FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of agrochemistry. It is directed to a combination of herbicidal active ingredients for agricultural applications, to tank mixes, and to methods for controlling weeds, pests and diseases in plants.

BACKGROUND

The vulnerability of crops to weeds makes crop protection management one of the major components of the total crop production system. Various insects and fungi along with the undesired weeds are very harmful to crop plants and can significantly reduce crop yields and qualities. Herbicides alone or in combination help minimize this damage by controlling threats to the crop. Many active ingredients either of the same class or having mixtures of different classes are commercially available for these purposes.

Combinations of herbicides or mixtures of one or more herbicides with other active ingredients are typically used to broaden spectrum of control, to minimize the doses of chemicals used, to retard the development of resistance and to reduce the cost of the treatment through additive effect. Although many combinations of one herbicide agent with one or more active ingredients have been studied, a synergistic effect is rarely attained.

Practical agricultural experience has shown that the repeated and exclusive application of an individual active ingredient in the control of a single weed selects for those individuals within that species that have natural or adapted resistance against the active compound in question. Effective control of these weeds with the active compound in question is then no longer possible. Therefore, there is a need for additional active ingredients that help prevent or overcome resistance.

Active agent mixtures are described in the literature. However, the control over the weeds does not always satisfy the needs of agricultural practice. Additionally, the efficacy provided by these mixtures is not always satisfactory, or it can create additional toxicological and/or environmental effects. Random pesticidal formulations and mixtures do not exert a satisfactory controlling effect in most of the cases, and therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new pesticidal mixtures that have satisfactory controlling effects with more than one active ingredient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an endeavor of the present invention to find mixtures that provide improved control of weeds. These improvements may come in the form of a synergistic efficacy among active ingredients, whether being applied simultaneously or in succession, that is jointly or separately. That is, allowing better control of weeds than is possible with the individual compounds alone. Improvements can also overcome at least one of the challenges in the prior art, for example, by reducing the dosage rate or by enhancing the spectrum of activity or by combining knock-down activity with prolonged control or by facilitating resistance management.

A first aspect of the invention is a herbicidal composition comprising (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid.

A second aspect of the invention is directed to a tank mix combination comprising (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid, and (d) at least one adjuvant, additive and/or an active ingredient.

A third aspect of the invention is a method for the control of weeds, pests and/or diseases comprising contacting an effective amount of (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid, with at least a locus where the weed, pest and/or disease is to be controlled.

A fourth aspect of the invention is a kit-of-parts comprising a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprises: (a) a first component comprising at least indaziflam, (b) a second component comprising at least imazapyr, (c) a third component comprising at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid, and (d) an instructions to admix the components before being used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

Embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention. While a number of embodiments and features are described herein, it is to be understood that the various features of the invention and aspects of embodiments, even if described separately, may be combined unless mutually exclusive or contrary to the specific description. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if each had been individually incorporated.

As used herein, the transitional term "comprising" or "that comprises", which is synonymous with "including," or "containing," is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps. However, in each recitation of "comprising" herein, it is intended that the term also encompass, as alternative embodiments, the phrases "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of", where "consisting of" excludes any element or step not specified and "consisting essentially of" permits the inclusion of additional un-recited elements or steps that do not materially affect the essential or basic and novel characteristics of the composition or method under consideration.

Prior to setting forth the present subject matter in detail, it may be helpful to provide definitions of certain terms to be used herein. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this subject matter pertains.

As used herein, the term "effective amount" when used in connection with an active ingredient or the herbicidal composition containing the mixture of active ingredients or the tank mix containing the mixture of active ingredients, refers to an amount thereof that, when ingested, contacted with or sensed, is sufficient to achieve a good level of control of a weed, pest and/or disease.

As used herein, the term "effective amount" when used in connection with a non-active component, i.e. adjuvant, refers to an amount of the non-active component that is sufficient to perform its function within the formulation.

An "active ingredient" is a substance capable of controlling undesired plants (weeds), plant pests or plant diseases. At the same time, the active ingredient does not cause significant damage of plants of interest (e.g. crops), if present. Thus, the active ingredient can be used in the locus of a crop of interest, but can also include control of all plant species present in a non-crop setting where total vegetation management is the goal. The term "active ingredient" comprises, but is not limited to insecticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, algicides, animal repellents or acaricides. Active ingredients are not limited to pesticides, and also include for example hormones, bio-stimulants, and plant growth regulators. As used herein, the term "herbicide" refers to an active ingredient capable of controlling unwanted plants or weeds, for example when growing in the locus of the desired crop or in a non-crop setting, where total vegetation management is the goal.

As used herein, the term "agriculturally acceptable carrier" means a carrier which is known and accepted in the art for the formation of compositions for agricultural, horticultural, or non-crop use.

As used herein the term "plant" or "crop" or "crop plants" includes reference to whole plants, plant organs (e.g. leaves, stems, twigs, roots, trunks, limbs, shoots, fruits etc.), plant cells, or plant seeds, which have industrial interest, including trees, grasslands and pastures, such as for example plants destined for human consumption, animal consumption or other industrial uses. This term also encompasses crops such as fruits. The term "plant" may also include the propagation material thereof, which may include all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers, which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. It may also include spores, corms, bulbs, rhizomes, sprouts basal shoots, stolons, and buds and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil. As used herein, the term "crop" includes plants which have been modified by breeding, mutagenesis or genetic engineering. Genetically modified plants are plants in which their genetic material has been modified by the use of recombinant DNA techniques. Typically, one or more genes have been integrated into the genetic material of such a plant in order to improve certain properties of the plant.

As used herein, the term "locus" includes a habitat, breeding ground, plant, seed adapted to produce a plant, propagation material, soil, field, area adjacent to a plant, soil adapted to support growth of a plant, a root of a plant, foliage of a plant material or environment in which a weed, pest and/or disease is growing or may grow.

As used herein, the terms "control" or "controlling" or "combatting" refers to preventing disease, pests or the growth of weeds, whether or not in the presence of crops, or to protecting plants from diseases or pests, delaying the onset of disease, and killing, or to reducing the deleterious effects of the disease, or pests, or to killing or to reducing growth of weeds.

As used herein, the term "agriculturally acceptable inert additives" is defined as any substance that itself is not an active ingredient (i.e. a non-active component) but is added to the formulation to improve its properties, such as stability, flowability, density, etc. Some substances can be used as agriculturally acceptable inert additives in the herbicidal composition of the invention or mixed as tank additives with the herbicidal composition of the invention prior to application in the field. Non-limiting examples of agriculturally acceptable inert additives and of tank additives are chelating agents, thickeners, anti-foam agents, pH buffers, antifreeze agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, wetting agents or humectants, suspending agents, stabilizers, anti-oxidation agents, preservative agents, inverting agents, UV absorbers, binders, pigments, colorants or solvents.

As used herein, the term "adjuvant" is broadly defined as any substance that itself is not an active ingredient, but which enhances or is intended to enhance the effectiveness of the herbicide with which it is used. Adjuvants may be understood to include, but are not limited to, safeners, spreading agents, plant penetrants (or translocators), compatibility agents, drift retardants, soil penetrants, stickers, fertilizers. They are typically used to dilute ready mix formulations prior to application in the field, although some formulations include built-in adjuvants.

As used herein, the term "ready mix" means a formulation that may be applied to plants directly after dilution. The formulation comprises one or more active ingredients. The term "mixture" refers, but is not limited to, a combination in any physical form, e.g., blend, solution, alloy, or the like.

As used herein, the term "tank mix" refers to the mixture of two or more active ingredients or compositions that are mixed shortly before application. Tank mixtures can therefore be formed by mixing one or more compositions (each comprising one or more active ingredients) with water and/or with one or more adjuvants, or they can be formed by mixing the active ingredients in situ with water and/or with one or more adjuvants.

The term "a" or "an" as used herein includes the singular and the plural, unless specifically stated otherwise. Therefore, the terms "a," "an" or "at least one" can be used interchangeably in this application.

As used herein the term "ha" refers to hectare.

As used herein, the term "g" refers to gram, and "L" or "I" refers to litre.

As used herein, the term "more effective" includes, but is not limited to, increasing efficacy of the herbicidal control, prolonging protection and reducing the amount of time needed to achieve a given level of herbicidal control, prolonging the duration of protection against weeds attack after application and extending the protection period against weeds attack and/or reducing the amount of time needed to achieve a level of weeds control compared to when each pesticide at the same amount is applied alone. The term "enhancing crop plants" as used herein means improving one or more of plant quality, plant vigor, nutrient uptake, root system, tolerance to stress factors, and/or yield in a plant to which the mixture or formulation described herein has been applied as compared to a control plant grown under the same conditions without the mixture or formulation described herein.

The term "enhancing the root system" as used herein means that the root system is improved qualitatively or quantitatively in a plant to which the mixture or formulation described herein has been applied as compared to the root systems in a control plant grown under the same conditions without the mixture or formulation described herein. Enhanced root systems include but are not limited to improved visual appearance and composition of the root system (i.e., improved color, density, and uniformity), increased root growth, a more developed root system, stronger and healthier roots, improved plant stand, and increased root system weight.

The term "improving plant quality" as used herein means that one or more traits are improved qualitatively or quantitatively in a plant to which the mixture or formulation described herein has been applied as compared to the same trait in a control plant grown under the same conditions without the mixture or formulation described herein. Such traits include but are not limited to improved visual appearance and composition of the plant (i.e., improved color, density, uniformity, compactness), reduced ethylene (reduced production and/or inhibition of reception), improved visual appearance and composition of harvested material (i.e., seeds, fruits, leaves, vegetables, shoot/stem/cane), improved carbohydrate content (i.e., increased quantities of sugar and/or starch, improved sugar acid ratio, reduction of reducing sugars, increased rate of development of sugar), improved protein content, improved oil content and composition, improved nutritional value, reduction in anti-nutritional compounds, increased nutrient uptake, stronger and healthier roots, improved organoleptic properties (i.e., improved taste), improved consumer health benefits (i.e., increased levels of vitamins and antioxidants), improved post-harvest characteristics (i.e., enhanced shelf-life and/or storage stability, easier processability, easier extraction of compounds), and/or improved seed quality (i.e., for use in following seasons).

For purposes of better understanding the present teachings and in no way limiting the scope of the teachings, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. In this regard, use of the term "about" herein specifically includes ±10% from the indicated values in the range. In addition, the endpoints of all ranges directed to the same component or property herein are inclusive of the endpoints, are independently combinable, and include all intermediate points and ranges. Similarly, the ranges and amounts for each element of the technology described herein can be used together with ranges or amounts for any of the other elements.

Unless otherwise specified, references to percentages of a component present in a combination are by weight (wt.) percentages of the component with respect to the total weight of the combination.

It is further understood that where a parameter range is provided, all integers within that range, and tenths thereof, are also provided by the subject matter. For example, "0.1% to 50%" includes 0.1 %, 0.2 %, 0.3 %, 0.4 % etc. up to 50 %.

When a ratio herein is to be "X:l or higher", it is meant that the ratio is Y:l, where Y is X or greater, and when a ratio is herein to be "X:l or lower", it is meant that the ratio is Z:l, where Z is X or less. The same logic follows for ratios that are "1:X or higher" and "1:X or lower".

Herbicidal composition

It has been surprisingly found that by combining (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid, mixtures are produced that exhibit a broad spectrum of control and high efficacy against a very wide range of weeds, as well as having knock-down and long residual effect under different climate conditions. The mixtures and compositions of the present invention are based in part on the finding that application of the mixture of the present invention to a locus or area where weeds control is desired, results in improved control thereof.

The combination described herein provides a higher herbicidal activity than the sum of the activities of each of the herbicide when applied at the same rate. Such a combination allows a reduction in the dosages of the individual herbicides, reducing the damage of agriculturally important plants.

The present disclosure relates to a herbicidal composition comprising (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid. In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition comprises (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) flazasulfuron.

In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition comprises (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) sulfentrazone.

In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition comprises (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) aminopyralid.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 300 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 200 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha.

The total amount of (b) imazapyr in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 2000 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 300 g/ha to about 1500 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 400 g/ha to about 1200 g/ha.

The total amount of (c) herbicide when it is flazasulfuron in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 600 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 500 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 30 g/ha to about 400 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 600 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 550 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 350 g/ha,.

The total amount of (c) herbicide when it is sulfentrazone in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 750 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 150 g/ha to about 600 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 500 g/ha.

The total amount of (c) herbicide when it is aminopyralid in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 250 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 25 g/ha to about 200 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 300 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 2000 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 750 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 250 g/ha.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 200 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 300 g/ha to about 1500 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 50 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 150 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 25 g/ha to about 200 g/ha.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 400 g/ha to about 1200 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 550 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 500 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha.

The ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid in the herbicidal composition of the invention varies depending upon various conditions such as the type of the formulation, weather conditions, the type of plant and the type of weed. The ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from 1:2:0.1 to 1:35:15, from l:3:0.3 to 1:30:12, from l:4:0.5 to 1:24:9. The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 300 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 2000 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 750 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 250 g/ha; and the ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from l:2:0.1 to 1:35:15.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 200 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field, in a dosage range of about 300 g/ha to about 1500 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non- crop area, in a dosage range of about 150 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 25 g/ha to about 200 g/ha; and the ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from l:3:0.3 to 1:30:12.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the herbicidal composition may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 400 g/ha to about 1200 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 50 g/ha to about 550 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 500 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop area, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha; and the ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from l:4:0.5 to 1:24:9. The present herbicidal composition may be employed or prepared in any conventional form, for example, as wettable powders (WP), emulsion concentrates (EC), microemulsion concentrates (MEC), water-soluble powders (SP), water-soluble concentrates (SL), suspoemulsion (SE), oil dispersions (OD), concentrated emulsions (BW) such as oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, sprayable solutions or emulsions, capsule suspensions (CS), suspension concentrates (SC), dusts (DP), oil-miscible solutions (OL), seed-dressing products, granules (GR) in the form of microgranules, spray granules, coated granules and absorption granules, granules for soil application or broadcasting, water-soluble granules (SG), water-dispersible granules (WDG), ULV formulations, microcapsules (ZC) or waxes. These individual formulation types are known in the art. These herbicidal compositions may also be provided as a pre-mix or tank mixed.

The present herbicidal composition may optionally contain one or more agriculturally acceptable inert additives, adjuvants and/or a further active ingredient.

Among the further active ingredients, the herbicidal composition of the invention may optionally comprise an effective amount of at least one herbicide selected from, but not limited to, herbicides belonging to classes such as lipid synthesis inhibitors, ACCase inhibitors, very long chain fatty acid inhibitors, ALS inhibitors, photosynthesis PS II inhibitors, PS I electron diversion, protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors, pigment synthesis inhibitors, PDS inhibitors, 4-HPPD inhibitors, DOXP synthase inhibitors, EPSP synthase inhibitors, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, DHP inhibitors, microtubule assembly inhibitors, microtubule organization inhibitors, mitosis inhibitors, cellulose synthesis inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin transport inhibitors, uncouplers, fatty acid thioesterase inhibitors, serine-threonine protein phosphatase inhibitors, solanesyl diphosphate synthase inhibitors, homogentisate solanesyltransferase inhibitors, lycopene cyclase inhibitors, as well as herbicides with unknown modes of action.

Tank mix

The present disclosure also relates to a tank mix combination comprising (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid, and (d) at least one adjuvant, additive and/or an active ingredient.

In one embodiment, the herbicidal composition of the invention may be mixed with tank adjuvants, additives and/or an active ingredient, to yield a tank mix, prior to their application in the field to improve physical properties and efficacy. In another embodiment, (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and/or (c) the at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid are individually or jointly added to the tank mix together with (d) the at least one adjuvant, additive and/or an active ingredient.

The tank adjuvants and additives can be the same type of adjuvants or agriculturally acceptable inert additives added into the herbicidal composition, i.e. the tank additives may be chelating agents, thickeners, anti-foam agents, pH buffers, antifreeze agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, wetting agents or humectants, suspending agents, stabilizers, anti-oxidation agents, preservative agents, inverting agents, UV absorbers, binders, pigments, colorants or solvents; and the tank adjuvants may be safeners, spreading agents, plant penetrants (or translocators), compatibility agents, drift retardants, soil penetrants, stickers or fertilizers.

The tank active ingredients can be the same type of active ingredients added into the herbicidal composition. In case that the added active ingredient is a herbicide, the herbicide belongs to classes such as lipid synthesis inhibitors, ACCase inhibitors, very long chain fatty acid inhibitors, ALS inhibitors, photosynthesis PS II inhibitors, PS I electron diversion, protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors, pigment synthesis inhibitors, PDS inhibitors, 4-HPPD inhibitors, DOXP synthase inhibitors, EPSP synthase inhibitors, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, DHP inhibitors, microtubule assembly inhibitors, microtubule organization inhibitors, mitosis inhibitors, cellulose synthesis inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin transport inhibitors, uncouplers, fatty acid thioesterase inhibitors, serine-threonine protein phosphatase inhibitors, solanesyl diphosphate synthase inhibitors, homogentisate solanesyltransferase inhibitors, lycopene cyclase inhibitors, as well as herbicides with unknown modes of action.

Methods and Applications

The present document also discloses a method for the control of weeds, pests and/or diseases comprising contacting an effective amount of (a) indaziflam, (b) imazapyr, and (c) at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid, with at least a locus where the weed, pest and/or disease is to be controlled.

The plant in the method of the invention may be sugarcane, citrus trees like for example orange, lemon, lime, pomelo, grapefruit or mandarin; olive trees, vineyards, pome fruit trees like apple, pear, quince, medlar, or kiwi; stone fruit trees like for example peach, apricot, plum, nectarine, loquat, cherry, mango, blackberry or raspberry; nut trees like for example almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts or macadamia; banana trees, pineapples, cotton, tea, coffee, cacao, legumes like for example, lentils, beans, soybeans, chickpeas, peas, peanuts, lupin, mesquite, carob, alfalfa, clover, tamarind; thistles, rangelands or pastures for grazing, forestlands, rubber trees, pines, hardwood or angiosperm trees, and other non-crop areas, like for example, turf, lawn or green areas for parks, public or private gardens, sports grounds or arenas, roadsides, paths, rail tracks or industrial terrains.

The hardwood or angiosperm tree may be trees of the genera Acacia, Acer, Aesculus, Afzelia, Alnus, Androstachys, Atherosperma, Aucoumea, Berchemia, Betula, Brosimum, Bursers, Buxus, Castanea, Castanospermum, Caesalpinia, Carapa, Cardwellia, Carpinus, Catalpa, Cedrela, Ceratopetalum, Choricarpia, Chloroxylon, Chukrasia, Cinnamomum, Copaifera, Cardia, Cornus, Corymbia, Dalbergia, Diospyros, Distemonanthus, Entandrophragma, Eucalyptus, Eusideroxylon, Fagus, Fraxinus, Gossweilerodendron, Gleditsia, Grevillea, Guaiacum, Guarea, Handroanthus, Hopea, Hymenaea, Intsia, Jacaranda, Juglans, Khaya, Krugiodendron, Leitneria, Liguidambar, Liriodendron, Lyonothamnus, Magnolia, Malus, Marmaroxylon, Melia, Mesua, Microberlinia, Milicia, Nyssa, Ochroma, Ocotea, Olea, Olneya, Ostrya, Oxydendrum, Parrotia, Peltogyne, Platanus, Populus, Prunus, Pterocarpus, Quercus, Robinia, Salix, Santalum, Sassafras, Shorea, Spirostachys, Swietenia, Tabebuia, Tectona, Terminalia, Tilia, Toona, Triplochiton, Ulmus, and Umbellularia.

The method of the present disclosure may be a pre-emergence of the plant method of treatment of the weed, pest and/or disease to be controlled or a post-emergence of the plant method of treatment of the weed, pest and/or disease.

The herbicide active ingredients (a), (b) and (c) of the method of the present invention may be applied either simultaneously or sequentially, to the same or different parts of the locus, i.e. to the same or different parts of the plant, propagation material, soil, area adjacent to the plant, root, foliage and/or seed, such that the three herbicides (a), (b) and (c) may be applied as a tank mix, or as a ready mix, or separately in a simultaneous or sequential way.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 300 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 200 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha.

The total amount of (b) imazapyr in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 2000 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 300 g/ha to about 1500 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 400 g/ha to about 1200 g/ha. The total amount of (c) herbicide when it is flazasulfuron in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides flazasulfuron or non-crop areas, to the applied field, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 600 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 550 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 50 g/ha to about 500 g/ha.

The total amount of (c) herbicide when it is sulfentrazone in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 750 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 150 g/ha to about 600 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 500 g/ha.

The total amount of (c) herbicide when it is aminopyralid in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 250 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 25 g/ha to about 200 g/ha, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 300 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 2000 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 750 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 250 g/ha.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 200 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 300 g/ha to about 1500 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 550 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 150 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 25 g/ha to about 200 g/ha. The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 400 g/ha to about 1200 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 50 g/ha to about 550 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 500 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha.

The ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid in the method of the invention varies depending upon various conditions such as the type of the formulation, weather conditions, the type of plant and the type of weed. The ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from l:2:0.1 to 1:35:15, from l:3:0.3 to 1:30:12, from l:4:0.5 to 1:24:9.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 300 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 2000 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 100 g/ha to about 750 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 10 g/ha to about 250 g/ha; and the ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from l:2:0.1 to 1:35:15.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 200 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field, in a dosage range of about 300 g/ha to about 1500 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 20 g/ha to about 550 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 150 g/ha to about 600 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 25 g/ha to about 200 g/ha; and the ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from l:3:0.3 to 1:30:12.

The total amount of (a) indaziflam in the method of the present disclosure may be such that it provides indaziflam, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha; the total amount of (b) imazapyr may be such that it provides imazapyr, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 400 g/ha to about 1200 g/ha; and the total amount of (c) herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid may be such that it provides flazasulfuron, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 50 g/ha to about 500 g/ha; it provides sulfentrazone, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 200 g/ha to about 500 g/ha; or it provides aminopyralid, to the applied field or non-crop areas, in a dosage range of about 40 g/ha to about 150 g/ha; and the ratio by weight (a) indaziflam : (b) imazapyr : (c) herbicide may range from l:4:0.5 to 1:24:9.

The weed in the method of the present disclosure may be a monocotyledonous weed species selected from the group consisting of Aegilops, Agropyron, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Apera, Avena, Brachicaria, Bromus, Cynodon, Dactyloctenium, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleocharis, Eleusine, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Festuca, Fimbristylis, Heteranthera, Imperata, Ischaemum, , , , Leptochloa, Lolium, Monochoria, Panicum, Paspalum, Phalaris, Phleum, Poa, Rottboellia, Sagittaria, Scirpus, Setaria, Sorghum, and Cyperus species or a dicotyledonous weed species selected from the group consisting of Abutilon, Amaranthus, Ambrosia, Anoda, Anthemis, Aphanes, Artemisia, Atriplex, Bellis, Bidens, Capsella, Carduus, Cassia, Centaurea, Chenopodium, Cirsium, Convolvulus, Datura, Desmodium, Emex, Erigeron, Erodium, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Galeopsis, Galinsoga, Galium, Geranium, Hibiscus, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lamium, Lepidium, Lindernia, Matricaria, Mentha, Mercurialis, Mullugo, Myosotis, Papaver, Pharbitis, Plantago, Polygonum, Portulaca, Ranunculus, Raphanus, Rorippa, Rotala, Rumex, Salsola, Senecio, Sesbania, Sida, Sinapis, Solanum, Sonchus, Sphenoclea, Stellaria, Taraxacum, Thlaspi, Trifolium, Urtica, Veronica, Viola and Xanthium.

Kit-of-parts

The present document also discloses a kit-of-parts comprising a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprises: (a) a first component comprising at least indaziflam, (b) a second component comprising at least imazapyr, (c) a third component comprising at least one herbicide selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron, sulfentrazone or aminopyralid, and (d) an instruction manual comprising instructions to admix the components before being used.

In an embodiment, the kit-of-parts comprises a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprises: (a) a first component comprising at least indaziflam, (b) a second component comprising at least imazapyr, (c) a third component comprising at least flazasulfuron, and (d) an instruction manual comprising instructions to admix the components before being used.

In an embodiment, the kit-of-parts comprises a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprises: (a) a first component comprising at least indaziflam, (b) a second component comprising at least imazapyr, (c) a third component comprising at least sulfentrazone, and (d) an instruction manual comprising instructions to admix the components before being used.

In an embodiment, the kit-of-parts comprises a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprises: (a) a first component comprising at least indaziflam, (b) a second component comprising at least imazapyr, (c) a third component comprising at least aminopyralid, and (d) an instruction manual comprising instructions to admix the components before being used.

Example

Efficacy trials are conducted for a mixture of indaziflam, imazapyr and aminopyralid. Trials are conducted for the mixture of these 3 herbicides and for the 3 herbicides applied alone. The average of field covered by weeds versus control (i.e. field covered by weeds without any herbicide treatment) is measured 60 days after the application of the herbicide/s.

Indaziflam is applied with the commercial product Indaziflam 200SC Herbicide, marketed by Bayer, with an application rate of 0.22 l/ha. Imazapyr is applied with the commercial product Alligare Imazapyr 4 SL Herbicide, marketed by Alligare, with an application rate of 0.44 l/ha. Aminopyralid is applied with the commercial product Alligare Aminopyralid 2SL Herbicide, marketed by Alligare, with an application rate of 0.22 l/ha.

After application of the Colby Equation for 3 active ingredients, a synergistic effect of 16.2% is found.