Title: HERBICIDAL COMBINATIONS, COMPOSITIONS AND

METHODS FOR CONTROLLING WEEDS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a herbicidal combination comprising L-glufosinate or salts thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. The present disclosure further relates to a herbicidal composition comprising L-glufosinate or salts thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. The present disclosure additionally relates to methods of controlling weeds.

BACKGROUND

Herbicides are pesticides useful for killing or controlling unwanted plants. Generally, there are two kinds of herbicides- selective and non-selective. Selective herbicides kill certain target weeds while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed, while non-selective herbicides kill weeds and crops. Profitable crop production depends on effective weed control as weeds can reduce field crop yields by competing with crops for water, sunlight, and nutrients.

Effective weed control can be achieved by appropriate use of herbicides. The herbicide activity can be enhanced in various ways to achieve maximum benefit. One of the ways to enhance activity is to use herbicide combinations. However, identifying appropriate combinations, their agrochemical application rates, and ratio of combination of actives is essential to achieve efficacious weed control. The selection of a particular formulation type is more cumbersome for an agrochemical combination. Thus, herbicides play an important role for weed control in crop growth. Applying combinations of herbicidal compounds may enhance their efficacy in weed control.

Glufosinate (phosphinothricin; DL-homoalanin-4-yl(methyl)phosphinic acid) is a racemic phosphinico amino acid. Its ammonium salt (glufosinate-ammonium) is widely used as a non-selective herbicide and is an active ingredient for many commercial herbicide formulations. The herbicidally active L-isomer of glufosinate is a structural analogue of glutamate and, therefore, is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) of bacteria and plants. The D-isomer is not a GS inhibitor and is not herbicidally active. It is known that the properties of the permeable herbicide glufosinate are effects caused by an L-isomer of glufosinate.

Glufosinate is a contact herbicide and is taken up by the plant, primarily through leaves, there is no uptake from soil through roots, presumably because of rapid degradation of glufosinate by soil micro-organisms. It has a wide spectrum of activity encompassing monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species. However, due to its limited systemic action, there is no enduring effect on perennial weeds. Hoechst et al., in 1991, reported examples of weed species that are not, or only weakly, combated by glufosinate are Viola arvensis, Bromus spp., Lolium spp., Agropyron repens and Urtica urens. Moreover, weeds emerging after herbicide application are not affected.

Pelargonic acid (PA) (CHs CTL^CChH, n-nonanoic acid) is a saturated, nine- carbon fatty acid (C9:0) naturally occurring ester in the essential oil of Pelargonium spp. They are applied as contact bumdown herbicides, which attack cell membranes causing cell leakage followed by membrane acyl lipids breakdown. Nonanoic acid (pelargonic acid) a non- selective, broad-spectrum foliar herbicide that can be used to control plant growth during emergence. Nonanoic acid is active against a broad spectrum of annual and perennial weeds, mono and dicotyledons, algae and mosses. Its herbicidal activity is typically in post-emergence weed control, that is contact activity at foliar level.

US Patent Publication No. 2022/0000106 discloses a herbicidal composition comprising a glutamine synthetase inhibitor, i.e. glufosinate and pelargonic acid (nonanoic acid). The application amount of pelargonic acid is considerably higher than that of glufosinate, causing issues relating to herbicide antagonism and phytotoxicity. The emphasis on increased pelargonic acid amounts compared to glufosinate is substantiated in the examples of the said literature. The amount of pelargonic acid used in US’ 106 ranges from 3.2 to 6.4 oz/gal (4723 g/ha to 9446 g/ha).

Pelargonic acid generally acts as a contact desiccant on aerial parts of weeds to which it is applied. Its phytotoxic effects are visible in a very short time after spraying and the symptoms affect plants and their cells, which rapidly begin to oxidize, and necrotic lesions are observed on aerial parts of plants.

Herbicides may not always result in the desired effect. Combinations of herbicides may result in an additive effect or an antagonistic effect. It may also result in phytotoxicity to crops, thus making it an undesirable mode of weed control. Consequently, herbicides need to be carefully selected so that they can be combined to offer an effect in weed control while having no phytotoxic effect on the crop and reducing chances of weeds developing resistance to a herbicide.

There is, therefore, an urgent need in the art for selection of a herbicide combination that has advantageous properties such as weed resistance management, reduction of phytotoxicity in crops, reduction of herbicide dosages and has excellent residual effects.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

With limitations on individual efficacies of the existing herbicides in terms of activity and target, there was an underlying need for an effective herbicide combination which overcomes the previously known shortcomings of the solo active ingredients. There remains a great need for improved control of broadleaf weeds, sedges and grassy weed control, compositions and a method of controlling such noxious vegetation in pre- and post-emergence crops without adversely affecting desirable plants, and which reduces the amount of chemical herbicidal agent necessary to obtain the acceptable weed control.

Thus, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a herbicide combination for efficient weed control, weed suppression and eradication with reduced phytotoxicity. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a herbicide combination/composition for on-crop application to control or inhibit or kill weeds.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination/composition to control, suppress or prevent a wide spectrum of weeds and target plants, both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous weeds, broad-leaved weeds, sedges, and grassy weeds.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a herbicidal combination/composition which is safe to use, effective and can be applied at preemergence, post-emergence or at the time of sowing.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method of controlling or inhibiting or killing a wide spectrum of weeds including dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous weeds, broad-leaved weeds, sedges, and grassy weeds by applying a herbicidal combination or a composition.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method of controlling resistant varieties of weeds with a suitable herbicidal mixture.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising an isomer of glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

The isomer of glufosinate is the L-isomer of glufosinate.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the application rate or application amount of nonanoic acid is considerably reduced to eliminate the phytotoxic effects and the antagonism of the actives of the said combination. The application rate or application amount of nonanoic acid is considerably reduced by at least 1% to at least 90% of the standard application practices or from practices known in the art to eliminate the phytotoxic effects of the herbicide combination.

In an embodiment, the application amount or application rate of nonanoic acid is lesser than that of glufosinate.

In an aspect, the phytotoxic effects of the herbicidal combination are reduced or negligible without a reduction in the herbicidal efficacy of the combination.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof and an agrochemically acceptable excipient.

An aspect of the present disclosure also provides a process for preparing a herbicidal composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds comprising applying to a crop or a locus thereof, a herbicidal combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

An aspect of the present disclosure also provides a method of controlling weeds comprising applying to a crop or a locus thereof, a herbicidal composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides use of a herbicidal combination or a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof for effective control of weeds.

An aspect of the present disclosure also provides a kit-of-parts comprising a component of L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and another component of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. The components may be mixed at the time of application as per the given set of instructions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of material s/ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about" and is meant to encompass variations of ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, ± 0.5%, or even ± 0.1% of the specified value as well as the specified value.

Thus, before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control. It should be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.

As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

As used herein, the terms ‘nonanoic acid’ and pelargonic acid are used interchangeably.

The term “herbicide” as used herein means an active ingredient that kills, controls or otherwise adversely modifies the growth of plants. As used herein, a herbicidally effective or vegetation controlling amount is an amount of active ingredient that causes a “herbicidal effect,” i.e., an adversely modifying effect and includes deviations from natural development, killing, regulation, desiccation, retardation, and methods known to a person skilled in the art.

The terms “plants” and “vegetation” include, but are not limited to, germinant seeds, emerging seedlings, plants emerging from vegetative propagules, and established vegetation.

The term “weed” refers to unwanted vegetation and includes any plant which grows where it is not wanted, including pesticide resistant plants. In the broadest sense, the term "weed" refers to plants which grow in locations in which they are not desired. In other words, a “weed” is a plant in which in the context of a crop is undesirable due to competition with the crop for water, nutrients, sunlight, soil, etc. The term may also refer to crop plants which are undesirable at a particular location.

The terms "undesirable vegetation", "harmful plants", "unwanted plants", "weeds and "weed species", as used herein, are synonyms. Typically, the combinations/compositions of the present disclosure are applied to the targeted weeds or to their locus or to the crop/plant.

The term “locus” of a crop/plant as used herein shall denote the vicinity of a desired crop in which weed control, typically selective weed control is desired. The locus includes the vicinity of desired crop plants, wherein the weed infestation has either emerged or is yet to emerge.

The term “crop” shall include a multitude of desired crop plants or an individual crop plant growing at a locus. The locus could be a weed, an area adjacent to the weed, soil adapted to support growth of the weed, a root of the weed and/or foliage of the weed.

The terms “g a.i./L” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” present “per litre” of the composition. The terms “g a.i./L”, “g a.i./L” and “g/L” may be used interchangeably.

The terms “g a.i./ha” as used herein denotes the application amount of the respective active ingredient in “grams” applied “per hectare” of the crop field. The terms “g ai/ha”, “g a.i./ha” and “g/ha” may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term “L-glufosinate” or “L isomer of glufosinate” are synonymous and interchangeable and also includes salts and ester forms of L- glufosinate. The L isomer of glufosinate is a structural analogue of glutamate and, therefore, is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) in bacteria and plants. The L isomer, also called as L enantiomer, of glufosinate acts by inhibition of glutamine synthetase thereby causing accumulation of toxic levels of ammonium ion and indirectly stopping photosynthesis. It is also known as phosphinothricin or (S)-2-amino-4-(hydroxy(methyl)phosphonoyl)butanoic acid. The term L-glufosinate can generically refer to any form of L-glufosinate such as solvates, hydrates, esters, anhydrous form, polymorphic forms, pseudo polymorphic forms, amorphous form or mixture thereof, and sodium, potassium or ammonium salts. The salts of L-glufosinate such as monosodium salt, disodium salt, monopotassium salt, dipotassium salt, calcium salt, ammonium salt, - NH ₃ (CH ₃ ) ⁺ salt, -NH ₂ (CH ₃ ) ²⁺ salt, -NH(CH ₃ ) ³⁺ salt, -NH(CH ₃ ) ₂ (C ₂ H ₄ OH) ⁺ salt, and -NH ₂ (CH ₃ )(C ₂ H4OH) ⁺ salt are included in the definition. The agronomically acceptable salts include L-glufosinate-ammonium, L-glufosinate-sodium, and L- glufosinate-potassium. The term may also refer to an isomeric (racemic) mixture of L-glufosinate, D-glufosinate and salts thereof, wherein the content of L-glufosinate in the mixture is about 70% or greater, preferably about 80% or greater and more preferably about 90% or greater. Typically, the ratio of L-glufosinate: D-glufosinate can be in the range from about 95:5 to about 99.9:0.1.

The term ‘L-glufosinate’ and ‘glufosinate-P’ have been used interchangeably in the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, the application amount of nonanoic acid or pelargonic acid as per standard practices known in the art is presumed to be referred from US Patent Publication No. 2022/0000106, which discloses the amount of pelargonic ranging from 3.2 to 6.4 oz/gal (4723 g/ha to 9446 g/ha).

In any aspect or embodiment described hereinbelow, the phrase “comprising” may be replaced by the phrases “consisting of or “consisting essentially of or “consisting substantially of . In these aspects or embodiments, the combination or composition described includes or comprises or consists of or consists essentially of or consists substantially of the specific components recited therein, to the exclusion of other herbicides or fungicides or insecticide or plant growth promoting agents or adjuvants, or excipients not specifically recited therein.

In the present disclosure, surprising and unexpected advantages on combining L- glufosinate with nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof have been found to provide an efficient solution for weed control.

An effective weed control can be achieved by usage of herbicides appropriately. The activity of herbicides can be enhanced in various ways to achieve the maximum benefit. One of the ways is to use herbicides with different herbicidal combinations. However, identifying appropriate combinations, their agrochemical application rates, and ratio of the combinations is essential to achieve efficacious control, which is not straight forward.

The present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising an L isomer of glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

The present inventors have unexpectedly arrived at a combination comprising L- glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the application amount of nonanoic acid used is considerably reduced to such levels that are not phytotoxic to the crops and is significantly efficacious in weed control. The application amount of nonanoic acid is significantly lesser than that of glufosinate. The present inventors have also applied the present combination to standing crops and it was unexpectedly found that the application was not phytotoxic to crops and the herbicides were not antagonistic to each other.

In an embodiment, the phytotoxic effects of the combination are reduced without affecting the herbicidal efficacy of the combination.

In an embodiment, the herbicide combination of the present disclosure and the application amounts of the actives is arrived at, such that the antagonism between the herbicidal actives is significantly reduced.

The use of combinations/compositions according to the present disclosure provides for excellent herbicidal effectiveness against a broad spectrum of economically important mono and dicotyledonous annual weeds and perennial weeds.

In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising an L isomer of glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

In an embodiment, the salt comprises an inorganic salt of L-glufosinate. In an embodiment, the inorganic salt of L-glufosinate is selected from the group comprising L-glufosinate ammonium, L-glufosinate sodium, L-glufosinate potassium, or combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the inorganic salt of L-glufosinate comprises L- glufosinate ammonium.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising L- glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

Exemplary salts of L-glufosinate are L-glufosinate-ammonium (also called glufosinate-P-ammonium), which is ammonium (2S)-2-amino-4-(methyl phosphinato)butyric acid (CAS Reg. No. 73777-50-1); L-glufosinate-sodium (also called glufosinate-P-sodium), which is sodium (2S)-2-amino-4-(methyl phosphinato)butyric acid (CAS Reg. No. 70033-13-5) and L-glufosinate-potassium (also called glufosinate-P -potassium), which is potassium (2S)-2-amino4-(methyl phosphinato)butyric acid.

In an embodiment, the L-glufosinate salt is L-glufosinate ammonium.

In an embodiment, the L-glufosinate salt is L-glufosinate sodium.

In an embodiment, the L-glufosinate salt is L-glufosinate potassium.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal combination comprising an L isomer of glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the amount of nonanoic acid is lower than the amount of L-glufosinate, or its salt.

According to an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 50: 1 to 1:50.

According to an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 25: 1 to 1:25. According to an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 10: 1 to 1 : 10.

According to an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 5:1 to 1:5.

According to a preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 50: 1 to 1 : 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 25 : 1 to 1 : 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 25 : 1 to 2: 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 20: 1 to 1 : 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 20: 1 to 2: 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 18 : 1 to 1 : 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 18:1 to 2:1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 17:1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 15:1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 10: 1. According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 9: 1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 8: 1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 5: 1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 4: 1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 3 : 1.

According to another preferred embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof are admixed in a weight ratio of 2: 1.

The application amount of nonanoic acid is considerably reduced by at least 1% to at least 90% from standard application practices to eliminate the phytotoxic effects of the herbicide combination.

In an embodiment, the application amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof ranges from about 1 to 1000 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof ranges from about 10 to 1000 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof ranges from about 50 to 1000 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof ranges from about 100 to 500 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof ranges from about 100 to 400 g ai/ha. In an embodiment, the application amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof ranges from 200 to 400 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof ranges from 200 to 350 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid is applied in an amount ranging from 1 to 250 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid is applied in an amount ranging from 10 to 250 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid is applied in an amount ranging from 10 to 200 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid is applied in an amount ranging from 10 to 150 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid in the present herbicide combination is considerably reduced to such levels that are not phytotoxic to the crops and is significantly efficacious in weed control.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid in the present herbicide combination is significantly lesser than that of L-glufosinate.

According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising an isomer of glufosinate selected from L-glufosinate, P- glufosinate, D-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a herbicidal composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof.

In another embodiment, the said composition further includes an agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the total amount of L-glufosinate or a salt thereof in the composition may typically be in the range of about 0.1% to about 99% by total weight of the composition. The total amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof in the composition may be in the range of about 0.1% to about 20% by total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the salt comprises an inorganic salt of L-glufosinate.

In an embodiment, the L-glufosinate salt is L-glufosinate ammonium.

In an embodiment, the L-glufosinate salt is L-glufosinate sodium.

In an embodiment, the L-glufosinate salt is L-glufosinate potassium.

In an embodiment, the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 1 to 1000 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 10 to 1000 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 50 to 1000 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 100 to 500 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 100 to 400 g ai/L. In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from 200 to 400 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 200 to 350 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 1 to 250 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 10 to 250 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 10 to 200 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof in the combinations or compositions of the present disclosure may range from about 10 to 150 g ai/L.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid in the present herbicide composition is considerably reduced to such levels that are not phytotoxic to the crops and is significantly efficacious in weed control.

In an embodiment, the application amount of nonanoic acid in the present herbicide composition is significantly lesser than that of L-glufosinate.

In an embodiment, there is provided a composition comprising L-glufosinate, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, and an agrochemically acceptable excipient.

The agrochemically acceptable excipient may be any one or a combination of adjuvants, co-solvents, surfactants, colorants, dispersants, emulsifiers, thickeners, antifreeze agents, biocides, anti-foam agents, stabilizers, wetting agents, or a mixture thereof.

Exemplary surfactants include non-ionic, anionic and cationic surfactants.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants include polyarylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyalkylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyglycol ether derivatives of saturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic alcohols, polyglycol ether derivatives of cycloaliphatic alcohols, fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan, alkoxylated vegetable oils, alkoxylated acetylenic diols, polyalkoxylated alkylphenols, fatty acid alkoxylates, sorbitan alkoxylates, sorbitol esters, C8-C22 alkyl or alkenyl polyglycosides, polyalkoxy styrylaryl ethers, alkylamine oxides, block copolymer ethers, polyalkoxylated fatty glyceride, polyalkylene glycol ethers, linear aliphatic or aromatic polyesters, organo silicones, polyaryl phenols, sorbitol ester alkoxylates, polyalkylene oxide block copolymers, acrylic copolymers and mono- and diesters of ethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of anionic surfactants include alcohol sulfates, alcohol ether sulfates, alkylaryl ether sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates such as alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates and salts thereof, alkyl sulfonates, mono- or diphosphate esters of polyalkoxylated alkyl alcohols or alkylphenols , mono- or disulfosuccinate esters of C12-C15 alkanols or polyalkoxylated C12-C15 alkanols, alcohol ether carboxylates, phenolic ether carboxylates, polybasic acid esters of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene glycols consisting of oxybutylene or the residue of tetrahydrofuran, sulfoalkylamides and salts thereof such as N-methyl-N- oleoyltaurate Na salt, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenol carboxylates, polyoxyalkylene alcohol carboxylates alkyl polyglycoside/alkenyl succinic anhydride condensation products, alkyl ester sulfates, napthalene sulfonates, naphthalene formaldehyde condensates, alkyl sulfonamides, sulfonated aliphatic polyesters, sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates, and sulfonate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or triethanolammonium salts, salts of ligninsulfonic acid such as the sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium or ammonium salt, polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether sulfates and polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether phosphates, and sulfated alkyl phenol ethoxylates, and phosphated alkyl phenol ethoxylates.

Cationic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkanol amides of Cs-Cis fatty acids and Cs-Cis fatty amine polyalkoxylates, Cio-Cis alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chlorides, coconut alkyldimethylaminoacetic acids, and phosphate esters of Cs-Cis fatty amine polyalkoxylates.

Emulsifiers, which can be advantageously employed herein, can be readily determined by those skilled in the art, include various non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric emulsifiers, or a blend of two or more emulsifiers. Examples of nonionic emulsifiers useful in preparing emulsifiable concentrates, for example, include the polyalkylene glycol ethers and condensation products of alkyl and aryl phenols, aliphatic alcohols, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxide, propylene oxides such as the ethoxylated alkyl phenols and carboxylic esters solubilized with the polyol or polyoxyalkylene. Cationic emulsifiers include quaternary ammonium compounds and fatty amine salts. Anionic emulsifiers include the oil-soluble salts (e.g., calcium) of alkylaryl sulfonic acids, oil-soluble salts or sulfated polyglycol ethers, and salts of phosphated polyglycol ether.

In an embodiment, colorants may include, but are not limited to, iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs, and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace elements, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, and zinc.

Exemplary thickeners and binders include, but are not limited to, molasses, granulated sugar, alginates, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gum, mucilage, xanthan gum or combination thereof. In another embodiment, the binder may be selected from silicates such as magnesium aluminium silicate, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, celluloses, including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxymethyl celluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses, hydroxymethylpropyl-celluloses, polyvinylpyrolidones, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, calcium lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methyl acrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof; polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, methyl cellulose, vinylidene chloride, acrylic, cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polysaccharide; polymers and copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl acetateethylene copolymers; combinations of polyvinyl alcohol and sucrose; plasticizers such as glycerol, propylene glycol, and polyglycols.

In another embodiment, exemplary antifreeze agent(s) include but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3 -propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3- butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-l,5-pentanediol, 2,3- dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like. In addition, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxy ethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, and octaglycerol.

According to an embodiment, exemplary biocides include, but are not limited to, benzothiazoles, l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, l,2-phenyl-isothiazolin-3-one, and inter chloroxylenol paraoxybenzoate butyl.

According to an embodiment, antifoam agents include, but are not limited to, polydimethoxysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, alkyl poly acrylates, castor oil, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty acid sulfates, fatty alcohols, fatty alcohol esters, fatty alcohol sulfates, olive oil, mono and di glycerides, paraffin oil, paraffin wax, polypropylene glycol, silicone oil, vegetable fats, vegetable fat sulfates, vegetable oil, vegetable oil sulfates, vegetable wax, vegetable wax sulfates, and agents based on silicon or magnesium stearate.

