U.S. patent application number 10/409880 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-20 for herbicidal composition and a method of using a naturally-occurring organic compound as a herbicide.
This patent application is currently assigned to Greener Pastures Development Corporation. Invention is credited to Miles, Mark, Powers, James H..
Application Number | 20030216259 10/409880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27624822 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030216259 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miles, Mark ; et
al. |
November 20, 2003 |
Herbicidal composition and a method of using a naturally-occurring
organic compound as a herbicide
Abstract
A method of controlling unwanted plants, the method including
providing an herbicidal composition, the herbicidal composition
containing at least a naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic
compound, and applying the herbicidal composition to the unwanted
plants.
Inventors: |
Miles, Mark; (Woodbury,
MN) ; Powers, James H.; (St. Paul, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KINNEY & LANGE, P.A.
THE KINNEY & LANGE BUILDING
312 SOUTH THIRD STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55415-1002
US
|
Assignee: |
Greener Pastures Development
Corporation
Oakdale
MN
Kinney & Lange, P.A.
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
27624822 |
Appl. No.: |
10/409880 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10409880 |
Apr 9, 2003 |
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09425105 |
Oct 12, 1999 |
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6602824 |
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60120432 |
Feb 16, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
504/275 ;
504/320; 504/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 37/44 20130101;
A01N 2300/00 20130101; A01N 37/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
504/275 ;
504/345; 504/320 |
International
Class: |
A01N 043/50; A01N
037/00; A01N 033/02 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling unwanted plants, the method comprising:
providing an herbicidal composition, the herbicidal composition
comprising a naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound;
and applying the herbicidal composition to the unwanted plants.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound is glycine betaine.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound is selected from the group
consisting of glycine betaine, alanine-betaine, proline-betaine,
histidine-betaine, tryptophan-betaine, pipecholate-betaine, and any
of these in any combination.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound is a quartenary ammonium salt.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound is less toxic than common table
salt.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound has an LD.sub.50 that is greater
than about 11,000 mg of the naturally-occurring, plant-derived
organic compound per kilogram of rat body weight when the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound is orally
administered to rats.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound kills the unwanted plants after the
herbicidal composition is applied to the unwanted plants.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the unwanted plants are selected
from the group consisting of aquatic weeds and terrestrial
weeds.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the unwanted plants are
dicotyledonous plants.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein: the herbicidal composition is
effective for killing any dicotyledonous plant; and post-embryonic
monocotyledonous plants are not harmed by the herbicidal
composition.
11. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising applying a
fertilizer to the unwanted plants prior to, during, or after
application of the herbicidal composition to the unwanted plants,
the fertilizer causing increased uptake of the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound by the unwanted weeds.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the unwanted plants cause
diminished water clarity in a body of water, the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound increasing the
water clarity after application of the herbicidal composition to
the unwanted plants.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the herbicidal composition
comprises a molasses processing byproduct that is derived from
sugar beets.
14. A method of killing weeds, the method comprising: providing an
herbicidal composition, the herbicidal composition comprising
glycine betaine; and applying the herbicidal composition to the
weeds, the glycine betaine effective to kill the weeds.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein: the herbicidal composition is
effective for killing any dicotyledonous plant; and post-embryonic
monocotyledonous plants are not harmed by the herbicidal
composition.
16. A method of improving water clarity in a body of water, the
method comprising: providing an herbicidal composition, the
herbicidal composition comprising a naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound; and distributing the herbicidal
composition in the body of water where water clarity is diminished,
the naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound effective
to enhance the diminished water clarity.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound is glycine betaine.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound is capable of increasing the water
clarity without harming fish or amphibians present in the body of
water.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound has an LD.sub.50 that is greater
than about 11,000 mg of the naturally-occurring, plant-derived
organic compound per kilogram of rat body weight when the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound is orally
administered to rats.
20. An herbicidal composition, the herbicidal composition
comprising glycine betaine.
21. An herbicidal composition, the herbicidal composition
comprising a molasses processing byproduct that is derived from
sugar beets.
22. An herbicidal composition, the herbicidal composition
comprising a naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound,
the naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound capable of
killing unwanted plants after the herbicidal composition is applied
to the unwanted plants.
23. The herbicidal composition of claim 22 wherein the herbicidal
composition is effective for killing any dicotyledonous plant
without harming any post-embryonic monocotyledonous plants.
24. The herbicidal composition of claim 23 wherein the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound has an
LD.sub.50 that is greater than about 11,000 mg of the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound per kilogram of
rat body weight when the naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic
compound is orally administered to rats.
25. The herbicidal composition of claim 22 wherein the unwanted
plants cause diminished water clarity in a body of water, the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound capable of
increasing the water clarity after application of the herbicidal
composition to the unwanted plants.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] Application Serial No. 60/120,432 filed on Feb. 16,
1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an herbicidal
composition and to a method of using a naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound as a herbicide. More particularly,
the present invention relates to an herbicidal composition that
includes the naturally-occurring, plant-derived, organic compound
and to a method of using the naturally-occurring, plant-derived,
organic compound to control aquatic and terrestrial weeds.
