Liquid sulfonylurea- and li-salt containing herbicidal compositions

Abstract

This invention relates to a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, at least one sulfonylurea herbicide and at least one inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt. The invention also relates to the use of an inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt to improve chemical stabilisation of a sulfonylurea herbicide in a liquid composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system.

Claims

1. An oil-based liquid herbicidal composition comprising: a non-aqueous solvent system; at least one sulfonylurea herbicide; wherein the sulfonylurea is iodosulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, foramsulfuron, imazosulfuron, iofensulfuron, mesosulfuron, metazosulfuron, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, propyrisulfuron, prosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron, tribenuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron or tritosulfuron, or salts or esters thereof; and at least one inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt; wherein the inorganic lithium salt is lithium bromide, lithium iodide, lithium chloride, lithium calcium chloride, lithium hydrogen carbonate, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium manganate, lithium monoxide, lithium oxide, lithium mono-orthophosphate, lithium orthophosphite, lithium metaphosphate, trilithium phosphate, trilithium phosphite, lithium phosphate (dibasic, monobasic, tribasic), lithium-sodium phosphate, lithium sulfite, lithium sulfate, dilithium sulfite, lithium thiocyanate, lithium fluorosilicate, lithium fluoride, lithium bromate, lithium periodate, dilithium thiosulfate, lithium metaborate, lithium tetraborate, lithium borate, lithium hexametaphosphate, lithium hydrogenphosphite, lithium hydrogenselenite, lithium hydrogensulfite, lithium hydrosulfite, lithium hypochlorite, lithium polyphosphate, lithium polyphosphite, lithium pyrophosphate, lithium selenate, lithium thiosulfate, lithium thiosulfide, or lithium thiosulfite; and wherein the C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt is a straight-chained, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic, organic acid comprising one, two, or three lithium cations; wherein incorporation of the at least one inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt improves the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea.

2. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the lithium salt is an inorganic lithium salt; wherein the inorganic lithium salt is lithium bromide, lithium iodide, lithium chloride, lithium calcium chloride, lithium hydrogen carbonate, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium manganate, lithium monoxide, lithium oxide, lithium mono-orthophosphate, lithium orthophosphite, lithium metaphosphate, trilithium phosphate, trilithium phosphite, lithium phosphate (dibasic, monobasic, tribasic), lithium-sodium phosphate, lithium sulfite, lithium sulfate, dilithium sulfite, lithium thiocyanate, lithium fluorosilicate, lithium fluoride, lithium bromate, lithium periodate, dilithium thiosulfate, lithium metaborate, lithium tetraborate, lithium borate, lithium hexametaphosphate, lithium hydrogenphosphite, lithium hydrogenselenite, lithium hydrogensulfite, lithium hydrosulfite, lithium hypochlorite, lithium polyphosphate, lithium polyphosphite, lithium pyrophosphate, lithium selenate, lithium thiosulfate, lithium thiosulfide, or lithium thiosulfite.

3. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the lithium salt is a C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt; the C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt is a straight- wherein chained, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic, organic acid comprising one, two, or three lithium cations.

4. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt has a molecular weight of 250 or less.

5. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, comprising lithium carbonate, lithium sulphate, and/or lithium chloride.

6. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, comprising lithium acetate, lithium formate, lithium citrate, lithium octanoate, lithium salicylate, and/or lithium benzoate.

7. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, which is formulated as an oil dispersion (OD), a dispersible concentrate (DC), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), or a soluble concentrate (SL).

8. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, which is formulated as an oil dispersion (OD) and wherein the at least one sulfonylurea is suspended in the non-aqueous solvent system.

9. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lithium salt is suspended in the non-aqueous solvent system.

10. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one lithium salt is lithium acetate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, halosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, metsulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl or salts thereof or amidosulfuron or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium carbonate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, or halosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium formate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium phosphate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium chloride and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium sulphate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; the at least one lithium salt is lithium octanoate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; foramsulfuron or salts thereof; chlorsulfuron or salts thereof; pyrazosulfuron-ethyl or salts thereof; amidosulfuron or salts thereof; or halosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; the at least one lithium salt is lithium benzoate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium citrate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof.

11. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sulfonylurea herbicide is not nicosulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, rimsulfuron, or trifloxysulfuron.

12. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, comprising at least one non-sulfonylurea herbicidal compound.

13. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 12, wherein at least one non-sulfonylurea herbicidal compound is dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent system.

14. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 12, wherein the non-sulfonylurea herbicidal compound is selected from 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2,3,6-TBA, acetochlor, acifluorfen, acifluorfen-sodium, aclonifen, alachlor, alloxydim, alloxydim-sodium, ametryn, amicarbazone, aminopyralid, amitrole, anilofos, asulam, atrazine, azafenidin, beflubutamid, benazolin,-benazolin-ethyl, benfuresate, bentazone, benzfendizone, benzobicyclon, benzofenap, bifenox, bilanafos, bispyribac-sodium, bromacil, bromobutide, bromofenoxim, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, butenachlor, butralin, butroxydim, butylate, cafenstrole, carbetamide, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlomethoxyfen, chloridazon, chlornitrofen, chlorotoluron, cinidon-ethyl, cinmethylin, clefoxydim, clethodim, clodinafop-propargyl, clomazone, clomeprop, clopyralid, cloransulam-ethyl, cumyluron, cyanazine, cycloxydim, cyhalofop-butyl, daimuron, dazomet, desmedipham, dicamba, dichlobenil, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-P, diclofop-methyl, diclosulam, difenzoquat, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, dikegulac-sodium, dimefuron, dimepiperate, dimethachlor, dimethametryn, dimethenamid, diquat-dibromide, dithiopyr, diuron, dymron, EPTC, esprocarb, ethalfluralin, ethofumesate, ethoxyfen, etobenzanid, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fentrazamide, flamprop-M-isopropyl, flamprop-M-methyl, florasulam, fluazifop, fluazifop-butyl, fluazolate, flucarbazone-sodium, fluchloralin, flufenacet, flufenpyr, flumetsulam, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, fluometuron, fluorochloridone, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, flupoxam, fluridone, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr-butoxypropyl, fluroxypyr-meptyl, flurprimidol, flurtamone, fluthiacet-methyl, fomesafen, glufosinate, glufosinate-ammonium, glyphosate, haloxyfop, haloxyfop-ethoxyethyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-P-methyl, hexazinone, imazamethabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, indanofan, ioxynil, isoproturon, isouron, isoxaben, isoxachlortole, isoxaflutole, ketospiradox, lactofen, lenacil, linuron, MCPA, MCPB, mecoprop, mecoprop-P, mefenacet, mesotrione, metamifop, metamitron, metazachlor, methabenzthiazuron, methyldymron, metobromuron, metolachlor, metosulam, metoxuron, metribuzin, molinate, monolinuron, naproanilide, napropamide, neburon, norflurazon, orbencarb, oryzalin, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxaziclomefone, oxyfluorfen, paraquat, pelargonic acid, pendimethalin, pendralin, penoxsulam, pentoxazone, pethoxamid, phenmedipham, picloram, picolinafen, pinoxaden, piperophos, pretilachlor, profluazol, profoxydim, prometryn, propachlor, propanil, propaquizafop, propisochlor, propoxycarbazone-sodium, propyzamide, prosulfocarb, pyraclonil, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrazolate, pyrazoxyfen, pyribenzoxim, pyributicarb, pyridafol, pyridate, pyriftalid, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrithiobac-sodium, quinclorac, quinmerac, quinoclamine, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, sethoxydim, simazine, simetryn, S-metolachlor, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, sulfosate, tebuthiuron, tepraloxydim, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, thenylchlor, thiazopyr, thiobencarb, tiocarbazil, tralkoxydim, triallate, triaziflam, triclopyr, tridiphane, and trifluralin.

15. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, comprising at least two sulfonylurea compounds, wherein the sulfonylurea compounds are selected from: amidosulfuron and iofensulfuron; nicosulfuron and thifensulfuron methyl; nicosulfuron and prosulfuron; metsulfuron methyl and iodosulfuron methyl; metsulfuron methyl and sulfosulfuron; metsulfuron methyl and thifensulfuron methyl; metsulfuron methyl and bensulfuron methyl; metsulfuron methyl and chlorsulfuron; metsulfuron methyl and chlorimuron ethyl; metsulfuron methyl and tribenuron-methyl; tribenuron-methyl and thifensulfuron methyl; tribenuron-methyl and chlorimuron ethyl; tribenuron-methyl and bensulfuron-methyl; tribenuron-methyl and mesosulfuron; tribenuron-methyl and iodosulfuron-methyl; iodosulfuron methyl and mesosulfuron methyl; iodosulfuron methyl and amidosulfuron; iodosulfuron methyl and foramsulfuron; iodosulfuron and iofensulfuron; mesosulfuron and iodosulfuron methyl; foramsulfuron and iodosulfuron-methyl; rimsulfuron and thifensulfuron rimsulfuron and nicosulfuron; bensulfuron-methyl and thifensulfuron-methyl; and thifensulfuron-methyl and chlorimuron-ethyl.

16. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, comprising the at least one sulfonylurea herbicide and at least one non-sulfonylurea herbicide, wherein the at least one sulfonylurea herbicide and the at least one non-sulfonylurea herbicide are selected from: tribenuron-methyl and 2,4-D; tribenuron-methyl and MCPB; tribenuron-methyl and bromoxynil; tribenuron-methyl and glyphosate; tribenuron-methyl and fluroxypyr; tribenuron-methyl and dicamba; tribenuron-methyl and mecoprop-P; tribenuron-methyl and MCPA; tribenuron-methyl and clopyralid; tribenuron-methyl and carfentrazone ethyl; tribenuron-methyl and clodinafop; tribenuron-methyl and quinclorac; tribenuron-methyl and florasulam; nicosulfuron and dicamba; nicosulfuron and atrazine; nicosulfuron and flumetsulam; nicosulfuron and clopyralid; nicosulfuron and diflupenzopyr; nicosulfuron and metolachlor; nicosulfuron and terbuthylazine; nicosulfuron and mesotrione; nicosulfuron and bentazone; metsulfuron methyl and acetochlor; metsulfuron methyl and carfentrazone ethyl; metsulfuron methyl and imazapyr; metsulfuron methyl and aminopyralid; metsulfuron methyl and fluroxypyr; metsulfuron methyl and mecoprop-p; metsulfuron methyl and picloram; metsulfuron methyl and pyraflufen ethyl; metsulfuron methyl and propanil; metsulfuron methyl and glyphosate-ammonium; metsulfuron methyl and dicamba; metsulfuron methyl and 2,4-D; bensulfuron-methyl and acetochlor; bensulfuron-methyl and butachlor; bensulfuron-methyl and daimuron; bensulfuron-methyl and mefenacet; bensulfuron-methyl and indanofan; bensulfuron-methyl and clomeprop; bensulfuron-methyl and pretilachlor; bensulfuron-methyl and fentrazamide; bensulfuron-methyl and thenylchlor; bensulfuron-methyl and pentoxazone; bensulfuron-methyl and pyriminobac-methyl; bensulfuron-methyl and bromobutide; triflusulfuron methyl and sulfentrazone; iodosulfuron-methyl and isoxadifen-ethyl; iodosulfuron-methyl and propoxycarbazone; iodosulfuron-methyl and diflufenican; iodosulfuron-methyl and fenoxaprop-P-ethyl; iodosulfuron-methyl and thiencarbazone-methyl mesosulfuron and diflufenican; mesosulfuron and propoxycarbazone; foramsulfuron and isoxadifen ethyl; foramsulfuron and thiencarbazone-methyl; foramsulfuron and cyprosulfamide; thifensulfuron-methyl and flumioxazin; chlorimuron-ethyl and acetochlor; chlorimuron-ethyl and flumioxazin; chlorimuron-ethyl and imazethapyr; chlorimuron-ethyl and metribuzin; chlorimuron-ethyl and sulfentrazone; pyrazosulfuron-ethyl and pretilachlor; pyrazosulfuron-ethyl and benzobicyclon; pyrazosulfuron-ethyl and dimethametryn; rimsulfuron and mesotrione; rimsulfuron and metolachlor; and rimsulfuron and dicamba.

17. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one inorganic salt selected from the metal carbonates and metal phosphates of Na, K, Ca, Mg or Al.

18. The liquid herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt is a C.sub.1-C.sub.8 organic lithium salt.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt is selected from lithium citrate, lithium propanoate, lithium butanoate, lithium pentanoate, lithium hexanoate, lithium heptanoate, lithium octanoate, lithium nonanoate, lithium decanoate, lithium formate, lithium salicylate, oxalic acid dilithium salt, lithium betahydropyruvic acid, lithium propionate, lithium methionate, lithium acetate, and lithium benzoate.

20. A method for improving chemical stabilisation of a sulfonylurea herbicide in an oil-based liquid composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, comprising adding to the oil-based liquid composition at least one inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt, wherein the sulfonylurea is iodosulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, foramsulfuron, imazosulfuron, iofensulfuron, mesosulfuron, metazosulfuron, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, propyrisulfuron, prosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron, tribenuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron or tritosulfuron, or salts or esters thereof; wherein the inorganic lithium salt is lithium bromide, lithium iodide, lithium chloride, lithium calcium chloride, lithium hydrogen carbonate, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium manganate, lithium monoxide, lithium oxide, lithium mono-orthophosphate, lithium orthophosphite, lithium metaphosphate, trilithium phosphate, trilithium phosphite, lithium phosphate (dibasic, monobasic, tribasic), lithium-sodium phosphate, lithium sulfite, lithium sulfate, dilithium sulfite, lithium thiocyanate, lithium fluorosilicate, lithium fluoride, lithium bromate, lithium periodate, dilithium thiosulfate, lithium metaborate, lithium tetraborate, lithium borate, lithium hexametaphosphate, lithium hydrogenphosphite, lithium hydrogenselenite, lithium hydrogensulfite, lithium hydrosulfite, lithium hypochlorite, lithium polyphosphate, lithium polyphosphite, lithium pyrophosphate, lithium selenate, lithium thiosulfate, lithium thiosulfide, or lithium thiosulfite; and wherein the C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt is a straight-chained, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic, organic acid comprising one, two, or three lithium cations; wherein incorporation of the at least one inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt improves the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one lithium salt is lithium acetate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, halosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, metsulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl or salts thereof or amidosulfuron or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium carbonate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof, or halosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium formate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium phosphate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium chloride and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium sulphate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium octanoate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; foramsulfuron or salts thereof; chlorsulfuron or salts thereof; pyrazosulfuron-ethyl or salts thereof; amidosulfuron or salts thereof; or halosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium benzoate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof; or the at least one lithium salt is lithium citrate and the sulfonylurea is selected from iodosulfuron-methyl or salts thereof.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt is a C.sub.1-C.sub.8 organic lithium salt.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt is selected from lithium citrate, lithium propanoate, lithium butanoate, lithium pentanoate, lithium hexanoate, lithium heptanoate, lithium octanoate, lithium nonanoate, lithium decanoate, lithium formate, lithium salicylate, oxalic acid dilithium salt, lithium betahydropyruvic acid, lithium propionate, lithium methionate, lithium acetate, and lithium benzoate.