Exemplary additives to be used for the formulation include, for example, a solid carrier such as kaolinite, sericite, diatomaceous earth, slaked lime, calcium carbonate, talc, white carbon, kaoline, bentonite, clay, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, mirabilite, zeolite or starch; a solvent such as water, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha, dioxane, dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or an alcohol; an anionic surfactant such as a salt of fatty acid, a benzoate, a polycarboxylate, a salt of alkylsulfuric acid ester, an alkyl sulfate, an alkylaryl sulfate, an alkyl diglycol ether sulfate, a salt of alcohol sulfuric acid ester, an alkyl sulfonate, an alkylaryl sulfonate, an aryl sulfonate, a lignin sulfonate, an alkyldiphenylether disulfonate, a polystyrene sulfonate, a salt of alkylphosphoric acid ester, an alkylaryl phosphate, a styrylaryl phosphate, a salt of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfuric acid ester, a polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfate, a salt of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfuric acid ester, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, a salt of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl phosphoric acid ester, a salt of polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphoric acid ester, a naphthalene sulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde or a salt of alkylnaphthalene sulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde; a nonionic surfactant such as a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a glycerin fatty acid ester, a fatty acid polyglyceride, a fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ether, acetylene glycol, acetylene alcohol, an oxyalkylene block polymer, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, a polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether, a polyoxyethylene styrylaryl ether, a polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol, a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil or a polyoxypropylene fatty acid ester; and a vegetable oil or mineral oil such as olive oil, kapok oil, castor oil, palm oil, camellia oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, com oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, tung oil or liquid paraffins. These additives may suitably be selected for use alone or in combination as a mixture of two or more of them, so long as the object of the present disclosure is met. Further, additives other than the above-mentioned may be suitably selected for use among those known in this field. For example, various additives commonly used, such as a filler, a thickener, an anti-settling agent, an anti-freezing agent, a dispersion stabilizer, a safener, an anti-mold agent, a bubble agent, a disintegrator and a binder, may be employed.

The agrochemical formulations may also comprise one or more antioxidants. Preferably, the agrochemical formulation comprises an antioxidant. Exemplary antioxidants are, for example, amino acids (e.g., glycine, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan) and derivatives thereof, imidazole and imidazole derivatives (e.g., urocanic acid), peptides, such as, for example, D,L-camosine, D-carnosine, L- camosine and derivatives thereof (e.g., anserine), carotenoids, carotenes (e.g., a- carotene, P-carotene, lycopene) and derivatives thereof, lipoic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g., dihydrolipoic acid), aurothioglucose, propylthiouracil and further thio compounds (e.g., thioglycerol, thiosorbitol, thioglycolic acid, thioredoxin, glutathione, cysteine, cystine, cystamine and the glycosyl, N-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl, butyl, lauryl, palmitoyl, oleyl, y-linoleyl, cholesteryl and glyceryl esters thereof), and salts thereof, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, thiodipropionic acid and derivatives thereof (esters, ethers, peptides, lipids, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts), and sulfoximine compounds (e.g. buthionine sulfoximines, homocysteine sulfoximine, buthionine sulfones, penta-, hexa-, heptathionine sulfoximine) in very low tolerated doses, also metal chelating agents (e.g. a-hydroxy fatty acids, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylene glycol-bis(P-aminoether)-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), phytic acid, lactoferrin), a-hydroxy acids (e.g. citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid), humic acids, bile acid, bile extracts, gallic esters (e.g. propyl, octyl and dodecyl gallate), flavonoids, catechins, bilirubin, biliverdin and derivatives thereof, unsaturated fatty acids and derivatives thereof (e.g. y-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid), folic acid and derivatives thereof, hydroquinone and derivatives thereof (e.g. arbutin), ubiquinone and ubiquinol, and derivatives thereof, vitamin C and derivatives thereof (e.g. ascorbyl palmitate, stearate, dipalmitate, acetate, magneisum ascorbyl phosphates, sodium and magnesium ascorbate, di sodium ascorbyl phosphate and sulfate, potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, chitosan ascorbate), isoascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, tocopherols and derivatives thereof (e.g., tocopheryl acetate, linoleate, oleate and succinate, tocophereth-5, tocophereth-10, tocophereth-12, tocophereth-18, tocophereth-50, tocophersolan), vitamin A and derivatives (e.g., vitamin A palmitate), the coniferyl benzoate of benzoin resin, rutin, rutinic acid and derivatives thereof, disodium rutinyl disulfate, cinnamic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g., ferulic acid, ethyl ferulate, caffeeic acid), kojic acid, chitosan glycolate and salicylate, butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisol, nordihydroguaiacic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, trihydroxybutyrophenone, uric acid and derivatives thereof, mannose and derivatives thereof, selenium and selenium derivatives (e.g. selenomethionine), stilbenes and stilbene derivatives (e.g., stilbene oxide, transstilbene oxide). According to the invention, suitable derivatives (salts, esters, sugars, nucleotides, nucleosides, peptides and lipids) and mixtures of these specified active ingredients or plant extracts (e.g., teatree oil, rosemary extract and rosemarinic acid) which comprise these antioxidants can be used. In general, mixtures of the aforementioned antioxidants are possible.

According to an embodiment, examples of solvents include, but are not limited to, water, aromatic solvents (for example, xylene), paraffins (for example mineral oil fractions such as kerosene or diesel oil), coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, for example toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives, alcohols (for example , methanol, butanol, pentanol, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol), ketones (for example, cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (NMP, NEP, NOP), acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters, isophorone and dimethyl sulfoxide. In principle, solvent mixtures may also be used. According to an embodiment, suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of lignosulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonates, phenolsulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty acids and sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, furthermore condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene or of naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ethers, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, tristearylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alcohol and fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignosulfite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

According to an embodiment, examples of carriers include, but are not limited to, mineral earths such as silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attaclay, attapulgite, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground synthetic materials, fertilizers, such as, for example, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas, and products of vegetable origin, such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell meal, cellulose powders, polyvinylpyrrolidone and other solid carriers.

Exemplary preservatives include, for example, l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and/or 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one or sodium benzoate or benzoic acid.

In an embodiment, the composition may be present in any agrochemically suitable form for storage and application to the ground. The compositions may be produced by mixing the actives in the composition with an inert carrier and adding surfactants and other adjuvants and carriers as needed and formulated into solid or liquid formulations, comprising wettable powders (WP), granules (GR), dusts, soluble (liquid) concentrates (SL), suspension concentrates (SC), oil in water emulsion (EW), water in oil emulsion (EO), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), capsule suspensions (CS), mixed formulation of CS and SC (ZC) formulations, oil dispersions (OD), other known formulation types, or combinations thereof. The composition may also be used for treatment of a plant propagation material, such as seeds, etc.

The herbicidal combinations and compositions of the present disclosure can be in any conventional agriculturally useful form, for example, in the form of a ready-to- use formulation, or in the form of a tank mix.