[0003] A weed may be generally defined as an unwanted terrestrial
or aquatic plant. Conversely, a terrestrial or aquatic plant that
is desired is not a weed, but is instead a desirable plant. Weeds
often interfere with efficient utilization of land and water
resources and typically compete with desired plants for water,
nutrients, light, carbon dioxide, and space. Many weeds are also
aesthetically displeasing, especially when the weeds appear within
a stand of a desired plant, such as St. Augustine grass or Kentucky
bluegrass in a homeowner's lawn. Weeds may also obstruct
visibility, become fire hazards around buildings, and reduce the
efficiency of irrigation systems. When weeds appear in
watercourses, such as rivers and lakes, the weeds may contribute to
poor water quality, making the water unsuitable for culinary and
industrial uses. Furthermore, some weeds act in a poisonous fashion
against other plants, animals, and humans by secreting toxic
substances known as alleopathic compounds or by spreading agents
that may cause allergies and/or disease. Finally, weeds provide
shelter for insects and rodents that spread disease or are
otherwise harmful to desired plants, animals, or humans.
[0004] Weeds cause agricultural losses to crops that consistently
exceed losses caused by other classes of agricultural pests, year
after year. Besides reducing the quality of the crop, weed
infestation may reduce achievable crop yield by up to 100% of the
theoretically achievable yield. A number of approaches, including
mechanical, agricultural, biological, and chemical techniques, have
evolved in an attempt to control weed infestation.
[0005] Mechanical means, such as hand pulling, hoeing or
cultivation, deep plowing, clipping, mowing, burning and/or
mulching, may be employed in an attempt to eradicate or control
weeds. Also, cover crops may be planted to keep the ground covered
when not growing more valuable crops and thus weed infestation that
would ordinarily be expected to occur in bare ground areas is
typically minimized. Crop rotation and planting of "smother" crops
that are adapted to grow more vigorously than weeds have also been
attempted as means of controlling weed infestations. Besides these
mechanical and agricultural techniques, biological methods of weed
control, such as introduction of predator populations that feed on
the weeds and thereby reduce weed population, have also been
attempted.
[0006] Mechanical, agricultural, and biological methods of weed
control, while sometimes helping to reduce the extent of weed
infestations, are not fully satisfactory. First, mechanical and
agricultural techniques are quite labor intensive and require use
of limited physical and capital resources. Furthermore,
environmental factors beyond the control of the farmer or
homeowner, such as excessive rainfall, may diminish the
effectiveness of these mechanical and agricultural techniques.
Likewise, biological techniques, such as introduction of predator
populations, are not entirely satisfactory, since the predators may
not be selective for only the weed population.
[0007] Chemically active herbicides represent another potential
weed control technique. These chemical herbicides may be broken
down into pre-emergent herbicides and post-emergent herbicides.
Pre-emergent herbicides typically interfere with germination of
weed seeds, whereas post-emergent herbicides kill the weeds after
the weed seeds have germinated and weed growth has begun.
[0008] Pre-emergent herbicides may be effective when present at the
required dosage at the time weed seed germination is ready to
occur. However, this timing issue points out a major problem with
respect to pre-emergent herbicides. Specifically, if the
pre-emergent herbicide is not applied, or degrades, prior to weed
seed germination, the weed seeds are free to germinate and begin
growing into mature weeds. Additionally, pre-emergent herbicides
are typically weed specific and are not equally effective against
all types of weeds. The timing problem present with pre-emergent
herbicides may be avoided by employing post-emergent herbicides and
by applying the post-emergent herbicide only after the weed seeds
have germinated and the weeds are actively growing. However, many
presently available post-emergent herbicides are non-selective
herbicides and therefore will kill desirable plants in addition to
weeds.
[0009] Many pre- and post-emergent herbicides also suffer from
another problem. Specifically, many pre-emergent herbicides and
post-emergent herbicides are either moderately or highly toxic to
humans and animals, and may thereby have damaging effects far
beyond the intended weed control effect. Toxic herbicides may cause
injury either immediately or over the long term to persons applying
the herbicides and to persons present when the herbicides are
applied. Also, residual concentrations of toxic herbicides that
remain in the soil or water after application of the herbicide may
pose a significant threat to human beings and to animals, including
land-based animals and amphibians and fish, upon contact with the
treated area or runoff from the treated area. Furthermore, public
alarm about the use of toxic chemicals as herbicides and their
potential widespread and long-term effects on environmental quality
dictate against the continued use of these toxic herbicides.
[0010] There is a need for an herbicidal solution that avoids the
critical timing issues of pre-emergent herbicide applications.
Furthermore, there is a need for an herbicidal solution that avoids
the toxic effects of presently available pre-emergent and
post-emergent herbicides on human beings, animals and the
environment generally. Furthermore, there is a need for an
economically efficient post-emergent weed technique that
selectively controls weeds without destroying or hindering the
growth of desired plants.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention includes a method of controlling
unwanted plants. The method includes providing an herbicidal
composition that contains at least a naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound and applying the herbicidal
composition to the unwanted plants. The present invention further
includes an herbicidal composition and a method of increasing water
clarity in a body of water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of chloroplasts of a healthy,
actively growing weed prior to treatment of the weed with an
aqueous herbicidal composition that contains glycine betaine.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a photomicrograph of the weed chloroplasts
depicted in FIG. 1 after treatment of the weed in accordance with
the present invention using the aqueous herbicidal composition that
contains glycine betaine.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a photograph of weeds present in a field before
treatment with the aqueous herbicidal composition that contains
glycine betaine.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a photograph of the field depicted in FIG. 3
illustrating the effect of treating the weeds in accordance with
the present invention using the aqueous herbicidal composition that
contains glycine betaine.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a photograph of weeds present in a pond before
treatment with an herbicidal composition that contains glycine
betaine.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a photograph of the pond depicted in FIG. 5
illustrating the effect of treating the weeds in accordance with
the present invention with the herbicidal composition that contains
glycine betaine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present invention generally relates to a method of using
a naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound to control
terrestrial and aquatic weeds. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a method of using the naturally-occurring,
plant-derived organic compound for both pre-emergent and
post-emergent control of terrestrial and aquatic weeds.
[0019] The naturally-occurring; plant-derived organic compound,
which is preferably glycine betaine, may be generally characterized
as a quarternary ammonium salt, such as the quartenary ammonium
salt depicted in graphic formula I below: 1
[0020] where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 may each be methyl
groups and where R.sub.4 may be a carboxylate ion group, such as
the carboxylate ion group depicted in graphic formula II below:
2
[0021] where R.sub.5 may be CH.sub.2 when the group of formula II
is substituted as R.sub.4 in formula I. Thus, one particular form
of the quarternary ammonium salt that may be used as the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound in accordance
with the present invention may be the compound that is graphically
represented in formula III below: 3
[0022] The compound depicted in graphic formula III is commonly
referred to as glycine betaine, and is also known as
1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethylmeth- anaminium inner salt. Glycine
betaine may be derived from a number of different plant sources,
such as from sugar beets.
[0023] As used herein, the term "naturally-occurring, plant-derived
organic compound" means an organic compound that originated in a
living organism of the plantae kingdom and that has not been
altered molecularly from the molecular structure of the organic
compound when present in the living organism. All references to
"naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound" are also to
be understood as encompassing any synthetically-produced identical
copy of the organic compound that is identical in molecular
structure to the organic compound that originated in a living
organism of the plantae kingdom.
[0024] Besides glycine betaine, it is believed that other betaines,
such as alanine-betaine, proline-betaine, histidine-betaine,
tryptophan-betaine and pipecholate-betaine, provide herbicidal
control activity and are consequently suitable additional
non-exhaustive examples of the naturally-occurring, plant-derived
organic compound that may be used to control terrestrial and
aquatic weeds in accordance with the present invention. Like
glycine betaine, the other betaines, such as alanine-betaine,
proline-betaine, histidine-betaine, tryptophan-betaine and
pipecholate-betaine, may be derived from a number of different
plant sources. Though subsequent references to the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound specifically
address glycine betaine, it is believed that other betaines, such
as alanine-betaine, proline-betaine, histidine-betaine,
tryptophan-betaine, pipecholate-betaine, and any of these listed
betaines in any combination may be substituted in place of, or used
in any combination with, glycine betaine for control of terrestrial
and aquatic weeds in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] Glycine betaine may be used to kill many types of
terrestrial (growing in soil) and aquatic (growing in water) weeds
in accordance with the present invention. As used herein, the term
"weed" means an unwanted plant. Unwanted plants may be further
classified as terrestrial weeds and aquatic weeds. Both
pre-emergent and post-emergent control of terrestrial and aquatic
weeds are typically obtained when glycine betaine is applied in
accordance with the present invention.
[0026] As an example, glycine betaine, when applied in accordance
with the present invention, is effective for pre-emergent control
and post-emergent control of any dicotyledonous plants that are
viewed as undesirable and, thus unwanted plants, or weeds. Some
non-exhaustive examples of dicotyledonous plants that are typically
terrestrial in nature and that may be selectively controlled by
pre-emergent and post-emergent application of glycine betaine in
accordance with the present invention include creeping Charlie
(Glechonia hederaceae), black medic (Medicago luplina), black
nightshade (Solanium nigrum), buckhorn plantain (Plantago
lanceolata), catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine), common
lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), curly dock (Rumex crispus),
dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), purslane (Portulaca oleracea),
redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), and velvet leaf (Abutilon
theophrasti).
[0027] Additionally, when applied in accordance with the present
invention, glycine betaine is effective for pre-emergent control of
any unwanted monocotyledonous plant and for post-emergent control
of any unwanted monocotyledonous plant that has not reached the
post-embryonic state. Some non-exhaustive examples of
monocotyledonous plants that may be selectively controlled by
pre-emergent application, as well as by post-emergent application
if the monocotyledonous plant that has not reached the
post-embryonic state, of glycine betaine in accordance with the
present invention include crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) and
quackgrass (Agropyron repens). As used herein, a monocotyledonous
plant that has not reached the post-embryonic state is defined as a
monocotyledonous plant that has germinated and has not surpassed
the three-leaf stage or, for monocotyledonous plants that do not
develop more than three leaves, has not yet reached a height of
about two inches above the growing medium (i.e.: is less than about
two inches above the growing medium).
[0028] Some non-exhaustive examples of plants that are typically
aquatic in nature and that may be selectively killed by
pre-emergent and post-emergent application of glycine betaine in
accordance with the present invention include Duckweed (Lemna spp.)
and filamentous algae, such as Spirogyra, Chlamydomonas, Eurasian
milfoil and Oedogonium. Furthermore, other algae, such as algae
responsible for diminished water clarity in the aquatic
environment, may also be controlled by application of glycine
betaine. Some non-exhaustive examples of algae responsible for
diminished water clarity in the aquatic environment that may be
controlled with the application of glycine betaine in accordance
with the present invention include planktonic algae, such as
diatoms, dinoflagellates, and naked flagellates.
[0029] Surprisingly, even though terrestrial and aquatic
dicotyledonous weeds are controlled via application of glycine
betaine in accordance with the present invention, such application
of glycine betaine does not harm aquatic, amphibious, or
terrestrial animals. In fact, animals that are exposed to glycine
betaine during application of glycine betaine in accordance with
the present invention actually benefit from this exposure.
[0030] For example, when aquatic animals, such as salmon, are
exposed to glycine betaine during or after application of glycine
betaine to aquatic weeds or weed seeds in accordance with the
present invention, enhanced osmotic regulatory properties, such as
increased tolerance to fluctuating salt concentrations, are
observed in the aquatic animals. Furthermore, the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound, such as
glycine betaine, has a very low degree of toxicity and therefore
does not harm aquatic, amphibious, or terrestrial animals when
applied to weeds in accordance with the present invention. The
LD.sub.50, short for "lethal dose 50", is a measure of the amount
of a substance, administered in a single dose, that causes the
death of 50% of an animal population from exposure to the substance
by any route other than inhalation. LD.sub.50 is usually expressed
as milligrams or grams of material per kilogram of animal weight
(mg/kg or g/kg). The naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic
compound preferably has an LD.sub.50 that is greater than about
11,000 mg of the naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic
compound per kilogram of rat body weight when the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound is orally
administered to rats
[0031] Glycine betaine meets this criteria, since the LD.sub.50 of
glycine betaine is about 11,204 mg of glycine betaine per kilogram
of rat body weight when the glycine betaine is orally administered
to the rats. On the other hand, the LD.sub.50 of sodium chloride,
ordinary table salt, is about 3,000 mg of sodium chloride per
kilogram of rat body weight when the sodium chloride is orally
administered to the rats. Thus, the toxicity of glycine betaine, as
reflected by the LD.sub.50 for a dose that is orally administered
to rats, is more than three times less toxic than ordinary table
salt. Consequently, the naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic
compound, such as glycine betaine, may be applied in accordance
with the present invention to control weeds, such as dicotyledonous
plants and immature monocotyledonous plants, while not harming
aquatic, amphibious, or terrestrial animals.
[0032] Likewise, even though terrestrial and aquatic dicotyledonous
weeds are controlled via application of glycine betaine in
accordance with the present invention, such application of glycine
betaine does not harm post-embryonic monocotyledonous plants. As
used herein, a "post-embryonic monocotyledonous plant" is defined
as a monocotyledonous plant that has germinated and has surpassed
the three-leaf stage or, for monocotyledonous plants that do not
develop more than three leaves, has reached a height of about two
inches, or more, above the growing medium.
[0033] Surprisingly, post-embryonic monocotyledonous plants that
are exposed to glycine betaine during application of glycine
betaine in accordance with the present invention actually benefit
from this exposure. For example, post-embryonic monocotyledonous
plants, when exposed to glycine betaine during application to weeds
in accordance with the present invention, turn a rich green color
and exhibit increased plant density, resistance to extreme
temperature differences, frost resistance down to temperatures of
about 14.degree. F., salt-resistance, and drought-resistance. Many
examples of monocotyledonous plants, such as annual bluegrass (Poa
annua), St. Augustine's Grass (Stenotaphrim secundatum), Fescue
(Festuca spp.), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa prathensis), are
perceived as desirable lawn grasses that may thus be benefitted
when applying glycine betaine to control weeds in accordance with
the present invention.
[0034] One dicotyledonous weed that is generally depicted at 10 in
FIG. 1 and that may be controlled in accordance with the present
invention is creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederaceae). The weed 10 is
an actively growing weed that has not yet been treated with glycine
betaine. When glycine betaine is applied to the weed 10 in
accordance with the present invention, the glycine betaine
increases the metabolic rate of photosynthesis in chloroplasts 12
of the weed 10. The chloroplasts 12 include both thylakoid
membranes 14 and outer membranes 16.
[0035] Increasing the metabolic rate of photosynthesis in the
chloroplasts 12 using glycine betaine in accordance with the
present invention ruptures and destroys the thylakoid membranes 14
and outer membranes 16 of the chloroplasts 12. Thus, as best
depicted in FIG. 2, the thylakoid membranes 14 (not visible in FIG.
2) and the outer membranes 16 (not visible in FIG. 2) of the weed
10 are indiscernible and unidentifiable after treatment of the weed
10 with glycine betaine in accordance with the present invention.
The destruction of the thylakoid membranes 14 and outer membranes
16 of the chloroplasts 12 destroys the ability of the weed 10 to
generate energy for metabolic processes, and the weed 10 is
consequently killed. Bubbles 18 of oxygen are trapped in the
chloroplasts 12 of the weed 10 being treated with glycine betaine.
The presence of the bubbles 18 of oxygen that are trapped in the
chloroplasts 12 are indicative of the increased rate of
photosynthesis in the chloroplasts 12 that enhances the herbicidal
activity of the glycine betaine in the weed 10.
[0036] When used for pre-emergent and/or post-emergent control of
terrestrial weeds, glycine betaine may generally be applied in any
form, such as in vapor or granular form, or as part of an aqueous
herbicidal composition. The application form that is selected
preferably permits the glycine betaine (1) to contact the
terrestrial weeds and/or weed seeds being treated, (2) remain in
contact with any growing terrestrial weeds being treated for at
least several minutes, such as about 5 minutes, and (3) remain in
contact with any terrestrial weed seeds being treated through the
germination period.
[0037] The aqueous herbicidal composition may be based on an
herbicidal concentrate. The herbicidal concentrate may include only
glycine betaine and water or may optionally include additional
components. The concentration of glycine betaine in the herbicidal
concentrate may generally range from about 15 weight percent to
about 47 weight percent, based on the total weight of the
herbicidal concentrate. The herbicidal concentrate may optionally
include additional components, such as sucrose, potassium,
raffinose, sodium, fructose, calcium oxide, ash and any other
components that are compatible with, and that do not interfere
with, the herbicidal effect of glycine betaine.
[0038] A purified form of glycine betaine, such as Nutristim.RTM.
purified glycine betaine, may be used to supply, or supplement, the
glycine betaine content of the herbicidal concentrate.
Nutristim.RTM. purified glycine betaine may be obtained from Finn
Sugar Bio-Products of Helsinki, Finland and Schaumburg,
Illinois.
[0039] Alternatively, a glycine betaine-containing, plant-derived
product, such as a molasses processing byproduct known as
CONCENTRATED SEPARATED BY-PRODUCT (subsequently referred to as
"CSB") that is available at the East Grand Forks, Minn. sugar beet
processing plant of American Crystal Sugar Company may supply some,
preferably most, and most preferably all, of the glycine betaine
content of the herbicidal concentrate. CSB that is produced by
American Crystal Sugar at the East Grand Forks, Minn. sugar beet
processing plant may be obtained by contacting Midwest
Agri-Commodities of Moorhead, Minn. Indeed, the plant-derived
product, such as CSB, may be, and preferably is, the herbicidal
concentrate. If the concentration of glycine betaine in the
plant-derived product, such as CSB, is lower than about 15 weight
percent to about 47 weight percent glycine betaine, based on the
total weight of the plant-derived product, purified glycine
betaine, such as that available from Finn Sugar Bio-Products, may
be added to boost the glycine betaine concentration in the
plant-derived product, such as CSB.
[0040] When CSB is used as the source of glycine betaine, the
herbicidal concentrate may have the composition ranges for
particular components that are specified in Table 1 below:
1 TABLE 1 Component Concentration (Weight Percent)* Glycine betaine
about 15 to about 47 Sucrose about 60 to about 65 Potassium about 4
to about 5 Raffinose about 0.5 to about 1.5 Sodium about 0.5 to
about 1.5 Fructose about 0 to about 1 Calcium Oxide about 0 to
about 0.035 Ash about 9 to about 10 *based on the total weight of
the herbicidal concentrate
[0041] One commercially available herbicidal concentrate that
typically has the component concentration ranges specified in Table
1 may be obtained as NATURE'S WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal
concentrate that is available from Greener Pastures Development
Corporation of St. Paul, Minn. NATURE'S WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal
concentrate is available either as a liquid or in granular
form.
[0042] As mentioned earlier, glycine betaine may be included as
part of the aqueous herbicidal composition for pre-emergent and/or
post emergent control of terrestrial weeds. The aqueous herbicidal
composition may contain only the herbicidal concentrate and water.
However, the aqueous herbicidal composition may optionally include
one or more sources of nitrogen in a form that is readily absorbed
by growing terrestrial weeds. The optional source(s) of nitrogen,
when used in combination with the aqueous herbicidal composition on
terrestrial weeds, generally enhances the metabolic rate of weed
growth. Increasing the weed growth rate enhances the uptake of
glycine betaine by terrestrial weeds and thereby enhances the
effectiveness of the aqueous herbicidal composition for
post-emergent terrestrial weed control.
[0043] Alternatively, the optional source(s) of nitrogen may be
applied separately from the aqueous herbicidal composition, either
before, during, or after application of the aqueous herbicidal
composition. Additionally, the source(s) of nitrogen may be applied
in particulate form, as part of an aqueous solution, or in a vapor
form, so long as the particular form selected results in nitrogen
uptake by the terrestrial weed. One preferred source of nitrogen is
LIQUID COMPOST.TM. 1-1-3 fertilizer, that may be obtained from
Greener Pastures Development Corporation of St. Paul, Minn.
Preferably, the glycine betaine, whether applied in granular or
vapor form, or as part of the aqueous herbicidal composition, is
applied in conjunction with the optional source of nitrogen to
enhance the uptake of glycine betaine by the terrestrial weed.
[0044] The concentration of glycine betaine in the aqueous
herbicidal composition may range from about 0.1 weight percent
glycine betaine to about 20 weight percent glycine betaine based on
the total weight of the aqueous herbicidal composition. The degree
of weed control is maximized at the upper end of this range.
Therefore, application at concentrations above the upper end of
this range, while remaining effective for weed controls, would be
wasteful and have little, if any, enhanced weed control effect.
[0045] As mentioned earlier, the optional nitrogen source(s) may be
added to the aqueous herbicidal composition. In one preferred
formulation, the aqueous herbicidal composition may contain about
1/2 cup of herbicidal concentrate, in the form of the liquid
version of NATURE'S WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal concentrate; about
1 quart of LIQUID COMPOST.TM. 1-1-3 fertilizer; about 1 pound of
urea, an optional source of nitrogen that may be obtained from
Greener Pastures Development Corporation of St. Paul, Minn.; and
about 0.7 to about 1.7 gallons, more preferably about 0.7 gallons,
of tap water.
[0046] The aqueous herbicidal composition may be applied at any
rate, expressed in gallons of aqueous herbicidal composition per
thousand square feet, that is effective for some degree of
pre-emergent and/or post-emergent control terrestrial weeds. Though
even a low application rate on the order of about 1/4 gallon per
thousand square feet, or even lower, causes some degree of control
of treated terrestrial weeds and/or weed seeds, higher application
rates tend to increase the eradication effect of the aqueous
herbicidal composition on terrestrial weeds, increase the
suppression effect on weed seed germination and, consequently,
cause better weed control.
[0047] Preferably, the aqueous herbicidal composition is applied to
terrestrial weeds and/or weed seeds at a rate ranging from about
1/2 gallon per thousand square feet to about four gallons per
thousand square feet, and is more preferably applied at a rate of
about 1 gallon per thousand square feet. The application rate is
based upon the square footage of the area to be treated, rather
than upon the concentration of terrestrial weeds and/or weed seeds
in the area to be treated. Any conventional lawn or agricultural
spraying equipment may be used to apply the aqueous herbicidal
composition to terrestrial weeds and/or weed seeds.
[0048] When used to control aquatic weeds and/or weed seeds, the
glycine betaine may generally be applied in any form, such as in
vapor or granular form, or as part of the aqueous herbicidal
composition. The application form that is selected should permit
the glycine betaine to (1) contact the aquatic weeds and/or weeds
seeds being treated (2), remain in contact with any growing aquatic
weeds being treated for at least several minutes, such as 5
minutes, and (3) remain in contact with any aquatic weed seed being
treated through the germination period.
[0049] The aqueous herbicidal composition that is used for
pre-emergent and/or post-emergent aquatic weed control may be
prepared identically to the aqueous herbicidal composition that is
used for terrestrial weed control. Therefore, the aqueous
herbicidal composition may include water in addition to the
purified form of glycine betaine that is available from Finn Sugar
Bio-Products of Helsinki, Finland and/or the plant-derived product,
such as CSB that is available from Midwest Agri-Commodities of
Moorhead, Minn. Preferably, when the aqueous herbicidal composition
is used for pre-emergent and/or post-emergent aquatic weed control,
the herbicidal concentrate is the liquid version of NATURE'S WEED
CONTROL.TM. herbicidal concentrate that is available from Greener
Pastures Development Corporation of St. Paul, Minn. When used for
pre-emergent and/or post-emergent control of aquatic weeds, the
aqueous herbicidal composition may generally include about two
parts by weight of the herbicidal concentrate for each part by
weight of water.
[0050] The aqueous herbicidal composition may be applied at any
rate, expressed in gallons of aqueous herbicidal composition per
million gallons of water to be treated, that is effective for
pre-emergent and post-emergent control of aquatic weeds. Though
even a low application rate on the order of about 1/2 gallon, or
even less, of the aqueous herbicidal composition per million
gallons of water to be treated causes some degree of control of
treated aquatic weeds and/or weed seeds, higher application rates
tend to increase the eradication effect of the aqueous herbicidal
composition on aquatic weeds and/or weed seeds and cause enhanced
weed control.
[0051] For control of aquatic weeds, such as filamentous algae, the
aqueous herbicidal composition is preferably applied to the aquatic
weeds and/or seeds of the aquatic weeds at a rate ranging from
about 2 gallons of the aqueous herbicidal composition per million
gallons of water to be treated to about 7 gallons of aqueous
herbicidal composition per million gallons of water to be treated,
and is more preferably applied at a rate of about 5 gallons of the
aqueous herbicidal composition per million gallons of water to be
treated. Any conventional lawn or agricultural spraying equipment
may be used to apply the aqueous herbicidal composition to the
aquatic weeds and/or weed seeds.
