FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to herbicide compositions comprising nonanoic acid or any ester of salt thereof, which can be used to control unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae. The present disclosure also relates to processes for preparing the herbicide compositions. The present disclosure also relates to methods of controlling unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae using the herbicide compositions. The present disclosure also relates to kits comprising the herbicide compositions.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Nonanoic acid is a naturally-occurring water insoluble, saturated fatty acid with nine carbon atoms. Nonanoic acid is an effective non-selective herbicide and works by stripping the waxy cuticle of the plant, causing cell disruption, cell leakage, and death by desiccation.

[0003] There are a number of commercially available nonanoic acid based herbicide formulations, which are typically provided as emulsifiable concentrates having a high concentration of nonanoic acid (e.g. 525 g/L nonanoic acid). These concentrates are diluted with water prior to spray application to weed. However, one of the major problems with these emulsifiable concentrates is that they are highly acidic, corrosive to equipment, and is a skin and eye irritant in both concentrate and diluted forms, making it difficult to handle.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for non-toxic, environmentally friendly herbicides that are cost effective, efficacious and can be used against a broad spectrum of plants in compliance with regulatory requirements. [0005] It will be understood that any prior art publications referred to herein do not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure is based, in part, on the finding that herbicide compositions comprising a nonanoate salt as the herbicide (e.g. a conjugate salt of nonanoic acid) and polar solvents display good non-selective activity against a broad spectrum of plants yet is comparatively less-toxic and easier to handle compared to other commercial formulations. In particular, the present inventors have surprisingly identified that certain polar solvents not only improve the solubility of the nonanoate salt and as a result can provide herbicide compositions having high nonanoate salt loadings (e.g. 200 g/L or more), and surprisingly the herbicide compositions remain pourable and of a desirable lower viscosity, making it easy to handle and use as a herbicide.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a herbicide composition comprising a nonanoate salt and a polar solvent. The herbicide composition may also comprise an aqueous liquid carrier. The herbicide composition may be of lower viscosity, for example may have a dynamic viscosity of less than about 500 mPa.s when measured using a rotational viscometer at 20 rpm and at a temperature of 20°C.

[0008] In one aspect, there is provided a herbicide composition comprising: a) a nonanoate salt; b) a polar solvent; and c) an aqueous liquid carrier, wherein the herbicide composition has a dynamic viscosity of less than about 500 mPa.s when measured using a rotational viscometer at 20 rpm and at a temperature of 20°C.

[0009] In another aspect, there is provided a herbicide composition, consisting of a) a nonanoate salt; b) a polar solvent; c) an aqueous liquid carrier; and d) optionally one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients, wherein the herbicide composition has a dynamic viscosity of less than about 500 mPa.s when measured using a rotational viscometer at 20 rpm and at a temperature of 20°C.

[0010] In another aspect, there is provided a herbicide formulation comprising a diluted herbicide composition as defined above.

[0011] In another aspect, there is provided a process of preparing a herbicide composition as defined above, comprising mixing together nonanoic acid, a polar solvent, an alkali reactant, and an aqueous liquid carrier and optionally one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients under conditions effective to form the herbicide composition, wherein the nonanoic acid reacts with the alkali reactant upon mixing the to form a nonanoate salt.

[0012] In another aspect, there is provided method of controlling unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae, the method comprising applying a herbicidally effective amount of the herbicide composition defined above or the herbicide formulation defined above to an area affected or likely to be affected by the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0013] In another aspect, there is provided use of the herbicide composition defined above or the herbicide formulation defined above for controlling unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0014] In another aspect, there is provided a kit comprising: a) the herbicide compositions as defined above or the herbicide formulation as defined above; and b) a spray applicator. [0015] It will be appreciated that any one or more of the embodiments and examples described herein for the herbicide composition or formulation may also apply to the processes, methods, and/or kits described herein. Any embodiment herein shall be taken to apply mutatis mutandis to any other embodiment unless specifically stated. It will also be appreciated that other aspects, embodiments and examples of the herbicide composition or formulation, processes, methods, and/or kits are described herein.

[0016] It will also be appreciated that some features of herbicide composition or formulation may also apply to the processes, methods and/or kits identified in some aspects, embodiments or examples as described herein may not be required in all aspects, embodiments or examples as described herein, and this specification is to be read in this context. It will also be appreciated that in the various aspects, embodiments or examples, the order of method or process steps may not be essential and may be varied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] With regards to the definitions provided herein, unless stated otherwise, or implicit from context, the defined terms and phrases include the provided meanings. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, or apparent from context, the terms and phrases below do not exclude the meaning that the term or phrase has acquired by a person skilled in the relevant art. The definitions are provided to aid in describing particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the claimed invention, because the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

[0019] All publications discussed and/or referenced herein are incorporated herein in their entirety. [0020] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0021] Throughout this disclosure, unless specifically stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise, reference to a single step, composition of matter, group of steps or group of compositions of matter shall be taken to encompass one and a plurality (i.e., one or more) of those steps, compositions of matter, groups of steps or groups of compositions of matter. Thus, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural aspects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a” includes a single as well as two or more; reference to “an” includes a single as well as two or more; reference to “the” includes a single as well as two or more and so forth.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the disclosure includes all such variations and modifications. The disclosure also includes all of the examples, steps, features, methods, hydrogels, processes, and compositions, referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations or any two or more of said steps or features.

[0023] The term “and/or”, e.g., “X and/or Y” shall be understood to mean either “X and Y” or “X or Y” and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning.

[0024] As used herein, the term “about”, unless stated to the contrary, typically refers to a range of up to +/- 10% of the designated value, and includes smaller ranges therein, for example +/- 5% or +/- 1% of the designated value. [0025] It is to be appreciated that certain features that are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub-combination.

[0026] Throughout the present specification, various aspects and components of the invention can be presented in a range format. The range format is included for convenience and should not be interpreted as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range, unless specifically indicated. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 5 should be considered to have specifically disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 5, from 3 to 5 etc., as well as individual and partial numbers within the recited range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4.5, 4.75, and 5, unless where integers are required or implicit from context. This applies regardless of the breadth of the disclosed range. Where specific values are required, these will be indicated in the specification.

[0027] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0028] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0029] The terms "composition" and “formulation” as used herein are intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

[0030] As used herein, the terms "controlling" or "control", “modifying” or “modification” and variations thereof, refer to intervention designed to alter the natural course of plant growth including plant death, desecration, retardation, dwarfing, leaf burn, undermining of plant structure or cellular destruction.

[0031] The reference to “substantially free” generally refers to the absence of that compound or component in the herbicide composition, other than any trace amounts or impurities that may be present, for example this may be an amount by weight % in the total herbicide composition of less than about 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, 0.001%, or 0.0001%.

[0032] A "herbicidally effective amount" means the quantity of one or more components in the disclosed herbicide compositions that is capable of producing a controlling or modifying effect on the growth of plants.

[0033] As used herein, the term “plant” refers to all physical parts of a plant including seeds, seedlings, saplings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, foliage and fruits.

Herbicide compositions

[0034] The present disclosure generally relates to herbicide compositions comprising a nonanoate salt and polar solvent.

Nonanoate salt

[0035] The herbicide composition comprises a nonanoate salt. Nonanoic acid (also called pelargonic acid) is a naturally-occurring water insoluble, saturated fatty acid with nine carbon atoms. Nonanoic acid is an effective non-selective herbicide and works by stripping the waxy cuticle of the plant, causing cell disruption, cell leakage, and death by desiccation. Nonanoic acid has the following structure:

[0036] Salts of nonanoic acid also function effectively as a non-selective herbicide, and is also substantially water soluble, non-toxic and biodegradable. Salts of nonanoic acid are called nonanoate salts and can be prepared by mixing a suitable base/alkali reactant (e.g. ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and the like) with nonanoic acid to form the conjugate salt. For example, ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and nonanoic acid can be mixed under suitable conditions to form ammonium nonanoate, which is an effective water soluble broad-spectrum contact herbicide. Ammonium nonanoate has the following structure:

[0037] It will be appreciated that other nonanoate salts other than ammonium nonanoate can be easily prepared by selecting a suitable alkali reactant as described herein.

[0038] The concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition can vary, provided the composition remains of a suitable lower viscosity and is pourable. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is at least about 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575 or 600. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is less than about 600, 575, 550, 525, 500, 475, 450, 425, 400, 375, 350, 325, 300 or 200. The concentration of nonanoate salt may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be between about 200 to about 600, between about 300 to about 600, or between about 350 to about 500. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be about 440. [0039] The concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition may also be provided as the nonanoic acid equivalent concentration. For example, a herbicide composition containing about 440 g/L of ammonium nonanoate has a nonanoic acid equivalent concentration of about 400 g/L of nonanoic acid. The person skilled in the art can readily ascertain the nonanoic acid equivalent concentration.

[0040] In one embodiment, the nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is at least about 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 450, 475, 500, 525, or 550. In one embodiment, the nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is less than about 550, 525, 500, 475, 450, 425, 400, 375, 350, 325, 300, 275, 250, 175 or 150. The nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be between about 250 to about 550, or between about 350 to about 450. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be about 400.

[0041] The concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition may also be provided as a % w/w of the total weight of the composition. For example, a herbicide composition containing about 440 g/L ammonium nonanoate has a nonanoate salt concentration of about 44% w/w of the total weight of the composition. Similarly, the nonanoic acid equivalent concentration is about 40% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

[0042] In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) is at least about 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45, 47.5, 50, 52.5, 55, 57.5 or 60. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) is less than about 60, 57.5, 55, 52.5, 50, 47.5, 45, 42.5, 40, 37.5, 35, 32.5, 30, 27.5, 25, 22.5 or 20. The concentration of nonanoate salt may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) may be between about 30 to about 60, or between about 35 to about 50. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) may be about 44.

[0043] In one embodiment, the nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) is at least about 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45, 47.5, 50, 52.5, or 55. In one embodiment, the nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) is less than about 50, 47.5, 45, 42.5, 40, 37.5, 35, 32.5, 30, 27.5, 25, 22.5, 201, 17.5 or 15. The nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) may be between about 25 to about 55, or between about 35 to about 45. In one embodiment, the nonanoic equivalent concentration in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) may be about 400.

[0044] The nonanoate salt may be any herbicidally effective salt of nonanoic acid. The nonanoate salt may be selected from the group consisting of an ammonium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt a calcium salt, a cadmium salt or a zinc salt of nonanoic acid. In one embodiment, the nonanoate salt is ammonium nonanoate. Ammonium nonanoate can be prepared by mixing nonanoic acid with ammonium hydroxide (e.g. a source of ammonium cation). Ammonium nonanoate is the conjugate salt of nonanoic acid.