In an embodiment, the herbicidal actives may be formulated as a premix product or a ready-to-use product.

In an embodiment, the method comprises applying the present combinations or compositions simultaneously, that is jointly or separately, or in succession.

In another embodiment, the constituents of the combination of the present disclosure may be tank mixed and applied or sprayed at the locus of the infection or may be alternatively mixed with surfactants and/or any other agrochemically suitable excipients and then applied.

In yet another embodiment, the constituents of the combination of the present disclosure may be applied in such quick succession in any order so as to form the desired mix at the locus of application.

In an embodiment, the constituents of the composition of the present disclosure may be used for foliar application, application to standing crops, burndown applications, ground applications, or application to plant propagation materials.

The combination or tank-mix of L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and the nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof also includes a combination or a mixture of a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and a composition comprising the nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. Each individual composition may comprise one or more agrochemically suitable excipient/ingredients. The resulting combination or tank-mix of the composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and the composition comprising the nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof provides an efficacious and synergistic effect in controlling weeds.

In another embodiment, the combinations/compositions of the present disclosure further include an additional agrochemical/pesticide. Examples of pesticides include, but are not limited to, herbicides, fungicides, miticides, larvicides, avicides, insecticides, nematicides, and rodenticides.

According to an embodiment, the combinations and/or compositions of the present disclosure may be further combined or applied with an additional herbicide.

According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, and an additional herbicide.

Non-limiting examples of the additional herbicide include 2,4-D, anisiflupurin, acetochlor, aclonifen, amicarbazone, halauxifen, halauxifen-methyl, florpyrauxifen, amidosulfuron, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, aminotriazole, ammonium thiocyanate, anilofos, asulam, azimsulfnron, atrazine, beflubutamid, benazolin, benfuresate, bensulfuron-methyl, bentazon-sodium, benzofenap, bifenox, bixlozone, benquitrione, bipyrazone, bi spyrib acsodium, bromobutide, bromacil, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, butralin, butroxydim, carbetamide, cafenstrole, carfentrazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlormequat, clopyralid, chlorsulfuron, chlortoluron, cinidon-ethyl, clethodim, clodinafop- propargyl, clomeprop, clomazone, cloransulam-methyl, cyanazine, cyclopyrimorate, cyclosulfamuron, cycloxydim, cyhalofop-butyl, cypyrafluone, daimuron, dicamba, dichlobenil, dichlorprop-P, diclofop-methyl, diclosulam, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, dimefuron, dimethachlor, diquat, dioxopyritrione, diuron, 5-ethyl dipropylcarbamothioate (EPTC), esprocarb, ethoxysulfuron, etobenzanid, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxapropethyl+isoxadifen-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fenoxasulfone, fenquinotrione, fentrazamide, fenpyrazone, flazasulfuron, florasulam, fluazifop, fluazifop-P -butyl, flucarbazone, flucarbazone- sodium, flucetosulfuron, flufenacet, flumetsulam, flumioxazin, flupyrsulfuron, flurochloridone, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr-meptyl, flurtamone, glufosinate, glufosinate-ammonium, glyphosate, halosulfuron-methyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl, hexazinone, imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, indanofan, indaziflam, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-ethyl-sodium, iofensulfuron, ioxynil, ipfencarbazone, isoproturon, isoxaben, isoxaflutole, lactofen, linuron, 2-methyl-4- chl or ophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA), 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butanoic acid (MCPB), mecoprop-P, mefenacet, mesosulfuron, mesosulfuron-ethyl sodium, mesotrione, metamifop, metazochlor, metazosulfuron, metosulam, metribuzin, metsulfuron, metsulfuronmethyl, molinate, monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), napropamide, napropamide-M, orfurazon, orthosulfamuron, oryzalin, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxazichlomefone, oxyfluorfen, paraquat, pendimethalin, penoxsulam, pentoxazone, pethoxamid, picloram, picolinafen, pinoxaden, pretilachlor, primisulfuron, profluazol, profoxydim, propanil, propaquizafop, propyrisulfuron, propoxycarbazone, propyzamide, prosulfocarb, prosulfuron, pyraclonil, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrasulfotole, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pyrazolynate, pyribenzoxim, pyributicarb, pyridate, pyriftalid, pyrimisulfan, pyroxsulam, pyroxasulfone, quinclorac, quinmerac, quizalofop-ethyl-D, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, rimsulfuron, rimisoxafen, sethoxydim, simazine, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, sulfometuron, sulfosate, sulfosulfuron, tebuthiuron, tefuryltrione, tepraloxidim, terbacil, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, tetflupyrolimet, thenylchlor, thiazopyr, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiobencarb, topramezone, tralkoxydim, triafamone, triasulfuron, tribenuron, tribenuron-methyl, triafamone, triclopyr, tripyrasulfone, cyclopyranil, dimesulfazet, epyrifenacil, tembotrione, thiencarbazone methyl, flucetosulfuron, pyrasulfotole, saflufenacil, pyraclonil, fenquinotrione, tiafenacil, cinmethylin, lancotrione-sodium, trifludimoxazin, cyclopyrimorate, methiozolin, aminocyclopyrachlor, bicyclopyrone, triafamone, tolpyralate. trifluralin, and agriculturally acceptable salts, choline salts, esters and mixtures thereof.

In another aspect, present compositions may further comprise a safener. In an embodiment, the safener includes, but is not limited to, isoxadifen-ethyl, cloquintocet-mexyl, mefenpyr-di ethyl, naphthalic anhydride, oxabetrinil, benzenesulfonamide, N-(aminocarbonyl)-2-chlorobenzene sulfonamide (2-CBSU), daimuron, di chloroacetamide, dicyclonon, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, fluxofenim, di chloroacetamide safeners (e.g., benoxacor, dichlormid, and furilazole), naphthopyranone, naphthalic anhydride (NA), oxime, phenylpyrimidine, phenylurea, phenyl pyrazoles compounds, naphthalic anhydride, cyometrinil, flurazole, dimepiperate, methoxyphenone, cloquintocet-mexyl, 1- dichloroacetylhexahydro-3,3,8a-trimethylpyrrolo[l,2-a]pyrimi din-6-(2H-one), dichloromethyl-l,3-dioxolane, quinolinyloxyacetate compounds, or agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, or mixtures thereof

In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. The process involves the addition of an agrochemically suitable excipient to the herbicidal actives. Optionally, it includes addition of an additional herbicide to the mixture. The resulting composition is storage stable with a convenient shelf-life.

In an embodiment, the constituents of the composition of the present invention may be used for foliar application, ground or applications to plant propagation materials.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate, or prevent weed growth.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth.

Z1 According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides use of a herbicidal combination comprising an L isomer of glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the amount of nonanoic acid is lower than the amount of L-glufosinate, or its salt.

The combinations and compositions of the present disclosure can be used in agricultural lands such as fields, paddy fields, lawns and orchards or in non- agricultural lands. The combinations described herein may be used to control weeds in agricultural lands for cultivating the crops without any phytotoxicity to the crops. Examples of the crops on which the combinations and compositions of the present disclosure may be used include, but are not limited to, corn, rice, wheat, barley, rye, oat, sorghum, cotton, soybean, peanut, buckwheat, beet, rapeseed, sunflower, sugar cane, tobacco, etc.; solanaceous vegetables such as eggplant, tomato, pimento, pepper, potato, etc.; cucurbit vegetables such as cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, water melon, melon, squash, etc.; cruciferous vegetables such as radish, white turnip, horseradish, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, leaf mustard, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.; asteraceous vegetables such as burdock, crown daisy, artichoke, lettuce, etc; liliaceous vegetables such as green onion, onion, garlic, and asparagus; ammiaceous vegetables such as carrot, parsley, celery, parsnip, etc.; chenopodiaceous vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, etc.; lamiaceous vegetables such as Perilla frutescens, mint, basil, etc, strawberry, sweet potato, Dioscorea japonica, colocasia, etc.; flowers, foliage plants, turf grasses; pome fruits such apple, pear, quince, etc.; stone fleshy fruits such as peach, plum, nectarine, Primus mume. cherry fruit, apricot, prune, etc.; citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, rime, grapefruit, etc.; nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almond, pistachio, cashew nuts, macadamia nuts, etc.; berries such as blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, etc.; grape, kaki fruit, olive, plum, banana, coffee, date palm, coconuts, etc. ; trees other than fruit trees; tea, mulberry, flowering plant, trees such as ash, birch, dogwood, Eucalyptus, Ginkgo biloba, lilac, maple, Quercus, poplar, Judas tree, Liquidambar formosana. plane tree, zelkova, Japanese arborvitae, fir wood, hemlock, juniper, Pinus, Picea, and Taxus cuspidate, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the combinations and/or compositions of the present disclosure are used to control weeds in crops selected from the group of cotton, soyabean, com, drybeans, sunflower, sorghum, rice, canola, cereals, peanuts, pulses, and sugarcane.

In a preferred embodiment, the combinations and/or compositions of the present disclosure are used to control weeds in pasture, plantations, trees, vines, and nuts.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate, or prevent weed growth in cotton crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in cotton crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in cotton crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in cotton crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate, or prevent weed growth in soyabean crop. According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in soyabean crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in soyabean crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in soyabean crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate, or prevent weed growth in com crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in com crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a combination comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in corn crop.

According to another embodiment, there is provided use of a composition comprising L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof to control, eradicate or prevent weed growth in corn crop.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus, a combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds at a locus by applying to said locus a herbicidal combination comprising an L isomer of glufosinate or a salt thereof, and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the amount of nonanoic acid is lower than the amount of L-glufosinate, or its salt.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the present combination is applied to standing crops.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a combination comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the present combination is applied to standing crops; wherein the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof is ranging from about 100 to 500 g ai/ha and the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is ranging from about 1 to 250 g ai/ha.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the present combination is applied to standing crops.

According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a composition comprising L- glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof is ranging from about 100 to 400 g ai/ha and the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is ranging from about 10 to 250 g ai/ha. According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a composition comprising L- glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the amount of L-glufosinate or salts thereof is ranging from 200 to 400 g ai/ha and the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is ranging from about 10 to 200 g ai/ha.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the amount of L- glufosinate or salts thereof is ranging from 200 to 350 g ai/ha and the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is ranging from about 10 to 200 g ai/ha.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling weeds at a locus comprising applying to said locus a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof, wherein the amount of L- glufosinate or salts thereof is ranging from 200 to 350 g ai/ha and the amount of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is ranging from about 10 to 150 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, the combinations and/or compositions of the present disclosure are applied in a method of controlling weeds in crops selected from the group of cotton, soyabean, corn, drybeans, sunflower, sorghum, rice, canola, cereals, peanuts, pulses, and sugarcane.

In a preferred embodiment, the combinations and/or compositions of the present disclosure are applied in a method of controlling weeds in crops selected from the group of cotton, soyabean and com.

In an embodiment, the combination is applied jointly, or separately, or sequentially, or simultaneously to a plant or locus thereof to control from about 20% to about 100% of weeds. In an embodiment, the combination is applied jointly, or separately, or sequentially, or simultaneously to a plant or locus thereof to control from about 80% to about 100% of weeds.

The combinations and compositions of the present disclosure are used to control weeds in various agricultural crops. Non-limiting examples of weeds controlled by the compositions of the present disclosure include:

Urticaceae weeds: Urtica urens:

Polygonaceae weeds: Polygonum convolvulus, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Polygonum persicaria, Polygonum longisetum, Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum arenastrum, Polygonum cuspidatum, Rumex japonicus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Rumex acetosa; Portulacaceae weeds: Portulaca oleracea; Caryophyllaceae weeds: Stellaria media, Cerastium holosteoides, Cerastium glomeratum, Spergula arvensis, Silene gallica;

Molluginaceae weeds: Mollugo verticillata; Chenopodiaceae weeds: Chenopodium album, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Kochia scoparia, Salsola kali, Atriplex spp.; Amaranthaceae weeds: Amaranthus retroflexus, Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus lividus, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus palmeri, Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus patulus, Amaranthus tuberculatos, Amaranthus blitoides, Amaranthus deflexus, Amaranthus quitensis, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Alternanthera sessilis, Alternanthera tenella; Papaveraceae weeds: Papaver rhoeas, Argemone Mexicana; Brassicaceae weeds;

Raphanus raphanistrum, Raphanus sativus, Sinapis arvensis, Capsella bursa- pastoris, Brassica juncea, Brassica campestris, Descurainia pinnata, Rorippa islandica, Rorippa sylvestris, Thlaspi arvense, Myagrum rugosum, Lepidium virginicum, Coronopus didymus; Dinebra weeds: Dinebra Americana, Dinebra aquatic, Dinebra aristidoides, Dinebra bromoides, Dinebra calycina, Dinebra caudata, Dinebra chinensis, Dinebra chloride, Dinebra chondrosioides, Dinebra coerulescens, Dinebra cristata, Dinebra curtipendula, Dinebra decipiens, Dinebra divaricate, Dinebra divaricatissima, Dinebra dura, Dinebra guineensis, Dinebra hirsute, Dinebra hirta, Dinebra juncifolia, Dinebra ligulata, Dinebra lima, Dinebra melicoides, Dinebra nealleyi, Dinebra neesii, Dinebra panicea, Dinebra panicoides, Dinebra pubescens, Dinebra repens, Dinebra scabra, Dinebra secunda, Dinebra simoniana, Dinebra southwoodii, Dinebra squarrosa, Dinebra srilankensis, Dinebra tuaensis, Dinebra verticillate, Dinebra retroflexa.. Dinebra haareri, Dinebra marquisensis, Dinebra perrieri , Dinebra polycarpha, Dinebra somalensis, Capparaceae weeds: Cleome affinis; Fabaceae weeds: Aeschynomene indica, Aeschynomene rudis, Sesbania exaltata, Cassia obtusifolia, Cassia occidentalis, Desmodium tortuosum, Desmodium adscendens, Trifolium repens, Pueraria lobata, Vicia angustifolia, Indigofera hirsuta, Indigofera truxillensis, Vigna sinensis; Oxalidaceae weeds: Oxalis corniculata, Oxalis strica, Oxalis oxyptera; Geraniaceae weeds: Geranium carolinense, Erodium cicutarium; Euphorbiaceae weeds: Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia maculate, Euphorbia humistrata, Euphorbia esula, Euphorbia heterophylla, Euphorbia brasiliensis, Acalypha australis, Croton glandulosus, Croton lobatus, Phyllanthus corcovadensis, Ricinus communis; Malvaceae weeds: Corchorus, Abutilon theophrasti, Sida rhombiforia, Sida cordifolia, Sida spinosa, Sida glaziovii, Sida santaremnensis, Hibiscus trionum, Anoda cristata, Malvastrum coromandelianum;

Sterculiaceae weeds: Waltheria indica; Violaceae weeds: Viola arvensis, Viola tricolor; Cucurbitaceae weeds: Sicyos angulatus, Echinocystis lobata, Momordica charantia; Lythraceae weeds: Lythrum salicaria; Apiaceae weeds: Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides; Sapindaceae weeds: Cardiospermum halicacabum; Primulaceae weeds: Anagallis arvensis; Asclepiadaceae weeds: Asclepias syriaca, Ampelamus albidus; Rubiaceae weeds: Galium aparine, Galium spurium var. echinospermon, Spermacoce latifolia, Richardia brasiliensis, Borreria alata, Borreria verticilata; Convolvulaceae weeds: Ipomoea alba, Ipomoea nil, Ipomoea hederacea, Ipomoea purpurea, Ipomoea hederacea var. integriuscula, Ipomoea lacunosa, Ipomoea triloba, Ipomoea acuminata, Ipomoea hederifolia, Ipomoea coccinea, Ipomoea quamoclit, Ipomoea grandifolia, Ipomoea aristolochiafolia, Ipomoea cairica, Convolvulus arvensis, Calystegia hederacea, Calystegia japonica, Merremia hedeacea, Merremia aegyptia, Merremia cissoides, Jacquemontia tamnifolia; Boraginaceae weeds: Myosotis arvensis; Lamiaceae weeds: Lamium purpureum, Lamium amplexicaule, Leonotis nepetaefolia, Hyptis suaveolens, Hyptis lophanta, Leonurus sibiricus, Stachys arvensis; Solanaceae weeds: Datura stramonium, Solanum nigrum, Solanum americanum, Solanum ptycanthum, Solanum sarrachoides, Solanum rostratum, Solanum aculeatissimum, Solanum sisymbriifolium, Solanum carolinense, Physalis angulata, Physalis subglabrata, Nicandra physaloides; Scrophulariaceae weeds: Veronica hederaefolia, Veronica persica, Veronica arvensis; Plantaginaceae weeds: Plantago asiatica; Asteraceae weeds: Xanthium pensylvanicum, Xanthium occidentale, Helianthus annuus, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria perforata, Chrysanthemum segetum, Matricaria matricarioides, Artemisia princeps, Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia verlotorum, solidago altissima, Taraxacum officinale, Galinsoga ciliata, Galinsoga parviflora, Senecio vulgaris, Senecio brasiliensis, Senecio grisebachii, Conyza bonariensis, Conyza canadensis, Ambrosia artemisiaefolia, Ambrosia trifida, Bidens pilosa, Bidens frondosa, Bidens subalternans, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Silybum marianum, Carduus nutans, Lactuca serriola, Sonchus oleraceus, Sonchus asper, Wedelia glauca, Melampodium perfoliatum, Emilia sonchifolia, Tagetes minuta, Blainvillea latifolia, Tridax procumbens, Porophyllum ruderale, Acanthospermum australe, Acanthospermum hispidum, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Ageratum conyzoides, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Eclipta alba, Erechtites hieracifolia, Gamochaeta spicata, Gnaphalium spicatum, Jaegeria hirta, Parthenium hysterophorus, Siegesbeckia orientalis, Soliva sessilis; Liliaceae weeds: Allium canadense, Allium vineale; Commelinaceae weeds: Cyanotis axillaris, Commelina communis, Commelina benghalensis, Commelina erecta; Poaceae weeds: Dinebra retroflexa, Cynodon dactylon, Echinochloa colonum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Setaria viridis, Setaria faberi, Setaria glauca, Setaria geniculata, Digitaria ciliaris, Digitaria sanguinalis, Digitaria horizontalis, Digitaria insularis, Eleusine indica, Poa annua, Alospecurus aequalis, Alopecurus myosuroides, Avena fatua, Sorghum halepense, Sorghum vulgare, Agropyron repens, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Lolium rigidum, Bromus secalinus, Bromus tectorum, Hordeum jubatum, Aegilops cylindrica, Phalaris arundinacea, Phalaris minor, Apera spicaventi, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Panicum texanum, Panicum maximum, Brachiaria reptains Brachiaria platyphylla, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria plantaginea, Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria humidicola, Brachiaria mutica, Cenchrus echinatus, Cenchrus pauciflorus, Eriochloa villosa, Pennisetum setosum, Chloris gayana, Chloris barbata, Eragrostis pilosa, Rhynchelitrum repens, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Ischaemum rugosum, Oryza sativa, Paspalum notatum, Paspalum maritimum, Pennisetum clandestinum, Pennisetum setosum, Rottboellia cochinchinensis; Cyperaceae weeds: Cyperus microiria, Cyperus iria, Cyperus odoratus, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, Kyllinga gracillima, Equisetaceae weeds: Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Trianthema weeds, and the like.

According to an embodiment, the weeds targeted by the combinations and compositions of the present disclosure are grassy weeds and broad-leaved weeds.

In an embodiment, the combinations or the compositions according to the present disclosure may be used for bumdown application or fallow application.

In an embodiment, the weed removal is not restricted to crop land or agricultural land only. The weeds may be targeted in non-agricultural areas such as, but not limited to, forestries, railways, infrastructure, amenities, companies, factories, roads and runways, sidewalks, highways, dividers, medians, pipelines, public utility lines, pumping stations, transformer stations, substations, around airports, electric utilities, commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, storage yards, rail yards, hangars, fence lines, parking lots, parkways, sedges, post-harvest crop lands, beneath greenhouse benches, and around golf courses.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of application of a combination or a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof for control, eradication or prevention of weed growth. The combination of the present disclosure maybe applied simultaneously as a tank mix or a premix formulation or may be applied sequentially. The application may be made to the soil before emergence of the plants, either pre-planting or postplanting. The application may be made to the soil after emergence of the plants. The application may be made as a foliar spray at different timings during crop development, with either one or more applications early or late post-emergence. Herbicidal compositions according to the invention can also be incorporated into the soil before, during or after sowing seeds of a crop. These combinations as described above may be applied to the locus of the weeds, in an herbicidally effective amount.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds comprising A maranthus sp, Amaranthus palmeri, Amaranthus retroflexus. Abutilon sp, Abutilon theophrasti, Echinochloa sp., Echinochloa crus-galli, Ipomea sp, Ipomoea hederacea, Eleusine sp, Eleusine indica, Senna sp, Senna obtusifolia. or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 - 3000 g active ingredient per hectare (a.i./ha).