Description

EXAMPLE 1—EFFECT OF A LITHIUM SALT ON SU STABILISATION

(1) Oil dispersions of iodosulfuron-methyl sodium salt (IMS) with or without added acetate salt were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 1 below.

(2) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example Comparative Examples Components (wt. %) OD1 OD2 OD3 OD4 OD5 IMS 10 10 10 10 10 lithium acetate 10 sodium acetate 10 potassium acetate 10 magnesium acetate 10 Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to to to to to 100 100 100 100 100 Stability (%) 99.4 84.5 55.6 54.7 74.1

(3) The chemical stability of a sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersion comprising lithium acetate (OD1) is superior to that of a corresponding oil dispersion comprising sodium acetate (OD2), potassium acetate (OD3), magnesium acetate (OD4) or no salt (OD5).

EXAMPLE 2—EFFECT OF VARIOUS CO-FORMULATED LITHIUM SALTS ON SU STABILISATION

(4) Oil dispersions of iodosulfuron-methyl sodium (IMS) with or without added lithium and sodium salts were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 2-1 and Table 2-2 below.

(5) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2-1 Examples Comparative Examples Components (wt. %) OD 6 OD 7 OD 8 OD 9 OD 10 OD 11 OD 12 OD 13 OD 14 OD 15 IMS 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 lithium formate 10 lithium acetate 10 lithium citrate 10 lithium octanoate 10 lithium benzoate 10 sodium formate 10 sodium acetate 10 sodium citrate 10 sodium octanoate 10 sodium benzoate 10 Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Stability (%) 96.5 99.4 97.1 98.6 98.5 82.9 84.5 78.9 86.0 81.7

(6) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2-2 Examples Comparative Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 16 17 18 19 20 21 IMS 10 10 10 10 10 10 lithium carbonate 10 lithium chloride 10 lithium sulphate 10 sodium carbonate 10 sodium chloride 10 sodium sulphate 10 Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to to 100 to 100 to to 100 100 100 Stability (%) 98.2 78.3 90.4 82.6 72.5 74.5

(7) The chemical stability of a sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersions comprising a lithium salt (OD6-OD10; OD16-OD18) is superior to an oil dispersion with the corresponding sodium salt (OD11-OD15; OD19-OD21), irrespective if the salt is an organic salt (Table 2-1) or an inorganic salt (Table 2-2). Stability without any salt after storage at 54° C. for two weeks is 74.1% (see OD5 in Table 1). Thus, while sodium salts can improve stability of the sulfonylurea, the corresponding lithium salt improves stability to an even greater extent.

EXAMPLE 3—VARIOUS SULFONYLUREAS CAN BE STABILISED WITH A LITHIUM SALT

(8) Oil dispersions of various sulfonylureas with or without added lithium acetate salt were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 3 below.

(9) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Examples Comparative Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 metsulfuron methyl 5 5 halosulfuron-methyl 10 10 IMS 10 10 pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 5 5 amidosulfuron 5 5 lithium acetate 5 10 10 5 5 — — — — — Soprophor BSU 20 20 20 20 20 20 Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Stability (%) 100 83.9 99.4 84 91 85.7 77.1 74.1 79 85

(10) The chemical stability of a sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersions comprising an inorganic acid salt of lithium (OD22-OD26) were found to be superior to corresponding oil dispersions with no co-formulated lithium salt (OD27-OD31). Improved stability is achieved for different amounts of sulfonylurea, different amounts of lithium salt, and different surfactant systems.

EXAMPLE 4—EFFECT OF CO-FORMULATED LITHIUM CARBONATE SALT ON SU STABILISATION

(11) Oil dispersions of iodosulfuron-methyl sodium salt or halosulfuron-methyl with or without added lithium carbonate salt were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 4 below.

