AGRICULTURAL ADJUVANT COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR USING SUCH COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aqueous formulation comprising at least one plant nutrient, one fatty acid (C.sub.1-C.sub.3) alkyl ester, and a betaine surfactant, wherein the fatty acid (C.sub.1-C.sub.3) alkyl ester is present in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 16 pbw, for instance from 1 to 16 pbw, based on 100 pbw of the formulation, the betaine surfactant is present in an amount of at least 5 pbw, based on 100 pbw of the formulation, and the weight ratio between the betaine surfactant and the fatty acid (C.sub.1-C.sub.3) alkyl ester is greater than 0.9. It also relates to the use of such formulations as an agricultural adjuvant composition.

Claims

1. An aqueous formulation comprising at least: a) one plant nutrient, b) one fatty acid (C.sub.1-C.sub.3) alkyl ester, and c) a betaine surfactant, wherein the fatty acid (C.sub.1-C.sub.3) alkyl ester is present in an amount ranging from 1 to 16 pbw, based on 100 pbw of the formulation, the betaine surfactant is present in an amount of at least 5 pbw, based on 100 pbw of the formulation, and the weight ratio between the betaine surfactant and the fatty acid (C.sub.1-C.sub.3) alkyl ester is greater than 0.9.

2. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the plant nutrient is a fertilizer.

3. The formulation of claim 2, wherein the plant nutrient is selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, urea, micronutrient fertilizers and mixture thereof.

4. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid (C.sub.1-C.sub.3) alkyl ester comprises one or more compounds according to structure (I): ##STR00003## wherein: R.sup.11 is (C.sub.6-C.sub.24)alkyl or (C.sub.6-C.sub.24)alkenyl, and R.sup.12 is (C.sub.1-C.sub.3)alkyl.

5. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the betaine surfactant comprises one or more compounds according to structure (II): ##STR00004## wherein: R.sup.21 and R.sup.22 are each independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyl-terminated poly(oxyalkylene) or alkoxy-terminated poly(oxyalkylene), R.sup.23 is a hydrophobic moiety, and R.sup.24 is methylene or dimethylene.

6. The formulation of claim 1, comprising, based on 100 pbw of the formulation, from about 4 pbw to about 35 pwb of one or more plant nutrient.

7. The formulation of claim 1, further comprising at least one surfactant different from the betaine surfactant.

8. The formulation of claim 7, wherein the weight ratio between the betaine surfactant and all the surfactants different from the betaine surfactant is greater than 1.

9. An agricultural adjuvant composition, comprising the formulation of claim 1.

10. A low concentrated pesticide composition comprising at least a formulation claim 1 and a pesticide compound in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 14 pbw, based on 100 pbw of the of the low concentrated pesticide composition.

11. The low concentrated pesticide formulation of claim 10, wherein the pesticide is an herbicide.

12. A method for preparing a tank mix, which comprises the step of contacting a pesticide formulation, water, and a tank mix adjuvant, wherein the tank mix adjuvant is a formulation of claim 1.

13. The formulation of claim 8, wherein the weight ratio between the betaine surfactant and all the surfactants different from the betaine surfactant is greater than 2.

14. The agricultural adjuvant composition of claim 10, wherein the composition is a tank-mix adjuvant.

15. The agricultural adjuvant composition of claim 10, wherein the composition is an adjuvant for a low concentrated pesticide composition.

16. The low concentrated pesticide formulation of claim 11, wherein the herbicide is selected from glyphosate, glufosinate, their respective water soluble salts and esters, and mixtures thereof.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0139] The following ingredients are used: [0140] (C.sub.12-C.sub.14)alkyldimethyl betaine, provided in the form of an aqueous composition comprising water and an 30wt % of alkyldimethylbetaine, in which the alkyl group is a mixture of approximately 70% by weight of lauryl (C.sub.12) and 30% by weight of tetradecyl (C.sub.14) (provided by Solvay) [0141] Mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (Amesolv CME, provided by Ametech) [0142] Ammonium sulfate (provided by Quaron) [0143] But-2-ol (provided by VWR Prolabo Chemicals) [0144] Urea (provided by Brenntag) [0145] Ammonium nitrate (provided by VWR Prolabo Chemicals) [0146] Micronutrient fertilizers (provided by Azelis Chemicals, under the name Pioner Mikro Plus), added if necessary in a concentrated form (e.g. dried in 54 C. stove until e.g. up to 75wt % of the initial weight is lost) [0147] Sodium carbonate (provided by VWR Prolabo Chemicals) [0148] Potassium chloride (provided by K+S Kali GmbH) [0149] Ammonium salt of glyphosate (provided by Jiangsu Good Harvest-Weien Agrochemical Co. Ltd) [0150] Sodium bicarbonate (provided by Solvay)

[0151] The adjuvant compositions of Examples 1 to 21 and of Comparative Examples C1 to C18 (C stands for comparative) were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients ammonium sulfate, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Tables Ito III to water and mixing.

