacy against herbicide-resistant weeds is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroader spectrum of controlVSAvoidcontrol efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple herbicides with different modes of action (glyphosate for Group 9, glufosinate for Group 10, and others for Groups 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) into a single composition. This merging of different herbicidal agents creates a synergistic effect that overcomes herbicide resistance while maintaining broad-spectrum control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite herbicide formulation containing multiple active ingredients from different chemical groups. Each component targets different physiological pathways in weeds, and their composite structure allows them to work together synergistically, particularly against resistant weed populations that would be unaffected by any single herbicide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple herbicides are combined to control resistant weeds, then weed control efficacy is improved, but phytotoxicity to crops increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed control efficacyVSAvoidphytotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different herbicides at optimized local concentrations within the composition, allowing each active ingredient to work at its effective dose without exceeding crop tolerance thresholds. The formulation ensures selective toxicity where the combined effect targets weeds while individual components remain below phytotoxic levels for susceptible crops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the concentration parameters of each herbicide component to achieve synergistic weed control at reduced doses. By carefully adjusting the ratio and amount of each active ingredient, the formulation achieves enhanced efficacy against resistant weeds while maintaining safety margins that prevent crop phytotoxicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If herbicide combinations are used to prevent resistance development, then resistance management is improved, but complexity of herbicide selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance managementVSAvoidherbicide selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex task of resistance management into predefined herbicide combinations, each designed to target specific resistance mechanisms. Instead of requiring farmers to individually select and mix multiple herbicides, the invention provides segmented, ready-to-use formulations that each address particular resistance scenarios, simplifying the decision-making process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates universal herbicide compositions that can address multiple resistance types simultaneously. Each formulation is designed to be multi-functional, capable of controlling weeds with resistance to different herbicide groups, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized products and simplifying resistance management strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method provides a synergistic control of herbicide-resistant Spermacoce verticillate weeds, achieving up to 95% control within 10 to 30 days, improving crop yield and health while minimizing phytotoxicity and resistance development.

Implementation Method 1

Glycines (glyphosate) are herbicides that inhibit 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase (Group 9), a key enzyme in the shikimic acid pathway

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme inhibition: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

The glutamine synthetase herbicides inhibit activity of glutamine synthetase, the enzyme that converts glutamate and ammonia to glutamine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme inhibition: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20230404080A1A method of controlling herbicide resistant weeds
Publication Date: 2023.12.21 UPL CORPORATION LTD(MU)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for effectively controlling herbicide resistant weeds such as Spermacoce verticillate. The present invention provides a method of reducing the population Spermacoce verticillate weeds by applying sequentially a herbicide combination to target said weeds.