(12) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Examples Comparative Examples Components (wt. %) OD32 OD33 OD34 OD35 iodosulfuron-methyl 10 10 sodium salt halosulfuron-methyl 10 10 lithium carbonate 10 10 — — Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to to to to 100 100 100 100 Stability (%) 98.2 87.5 74.1 77.1

(13) The chemical stability of sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersions comprising an inorganic acid salt of lithium (OD32 and OD33) were found to be superior to oil dispersions with no co-formulated lithium salt (OD34 and OD35).

EXAMPLE 5—COMPARISON OF A LI C8-ORGANIC ACID SALT AND A LI C16-ORGANIC ACID SALT FOR VARIOUS SULFONYLUREAS

(14) Oil dispersions of various sulfonylureas with or without added lithium octanoate and lithium 12-hydroxystearate were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 5-1 (with salt) and Table 5-2 (no salt) below.

(15) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5-1 Examples Comparative Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 foramsulfuron 10 10 chlorsulfuron 10 10 pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 10 10 amidosulfuron 10 10 halosulfuron-methyl 10 10 lithium octanoate 10 10 10 10 10 — 13 — — — Lithium 12- — — — — — 10 10 10 10 10 hydroxystearate Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Stability (%) 90.9 90.0 99.7 99.1 98.3 71.3 62.1 90.1 90.1 48.0

(16) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5-2 Comparative Examples Components (wt. %) OD46 OD47 OD48 OD49 OD50 foramsulfuron 10 chlorsulfaron 10 pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 10 amidosulfuron 10 halosulfuron-methyl 10 lithium octanoate — — — — — lithium 12- — — — — — hydroxystearate Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to to to to to 100 100 100 100 100 Stability (%) 82.3 86.4 91.9 93.5 77.1

(17) The chemical stability of sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersions comprising a C8 organic acid salt of lithium (OD36-OD40) were found to be superior to corresponding oil dispersions with the C16 organic acid salt of lithium of WO 2013/174833 (OD41-OD45) as well as corresponding oil dispersions with no salt (OD46-OD50). A comparison of OD23 (Table 3), OD33 (Table 4) and OD45 (Table 5-1) shows that lithium acetate and lithium carbonate also provide a superior stabilising effect than lithium 12-hydroxystearate.

EXAMPLE 6—COMPARISON OF A LI C8-ORGANIC ACID SALT AND A LI C16-ORGANIC ACID SALT AT VARIOUS CONCENTRATIONS

(18) Oil dispersions of halosulfuron-methyl with or without added lithium octanoate and lithium 12-hydroxystearate at various concentrations were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 6-1 and Table 6-2 below.

(19) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 6-1 Examples Comparative Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 halosulfuron-methyl 10 5 2.5 1 1 10 5 2.5 1 1 lithium octanoate 10 5 2.5 2 1 — — — — — Lithium 12- — — — — — 10 5 2.5 2 1 hydroxystearate Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Stability (%) 98.3 98.6 98.1 96.3 95.7 48.0 24.3 40.8 34.8 43.1

(20) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 6-2 Comparative Examples Components (wt. %) OD61 OD62 OD63 OD64 halosulfuron-methyl 10 5 2.5 1 lithium octanoate — — — — lithium 12- — — — — hydroxystearate Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to to to to 100 100 100 100 Stability (%) 77.1 54.1 38.2 29.0

(21) From Table 6-2 it can be seen that the chemical stability of halosulfuron-methyl decreases as its amount in the OD decreases (OD61-OD64). Adding a C8 organic acid salt of lithium (OD51-OD55) improves chemical stability at all concentrations tested (see Table 6-1) and to a greater degree than that achieved with a C16 organic acid salt of lithium (OD56-OD60 of Table 6-1).

EXAMPLE 7—COMPARISON OF VARIOUS LI ORGANIC ACID SALTS FOR STABILISING LOW-CONCENTRATION IODOSULFURON-METHYL SODIUM SALT

(22) Oil dispersions having a low concentration (1 wt. %) iodosulfuron-methyl sodium salt (IMS) with or without added lithium salts were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 7 below.