[0152] The adjuvant compositions of Examples 22-25 were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients ammonium sulfate, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table IV to water and mixing, and adding thereto urea and mixing.

[0153] The field ready pesticide composition of Examples 26-27 were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients ammonium sulfate, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table V to water and mixing, and adding thereto glyphosate ammonium and mixing.

[0154] The adjuvant compositions of Examples 28-29 were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients urea, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table VI to water and mixing.

[0155] The adjuvant compositions of Examples 30-31 were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients ammonium nitrate, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table VI to water and mixing.

[0156] The adjuvant compositions of Examples 32-33 were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients ammonium sulfate (ex. 33 only), (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table VI to water and to the the micronutrient fertilizers, and mixing.

[0157] The adjuvant compositions of Examples 34-35 were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients sodium carbonate, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table VI to water and mixing.

[0158] The adjuvant compositions of Examples 36-37 were aqueous solutions made by adding ingredients potassium chloride, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table VI to water and mixing.

[0159] The field ready pesticide composition of Example 38 was an aqueous solution made by adding ingredients ammonium sulfate, (C.sub.12-C.sub.14) alkyldimethyl betaine, but-2-ol and mixture of fatty acid methyl ester (in that order) in the relative amount set forth below in Table VII to water and mixing, and adding thereto sodium bicarbonate and mixing.

[0160] In Tables I to VII the relative amounts (weight percent (=pbw), based on the total weight of the adjuvant composition) in each material is given on the basis of the named material.

[0161] In the case of (C.sub.12-C.sub.14)alkyldimethyl betaine (which is provided in the form of an aqueous composition comprising about 30wt % (C.sub.12-C.sub.14)alkyldimethyl betaines), the relative amount is therefore the amount in (C.sub.12-C.sub.14)alkyldimethyl betaine per se.

[0162] For the avoidance of any doubt, this amount is different from the dry matter amount (solid content) as this aqueous composition comprising about 30wt % (C.sub.12-C.sub.14)alkyldimethyl betaines also includes salts, which are not to be taken into account.

[0163] In the case of the micronutrient fertilizers (which is provided in the form of an aqueous composition comprising about 3wt % of micronutriments (namely 0.32wt % B, 0.13wt % Cu, 1.62 wt % Fe, 0.63wt % Mn, 0.06wt % Mo and 0.32wt % Zn)), the relative amount is the total amount in micronutriments per se. For the sake of simplicity, the relative amounts of the other constituents (minors) included in said composition (such as chelators) is not detailed in Table VI below.

Tests and Results

[0164] The storage stability of the adjuvant compositions was evaluated visually (the required outcome being the observation of a clear, homogeneous liquid exhibiting no (or only slight) phase separation).

[0165] Compositions exhibiting significant phase separation and/or solid sedimentation at time zero and room temperature were considered as not suitable and the evaluation of their physical stability stopped.

[0166] Compositions of Examples 1 to 38 all exhibited a Brookfield viscosity at 25 C. below 150 cP (measured using a Brookfield RTV viscometer, spindle 4 at 20 rpm and 100 rpm) and were all considered as pourable.

[0167] Compositions of Examples 1 to 38 also exhibited good dilution stability and provided a suitable dispersion (good dispersion after 2 inversions). Dispersion stability was assessed with CIPAC standard waters A and D and tap water (test adapted from MT 180).

[0168] Compositions of Examples 1 to 38 all exhibited a flash point greater than 60 C.