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 - 2000 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 1000 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 500 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 100 to 500 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 100 to 400 g ai/ha. In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 200 to 400 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, L-glufosinate or salts thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 200 to 350 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 250 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 200 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 150 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 95 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 50 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 1 to 40 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 10 to 250 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 10 to 200 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 10 to 150 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 10 to 100 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 10 to 95 g ai/ha.

In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 10 to 50 g ai/ha. In an embodiment, nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof is applied to a target locus in an amount ranging from 10 to 40 g ai/ha.

The combinations and the compositions of the present disclosure may be applied in any known ways or conventional methods known to a person skilled in art.

Non-limiting examples of such methods are foliar spray, basal barking, stem injection, drill and fill method, axe cut method, cut stump, cut and swab, stem scraper, wick application and so forth. The compositions of the present disclosure may be used in the customary manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomizing, dusting or scattering. The combinations and the compositions of the present disclosure can be applied to a locus by the use of conventional ground sprayers, granule applicators, watering (drenching), drip irrigation, spraying, atomizing, broadcasting, dusting, foaming, spreading-on, aerial methods of spraying, aerial methods of application, methods utilizing application using modem technologies such as, but not limited to, drones, robots, and by other conventional means known to those skilled in the art.

Typically, for the product of the present disclosure, the composition is applied at a rate ranging from 1- 1000 kg active compound/ha. The weight ratios of individual components can be varied within relatively wide ranges.

The combinations of the present disclosure may be developed as a pre-mix composition or a kit of parts such that individual actives may be mixed before applying.

Thus, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a kit-of-parts comprising a component of L-glufosinate or a salt thereof and a second component of nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof. In an embodiment, one of the two components or both may be admixed with agrochemically suitable excipient. Optionally, the kit-of-parts may comprise an additional herbicide as a third component or in a pre-mix with either of the two herbicidal components of the composition. The kit-of-parts may further comprise a component including an agrochemically suitable excipient. The kit of parts may contain either of the L-glufosinate herbicide or a salt thereof and the nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof previously admixed, individually or together, with an adjuvant or an agrochemically suitable excipient such that the two components may be tank mixed before applying. The kit-of-parts may be further accompanied by a set of instructions in form of a manual, guide, booklet, pamphlet, and so forth.

These combinations or compositions as described above may be applied to the weed or to locus of the weeds or to the plant/crop, in synergistically effective amounts. It can be seen from the examples herein that the herbicidal action of the active compound combinations according to the disclosure exceeds the calculated value, that is to say, that the new active compound combinations have a synergistic effect in controlling weeds.

In an embodiment, the present herbicidal combination is safe to use, is effective and can be applied at pre-emergence, post-emergence or at the time of sowing seeds.

Specifically, the invention includes embodiments in which particular subject matter is excluded, in full or in part, such as substances or materials, method steps and conditions, protocols, procedures, assays or analysis. Thus, even though the invention is generally not expressed herein in terms of what the invention does not include aspects that are not expressly included in the invention are nevertheless disclosed herein. A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several advantages of the disclosure are achieved, and other advantageous results are attained. Although the present disclosure has been disclosed in full, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The embodiments may be combined together for better understanding of the disclosure, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In another embodiment, alternative or multiple embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each embodiment can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other embodiments of the disclosure. One or more embodiments of the disclosure can be combined together to exhibit the teaching of the invention, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.”

These and other advantages of the invention may become more apparent from the examples set forth. These examples are provided merely as illustrations of the invention and are not intended to be construed as a limitation thereof.

Specifically, the invention includes embodiments in which particular subject matter is excluded, in full or in part, such as substances or materials, method steps and conditions, protocols, procedures, assays or analysis. Thus, even though the invention is generally not expressed herein in terms of what the invention does not include aspects that are not expressly included in the invention are nevertheless disclosed herein.

EXAMPLES

The following examples demonstrate the present disclosure. The examples should not be construed as limiting and are simply illustrations of many embodiments described herein.

Example 1: Efficacy of weed control using a combination of L-glufosinate and pelargonic acid

The herbicide application was made against Amaranthus palmeri in cotton crops. The details of the application have been provided in the table below. The observations were made at 7 DAA and 14 DAA (days after application). Table 1: % Evaluation of % weed control

Note: The addition of ammonium sulphate to treatments with L-glufosinate ammonium is known to a person skilled in the art and is commonly used in in areas that are dry with low humidity.

It is evident from the results above that A. palmeri was observed to be successfully controlled by applying pelargonic acid in amounts that are lesser than that of L- glufosinate.

Example 2: Efficacy of weed control using a combination of L-glufosinate and pelargonic acid

The herbicide application was made against Amaranthus retroflexus observed to grow in cotton crops. The details of the application have been provided in the table below. The observations were made at 7 DAA and 14 DAA (days after application). Table 2: % Evaluation of % weed control

It is evident from Table 2 that A. retroflexus in cotton crop was observed to be successfully controlled by applying pelargonic acid in amounts that is lesser than that of L-glufosinate.

Example 3: Efficacy of weed control using a combination of L-glufosinate and pelargonic acid

The herbicide application was made against Senna obtusifolia (sicklepod). The details of the application have been provided in the table below. The observations were made at 6 DAA and 14 DAA (days after application).

Table 3: % Evaluation of % weed control From Table 3, weed growth of Senna obtusifolia in cotton crop was observed to be successfully controlled by applying pelargonic acid in amounts that is lesser than that of L-glufosinate.

Example 4: Efficacy of weed control using a combination of L-glufosinate and pelargonic acid

The herbicide application was made against Ipomoea hederacea (ivy-leaved morning glory) in cotton crop. The details of the application have been provided in the table below. The observations were made at 6 DAA and 14 DAA (days after application).

Table 4: % Evaluation of % weed control

From Table 4, weed growth of Ipomoea hederacea in cotton crop was observed to be successfully controlled by applying pelargonic acid in amounts that is lesser than that of L-glufosinate.

Example 5: Efficacy of weed control using a combination of L-glufosinate and pelargonic acid

The herbicide application was made against Eleusine indica in cotton crop. The details of the application have been provided in the table below. The observations were made at 6 DAA and 14 DAA (days after application). Table 5: % Evaluation of % weed control

It is evident from Table 5, weed growth of Eleusine indica in cotton crop was observed to be successfully controlled by applying pelargonic acid in amounts that is lesser than that of L-glufosinate.

From the above examples 1 to 5, it is evident that the combination of L-glufosinate ammonium and nonanoic acid or salts or esters thereof provides effective control of broad spectrum of weeds.

Example 6: Efficacy of weed control using a combination of L-glufosinate and higher application amounts of pelargonic acid

The herbicide application was made against Amaranthus palmeri and Ipomoea hederacea to indicate the antagonistic effect of the herbicide combination, with pelargonic acid at higher application amounts. The details of the application have been provided in the table below. The observations were made at 7 DAA and 14 DAA (days after application).

Table 6 (a): % Evaluation of % weed control o Amaranthus palmeri

Table 6 (b): % Evaluation of % weed control of Ipomoea hederacea

It is evident from Tables 6(a) and 6(b), that weed growth of Amaranthus palmeri and Ipomoea hederacea in cotton crop was not controlled completely by applying pelargonic acid in higher amounts.