[0045] By neutralising the nonanoic acid to form the nonanoate salt, the herbicide compositions described herein may have a less acidic pH (i.e. more alkaline pH) compared to nonanoic acid containing herbicide formulations/concentrates, which are highly acidic, corrosive to equipment, a skin irritant and serious eye irritant both as the concentrate and also in its diluted form. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition has a pH of between about 5 to about 10. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition has a pH of at least about 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 or 10. The pH of the herbicide composition may be a range provided by any two of these values, for example the herbicide composition may have a pH of between about 7 to about 9. In one embodiment, the pH of the herbicide composition may be between about 7.5 to about 8.5.

Polar solvent

[0046] The herbicide composition comprises a polar solvent.

[0047] The term “solvent” has its general meaning understood in the art, for instance a material that dissolves another substance. The solvent is typically a liquid. The term “polar solvent” refers to a solvent that contains a partial positive and partial negative charge (i.e. has a dipole moment).

[0048] A solvents polarity can readily be determined by its dielectric constant, which measured the solvent’ s tendency to partly cancel the field strength of the electric field of a charge particle immersed in it. Typically, the higher the dielectric constant, the more polar the solvent is. The dielectric constant can be measured using various testing protocols, including according to ASTM D924. In one embodiment, the polar solvent has a dielectric constant of at least 5, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 15, and even more preferably at least 20, for example between about 5 to about 80, between about 10 to about 80, between about 15 to about 80, or between about 20 to about 80.

[0049] Any suitable polar solvent can be used provided it can solubilise to some degree the nonanoate salt in the aqueous liquid carrier.

[0050] In one embodiment, the polar solvent is a hydrotrope. As used herein, a “hydrotrope” is a solvent that solubilises compounds in aqueous solutions by means other than micellar solubilisation. Typically, hydrotropes comprise a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part (similar to surfactants), but the hydrophobic part is generally too small to cause spontaneous self-aggregation. Additionally, hydrotropes do not have a critical concentration above which self-aggregation spontaneously starts to occur. [0051] According to some embodiments or examples described herein, the nonanoate salt is also referred to as a soap salt and has limited solubility in water, especially at high concentrations which can result in highly viscous composition having a paste like consistency. Such thick compositions are not readily pourable. The present inventors have surprisingly identified that the use of certain polar solvents, including for example hydrotropes, not only improves the solubility of the nonanoate salt in the aqueous liquid carrier and as a result can provide herbicide compositions having high nonanoate salt loadings (e.g. 200 g/L or more), but despite this high nonanoate salt concentration, the herbicide compositions surprisingly remain pourable and of a desirable lower viscosity, making it easy to handle and use as a herbicide.

[0052] Any suitable hydrotrope can be used. For example, the hydrotrope may comprise amide functional groups, ester functional groups, ether functional groups, or alcohol functional groups, or a combination thereof.

[0053] In one embodiment, the hydrotrope is an amide (including a lactamide or a cyclic amide such as a lactam), an alcohol, an esteramide, or a glycol, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the hydrotrope is an esteramide.

[0054] As used herein, the term “esteramide” refers to a solvent which comprises both at least one amide functional group and at least one ester functional group. In one embodiment, the esteramide is methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoate (which can be supplied as Rhodiasolv® PolarClean). This esteramide can also act as a crystal growth inhibitor and thus may improve the cold stability of the herbicide composition.

[0055] In one embodiment, the hydrotrope is an amide. In one embodiment, the amide solvent is a lactamide. In one embodiment, the lactamide is 2-hydroxy-N,N- dimethylpropanamide (which can be supplied as Agnique® AMD 3L). In another embodiment, the amide solvent is a lactam (i.e. a cyclic amide). In one embodiment, the lactam is N-butyl-2-pyrrolidone (Genagen® NBP). [0056] In one embodiment, the hydrotrope is a glycol. In one embodiment, the glycol solvent is diethylene glycol.

[0057] In some preferred cases, the polar solvent is a bio-based solvent. The term “bio-based” means that the solvent is derived in-part or in-full from a biological source as opposed to being synthetically derived. While not precluded from being used as a polar solvent in the present herbicide compositions, some synthetic polar solvents may be regarded as being more difficult to handle due to toxicity concerns. Therefore according to some embodiments or examples, using a bio-based polar solvent may provide additional advantages such as the provision of an easier to handle herbicide composition. For example, Agnique® AMD 3L can be regarded as a safe, polar solvent which is partially bio-based, being derived from lactic acid obtained from fermentation. Rhodiasolv® PolarClean is also naturally derived as opposed to synthetic solvents.

[0058] In some embodiments, the polar solvent is a polar aprotic solvent. For example, the polar aprotic solvent may be an esteramide as described herein, such as Rhodiasolv® PolarClean. Other polar aprotic solvents are also contemplated. In another embodiment, the polar solvent is a polar protic solvent. For example, the polar protic solvent is a lactamide as described herein, such as Agnique® AMD 3L. Other polar protic solvents are also contemplated.

[0059] However, it will be appreciated that essentially any polar solvent that can improve the solubility of the nonanoate salt in the aqueous liquid carrier whilst retaining the herbicide compositions desirable lower viscosity (e.g. less than about 500 m.Pas) is envisaged, and can be evaluated accordingly by measuring the resulting compositions dynamic viscosity as described herein.

[0060] The concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide composition may be in an amount effective to solubilise the nonanoate salt. In one embodiment, the concentration of the polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is between about 50 to about 200. In one embodiment, the concentration of the polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is at least about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 130, 140, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 or 500. In one embodiment, the concentration of the polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is less than about 500, 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 140, 130, 120, 115, 110, 105, 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10. The concentration of the polar solvent may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the concentration of the polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be between about 75 to about 150.

[0061] The concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide composition may also be provided as a % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total weight of the composition) is between about 5 to about 20. In one embodiment, the concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total weight of the composition) is at least about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50. In one embodiment, the concentration of the polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in g/L) is less than about 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11.5, 11, 10.5, 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5, 6, 5.5, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5 or 1. The concentration of the polar solvent may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the concentration of the polar solvent in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) may be between about 7.5 to about 15.

[0062] In one embodiment, the polar solvent comprises less than about 30% w/v of a dicarboxylic acid ester (e.g. a dibasic ester). In one embodiment, the polar solvent does not comprise dimethyl azelate.

Aqueous liquid carrier and other excipients

[0063] The herbicide composition comprises an aqueous liquid carrier.

[0064] The inventors have found that the use of a polar solvent improves the solubility of the nonanoate salt in the aqueous liquid carrier and as a result can provide herbicide compositions having high nonanoate salt loadings (e.g. 300 g/L or more). Accordingly, it will be understood that the aqueous liquid carrier dissolves/suspends the nonanoate salt and optionally one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

[0065] In one embodiment, the aqueous liquid carrier comprises or consists of water. The water may comprise potable water.

[0066] The amount of aqueous liquid carrier may be quantity sufficient (q.s.).

[0067] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition comprises: a) between about 300 g/L to about 600 g/L ammonium nonanoate; b) between about 50 g/L to about 200 g/L polar solvent; and c) optionally between about 0.1 g/L to about 50 g/L of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients.

[0068] While not required, the herbicide composition may further comprise one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients. The additives/excipients may be selected from the group consisting of a carrier, an antifoaming agent, a nutrient source, a fragrant, a base, a co-solvent, a wetting agent, an emulsifier, a humectant, a desiccating agent, a binder, a sticking agent, a filler, an antifreeze, a dispersing agent, an emulsifier, a preservative, a stabilizer, a humectant, and a pH adjusting agent, or a combination thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize additional herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0069] In one embodiment, the one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additive/excipient is a nutrient source e.g. the herbicide composition is a “weed-and- feed” composition. For example, the nonanoate salt controls (e.g. kills/eliminates) unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae whilst providing a nutrient source to the area (e.g. soil) for future plant growth. In one embodiment, the nutrient source comprises a fertiliser (e.g. a material that comprises one or more of a nitrogen source, phosphate source and a potassium source).

[0070] If present, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be between about 0.1 to about 50. In one embodiment, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be at least about 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 or 500. In one embodiment, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be less than about 500, 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.2, or 0.1. The concentration of herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be between about 0.1 to about 30.

[0071] If present, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition may also be provided as a % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total herbicide composition) may be at least about 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 In one embodiment, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition (in g/L) may be less than about 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.5, 1, 0.5, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.02 or 0.01. The concentration of herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide composition (in % w/w of the total composition) may be between about 0.01 to about 3. [0072] While not required, the herbicide composition may also further comprise one or more additional active agents. The additional active agent be a herbicidal active agent. The herbicidal active agent may be any active agent that is substantially water soluble.

[0073] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition comprises less than about 10% w/w free nonanoic acid based on the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition is substantially free of nonanoic acid. In one embodiment, the nonanoate salt is the sole herbicidal active agent present in the composition.

Viscosity

[0074] The present inventors have surprisingly identified that the use of certain polar solvents not only improves the solubility of the nonanoate salt in the aqueous liquid carrier, but also provides herbicide compositions of a desirable lower viscosity, even at high nonanoate salt loadings (e.g. 200 g/L or more).

[0075] The herbicide composition has a dynamic viscosity. As used herein, the term “dynamic viscosity” refers to the compositions resistance to flow when an external force is applied, such as when using a rotational viscometer. Unless otherwise specified, the viscosities of the herbicide composition referred to herein are based on measurements using a rotational viscometer at 20 rpm at a temperature of 20°C. While any suitable rotational viscometer can be used as understood by the person skilled in the art, one suitable viscometer is a Brookfield rotational viscometer with RV Spindle 2. In one embodiment, the dynamic viscosity of the compositions described herein is measured using a Brookfield rotational viscometer with RV Spindle 2 at 20 rpm. The dynamic viscosity of the herbicide compositions described herein are below 500 mPa.s when measured at these conditions.

[0076] For the purposes of the present disclosure, herbicide compositions of lower viscosity typically have a viscosity of less than about 500 mPa.s when measured using a rotational viscometer at 20 rpm and at a temperature of 20°C. At this viscosity, the compositions are pourable and have acceptable container pourability residues.

[0077] In contrast, previous attempts in industry to develop highly concentrated ammonium nonanoate compositions above about 20-30 % w/w typically result in compositions that are comparatively higher viscosity, and in some cases well above 500 mPa.s. Unlike the compositions of the present disclosure, such viscous pastes are not pourable. As a result, the typical approach to retain the compositions pourability is to decrease the ammonium nonanoate loading. Such decrease in active concentration means more of the composition is required to be applied to control unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0078] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition has a dynamic viscosity (in mPa.s) of less than about 500, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200 or 100 when measured using a rotational viscometer at 20 rpm and at a temperature of 20°C. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition has a dynamic viscosity (in mPa.s) of at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 when measured using a rotational viscometer at 20 rpm and at a temperature of 20°C. The dynamic viscosity may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example between about 10 to about 500, or between about 10 to about 100.

[0079] Related to the viscosity, the herbicide composition may also have a container pourability residue. The container pourability residue highlights how much of the composition remains in a container following a pouring event. A low container pourability residue indicates that most of the composition is able to be poured from a container, and that an excessive amount does not remain in the container.