[0169] The following Tables summarise the results of the trials.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Adjuvant compositions containing 10 pbw of ammonium sulfate Example # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 Ammonium sulfate 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 (wt %) Fatty acid methyl 9.00 9.00 9.00 4.50 11.25 4.50 9.00 36.00 27.00 27.00 36.00 18.00 54.00 ester (wt %) Betaine surfactant 20.49 15.37 17.93 12.81 19.21 15.34 23.06 5.12 17.93 15.37 10.25 5.12 5.12 (wt %) But-2-ol (wt %) 3.69 2.77 3.23 2.31 3.46 2.77 4.15 0.92 3.23 2.77 1.85 0.92 0.92 Water (wt %) q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% betaine surfactant: 2.3 1.7 2.0 2.8 1.7 3.4 2.6 0.1 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.1 fatty acid methyl ester wt ratio physical stability time zero at room clear, homogeneous, pourable liquid significant phase separation temperature 2 weeks at room T C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable DID NOT CONTINUE ANY FURTHER TESTING AS 1 week at 5 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable EMULSION CHARACTERISTICS FAILED 1 week at 0 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable 1 month at 45 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable 2 weeks at 54 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II Adjuvant compositions containing 15 pbw of ammonium sulfate Example # 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 Ammonium sulfate 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 (wt %) Fatty acid methyl 8.50 8.50 8.50 12.75 4.25 10.63 4.25 51.00 34.00 25.50 25.50 34.00 17.00 ester (wt %) Betaine surfactant 19.35 14.51 16.94 16.94 12.10 18.14 14.51 9.68 4.84 16.94 14.51 (wt %) 9.68 4.84 But-2-ol (wt %) 3.49 2.62 3.05 3.05 2.18 3.27 2.62 1.74 0.87 3.05 2.62 1.74 0.87 Water (wt %) q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% betaine surfactant: 2.3 1.7 2.0 1.3 2.8 1.7 3.4 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.3 fatty acid methyl ester wt ratio physical stability time zero at room clear, homogeneous, pourable liquid significant phase Significant temperature separation + solid phase separation sedimentation 2 weeks at room stable stable stable stable stable stable stable DID NOT CONTINUE ANY T C. FURTHER TESTING 1 week at 5 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable Stable AS EMULSION CHARACTERISTICS FAILED 1 week at 0 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable Stable 1 month at 45 C. stable stable stable slight phase stable stable Stable separation 2 weeks at 54 C. stable stable stable slight phase stable stable Stable separation

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE III Adjuvant compositions containing 19 pbw of ammonium sulfate Example # 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 Ammonium 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 sulfate (wt %) Fatty acid 8.10 8.10 8.10 12.15 4.05 11.0 4.05 48.60 24.30 24.30 32.40 16.20 48.60 methyl ester (wt %) Betaine 18.44 13.83 16.14 16.14 11.53 15.24 13.83 9.22 16.14 13.84 9.22 4.61 4.61 surfactant (wt %) But-2-ol (wt %) 3.32 2.49 2.91 2.91 2.08 2.67 2.49 1.66 2.91 2.49 1.66 0.83 0.83 Water (wt %) q.s. q.s. q.s q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% betaine 2.3 1.7 2.0 1.3 2.8 1.4 3.4 0.2 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.1 surfactant: fatty acid methyl ester wt ratio physical stability time zero at clear, homogeneous, pourable liquid signif- signif- signif- signif- signif- signif- room icant icant icant icant icant icant temperature phase phase phase phase phase phase sepa- sepa- sepa- sepa- sepa- sepa- ration ration ration ration ration ration + + + solid solid solid sedimen- sedimen- sedimen- tation tation tation 2 weeks at stable stable stable stable stable stable stable DID NOT CONTINUE ANY FURTHER TESTING room T C. AS EMULSION CHARACTERISTICS FAILED 1 week at 5 C. stable stable stable stable stable Stable stable 1 week at 0 C. stable stable stable stable stable Stable stable 1 month at stable stable stable slight stable Stable stable 45 C. phase sepa- ration 2 weeks at stable stable stable slight Stable Stable stable 54 C. phase sepa- ration

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE IV Adjuvant compositions further containing urea Example # 22 23 24 25 Ammonium sulfate 18.64 18.24 22.45 21.73 (wt %) Fatty acid methyl ester 10.80 10.56 9.51 9.10 (wt %) Betaine surfactant 14.93 14.63 13.18 12.60 (wt %) But-2-ol (wt %) 2.60 2.56 2.29 2.22 Urea (wt %) 2.00 4.00 7.52 11.28 Water (wt %) q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. 100% 100% 100% 100% betaine surfactant:fatty 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 acid methyl ester wt ratio physical stability time zero at room clear, homogeneous, pourable liquid temperature 2 weeks at room T C. stable stable stable stable 1 week at 5 C. Stable Stable slight phase slight phase separation separation 1 week at 0 C. Stable Stable slight phase slight phase separation separation 1 month at 45 C. Stable Stable slight phase slight phase separation separation 2 weeks at 54 C. Stable Stable slight phase slight phase separation separation

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE V Field ready pesticide (glyphosate) formulations Example # 26 27 Ammonium sulfate (wt %) 16.43 18.06 Fatty acid methyl ester (wt %) 11.09 10.46 Betaine surfactant (wt %) 15.33 14.48 But-2-ol (wt %) 2.67 2.54 Ammonium glyphosate (wt %) 2.05 4.95 Water (wt %) q.s. 100% q.s. 100% betaine surfactant:fatty acid 1.4 1.4 methyl ester wt ratio physical stability time zero at room temperature clear, homogeneous, pourable liquid 2 weeks at room T C. stable stable 1 week at 5 C. Stable Stable 1 week at 0 C. Stable Stable 1 month at 45 C. slight phase slight phase separation separation 2 weeks at 54 C. slight phase slight phase separation separation