(23) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 7 Comparative Examples Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 65 66 67 68 69 70 IMS 1 1 1 1 1 1 lithium acetate 1 lithium benzoate 1 lithium octanoate 1 lithium salicylate 1 lithium 12- 1 hydroxystearate Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to to 100 to to 100 to 100 100 100 Stability (%) 95.3 95.0 87.6 81.8 77.9 60.5

(24) The chemical stability of sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersions comprising a lithium salt according to the invention (OD65-OD68) were found to be superior to corresponding oil dispersions with the C16 organic acid salt of lithium (OD69) as well as a corresponding oil dispersion with no salt (OD70).

EXAMPLE 8—COMPARISON OF VARIOUS LI ORGANIC ACID SALTS FOR STABILISING LOW-CONCENTRATION IODOSULFURON-METHYL SODIUM SALT IN A SOLVESSO LIQUID SYSTEM

(25) Oil dispersions having a low concentration (0.5 wt. %) iodosulfuron-methyl sodium salt (IMS) with or without added lithium salts were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. In this example the Solvesso solvent system that was used in Table 4 of WO 2013/174833 A1 was employed. The results are summarised in Table 8 below.

(26) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 8 Examples Comparative Examples Components (wt. %) OD71 OD72 OD73 OD74 OD75 IMS 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 lithium octanoate 1 lithium benzoate 1 lithium acetate 1 lithium 12- 1 hydroxystearate Emulsogen EL 400 10 10 10 10 10 Ligalub PEG 15 15 15 15 15 400 MO Solvesso 200ND to to to to to 100 100 100 100 100 Stability (%) 85.6 86.5 83.7 15.4 63.1

(27) The chemical stability of sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersions comprising a lithium salt according to the invention (OD71-OD73) were found to be superior to corresponding oil dispersions with the C16 organic acid salt of lithium (OD75) as well as a corresponding oil dispersion with no salt (OD74).

EXAMPLE 9—COMPARISON OF VARIOUS LI ORGANIC ACID SALTS FOR STABILISING A MIXTURE OF SULFONYLUREAS

(28) Oil dispersions having a mixture of sulfonylureas with or without an added lithium salt were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Table 9 below. The sulfonylureas are numbered 1-4 and their respective stabilities are reported using the same numbering.

(29) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 9 Examples Comparative Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 1. iodosulfuron-methyl sodium 5 5 5 5 5 5 2. halosulfuron-methyl 5 5 5 3. amidosulfuron 5 5 5 5 5 5 4. foramsulfuron 5 5 5 lithium octanoate 10 10 10 — — — — — — lithium 12-hydroxystearate — — — 10 10 10 — — — Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Stability (%) 1 98.4 97.8 — 65.7 92.9 — 17.3 33.6 — Stability (%) 2 91.5 — — 26.5 — — 13.3 — — Stability (%) 3 — 96.1 90.4 — 63.9 31.1 — 78.4 41.2 Stability (%) 4 — — 98.1 — — 92.0 — — 19.1

(30) The chemical stability of mixed sulfonylurea-containing oil dispersions comprising a lithium salt according to the invention (OD76-OD78) were found to be superior to corresponding oil dispersions with the C16 organic acid salt of lithium (OD79-OD81) as well as a corresponding oil dispersion with no salt (OD82-OD84).

EXAMPLE 10—COMPARISON OF VARIOUS LI ORGANIC ACID SALTS FOR STABILISING A MIXTURE OF A SULFONYLUREA AND A NON-SULFONYLUREA

(31) Oil dispersions having a mixture of a sulfonylurea and a non-sulfonylurea with or without an added lithium salt were prepared and tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks. The results are summarised in Tables 10-1 and 10-2 below. The sulfonylureas and the non-sulfonylureas are numbered and their respective stabilities are reported using the same numbering.

(32) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 10-1 Examples Comparative Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 1. halosulfuron- 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 methyl 2. terbuthylazine 25 25 25 25 3. s-metolachlor 32 32 32 32 4. fluroxypyr- 32 32 32 32 meptyl lithium octanoate 1 — 1 — 1 — — — — — — — lithium acetate — 1 — 1 — 1 — — — — — — lithium 12- — — — — — — 1 — 1 — 1 — hydroxystearate Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 70/2E isobornyl to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 acetate Stability (%) 1 76.0 75.6 70.0 68.6 86.8 81.9 5.6 2.6 14.9 8.5 27.1 17.8 Stability (%) 2 99.3 99.6 — — — — 100.2 100.1 — — — — Stability (%) 3 — — 97.1 97.9 — — — — 99.4 99.5 — — Stability (%) 4 — — — — 100.1 100.1 — — — — 100.4 99.8

(33) TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 10-2 Examples Comparative Examples OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD OD Components (wt. %) 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 1. pyrazosulfuron- 1 1 1 1 ethyl 2. iodosulfuron- 1 1 1 1 methyl sodium 3. foramsulfuron 1 1 1 1 4. pretilachlor 32 32 32 32 5. diflufenican 25 25 25 25 6. isoxadifen-ethyl 25 25 25 25 lithium octanoate 1 — 1 — 1 — — — — — — — lithium acetate — 1 — 1 — 1 — — — — — — lithium 12- — — — — — — 1 — 1 — 1 — hydroxystearate Atlas G1086 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Nansa EVM 70/2E 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 isobornyl acetate to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Stability (%) 1 78.1 91.0 — — — — 45.6 39.8 — — — — Stability (%) 2 — — 86.6 87.3 — — — — 53.6 31.5 — — Stability (%) 3 — — — — 53.2 26.6 — — — — 12.4 8.9 Stability (%) 4 94.3 92.8 — — — — 98.7 99.6 — — — — Stability (%) 5 — — 99.7 100.2 — — — — 99.9 100.2 — — Stability (%) 6 — — — — 94.8 98.0 — — — — 99.4 99.7

(34) The chemical stability of a sulfonylurea when present together with a non-sulfonylurea is improved when a lithium salt according to the invention is added as compared to a corresponding oil dispersion with the C16 organic acid salt of lithium or no salt.

EXAMPLE 11—LIQUID COMPOSITION

(35) A liquid composition comprising a sulfonyl urea in a non-aqueous solvent system (N-butyl pyrrolidone) was prepared with and without an added salt and tested. The sulfonylurea was dissolved in the N-butyl pyrrolidone and the salt (milled) was dispersed as solid particles. The stability of the sulfonylurea after storage at 54° C. for two weeks is reported in Table 11 below.

(36) TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 11 Examples Comparative Examples Components (wt. %) 11-1 11-2 11-3 11-4 halosulfuron-methyl 5 10 5 10 lithium octanoate 5 10 — — Soprophor BSU 3 3 3 3 N-butyl pyrrolidone to to to to 100 100 100 100 Stability (%) 43.7 50.4 0 0

(37) The data in Table 11 demonstrates that a lithium salt according to the invention can stabilise a sulfonylurea in liquid compositions of the invention even if the sulfonylurea and salt are present in different phases.

(38) While lithium carbonate and lithium phosphate salts can be used for the purpose of this invention, it is also envisioned that the invention can be worked with lithium salts other than lithium carbonate and lithium phosphate. Thus, it should be understood that this invention also extends to liquid herbicidal compositions comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; at least one sulfonylurea herbicide; and at least one inorganic or C.sub.1-C.sub.12 organic lithium salt, wherein the at least one lithium salt is not a lithium carbonate or a lithium phosphate. This proviso that the at least one lithium salt is not a lithium carbonate or a lithium phosphate may be applied to all disclosures herein, including the appended claims, unless of course a disclosure expressly calls for the presence of lithium carbonate and/or lithium phosphate.

(39) The above description of the invention and included examples are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. All documents referred to herein are incorporated by reference. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described herein may occur to those skilled in the art. These changes can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.