[0080] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition has a container pourability residue (R) of less than about 5.0% and rinsed container pourability (R’) residue of less than about 0.25% measured using the Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council (CIPAC) method MT 148 Handbook F, pages 348, 349. [0081] According to some embodiments or examples described herein, the inventors have identified that the herbicide compositions described herein having a viscosity below 500 mPa.s may provide better characteristics in terms of ease of pourability, re- suspension/dilution in water and/or ease of spray application, despite the herbicide composition having in some cases a high nonanoate salt loading (e.g. 200 g/L or more). In contrast, nonanoate salt compositions having viscosities higher than 500 mPa.s are often of paste-like consistency and difficult to pour.

[0082] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition may have a solution stability in water where substantially no cream or sediment is present after 30 minutes when 5 mL of composition is mixed with 100 mL of water as measured using CIPAC MT 41.

[0083] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition may have a maximum of 60 mL of foam after 1 minute when 14 mL of herbicide composition is mixed with 200 mL water as measured using CIPAC MT 47.2.

[0084] The herbicide composition may have a density (in g/mL) of between about 0.8 to about 1.0. The herbicide composition may have a density (in g/mL) of at least about 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99 or 1. The herbicide composition may have a density (in g/mL) of less than about 1, 0.99, 0.98, 0.97, 0.96, 0.95, 0.9, 0.85 or 0.8. The density may be a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example between about 0.9 to 1.

Herbicide formulations

[0085] The herbicide compositions described herein may be further diluted. For example, the herbicide composition may be a concentrate (e.g. comprise a high loading of nonanoate salt, such as 300 g/L or more) and in some cases may require dilution with water into a formulation that is amenable to be sprayed.

[0086] In one aspect or embodiment, there is provided a herbicide formulation comprising a diluted herbicide composition described herein. The herbicide formulation may be a “ready-to-use” (RTU) formulation. In this embodiment, the herbicide formulation is a diluted herbicide composition.

[0087] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition is diluted with water, for example potable water.

[0088] It will be appreciated that when the herbicide composition is diluted (e.g. with water), the concentration of nonanoate salt is also diluted. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) is at least about 0.1, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50. In one embodiment, the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) is less than about 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2, 1 or 0.1. The concentration of nonanoate salt may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the concentration of nonanoate salt in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) may be between about 10 to about 50, between about 20 to about 40, or between about 25 to about 35.

[0089] It will also be appreciated that when the herbicide composition is diluted (e.g. with water), the concentration of polar solvent is also diluted. In one embodiment, the concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) is at least about 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40 or 50. In one embodiment, the concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) is less than about 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 5, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.2 or 0.1. The concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide formulation may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example the concentration of polar solvent in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) may be between about 2 to about 20, or between about 5 to about 10.

[0090] Similarly, if present, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) may be between about 0.001 to about 10. In one embodiment, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) may be at least about 0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. In one embodiment, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) may be less than about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, 0.05, 0.02, 0.01, 0.005, 0.002 or 0.001. The concentration of herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example, the concentration of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients in the herbicide formulation (in g/L) may be between about 0.001 to about 5.

[0091] In one aspect or embodiment, there is provided a herbicide formulation, comprising a) between about 10 g/L to about 50 g/L ammonium nonanoate; b) between about 1 g/L to about 20 g/L polar solvent; and c) optionally between about 0.001 g/L to about 5 g/L of one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients.

Process of preparing herbicide compositions

[0092] In one aspect or embodiment, there is provided a process of preparing a herbicide composition described herein, comprising mixing together nonanoic acid, a polar solvent, an alkali reactant, and an aqueous liquid carrier and optionally one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients under conditions effective to form the herbicide composition, wherein the nonanoic acid reacts with the alkali reactant upon mixing the to form a nonanoate salt.

[0093] The alkali reactant may be any suitable alkali that acts as a base for reacting with nonanoic acid to form the conjugate nonanoate salt. For example, the alkali reactant may be ammonium hydroxide which reacts with nonanoic acid to form ammonium nonanoate. Other suitable alkali reactants may include potassium hydroxide which reacts with nonanoic acid to form potassium nonanoate, sodium hydroxide which reacts with nonanoic acid to form sodium nonanoate, and the like. [0094] In one embodiment, the alkali reactant is ammonium hydroxide, and the nonanoic acid reacts with the ammonium hydroxide upon mixing to form ammonium nonanoate. The ammonium hydroxide may be provided as a solution, such as an ammonium hydroxide aqueous solution, the water component of which contributed to the total amount of aqueous liquid carrier present in the herbicide composition.

[0095] In one embodiment, the process comprises forming an emulsion comprising an aqueous phase and an organic phase.

[0096] In one embodiment, the process comprises mixing together nonanoic acid and the polar solvent to form an organic phase, and mixing the organic phase with an aqueous phase comprising the alkali reactant and aqueous liquid carrier under conditions effective to form the herbicide composition, wherein the nonanoic acid reacts with the alkali reactant upon mixing the organic phase with the aqueous phase to form the nonanoate salt; and wherein the organic phase or aqueous phase optionally comprises one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients.

[0097] For example, the process may comprise: a) mixing together nonanoic acid and the polar solvent to form an organic phase; b) mixing the alkali reactant and an aqueous liquid carrier (e.g. potable water) to form an aqueous phase; and c) adding the organic phase to the aqueous phase under conditions effective to from the herbicide composition.

[0098] Optionally, one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients can be mixed with the aqueous phase or organic phase, or both. In one embodiment the organic phase may comprise one or more herbicidally or agriculturally acceptable additives/excipients.

[0099] It will be appreciated that the nonanoic acid is neutralised by the alkali reactant to form a substantially water soluble nonanoate salt. In one embodiment, the nonanoic acid is neutralised by a stoichiometrically equivalent amount of alkali reactant.

[0100] In one embodiment, the polar solvent and nonanoic acid are mixed at an elevated temperature, for example at a temperature (in °C) of between 20 to about 50, for example between about 35 to about 45, to form the organic phase. In one embodiment, the polar solvent is first heated to the elevated temperature, and the nonanoic acid is subsequently added to the heated polar solvent and mixed at the elevated temperature, to form the organic phase.

[0101] In one embodiment, the organic phase and aqueous phase is mixed at an elevated temperature. In one embodiment, the organic phase and aqueous phase is mixed at a temperature (in °C) of at least about 20, 22, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50. In one embodiment, the organic phase and aqueous phase is mixed at a temperature (in °C) less than about 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 22 or 20. The organic phase and aqueous phase may be mixed at a temperature in a range provided by any two of these upper and or lower values, for example between about 20°C to about 50°C, or between about 35°C to about 45°C.

[0102] In some cases, the organic phase is added slowly to the aqueous phase. For example, the neutralisation of nonanoic acid with a stoichoimetrically equivalent amount of ammonium hydroxide to form ammonium nonanoate may be exothermic, and the slow addition of the organic phase to aqueous phase assists in controlling the temperature of the reaction.

[0103] In one embodiment, the organic phase and aqueous phase is mixed for a period of time (in minutes) of at least about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90 or 120. In one embodiment, the organic phase and aqueous phase is mixed for a period of time (in minutes) of less than about 120, 90, 60, 30, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1, 0.5 or 0.1. The mixing time may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values, for example between about 1 minute to about 120 minutes, or between about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes. [0104] The inventors have identified that the lower viscosity of the herbicide composition assists when containers needs to be filled after preparing the composition.

[0105] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition is diluted with water. This may occur shortly after the composition is prepared or sometime later, such as prior to applying to unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

Method and uses for controlling unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae

[0106] The herbicide composition described herein or diluted composition thereof can be used to control unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0107] In one aspect or embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae, the method comprising applying a herbicidally effective amount of the herbicide composition described herein or a diluted composition thereof to an area affected or likely to be affected by the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0108] In another aspect, there is provided use of the herbicide composition described herein or a diluted composition thereof for controlling unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0109] In one embodiment, the unwanted vegetation is an annual or perennial weed or grass. In one embodiment, the unwanted vegetation is selected from one or more of capeweed, chickweed, clover, cobbler pegs, crouch grass, crowsfoot, false heather, fat hen, fleabane, lambs tongue, couch grass; barnyard, grass nutgrass, paspalum, peppercress, plantain, potatoweed, slender celery, stinking roger, common storksbill, moss or liverwort. In one embodiment, the fungi is lichen.

[0110] The herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof may be applied to the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae in an amount effective to kill or retard the growth of the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae. [0111] The area may be any crop, grass, garden, lawn or a surface such as paths, driveways, around sheds, roadsides, fencelines etc. that has unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae growing or residing on, around or therein. It will be appreciated there is essentially no limitation on the area being treated with the herbicide composition described herein or diluted composition thereof, and rather the area can be selected depending on whether or not the area is affected by or likely to be affected by unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0112] The herbicide composition described herein or diluted composition thereof may be used to stop the weed seed-set without substantially affecting crop yield and grain quality. This is called “croptopping”. Croptopping is timed for the weed growth stage to control weed seed set from survivors of normal incrop weed control. It can be used to control ‘escapes’ from other weed management treatments, as a late post- emergent salvage treatment, or for managing herbicide resistance. Late weed control may also reduce grain contamination.

[0113] In one aspect or embodiment, there is provided a method of croptopping, the method comprising applying the herbicide composition described herein or a diluted composition thereof to a crop area in an amount effective to substantially prevent weed seed-set.

[0114] In another aspect or embodiment, there is provided use of the herbicide composition described herein or a diluted composition thereof for croptopping.

[0115] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver between about 5 kg to about 70 kg of nonanoic acid per ha of area.

[0116] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver between about 10 kg to about 60 kg of nonanoic acid per ha of area. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver at least about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60 kg of nonanoic acid per ha of area. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver less than about 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 kg of nonanoic acid per ha of area. The amount of nonanoic acid delivered may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver between about 20 kg to about 50 kg of nonanoic acid per ha of area.

[0117] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver between about 10 L to about 5000 L of composition per ha of area. In one embodiment, , the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver at least about 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500 or 5000 L of composition per ha of area. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is applied in an amount effective to deliver less than about 5000, 4500, 4000, 3500, 3000, 2500, 2000, 1500, 1000, 800, 500, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20 or 10 L of composition per ha of area. The amount of nonanoic acid delivered may be in a range provided by any two of these upper and/or lower values.

[0118] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is reapplied to the area affected or likely to be affected by the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

[0119] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is reapplied to the area affected or likely to be affected by the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 days after the first application. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is reapplied to the area affected or likely to be affected by the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae within 7 to 14 days after the first application. [0120] In one embodiment, the herbicide composition or diluted composition thereof is sprayed on an area affected or likely to be affected by the unwanted vegetation, fungi or algae.

Kits

[0121] The herbicide composition may be provided a part of a kit. In one aspect or embodiment, there is provided a kit comprising: a) the herbicide composition described herein or a diluted composition thereof; and b) a spray applicator.

[0122] The kit may further comprise instructions for use.

[0123] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2022902988 filed on 12 October 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLES

[0124] In order that the disclosure may be more clearly understood, particular embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below by reference to the following non-limiting experimental materials, methodologies and examples.

Example 1: Preparation of herbicide concentrate

The final composition of the herbicide composition along with the purpose and source of the chemicals is outlined in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Components of herbicide concentrate

[0125] The herbicide composition was produced in a batch process by the following process.

[0126] Part A (Aqueous phase): A jacketed reaction vessel with cooling was charged with water. The ammonium hydroxide solution was mixed into the water to form an aqueous phase.

[0127] Part B (Organic phase): -In a separate vessel the organic components were combined to form an organic phase. First, the Rhodiasolv Polarclean Solvent was introduced to a vessel equipped with a propeller type stirrer and the temperature was maintained between 35-45°C. d-Limonene was added and stirring commenced. The required amount of pelargonic acid was added as the stirring continued. Gensil 2000 was added and stirring continued. [0128] Part C (Combine the phases): The mixed organic phase was slowly added to the aqueous phase as the aqueous phase was stirred. The temperature was maintained between 35-45 °C and the mixture is stirred for a further 30 minutes.

[0129] Analysis of the herbicide composition of Table 1 as produced by the above method had the following quality specifications in Table 2 below:

Table 2: Quality specification of herbicide concentrate

[0130] A stability study was conducted according to the procedures outlined in the APVMA Guidelines for the Generation of Storage Stability Data for Agricultural Chemical Products. According to the guidelines the herbicide composition of Table 1 as produced by the above method was determined to be stable to heat for 2 weeks at 54 °C and therefore can be expected to be shelf stable for at least 2 years.

[0131] In accordance with CIPAC MT 39.3 the herbicide composition of Table 1 as produced by the above method was subjected to a cold storage condition for 7 days at 0 °C. The product was determined to solidify at 0 °C, however, deliquesces and is stable to cold temperature > 4 °C.

[0132] The herbicide composition of Table 1 had a dynamic viscosity of less than about 500 mPa.s when measured at a temperature of 20°C using a Brookfield RV rotational viscometer using Spindle 1 at 20 rpm.

[0133] The herbicide composition of Table 1 had a container pourability residue (R) < 5.0% and rinsed container pourability (R’) < 0.25% measured using the Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council (CIPAC) method MT 148 Handbook F, pages 348, 349.

Example 2: Preparation of herbicide concentrates using different solvents

[0134] The herbicide concentrate prepared in Example 1 used Rhodiasolv Polarclean, a polar solvent hydrotrope, which was surprisingly discovered to significantly improve the solubility of ammonium nonanoate solutions, prevent undesirable viscosity and allow for stable ammonium nonanoate loadings to -440 g/L, all the while retaining the concentrates lower viscosity and pourability. Other solvents were also investigated. [0135] Herbicide concentrates were prepared according to Example 1, but replacing the Rhodiasolv Polarclean with the following solvents outlined in Table 3

Table 3: List of solvents used to prepare herbicide composition

[0136] Various glycol, amide and esteramide based solvents can be used to prepare herbicide compositions having high loadings of ammonium nonanoate that are of low viscosity.

Example 3: Trial study 1

[0137] A trial study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of the herbicide composition of Example 1 as a non-selective herbicide.

Experimental design [0138] Test candidate formulations consisted of the herbicide composition of Example 1 at 70, 85 & 100 ml/L and commercial reference products Wipe Out Bio (360 g/L glyphosate) at 7 mL/L, Slasher (525 g/L nonanoic acid) at 70 ml/L and Cavalier (500 g/L Oxyflurofen) at 2 L/ha. Treatments were applied with a 2 meter small plot precision spray boom in a randomized complete block trial design with four replicates at a water rate of 980 L/ha. A summary of the test candidates and treatment list is provided in Table 4 below:

Table 4: Trial candidates

[0139] The trial was conducted under a randomized complete block design.

Treatments were replicated four (4) times. The treatment list is provided in Table 5:

Table 5: Treatment list [0140] Herbicide efficacy was estimated as the total number of individual weed species present in each plot at each assessment. The statistical package of ARM V 9.0 (Agricultural Research Manager) was used to analyze study data. An ANOVA at the 95% confidence interval was used to assess data set. Data was transformed where required by either square root, arcsine or log.

[0141] The chronology of the trial is outlined in the Table 4 below

Table 6: Trial chronology

Trial results

Results with respect to Clover - Trifloium spp.

[0142] 4 DAA-A: Slasher demonstrated the greatest level of control. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 70 & 100 ml/L were not significantly different (p<0.05) to the untreated control but neither was the reference product of Wipe Out Bio.

[0143] 10 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of control with the exception of herbicide composition at 85 ml/L.

[0144] 17 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significantly (p<0.05) level of control with the exception of Wipe Out Bio. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 ml/L provided the highest level of control. There was a trend with increasing dose however this was not significant (p<0.05). [0145] 25 DAA-A: There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. All treatments were not significantly (p<0.05) different to the untreated control

Results with respect to Common Paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum}

[0146] 4 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrate a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control with the exception of Cavalier and Wipe Out Bio. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 100 ml/L provided the highest level of efficacy.

[0147] 10 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated. Efficacy of Wipe Out Bio had increased. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 ml/L provided the greatest numerical control although this was not significant (p<0.05).

[0148] 17 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 100 ml/L provided the greatest numerical control although this was not significant (p<0.05).

[0149] 25 DAA-A: There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. All treatments were not significantly (p<0.05) different to the untreated control. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 ml/L provided the greatest numerical control.

Results with respect to Crowsfoot (Eleusine indicd

[0150] 4 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Slasher provided the greatest level of numerical control although this was not significantly (p<0.05) different to any other treatment.

[0151] 10 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Wipe Out Bio provided the greatest level of numerical control although this was not significantly (p<0.05) different to any other treatment. [0152] 17 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Cavalier provided the greatest level of numerical control although this was not significantly (p<0.05) different to any other treatment.

[0153] 25 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Wipe Out Bio provided the greatest level of numerical control which was only significantly (p<0.05) different to Results with respect to at 70 ml/L

Results with respect to Plantain (Plantao lanceolata}

[0154] 4 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control except for Wipe Out Bio. Results with respect to at 100 ml/L provided the greatest level of numerical control although this was not significantly (p<0.05).

[0155] 10 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Wipe Out Bio provided the greatest level of numerical control and demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) greater efficacy than Cavalier but was not significantly (p<0.05) different to any other treatment.

17 DAA-A: There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment difference. Cavalier provided the greatest level of numerical control although this was not significantly (p<0.05) different to any other treatment.

[0156] 25 DAA-A: All treatments demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control with the exception of Herbicide composition at 85 ml/L. Cavalier provided the greatest level of numerical control which was significantly (p<0.05) greater than Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 70 & 85 ml/L. [0157] Results of the study indicate that the herbicide composition of Example 1 provided the equivalent level of control to the commercial reference products of Slasher and Wipe Out Bio. Speed of efficacy was similar to Slasher and faster than Wipe Out Bio. Herbicide composition of Example 1 is a fast kill non selective herbicide.

Example 4: Trial study 2

[0158] A trial study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of a range of candidate treatments as non-selective herbicides.

[0159] Test candidate formulations consisted of herbicide composition of Example 1 at 40, 55, 70, 85 & 100 ml/L and were compared to the commercial reference products of Round Up Bioactive (360 g/L glyphosate) at 7 mL/L, Slasher (525 g/L nonanoic acid) at 70 ml/L Treatments were applied with a 2 meter small plot precision spray boom in a randomized complete block trial design with four replicates at a water rate of 980 L/ha with two applications on a 14 day window. A summary of the test candidates and treatment list is provided in Table 7 below:

Table 7: Trial candidates

[0160] The trial was conducted under a randomized complete block design.

Treatments were replicated four (4) times. The treatment list is provided in Table 8.

Table 8: Treatment list

[0161] Herbicide efficacy was estimated as the total number of individual weed species present in each plot at each assessment. The statistical package of ARM V 9.0 (Agricultural Research Manager) was used to analyze study data. An ANOVA at the 95% confidence interval was used to assess data set. Data was transformed where required by either square root, arcsine or log.

[0162] The chronology of the trial is outlined in the Table 9 below

Table 9: Trial chronology

Trial results

Results with respect to whole plot assessments

[0163] 7 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment difference. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 mL/L and Round Up Bioactive provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control. [0164] 14 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment difference. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 mL/L continued to provide the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

[0165] 21 DAA-A & 7 DAA-B: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 & 100 mL/L provided a significantly (p<0.05) greater efficacy than that of Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 55 & 70 mL/L. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 & 100 mL/L was equivalent to that of Round Up Bioactive and Slasher. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 55 & 70 mL/L provided a significantly (p<0.05) lower level of efficacy than that of Round Up Bioactive and Slasher.

Results with respect to Fleabane - Conyza spp.

[0166] 7 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Efficacy of herbicide composition of Example 1 at 55 mL/L and Round Bioactive was significantly (p<0.05) less than other treatments.

[0167] 14 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. 17 DAA-A herbicide composition of Example 1 at 70 & 85 mL/L provided a significantly greater level of efficacy than Slasher. There was no other treatment difference.

[0168] 21 DAA-A & 7 DAA-B: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 70 & 85 mL/L was significantly (p<0.05) greater than Slasher.

Results with respect to Slender Celery (Cyclospermum leptophyllum) [0169] 7 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 100 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

[0170] 14 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 85 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

[0171] 21 DAA-A & 7 DAA-B: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 100 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

Results with respect to Cobbler Pegs - Bindens pilosa

[0172] 7 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 70 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

[0173] 14 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 70 & 85 mL/L and Slasher provided a significant (p<0.05) greater level of control than that of Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 40 mL/L. There was no other significant (p<0.05) treatment effects.

[0174] 21 DAA-A & 7 DAA-B: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control with the exception of Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 40 mL/L. There were no other treatment effects. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 1000 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

Results with respect to False Heather - Cuphea hyssopifolia

[0175] 7 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Slasher provided absolute and the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

[0176] 14 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Slasher continued to provide the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

Results with respect to Couch grass - Cynodon dactylon

[0177] 14 DAA-A: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control. There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 100 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

Results with respect to Nutgrass - Cyperus rotundus

[0178] 21 DAA-A & DAA-B: All treatments provided a significant (p<0.05) level of efficacy in comparison to the untreated control with the exception of Round Up Biactive. There was no other significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 55 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

Results with respect to Barnyard grass - Echinochloa crus-galli [0179] 21 DAA-A & DAA-B: There was no significant (p<0.05) treatment effect. Herbicide composition of Example 1 at 55 mL/L provided the greatest (although not significant) numerical control.

[0180] Results of the study would indicate that Herbicide composition of Example 1 provided an equivalent level of control to Round Up Biactive and Slasher on most weed species but Herbicide composition of Example 1 was superior for Fleabane and Nutgrass control at selected intervals. Herbicide composition of Example 1 offers an alternate mode of action group on difficult and or herbicide resistant/ sensitive weed species.