[0052] Surprisingly, it has also been discovered that glycine
betaine is effective for control of aquatic weeds that are
responsible for diminished water clarity. When desiring to increase
water clarity, glycine betaine, in the form of the herbicidal
concentrate, such as the granular form of NATURE'S WEED CONTROL.TM.
herbicidal concentrate, may be placed at the bottom of the aquatic
environment, such as at the bottom of a lake or pond, in close
proximity to the targeted weeds. The herbicidal concentrate may be
placed in a dispensing container or package, such as a
bio-degradable bag. Microorganisms, nutrient media, and/or ballast
may optionally be included along with the herbicidal concentrate in
the dispensing container. The dispensing container should permit
mass transfer of the active ingredients (i.e. the
naturally-occurring, plant-derived organic compound, such as
glycine betaine) of the herbicidal concentrate and any included
microorganisms and/or nutrient media out of the dispensing
container and into the aquatic environment. The herbicidal
concentrate is preferably in granular form to prevent seepage of
the herbicidal concentrate from the dispensing container or package
prior to placement in the aquatic environment.
[0053] The glycine betaine increases the metabolic rate of the
microorganisms that are optionally included with the herbicidal
concentrate in the dispensing container. Consequently, the
microorganisms increase the rate of consumption of the same
resources, such as phosphate soaps, carbon dioxide, water and
light, that aquatic weeds typically consume. Increasing
microorganism consumption of resources that are also required by
the targeted aquatic weeds indirectly starves the aquatic weeds,
and, thus, effectively controls the aquatic weeds that are present
in the aquatic environment. Some non-exhaustive examples of
microorganisms that may be included with the herbicidal concentrate
to control aquatic weeds responsible for diminished water clarity
in aquatic environments include Bacillus subtillis and Megaterium
sp. One example of a commercially available microbial formulation
that includes suitable microorganisms is the Formula Forty
microbial blend that may be obtained from John Biesz Biological
Products Company of Allentown, Pa.
[0054] Even if the microorganisms are not included in the
dispensing container, the glycine betaine that is included as part
of the herbicidal concentrate in the dispensing container has some
killing effect on aquatic weeds that are responsible for diminished
water clarity. However, significantly greater increases in water
clarity are realized when the optional microorganisms are included
along with glycine betaine in the dispensing container.
[0055] The optional nutrient media promotes logarithmic growth of
the microorganisms and, thus, maximum consumption of resources by
the microorganisms. Some examples of suitable components of the
nutrient media include B-vitamins, such as thiamin (vitamin
B.sub.1), niacin, pyridoxine (vitamin B.sub.6), riboflavin, and
vitamin B.sub.12; carbohydrates, such as dextrose, sucrose,
galactose, glucose, fructose, lactose, and starch; lime; and
potassium salts, such as potassium chloride, potassium iodide, and
potassium polyacrylate. The components of the nutrient media may be
individually supplied, or supplied in various prepared mixtures of
two or more components that are subsequently combined to form the
optional nutrient media. In one preferred form, the nutrient media
includes, based on the total weight of the nutrient media, about 3
parts by weight dextrose, 1 part by weight potassium polyacrylate,
one-half part by weight B-vitamins, and a pinch of lime, such as
about one-tenth part of lime by weight.
[0056] The optional ballast may be any heavy material, such as
rocks, planks, and/or sand, that helps stabilize and position the
herbicidal concentrate, the optional microorganisms, and the
optional nutrient media in the dispensing container at the bottom
of the aquatic environment, such as the lake or pond. The
dispensing container, such as the bio-degradable bag, that holds
the aqueous herbicidal composition, optional microorganisms,
optional nutrient media, and optional ballast may be made of any
material that freely allows mass transfer of the glycine betaine,
optional microorganisms, and optional nutrient media from the
interior to the exterior of the dispensing container when placed in
the aquatic environment, such as the bottom of lake or pond. Some
examples of suitable materials that may be used to make the
dispensing container include cotton; linen; nylon; and polyesters,
such as DACRON.RTM. polyester and MYLAR.RTM. polyester; and any of
these in any combination. Preferably, the dispensing container is
the bio-degradable bag that is made of cotton.
[0057] The glycine betaine that is used to control aquatic weeds
for the purpose of increasing water clarity may be supplied as part
of the CLARIFY.TM. treatment system that is available from Greener
Pastures Development Corporation of St. Paul, Minn. The CLARIFY.TM.
system includes the microorganisms, the nutrient media, the
ballast, the bio-degradable bag, and the granular form of NATURE'S
WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal concentrate that supplies the glycine
betaine. Each bag of the CLARIFY.TM. system typically weighs about
two pounds and contains about 1/2 pound of the granular NATURE'S
WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal concentrate; about 1 pound of the
microorganisms; and about 1/2 pound of nutrient media and
ballast.
[0058] One two pound bag of the CLARIFY.TM. treatment system may be
used to treat from about 500 square feet of water surface to about
10,000 square feet of water surface when the average water depth
beneath the water surface is about 3 to about 4 feet. When the
average depth of the aquatic environment is greater than about 3
feet to about 4 feet, such as about 5 feet to about 10 feet, one or
two additional two pound bags of the CLARIFY.TM. treatment system
may be added to treat the water surface treatment range of about
500 square feet to about 10,000 square feet. The bags of the
CLARIFY.TM. treatment system are preferably distributed uniformly
at the bottom of the aquatic environment proximate the aquatic
weeds responsible for the diminished water clarity.
