Compound Combination with Superior Herbicidal Activity

Abstract

The present invention relates to an active compound combination comprising (a) a 1,3,5 triazine herbicide and (b) pelargonic acid or a derivative thereof, a composition comprising the active compound combination as well as methods for controlling unwanted plants using said combination.

Claims

1. Active compound combination comprising (a) a 1,3,5 triazine herbicide and (b) pelargonic acid or a derivative thereof.

2. The active compound combination according to claim 1, wherein the 1,3,5 triazine herbicide has the Formula (I) ##STR00006## wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 is a moiety containing a phenyl group with one or more methyl groups, wherein R2 has a total of 10 to 12 carbon atoms (preferably 11 carbon atoms), and preferably consists of C, H and optionally O.

3. The active compound combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the 1,3,5 triazine herbicide is selected from the group consisting of indaziflam, terbutylazine and triaziflam.

4. The active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the 1,3,5 triazine herbicide is indaziflam.

5. The active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the 1,3,5 triazine herbicide is triaziflam.

6. The active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the 1,3,5 triazine herbicide is terbuthylazine.

7. The active compound composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising as compound (c) a further agrochemically active agent.

8. The active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein compound (a) and compound (b) are present in a weight ratio of between 1 : 5000 and 1:1.

9. The active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein compound (a) and compound (b) are present in a weight ratio of between 1:2500 and 1:50.

10. The active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein compound (a) and compound (b) are present in a weight ratio of between 1:1600 and 1:120.

11. Synergistic active compound combinations comprising an active compound combination according to any of claims 1 to 10.

12. A composition comprising the active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and at least one auxiliary.

13. Method for controlling unwanted plants, characterized in that an active compound combination according to any of claims 1 to 11 or a composition according to claim 12 is allowed to act or applied on the plants and/or their habitat.

14. Method according to claim 12, wherein the unwanted plant is selected from the group consisting of Polygonum convolvulus, Solanum nigrum, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Abuthilon theophrasti, Setaria viridis, Echinoloa crus-galli, Panicum maximum, Zea mays and Laminum amplexicaule.

15. Process for preparing a composition, characterized in that an active compound combination according to any of claims 1 to 11 is mixed with at least one auxiliary.

16. Use of the active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or the composition of claim 12 as a herbicide.

17. Kit- of parts comprising, (a) a 1,3,5-triazine herbicide and (b) pelargonic acid or a derivative thereof. in a synergistically effective amount, in a spatially separated arrangement.

Description

[0071] In the context of the present invention “controlling” denotes a significant reduction of the growth of the unwanted plant(s) in comparison to the untreated unwanted plants. Preferably, the growth of the unwanted plant(s) is essentially diminished (60-79%), more preferably the growth of the unwanted plant(s) is largely or fully suppressed (80-100%), and in particular the growth of the unwanted plant(s) is almost fully or fully suppressed (90-100%).

[0072] Harmful plants include the group of weed species consisting of Ageratum spp., Calopogonium spp., Alternanthera spp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp., Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachiaria spp., Platostoma spp., Digitaria spp., Synedrella spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., Imperata spp., Cynodon spp., Pennisetum spp., Mariscus spp., Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp., Melinis spp., Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., Ipomea spp., Dactyloctenium spp., Spigelia spp., Boerhaavia spp., Aspilia spp., Aneilima spp., Hyparrhenia spp., Andropogon spp., Paspalum spp., Rhynchelytrum spp., Eleusine spp., Setaria spp., Triumfetta spp., Stachytarpheta spp., Desmodium spp., Gomphrena spp., Tephrosia spp., Acanthospermum spp., Hyptis spp., Cenchrus spp., Urena spp., Vernonia spp., Cleome spp., Crotalaria spp., Kyllinga spp., Corchorus spp., Ipomoea spp., Mitracarpus spp., Melanthera spp., Centrosema spp., Emilia spp., Croton spp., Phyllanthus spp., Passiflora spp., Axonopus spp., Oldenlandia spp., Schwenckia spp., Acalypha spp., Solenostemon spp., Celosia spp., Indigofera spp., Heterotis spp., Acmella spp., Leucaena spp., Boerhavia spp., Spermacoce spp., Oplismenus spp., and Fimbristylis spp.

[0073] Particularly, the combination of herbicides as defined herein or the composition comprising a combination of herbicides as defined herein are used to control one, several or all harmful plants selected from the group of weed species consisting of Ageratum spp., Calopogonium spp., Alternanthera spp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp., Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachiaria spp., Platostoma spp., Digitaria spp., Synedrella spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., Imperata spp., Cynodon spp., Pennisetum spp., Mariscus spp., Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp., Melinis spp., Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., Ipomea spp., Dactyloctenium spp., Spigelia spp., Boerhaavia spp., Desmodium spp., Gomphrena spp., Tephrosia spp., Acanthospermum spp., Hyptis spp., Cenchrus spp., Urena spp., Vernonia spp., and Cleome spp..

[0074] Specifically, examples may be mentioned of some representatives of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed flora which can be controlled by the combinations according to the present invention.

[0075] More specifically, the combination of herbicides as defined herein or the composition comprising a combination of herbicides as defined herein, may be employed against Ageratum conyzoides, Calopogonium mucunoides, Alternanthera sessilis, Boreiria ocymoides, Commelina erecta, Chromolaena odorata, Mimosa invisa, Commelina benghalensis, Tridax procumbens, Brachiaria delfexa, Platostoma africanum, Digitaria adscendens, Digitaria horizontalis, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum polystachion, Pennisetum purpureum, Pennisetum violaceum, Mariscus altemifolius, Euphorbia heterophylla, Euphorbia hirta, Talinum triangulare, Pteridium aquilinum, Melinis ninutiflora, Sida acuta, Sida rhombifolia, Commelina diffusa, Portulaca oleraceae, Rottboellia exaltata, Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Sorghum halepense, Ipomea triloba, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiara lata, Spigelia anthemia, Boerhaavia erecta, Aspilia africana, Aneilima beniniense, Hyparrhenia involucrate, Andropogon gayanus, Paspalum conjugatum, Paspalum orbiculatum, Rhynchelytrum repens, Eleusine indica, Setaria barbata, Setaria megaphylla, Triumfetta cordifolia, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Desmodium scorpiurus, Gomphrena celosioides, Tephrosia bracteolata, Acanthospermum hispidum, Hyptis suaveolens, Cenchrus biflorus, Urena lobata, Vernonia ambigua, Cleome viscosa, Cuscuta australis, Corchorus olitorius, Mitracarpus villosus, Melanthera scandens, Centrosema pubescens, Emilia coccinea, Croton hirtus, Phyllanthus amarus, Corchorus trilocularis, Passiflora foetida, Ipomoea involucrate, Axonopus compressus, Oldenlandia corymbosa, Acalypha ciliata, Schwenckia americana, Solenostemon monostachyus, Celosia trigyna, Indigofera hirsute, Heterotis rotundifolia, Acmella brachyglossa, Leucaena leucocephala, Boerhavia diffusa, Spermacoce ocymoides, Oplismenus burmannii, Fimbristylis littoralis, Cyperus iris, and Kyllinga erecta.

[0076] Whereas the active compound combination or the composition according to the invention may be used against any unwanted plant, it has shown to be particularly effective against plants selected from the group consisting of Polygonum convolvulus, Solanum nigrum, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Abuthilon theophrasti, Setaria viridis, Echinoloa crus-galli, Panicum maximum, Zea mays and Laminum amplexicaule.

[0077] In accordance with the present invention, the active compound combination or the composition according to the invention may be applied as a split application over time. Another possibility is the application of the individual compounds (a) and (b) as defined herein or the active compound combination in a plurality of portions (sequential application), for example after pre-emergence applications, followed by post-emergence applications or after early post-emergence applications, followed by applications at medium or late post-emergence.

[0078] Preferred is the simultaneous or nearly simultaneous application of the compounds (a) and (b) as defined herein. In the latter context, a nearly simultaneous application of the compounds (a) and (b) as defined herein means that the compound (a) and the compound (b) are both applied within 24 hours, preferably within 12 hours, more preferably within 6 hours, even more preferably within 3 hours.

[0079] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compounds (a) and (b) as defined herein are used together, i.e. at the same time. Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment a composition comprising the compounds (a) and (b) as defined herein is used.

[0080] The present invention also relates to a process for preparing a composition, characterized in that an active compound combination according to the invention is mixed with at least one auxiliary or that compounds (a) and (b) in the ratios as described elsewhere in this application are mixed with at least one auxiliary.

[0081] The present invention also relates to a kit-of-parts comprising compounds (a) and (b) as defined herein, in a synergistically effective amount, in a spatially separated arrangement.

[0082] Finally, the present invention relates to the use of the active compound combination according to the invention or the composition according to the invention as a herbicide, preferably against at least Setaria viridis, Echinoloa crus-galli, Panicum maximum and Zea mays.

[0083] The following Examples illustrate the present invention in a non-limiting fashion.

1. Products Used

[0084] The following active compounds were tested: [0085] Product PeAc contained 249,96 g a.i./L of pelargonic acid in an EC formulation [0086] Product IAF contained 200 g a.i./L of indaziflam formulated as SC formulation [0087] Product TBA contained 500 g a.i./L of terbutylazine formulated as SC formulation

2. Biological Trials

[0088] Herbicidal action (field trials)

[0089] The biological trials were conducted as a field trial with various weed species seeded in rows and grown under natural outdoor conditions. Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Polygonum convolvulus, Setaria viridis, Echinocloa crus-galli, Panicum maximum as well as the crop Zea mays were seeded and applied when the majority reached the BBCH growth stage 16, 16, 16, 22, 22, 22 and 15 respectively after emergence. They were treated with various dosages (as mentioned below) of the compositions according to the invention at a water application rate of 300 L/ha.

[0090] The growth stages of the different weed or crop plant species are indicated according to the BBCH monograph “Growth stages of mono-and dicotyledonous plants”, 2nd edition, 2001, ed. Uwe Meier, Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land und Forstwirtschaft). The respective BBCH stages are mentioned in brackets for the different weed or crop plant species and indicate the BBCH stage for the majority of the respective weed or crop plant species.

[0091] After the respective treatment, the herbidical activity was scored visually at 13 or 14 days after application (DAA) by comparing the treated plots with the untreated control plots. Damage and development of all above-ground parts of the plants was recorded. Scoring (rating) was done on a percentage scale (100% action = all plants dead; 50% action = green plant biomass reduced by 50%, and 0% action = no discernible action = like control plot). The Tables reflect the observations after a certain time period, indicated in days (referred to as DAA = days after application) after start of treatment.

[0092] The dose rates of herbicidal ingredients used in each case are indicated for the respective active ingredient in brackets and refer to the amount of active ingredient per hectare (g a.i./ha).

3. Calculation

[0093] Application of the composition according to the invention often results in effects to weed the sum of which exceeds that of application of the single herbicides comprised in the composition. Alternatively, in some cases a lower application rate for the composition according to the invention is needed in order to achieve a desired effect against weeds as compared to the single compounds.

[0094] Such increase in efficacy or decrease in application rate are a strong indication to synergistic action.

[0095] The advanced herbicidal activity of the active compound combinations according to the invention is evident from the examples below. The combinations according to the invention have an activity which exceeds a simple addition of activities of the single compounds.

[0096] A synergistic effect of herbicides is always present when the herbicidal activity of the active compound combinations exceeds the total of the activities of the active compounds when applied individually. The expected activity for a given combination of two active compounds can be calculated as follows (according to Colby’s formula) (cf. Colby, S.R., “Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 1967, 15, 20-22):

[0097] If

[0098] A is the efficacy in % when active compound A is applied at an application rate of a g a.i./ha,

[0099] B is the efficacy in % when active compound B is applied at an application rate of b g a.i./ha),

[0100] EC is the efficacy in % when the active compounds A and B are applied at application rates of a + b g a.i./ha), respectively, and

[0101] Then

[00001]$\text{EC = A + B}-\text{((X}.Math.\text{Y)/100)}$

[0102] The degree of efficacy expressed in % is denoted. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed.

[0103] If the actual herbicidal activity exceeds the calculated value, then the activity of the combination is superadditive, i.e. a synergistic effect exists. In this case, the efficacy which was actually observed must be greater than the value for the expected efficacy (EC) calculated from the abovementioned formula.

[0104] A further way of demonstrating a synergistic effect is the method of Tammes (cf. “Isoboles, a graphic representation of synergism in pesticides” in Neth. J. Plant Path., 1964, 70, 73-80).

[0105] The invention is illustrated by the following examples. However, the invention is not limited to the examples.

[0106] The observed values (EA) of the tests show, at suitable low doses, an effect of the combinations which are higher than the expected values according to Colby (EC).

[0107] 4. Herbicidal activity of a composition comprising indaziflam and pelargonic acid

TABLE-US-00001 Effect on Polygonum convolvulus Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 13 DAT [%](EA) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (EC) Difference Indaziflam 10 50 20 55 Pelargonic acid 6000 40 16000 90 Indaziflam + Pelargonic acid 10 + 6000 60 52 8 10 + 16000 99 92 7 50 + 6000 80 73 7 50 + 16000 100 96 5

TABLE-US-00002 Effect on Chenopodium album Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 13 DAT [%](EA) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (EC) Difference Indaziflam 10 0 50 20 Pelargonic acid 6000 40 16000 80 Indaziflam + Pelargonic acid 10 + 6000 90 40 50 10 + 16000 100 80 20 50 + 6000 92 52 40 50 + 16000 99 84 15

TABLE-US-00003 Effect on Abutilon theophrasti Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 13 DAT [%](EA) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (EC) Difference Indaziflam 10 60 50 92 Pelargonic acid 6000 45 16000 88 Indaziflam + Pelargonic acid 10 + 6000 91 78 13 10 + 16000 100 95 5 50 + 6000 97 96 1 50 + 16000 100 99 1

TABLE-US-00004 Effect on Setaria viridis Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 13 DAT [%](EA) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (EC) Difference Indaziflam 10 0 50 0 Pelargonic acid 6000 10 16000 45 Indaziflam + Pelargonic acid 10 + 6000 45 10 35 10 + 16000 65 45 20 50 + 6000 65 10 55 50 + 16000 78 45 33

TABLE-US-00005 Effect on Echinocloa crus-galli Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 13 DAT [%](EA) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (EC) Difference Indaziflam 10 0 50 0 Pelargonic acid 6000 0 16000 25 Indaziflam + Pelargonic acid 10 + 6000 45 0 45 10 + 16000 78 25 53 50 + 6000 75 0 75 50 + 16000 95 25 70

TABLE-US-00006 Effect on Panicum maximum Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 13 DAT [%](EA) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (EC) Difference Indaziflam 10 0 50 5 Pelargonic acid 6000 20 16000 50 Indaziflam + Pelargonic acid 10 + 6000 45 20 25 10 + 16000 90 50 40 50 + 6000 45 24 21 50 + 16000 83 53 31

TABLE-US-00007 Effect on Zea mays Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 13 DAT [%](EA) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (EC) Difference Indaziflam 10 0 50 10 Pelargonic acid 6000 38 16000 65 Indaziflam + Pelargonic aicd 10 + 6000 53 38 15 10 + 16000 93 65 28 50 + 6000 60 44 16 50 + 16000 92 69 23

[0108] 5. Herbicidal activity of a composition comprising terbuthylazine and pelargonic acid

TABLE-US-00008 Effect on Abuthilon theophrasti; % control compared to untreated, assessed 14 days after application Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 14 DAT [%](E.sup.A) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (E.sup.C) Difference Terbuthylazin 125 0 250 7 500 7 750 20 Pelargonic acid 6000 30 12000 57 16000 57 Terbuthylazin + Pelargonic acid 125 + 6000 53 30 23 125 + 12000 70 57 13 125 + 16000 73 57 16 250 + 6000 57 35 22 250 + 12000 63 60 3 250 + 16000 77 60 17 500 + 6000 73 35 38 500 + 12000 82 60 22 500 + 16000 80 60 20 750 + 6000 75 44 31 750 + 12000 82 66 16 750 + 16000 87 66 21

TABLE-US-00009 Effect on Amaranthus retroflexus; % control compared to untreated, assessed 14 days after application Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 14 DAT [%](E.sup.A) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (E.sup.C) Difference Terbuthylazin 125 0 250 7 500 47 750 63 Pelargonic acid 6000 13 12000 90 16000 93 Terbuthylazin + Pelargonic acid 125 + 6000 88 13 75 125 + 12000 98 90 8 125 + 16000 93 93 0 250 + 6000 99 19 80 250 + 12000 100 91 9 250 + 16000 97 93 4 500 + 6000 100 54 46 500 + 12000 100 95 5 500 + 16000 98 96 2 750 + 6000 100 68 32 750 + 12000 100 96 4 750 + 16000 100 97 3

TABLE-US-00010 Effect on Chenopodium album; % control compared to untreated, assessed 14 days after application Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 14 DAT [%](E.sup.A) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (E.sup.C) Difference Terbuthylazin 125 0 250 13 500 67 750 78 Pelargonic acid 6000 20 12000 88 16000 97 Terbuthylazin + Pelargonic acid 125 + 6000 87 20 67 125 + 12000 98 88 10 125 + 16000 98 97 1 250 + 6000 99 30 69 250 + 12000 100 90 10 250 + 16000 100 97 3 500 + 6000 99 74 25 500 + 12000 100 96 4 500 + 16000 100 99 1 750 + 6000 100 82 18 750 + 12000 100 97 3 750 + 16000 100 99 1

TABLE-US-00011 Effect on Echinocloa crus-galli; % control compared to untreated, assessed 14 days after application Active compounds Dose Rate [g a.i./ha] Herbicidal Activity 14 DAT [%](E.sup.A) Expected activity (Colby) [%] (E.sup.C) Difference Terbuthylazin 125 0 250 0 500 0 750 0 Pelargonic acid 6000 13 12000 30 16000 33 Terbuthylazin + Pelargonic acid 125 + 6000 28 13 15 125 + 12000 30 30 0 125 + 16000 32 33 -1 250 + 6000 30 13 17 250 + 12000 30 30 0 250 + 16000 30 33 -3 500 + 6000 30 13 17 500 + 12000 33 30 3 500 + 16000 37 33 4 750 + 6000 27 13 14 750 + 12000 33 30 3 750 + 16000 38 33 5