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE VI Adjuvant compositions containing various plant nutrients Example # 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Fatty acid methyl 7.24 5.02 5.06 8.75 8.25 11.00 12.55 12.31 11.00 6.97 ester (wt %) Betaine surfactant 19.93 15.31 15.42 16.88 20.95 15.24 17.38 17.06 17.94 23.94 (wt %) But-2-ol 7.89 8.24 7.56 6.68 2.00 2.67 3.05 2.99 2.67 2.79 (wt %) Ammonium sulfate 19.00 (wt %) Urea (wt %) 18.42 19.09 Ammonium nitrate (wt %) 19.23 12.81 micronutriments (wt %) 0.9 0.5 Sodium carbonate 7.60 9.33 Potassium chloride 10.00 10.45 Water (wt %) q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. (* = + minors from 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% the micronutrient * * fertilizers composition) betaine surfactant: 2.8 3.0 3.0 1.9 2.5 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.6 3.4 fatty acid methyl ester wt ratio physical stability time zero at room clear, homogeneous, pourable liquid temperature 2 weeks at room T C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable 1 week at 5 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable 1 week at 0 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable 1 month at 45 C. stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable 2 weeks at 54 C. slight stable stable slight stable stable slight slight stable slight phase phase phase phase phase sepa- sepa- sepa- sepa- sepa- ration ration ration ration ration

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE VII Field ready pesticide (sodium bicarbonate) composition Example # 38 Ammonium sulfate (wt %) 18.24 Fatty acid methyl ester (wt %) 10.56 Betaine surfactant (wt %) 14.63 But-2-ol (wt %) 2.56 Sodium bicarbonate (wt %) 4 Water (wt %) q.s. 100% betaine surfactant:fatty acid 1.4 methyl ester wt ratio physical stability time zero at room temperature clear, homogeneous, pourable liquid 2 weeks at room T C. stable 1 week at 5 C. stable 1 week at 0 C. stable 1 month at 45 C. stable 2 weeks at 54 C. slight phase separation

Bio-Activity (Assessed in Field Trials)

[0170] Activity tests are performed for an adjuvant composition of the invention (Example #20) and for the following comparative compositions: [0171] Comparative composition I (control): no adjuvant formulation [0172] Comparative adjuvant composition II: adjuvant =mixture of 0.5 L of Actirob B (oil concentrate (main ingredient: rapeseed oil methyl ester) provided by BayerCropScience) and 0.75 L of Actimum (ammonium sulfate, 460 g/L, provided by Monsanto) [0173] Comparative adjuvant composition III: adjuvant =mixture of 1 L of Actirob B (oil concentrate (main ingredient: rapeseed oil methyl ester) provided by BayerCropScience) and 1.5 L of Actimum (ammonium sulfate, 460 g/L, provided by Monsanto)

[0174] The adjuvant formulation of the invention (Example #20) and Comparative adjuvant compositions II and III are tank-mixed with a pesticide (Atlantis WG 400 g in bio-activity test A and Quasar 250 g in bio-activity test B) and their activity is compared when applied (by spraying) in a field of winter wheat crop (target weed being Ray-Grass in bio-activity test A and Bromgrass in bio-activity test B).

[0175] The tank mix efficacy was evaluated visually by an expert farmer, based on the following evaluations:

[0176] i/ Selectivity (ranging from 0 (best selectivity) to 10 (worst selectivity), target being to have a score at least below 3). Selectivity means selectivity of the pesticide vs weed (compared to crop). It is assessed visually using untreated crop as a reference.

[0177] ii/ Efficacy (ranging from 0 (worst efficacy) to 100 (best efficacy), target being to have a score of at least 70).

[0178] Tank mix formulations are applied using XR 110002-VS nozzles, sprayed at a water volume of 150L/ha with a pressure of 200 kPa.

Results are the following:

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE VIII Field trials (bio-activity test A) Selectivity Efficacy Pesticide Adjuvant formulation (0-10) (0-100) Atlantis WG Comparative composition I (control) 1.7 15 400 g Atlantis WG Adjuvant composition of Example 2.0 70 400 g #20 (1.5 L) Atlantis WG Comparative adjuvant composition II 2.0 47 400 g Atlantis WG Comparative adjuvant composition III 3.0 60 400 g

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE IX Field trials (bio-activity test B) Selectivity Efficacy Pesticide Adjuvant formulation (0-10) (0-100) Quasar 250 g Comparative composition I (control) 1.0 80 Quasar 250 g Adjuvant composition of Example 1.0 100 #20 (1.5 L) Quasar 250 g Comparative adjuvant composition II 2.0 90 Quasar 250 g Comparative adjuvant composition III 2.0 100
Composition of Example #20 is more efficient than Comparative adjuvant compositions II and III. It is also easier to use as it combines several adjuvant compounds in a single formulation (whereas Comparative adjuvant compositions II and III had to be prepared at the point of use by mixing two separate adjuvant compositions).