US 6,475,953 B1 · Composition and method for treating plants with exogenous chemicals

Abstract

A composition is disclosed for application to a plant that comprises glyphosate, an aqueous diluent, and an excipient substance that is amphiphilic. The weight/weight ratio of the excipient substance to the exogenous chemical is between about 1:3 and about 1:100. The aqueous composition forms anisotropic aggregates on a wax layer, and the presence of the anisotropic aggregates can be detected by a test described herein. Compositions of the present invention, when applied to plants, provide enhanced biological activity per unit amount of glyphosate, as compared to otherwise similar compositions containing surfactants that do not form anisotropic aggregates. Without being bound by theory, it is presently believed that this enhanced biological activity results from the formation or enlargement of hydrophilic channels through the epicuticular wax of the plant.

Claims141

Dependent claims

A method of applying glyphosate or a herbicidal derivative thereof to a plant, comprising the steps of

(a) contacting foliage of the plant with a biologically effective amount of glyphosate or a herbicidal derivative thereof, and
(b) contacting the same foliage with an aqueous composition comprising an excipient substance that is amphiphilic, said aqueous composition being selected such that, upon evaporation of water from said aqueous composition, anisotropic aggregates are formed in or on a wax layer;
wherein the weight/weight ratio of said excipient substance to the glyphosate or a herbicidal derivative thereof is between about 1:3 and about 1:100;
and wherein step (b) occurs simultaneously with or within about 96 hours before or after step (a).

1 more element

A liquid concentrate comprising an aqueous mixture containing glyphosate or a herbicidal derivative thereof other than monoisopropylamine glyphosate in a concentration of at least 326 grams glyphosate a.e. per liter, and an amphiphilic excipient substance selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a liposome-forming compound having a hydrophobic moiety comprising two saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl groups each having about 7 to about 21 carbon atoms;
(ii) a liposome-forming material that comprises an amphiphilic compound having two hydrophobic moieties, each of which is a saturated alkyl or acyl chain having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms;
(iii) a quaternary ammonium compound having a hydrophobic moiety which is a saturated alkyl or haloalkyl group having about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms;
(iv) an alkylether having the formula (VI):
R12O(CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)mR13 (VI)
wherein R12 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, n is an average number of about 10 to about 100, m is an average number of 0 to about 5 and R13 is hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl;
and
(v) a fatty alcohol ethoxylate;
wherein the weight/weight ratio of said amphiphilic excipient substance to the glyphosate is between about 1:3 and about 1:100.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Composition and method for treating plants with exogenous chemicals

Life of this patent

Composition and method for treating plants with exogenous chemicals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims141