A HERBICIDAL COMBINATION

The present invention relates to a method of controlling undesired vegetation in crops of useful plants, for example, monocotyledon crop plants, such as cereal crops, rice, corn, potatoes and sugar cane, by using a synergistic combination of compounds containing flumioxazin.

In crop protection products, it is desirable to increase the specific activity of an active ingredient and the reliability of action.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that a combination of variable amounts of at least two compounds (sometimes referred to as active ingredients) exhibits a synergistic action that is capable of controlling, either or both pre-emergence and post-emergence, the majority of undesired vegetation occurring especially in crops of useful plants without causing any appreciable damage to the useful plant.

The benefit of the invention, therefore, can be attained by allowing a combination of compounds to act on the undesired vegetation, or by allowing the individual compounds to act on the undesired vegetation, either by applying them simultaneously or in succession.

It has been found that certain combinations of flumioxazin are particularly effective in controlling undesired vegetation.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling undesired vegetation in crops of useful plants which comprises applying a combination comprising (A) flumioxazin and (B) one or more of prosulfocarb, pinoxaden, pendimethalin, diflufenican, flupyrsulfuron, mesosulfuron, triasulfuron, flufenacet and pyroxsulam, either simultaneously or in succession in any order, to the locus where control is desired, for example, on the undesired vegetation or the locus thereof.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a combination as defined the first aspect.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising (A) flumioxazin and (B) one or more of prosulfocarb, pinoxaden, pendimethalin, diflufenican, flupyrsulfuron, mesosulfuron, triasulfuron, flufenacet and pyroxsulam, and optionally one or more customary formulation auxiliaries.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises (i) flumioxazin and prosulfocarb; (ii) flumioxazin, prosulfocarb and pendimethalin; (iii) flumioxazin and diflufenican; (iv) flumioxazin and pendimethalin, (v) flumioxazin, prosulfocarb and diflufenican; (vi) flumioxazin and flupyrsulfuron; (vii) flumioxazin and mesosulfuron; (viii) flumioxazin and triasulfuron; (ix) flumioxazin and flufenacet; (x) flumioxazin and pyroxsulam; or (xi) flumioxazin and pinoxaden, wherein any one of (i) to (x) optionally further comprises pinoxaden.

In a preferred embodiment the combination comprises flumioxazin and prosulfocarb and optionally pinoxaden

In a further embodiment, each combination comprises one or more further pesticides, such as herbicides.

In an embodiment of each aspect of the present invention, one or more compounds of formulae S-I to S-X below are used in each combination with the active ingredients of the present invention. Compounds of formulae S-I to S-X are suitable for the protection of useful plants against the phytotoxic action of a certain herbicides (e.g., pinoxaden, triasulfuron).

A compound of formula S-I:

wherein

Xs ₁ is hydrogen or halogen and

Rs ₁ is hydrogen, C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyl, C ₃ -C ₈ alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, Ci-Csalkyl, or C _r C ₈ alkoxy- or C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyloxy-substituted d-Cgalkyl, or

Rs i is a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium, such cations being described e.g. in WO 02/034048;

a compound of formula S-II:

wherein E ₁ is nitrogen or methine, the substituents Xs ₁ are each independently of the other hydrogen or halogen, and Rsi is hydrogen, C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyl, C ₃ -C ₈ alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, d-C ₈ alkyl, or Ci-C ₈ alkoxy- or C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyloxy-substituted d-C ₈ alkyl, or Rsi is a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium:

a compound of formula S-III:

wherein the substituents Xsi are each independently of the other hydrogen or halogen, and the substituents Rs i are each independently of the other hydrogen, C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyl, C ₃ -C ₈ - alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, d-C ₈ alkyl, or Ci-C ₈ alkoxy- or C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyloxy-substituted Ci-C ₈ alkyl, or the substituents Rsi are a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium;

a compound of formula S-IV:

wherein Rsi is hydrogen, C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyl, C ₃ -C ₈ alkynyl, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, d-C ₈ alkyl, or Ci-Cgalkoxy- or CrCgalkenyloxy-substituted Ci-C ₈ alkyl, or Rsi is a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium;

a compound of formula S-V:

wherein Rs ₂ and Rs ₃ are each independently of the other Ci-C ₈ alkyl, C ₂ -C ₈ alkenyl or C ₃ -C ₈ - cycloalkyl, or Rs ₂ and Rs ₃ together form a radical of formula

wherein Rs ₄ and Rss are each independently of the other hydrogen or Ci-Csalkyl, or Rs ₂ and

Rs«

Rs ₃ together form a radical of formula , wherein Rs ₇ and Rs ₈ are each

independently of the other Ci-C ₆ alkyl, or Rs ₇ and Rs ₈ together form -(CH ₂ )S-, and Rs ₆ is hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl;

a compound of formula S-VI:

wherein RS ₉ is hydrogen or halogen and Rsi ₀ is cyano or trifluoromethyl;

a compound of formula S-VII:

wherein Rs ₁₁ is hydrogen or methyl;

a compound of formula S-VIII:

wherein sn is 0 or 1,

Rs _]2 is hydrogen, C _r C ₈ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyl, C ₃ -C ₈ alkynyl or -N(-Rs ₁₃ - Rs ₁₄ ), wherein Rs ₁₃ and Rs ₁₄ are each independently of the other hydrogen, Q-Csalkyl,

C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyl or C ₃ -C ₈ alkynyl, or Rsn and Rsi ₄ together form a C ₄ -

C ₆ alkylene group which maybe interrupted by oxygen, sulfur, SO, SO ₂ , NH or by N(C ₁ -

C ₄ alkyl);

Rs] ₅ is hydrogen or a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium,

Rsi ₆ is hydrogen, halogen, Ci-C ₈ alkyl or methoxy and

Rs ₁₇ is hydrogen, halogen, d-Qalkyl, trifluoromethyl or Ci-C ₈ alkoxy;

a compound of formula S-IX:

a compound of formula S-X:

wherein Rsi ₈ is benzyl, hydrogen, Cj-Cgalkenyl, Ca-Csalkynyl, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, Ci-C ₈ alkyl, or Ci-C ₈ alkoxy- or C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyloxy-substituted Ci-C ₈ alkyl, or Rs ₁₈ is a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium.

The safeners of formulae S-I to S-X are known and are described e.g. in US-A-5,041,157, US-A-5,541,148, US-A-5,006,656, EP-A-O 094 349, EP-A-O 551 650, EP-A-O 268 554, EP- A-O 375 061, EP-A-O 174 562, EP-A-492 366, WO 91/7874, WO 94/987, DE-A-196 12 943, WO 96/29870, WO 98/13361, WO 98/39297, WO 98/27049, EP-A-O 716 073, EP-A-O 613 618, US-A-5,597,776, EP-A-O 430 004, WO 97/45016, WO 99/16744 and WO 03/02205.

Preferred safeners correspond to formula S-Ll

wherein Rs ₁ is hydrogen, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloalkyl, Ci-C ₈ alkyl, or Ci-C ₈ alkoxy- or C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyloxy- substituted Q-Cgalkyl, or Rs ₁ is a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium,

formula S-ILl

wherein Rs ₁ is Ci-C ₈ alkyl, or C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyloxy-substituted Ci-C ₈ alkyl,

formula S-πi.l

wherein the substituents Rs ₁ are each independently of the other Ci-Csalkyl, or CrCsalkenyloxy-substituted Ci-C ₈ alkyl,

formula S-IV.1

wherein Rsi is Q-Csalkyl, or C ₃ -C ₈ alkenyloxy-substituted Ci-Csalkyl,

formula S-V.1

wherein Rs ₂ and Rs ₃ are each independently of the other C ₂ -Csalkenyl, or Rs ₂ and Rs together form a radical , wherein Rs ₅ is hydrogen or Ci-C ₄ alkyl, or Rs ₂

Rs _c and Rs ₃ together form a radical of formula , wherein Rs ₇ and Rs ₈ are each

independently of the other Ci-Gialkyl, or Rs ₇ and Rsg together form -(CH ₂ )s-, and

Rs ₆ is hydrogen,

wherein R.S ₉ is hydrogen or chlorine and Rs _1O is cyano or trifluoromethyl,

formula S-VILl

wherein Rs n is hydrogen or methyl,

formula S-VIII.1

wherein Rs ₁₃ and RS _H are each independently of the other hydrogen, d-C ₄ alkyl, C ₃ -Cόcycloalkyl, CrCβalkenyl or C ₃ -C ₆ alkynyl, or Rs ₁₃ and Rs ₁₄ together form a C ₄ -C ₆ - alkylene group, Rsi ₅ is hydrogen or a cation selected from the group of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, iron, copper, aluminium, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium, Rs ₁₆ is hydrogen, CpC ₆ alkyl or methoxy and Rsπ is hydrogen, d-Cόalkyl or Ci-C ₆ alkoxy,

formula S-IX.1

and formula S -X.I

wherein Rsis is benzyl, Ci-Cgalkyl, or C ₃ -Csalkenyloxy-substituted Ci-Csalkyl.

Especially preferred safeners of formula S-Ll are cloquintocet-mexyl (CAS RN 99607-70-2) or sulfonium and phosphonium salts thereof, such as are known from WO 02/34048, of formula S-ILl fenchlorazole-ethyl (CAS RN 103112-35-2, and CAS RN 103112-36-3 for the corresponding acid), of formula S-HLl mefenpyr-diethyl (CAS RN 135590-91-9, and CAS RN 135591-00-3 for the corresponding di-acid), of formula S-IV.l isoxadifen-ethyl (CAS RN 163520-33-0, and CAS RN 209866-92-2 for the corresponding acid), of formula S-V.l furilazole (CAS RN 121776-33-8, and CAS RN 121776-57-6 for the corresponding R isomer), benoxacor (CAS RN 98730-04-2) and dichlormid (CAS RN 37764-25-3), of formula S-VLl oxabetrinil (CAS RN 74782-23-3) and cyometrinil (CAS RN 78370-21-5, and CAS RN 63278-33-1 for the corresponding (Z) isomer), of formula S-VII.1 fenclorim (CAS RN 3740-92-9), of formula S-VIII.1 N-cycloproρyl-4-(2-methoxy-benzoylsulfamoyl)- benzamide (CAS RN 221667-31 -8) and N-isopropyl-4-(2-methoxy-benzoylsulfamoyl)- benzamide (CAS RN 221668-34-4), of formula S-IX.1 naphthalic anhydride (CAS RN 81- 84-5) and of formula S-X.1 flurazole (CAS RN 72850-64-7).

A preferred combination comprises (a) flumioxazin and prosulfocarb, optionally further comprising pinoxaden and/ or one or more safeners; (β) flumioxazin, pinoxaden, optionally one or more safeners; and (χ) flumioxazin and triasulfuron, optionally comprising pinoxaden and/ or one or more safeners.

In an embodiment of each aspect, the following combinations are excluded from the scope of the invention, especially, in the form of a tank-mixture or method of application in succession of the active ingredients in the mixture: flumioxazin, diflufenican and flufenacet; flumioxazin and pendimethalin; flumioxazin, pendimethalin and picolinafen; or flumioxazin, pendimethalin and flufenacet, are

It is surprising that combinations of the specific compounds defined in the first aspect exceed that expected from additive action of the individual compounds used alone on the undesired vegetation and thus broaden the range of action of the compounds especially in two respects: firstly, the rates of application of the individual compounds are reduced while a good level of action is maintained and, secondly, the combinations according to the invention achieves a high level of undesired vegetation control also in those cases where the individual compounds, in the range of low rates of application, have become useless from the agronomic standpoint. Further, the result may be a considerable broadening of the spectrum of undesired vegetation controlled by the compounds. The combination according to the invention, while retaining excellent control of undesired vegetation in useful plants, also allows greater flexibility in succeeding crops.

The term "crops of useful plants" is to be understood as plants that have a value (e.g., monetary value) to a grower and includes those, which have been made tolerant to compounds or classes of compounds as a result of conventional methods of breeding or genetic engineering. The term "plant" as used herein includes seedlings, bushes and trees. Undesired vegetation are those plants that affect the growth and quality of the useful plants and examples include grasses and broad-leaved weeds. A herbicidally effective amount of the combinations of the active ingredients are applied on appropriate areas for controlling the undesired vegetation to allow them to act on the undesired vegetation or the area of cultivation of the crop plants. Areas of cultivation are areas of land on which the crop plants are already growing or in which the seed material of those crop plants has been sown, and also land on which it is intended to grow those crop plants.

The control of the undesired vegetation ensures satisfactory crop yield and quality, and the grower of the crop has often to balance the costs associated with the use of compounds with the resulting yield, but generally an increase of, for example, at least 5% yield of a crop which has undergone compound treatment compared with an untreated crop is considered control by the compound.

The combination according to the invention can be used against a large number of agronomically important undesired vegetation, such as grass weeds, e.g., Alopecurus species,

Poa- species, Apera- species, Avena spp., Lolium -species, Bromus-species, Echinochloa spp., Leptochloa spp., Digitaria spp., Phalaris spp., Setaria spp., Brachiaria spp., and Ischeamum spp.; broad-leaved weeds, such as Gallium spp., Lamium spp., Geranium spp. (e.g., Geranium rotundifolium), Solanum spp., Veronica spp., Viola spp. (e.g., Viola tricolor), Alchemilla spp., Kochia spp., Stellaria spp., Polygonum spp., Matricaria spp.,

Chenocpodium spp., Aethusa cynapum, Amaranthus spp., Galinsoga spp., Monochoria spp., Lindernia spp., Anthemis spp., Sinapis spp., Raphanus spp., Papaver spp., Capsella spp., Rotala spp., Butomus spp., Limnocharis spp., Sphenoclea spp., Commelina spp., Ludwigia spp., Bidens pilosa, Elatine spp., and Kickxia spp.; and the combination also controls annual and perennial sedges, e.g., Scirpus spp. (e..g., Scirpus juncoides), Sagittaria spp., Cyperus spp., Eleocharis spp. and Fimbristylis spp.. The combination of the present invention provides particularly good control of Alopecurus species.

In particular, the each of the combinations according to the first aspect can be used against ALS-resistant weeds and/or ACCase-resistant weeds in crops of useful plants, for example in crops of rice, cereals and maize. Examples of ALS resistant weeds, for example in rice, are Echinocloa grass galli, Elatine triandria, Lindernia spp., Scirpus juncoides, Monochoria vaginalis, Monochoria korsakowaii; and in cereals, are Alopecurus myr., Chenopodium album, Amaranthus spp., Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis spp., Kochia spp.. Examples of Accase resistant weeds, for example in rice, are Echinochloa crus-galli and Brachiaria spp.; and in cereals, are Alopecurus myr., Lolium spp., Avena spp., Apera spp..

The combination according to the invention is suitable for all methods of application conventionally used in agriculture, e.g., pre-emergence application, and post-emergence application. The combination according to the invention is suitable especially for controlling undesired vegetation in crops of useful plants, such as monocotyledon crops, for example: - cereal crops - where examples of undesired vegetation include Alopecurus species, Poa- species, Apera- species, Avena spp., Lolium -species, Bromus-species, Fumaria spp., Myosotis spp., Thlaspi spp., Phalaris spp., Gallium spp., Geranium spp. (e.g., Geranium rotundifolium), Veronica spp., Viola spp. (e.g., Viola tricolor), Lamium spp., Stellaria spp., Polygonum spp., Aethusa cynapum, Alchemilla spp., Kochia spp., Matricaria spp.,

Anthemis spp., Papaver spp., Myosotis spp., Thlaspi spp., Capsella spp., Chenocpodium spp. and Kickxia spp.;

- rice crops - where examples of undesired vegetation include Echinochloa spp., Leptochloa spp. Digitaria spp. Setaria spp. Brachiaria spp., and Ischeamum spp., Monochoria spp.,

Lindernia spp., Ludwigia spp., Elatine spp., Scirpus spp. (e.g., Scirpus juncoides), Cyperus spp., Eleocharis spp. Butomus spp., Rotala spp., Commelina spp., Limnocharis spp., Sphenoclea spp., Sagittaria spp., Bidens pilosa, and Fimbristylis spp.;

- corn - where examples of undesired vegetation include Echinochloa spp., Digitaria spp.,

Setaria spp., Cyperus spp., Kochia spp., Matricaria spp., Chenocpodium ppp., Solanum spp., Polygonum spp., Amaranthus spp., and Galinsoga spp.; and

- sugar cane - where examples of undesired vegetation include Echinochloa spp., Digitaria spp., Setaria spp., Brachiaria spp., Kochia spp. and Amarathus spp..

The combination is especially preferred for controlling undesired vegetation in cereal or graminaceous crops.

The amount of compounds (A) and (B) used in the combination according to the present invention is such that a herbicidal and synergistic activity is demonstrated and is generally in any effective mixing ratio, but usually an excess of compound (A) is present over compound (B). In an embodiment, the weight ratio of compound (A) to compound (B) is in the range of from 1:1000 to 1 :10, preferably 1 : 700 to 1 :20, especially 1:450 to 1:50.

The combination according to the invention is suitable for all methods of application conventionally used in agriculture, e.g. , pre-emergence application, and post-emergence application.

The rate of application may vary within wide limits and depends on the nature of the soil, the method of application (pre- or post-emergence, etc.), the crop plant, the undesired vegetation to be controlled, the prevailing climatic conditions, and other factors governed by the method

of application, the time of application and the target crop. The active ingredient mixture according to the invention can generally be applied at a rate of from 0.01 to 10, preferably 0.1 to 7, especially 1 to 5, kg per ha. In the event the compounds are applied separately, the total amount applied is the same with the individual compounds applied on the basis of the mixing mentioned above.

In the instance the combination is flumioxazin and prosulfocarb, the application rate can, independent of each other, be 1 to 1000, preferably 2 to 500, more preferably 5 to 200, g per ha of flumioxazin, and 10 to 10000, preferably 100 to 8000, more preferably 500 to 5000, g per ha of prosulfocarb.

In the instance the combination is flumioxazin and pinoxaden, the application rate can, independent of each other, be 1 to 1000, preferably 2 to 500, more preferably 5 to 200, g per ha of flumioxazin, and 1 to 500, preferably 10 to 300, more preferably 50 to 100, g per ha of pinoxaden.

In the instance the combination is flumioxazin and triasulfuron, the application rate can, independent of each other, be 1 to 1000, preferably 2 to 500, more preferably 5 to 200, g per ha of flumioxazin, and 1 to 500, preferably 2 to 300, more preferably 5 to 100, g per ha of triasulfuron.

Whether the combination according to the invention is used as a composition comprising compounds (A) and (B) or used as individual compounds either simultaneously or in succession, the compounds may be employed in unmodified form, i.e., as obtained in synthesis, but are generally used in a formulation, formulated together with the adjuvants conventionally used in formulation technology (also known as formulation auxiliaries), such as solvents, solid carriers or surfactants, for example, into emulsifiable concentrates, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granules or microcapsules, as described in WO 97/34483, pages 9 to 13. As with the nature of the formulation, the methods of application, such as spraying, atomising, dusting, wetting, scattering or pouring, are chosen in accordance with the intended objectives and the prevailing circumstances. The formulations can be prepared in a known manner, e.g., by

intimately mixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with the formulation adjuvants, e.g., solvents or solid carriers. In addition, surface-active compounds (surfactants) may also be used in the preparation of the formulations.

Examples of solvents and solid carriers are given, for example, in WO 97/34485, page 6. Depending on the nature of the active ingredients to be formulated, suitable surface-active compounds are non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic surfactants and surfactant mixtures having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties. Examples of suitable anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactants are listed, for example, in WO 97/34485, pages 7 and 8. Also suitable for the preparation of the herbicidal compositions according to the invention are the surfactants conventionally employed in formulation technology, which are described, inter alia, in "McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual" MC Publishing Corp., Ridgewood New Jersey, 1981, Stache, H., "Tensid-Taschenbuch", Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich/Vienna, 1981 and M. and J. Ash, "Encyclopedia of Surfactants", VoI I-IH, Chemical Publishing Co., New York, 1980-81.

The herbicidal formulations usually contain from 0.1 to 99 % by weight, especially from 0.1 to 95 % by weight, of active ingredient, from 0 to 25 % by weight, especially from 0.1 to 25 % by weight, of a surfactant, and the balance a solid or liquid formulation adjuvant.

Whereas commercial products are usually formulated as concentrates (also known as pre- mix), the end user will normally employ dilute formulations. The compositions may also comprise further ingredients, such as stabilisers, e.g., vegetable oils or epoxidised vegetable oils (epoxidised coconut oil, rapeseed oil or soybean oil), antifoams, e.g., silicone oil, preservatives, viscosity regulators, binders, tackifiers and also fertilisers or other active ingredients.

Preferred formulations have especially the following compositions: (% = percent by weight)

Emulsifiable concentrates: active ingredient mixture: 1 to 90 %, preferably 5 to 20 % surfactant: 1 to 30 %, preferably 10 to 20 % liquid carrier: balance

Dusts: active ingredient mixture: 0.1 to 10 %, preferably 0.1 to 5 % solid carrier: 99.9 to 90 %, preferably 99.9 to 95 %

Suspension concentrates: active ingredient mixture: 5 to 75 %, preferably 10 to 50 % water: 94 to 24 %, preferably 88 to 30 % surfactant: balance

Wettable powders: active ingredient mixture: 0.5 to 90 %, preferably 1 to 80 % surfactant: 0.5 to 20 %, preferably 1 to 15 % solid carrier: balance

Granules: active ingredient mixture: 0.1 to 30 %, preferably 0.5 to 15 % solid carrier: 99.9 to 70 %, preferably 99.5 to 85 %

Examples are specific formulations include:

Fl. Emulsifiable concentrates a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 5 % 10 % 25 % 50 % calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 6 % 8 % 6 % 8 % castor oil polyglycol ether 4 % 4 % 4 %

(36 mol of ethylene oxide) octylphenol polyglycol ether 4 % 2 % (7-8 mol of ethylene oxide)

cyclohexanone 10 % 20 % arom. hydrocarbon mixture 85 % 78 % 55 % 16 %

Emulsions of any desired concentration can be obtained from such concentrates by dilution with water.

F2. Solutions a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 5% 10% 50% 90% l-methoxy-3-(3-methoxy- propoxy)-propane - 20% 20% - polyethylene glycol MW 400 20% 10% - -

N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone - - 30% 10% arom. hydrocarbon mixture 75% 60% - -

Cg-C ₁₂

The solutions are suitable for use in the form of microdrops.

F3. Wettable powders a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 5% 25% 50% 80% sodium lignosulfonate 4% - 3% sodium lauryl sulfate 2% 3% 4% sodium diisobutylnaphthalene- sulfonate - 6% 5% 6% octylphenol polyglycol ether - 1% 2%

(7-8 mol of ethylene oxide) highly dispersed silicic acid 1% 3% 5% 10% kaolin 88% 62% 35%

The active ingredient is mixed thoroughly with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettable powders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of any desired concentration.

F4. Coated granules a) b) c) active ingredient mixture 0.1 % 5% 15% highly dispersed silicic acid 0.9 % 2% 2% inorganic carrier 99.0 % 93% 83%

(diameter 0.1-1 mm) e.g., CaCO ₃ or SiO ₂

The active ingredient is dissolved in methylene chloride and applied to the carrier by spraying, and the solvent is then evaporated off in vacuo.

F5. Coated granules a) b) c) active ingredient mixture 0.1 % 5% 15% polyethylene glycol MW 200 1.0% 2% 3% highly dispersed silicic acid 0.9 % 1% 2% inorganic carrier 98.0 % 92% 80%

(diameter 0.1 - 1 mm) e.g., CaCO ₃ or SiO ₂

The finely ground active ingredient is uniformly applied, in a mixer, to the carrier moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granules are obtained in this manner.

F6. Extruder granules a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 0.1 % 3% 5% 15% sodium lignosulfonate 1.5% 2% 3% 4% carboxymethylcellulose 1.4% 2% 2% 2% kaolin 97.0 % 93% 90% 79%

The active ingredient is mixed and ground with the adjuvants, and the mixture is moistened with water. The mixture is extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

F7. Dusts a) b) C) active ingredient mixture 0.1 % 1% 5% talcum 39.9 % 49% 35% kaolin 60.0 % 50% 60%

Ready-to-use dusts are obtained by mixing the active ingredient with the carriers and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill.

F8. Suspension concentrates a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 3% 10% 25% 50% ethylene glycol 5% 5% 5% 5% nonylphenol polyglycol ether - 1% 2% - (15 mol of ethylene oxide) sodium lignosulfonate 3% 3% 4% 5% carboxymethylcellulose 1% 1% 1% 1% 37 % aqueous formaldehyde 0.2 % 0.2 % 0.2 % 0.2 % solution silicone oil emulsion 0.8 % 0.8 % 0.8 % 0.8 % water 87% 79% 62% 38%

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with the adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired concentration can be obtained by dilution with water.

It is often more practical for the active ingredients of the combinations according to the invention to be formulated separately and to be brought together in the desired mixing ratio in the applicator in the form of a "tank mixture" in water shortly before application. Alternatively, a pre-mix composition containing compounds (A) and (B) are formulated together.

Accordingly, the composition according to the third aspect includes formulations of any nature (e.g., emulsifiable concentrate, suspension concentrates, wettable powders) and can be prepared as a specific formulation of compounds (A) and (B) or prepared from the individual formulated compounds in a container, e.g., tank mixture.

The application of the compounds on the area where control is desired or the locus thereof can be achieved by applying the compounds (A) and (B) defined in the first aspect, generally after dilution, by, for example, spray or broadcast methods.

The time elapse between application of each compound to the area where control is desired should be such that both compounds are able to act synergistically on the undesired vegetation. The order of the compounds, in the event the application of the compounds is in succession, is not critical, although preferred is compound (A) followed by compound (B). The second compound is applied within preferably 2, more preferably 1, especially 0.5, days of the first compound.

hi each aspect and embodiment of the invention, "consisting essentially" and inflections thereof are a preferred embodiment of "comprising" and its inflections, and "consisting of and inflections thereof are a preferred embodiment of "consisting essentially of and its inflections.

The pesticides having a common name are described either in the e-Pesticide Manual, version 3.0, 13th Edition, Ed. CDC Tomlin, British Crop Protection Council, 2003-04.

Biological Examples

Seeds of a variety of test species were sown in standard soil. After cultivation for six days (peri-emergence) under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16 ⁰ C, day/night; 14 hours light; 65 % humidity), the plants were sprayed with an aqueous spray solution comprising the technical active ingredient(s).

The test plants were then grown in a glasshouse under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16 ⁰ C, day/night; 14 hours light; 65 % humidity) and watered twice daily. After 14 days, the test was evaluated (100 = total damage to plant; 0 = no damage to plant).

TRZA W = Tritcum aestivum, HORVW - Hordeum vulgare, LOLMU = Lolium multiflorum, A VEFA = Avenafatua, ALOMY = Alopecums myosuroides, APESV = Apera spica-venti, POAAN = Poa annua, VERPE = Veronica persicae, GALAP = Galium aparine