[0059] The present invention is more particularly described in the
following examples which are intended as illustrations only since
numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0060] This example illustrates a method of using glycine betaine
as part of the aqueous herbicidal composition to control
terrestrial weeds in accordance with the present invention. The
aqueous herbicidal composition in this example included about
one-half cup of NATURE'S WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal concentrate;
about one quart of LIQUID COMPOST.TM. 1-1-3 fertilizer; about one
pound of urea; and about 1.7 gallons of tap water. A plot of land
containing an infestation of terrestrial weeds, such as creeping
Charlie (Glechoma hederaceae), was treated using about 2.5 gallons
of the aqueous herbicidal composition per thousand square feet. The
treatment with the aqueous herbicidal composition killed the
creeping Charlie and otherwise substantially ridded the terrestrial
weeds from the treated plot of land.
[0061] The weed 10 that is depicted in FIG. 1 is an example of
actively growing creeping Charlie prior to treatment with the
aqueous herbicidal composition in accordance with this example. In
the weed 10, the thylakoid membranes 14 and the outer membranes 16
of the chloroplasts 12 are intact, as would be expected of a
healthy, actively growing weed. However, about 24 hours after
treatment with the aqueous herbicidal composition in accordance
with this example, the thylakoid membranes 14 (not shown in FIG. 2)
and outer membranes 16 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the treated
chloroplasts 12, as best depicted in FIG. 2, are ruptured and
dissolved, rendering the thylakoid membranes 14 and the outer
membranes 16 indiscernible and unidentifiable. The destruction of
the thylakoid membranes 14 and outer membranes 16 of the treated
chloroplasts 12 destroyed the ability of the creeping Charlie to
produce energy required for metabolic processes, and thus killed
the creeping Charlie. Bubbles 18 of oxygen trapped in the destroyed
chloroplasts 12 are indicative of the increased rate of
photosynthesis in the chloroplasts 12 that enhanced the herbicidal
activity of the glycine betaine in the creeping Charlie.
Example 2
[0062] This example illustrates a method of using glycine betaine
as part of the aqueous herbicidal composition to control
terrestrial weeds in accordance with the present invention. The
aqueous herbicidal composition in this example included about
one-half cup of NATURE'S WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal concentrate;
about one quart of LIQUID COMPOST.TM. 1-1-3 fertilizer; about one
pound of urea; and about 1.7 gallons of tap water.
[0063] The aqueous herbicidal composition of this example was
applied to a field 20 of turf grass 22 with many areas of dry
exposed soil, extensive terrestrial weed 24 population, and some
turf grass 22 (post-embryonic monocotyledonous plants) under severe
moisture stress, as best depicted in FIG. 3. The aqueous herbicidal
composition was applied to the field 20 at a rate of about 21/2
gallons per thousand square feet. Rainfall occurred within about 5
minutes after application and the approximate amount of rainfall
was 4 inches over a period of several hours.
[0064] The results after application of the aqueous herbicidal
composition were spectacular in demonstrating the effectiveness of
the aqueous herbicidal composition for control of terrestrial
weeds. First, the turf grass 22 in the field 20 turned a vibrant
green color within about 5 days after the initial and only
application of the aqueous herbicidal composition, as best depicted
in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the turf grass 22 grew and spread quickly,
as evidenced by a massive reduction in bumpiness of the field 20
and a massive reduction of patches of bare ground. Also, the
terrestrial weed 24 population was reduced to about 40% of the
original terrestrial weed 24 population. Additionally, unwanted red
clover and black medic terrestrial weeds were visually observed to
be eliminated by the aqueous herbicidal composition application of
this example.
Example 3
[0065] This example illustrates a method of using glycine betaine
as part of the aqueous herbicidal composition to control aquatic
weeds in a pond 30, in which over 90% of the water surface was
covered with filamentous algae 32, as best depicted in FIG. 5. The
water in the pond 30 also had high levels of planktonic algae that
greatly diminished water clarity in the pond 30. The glycine
betaine was applied to the pond in two forms. The aqueous
herbicidal composition was sprayed onto the surface of the pond,
and bags of the CLARIFY.TM. treatment system were distributed about
the bottom of the pond. The pond had a surface area of about six
acres, an average depth of about 3 feet, and a volume of about six
million gallons.
[0066] The aqueous herbicidal composition in this example included
about two parts by weight of the liquid form of NATURE'S WEED
CONTROL.TM. herbicidal concentrate and about one part by weight of
tap water. About 30 gallons of the aqueous herbicidal composition
was dispersed over the entire water surface of the pond 30.
Additionally, 24 two pound bags of the CLARIFY.TM. treatment system
were evenly distributed about the bottom of the pond. The bags of
the CLARIFY.TM. treatment system included the microorganisms, the
nutrient media, the ballast, the biodegradable bag, and the
granular form of the NATURE'S WEED CONTROL.TM. herbicidal
concentrate.
[0067] Excellent control of aquatic weeds, as best depicted in FIG.
6, was observed within about seven days after application of the
aqueous herbicidal composition of this example to the water surface
of the pond 30. The filamentous algae 32 (not shown in FIG. 6) on
the water surface of the pond was essentially eliminated in the
pond 30. Furthermore, the amount of planktonic algae was also
significantly reduced as demonstrated by a significant improvement
of the water clarity in the pond 30 after treatment in accordance
with this example.
[0068] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *