U.S. patent application number 12/441834 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for pesticide formulation with streaming birefringence.
This patent application is currently assigned to Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation. Invention is credited to Joe C. Arzola, Curtis M. Elsik, Alan J. Stern, Howard M. Stridde.
Application Number | 20100009937 12/441834 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39201266 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100009937 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elsik; Curtis M. ; et
al. |
January 14, 2010 |
PESTICIDE FORMULATION WITH STREAMING BIREFRINGENCE
Abstract
A pesticide composition exhibiting streaming birefringence and
methods for making the pesticide composition are disclosed. In one
embodiment, the pesticide composition comprises an active
ingredient and a surfactant adjuvant.
Inventors: |
Elsik; Curtis M.; (The
Woodlands, TX) ; Arzola; Joe C.; (Austin, TX)
; Stridde; Howard M.; (George West, TX) ; Stern;
Alan J.; (Magnolia, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUNTSMAN PETROCHEMICAL LLC
10003 WOODLOCH FOREST DRIVE
THE WOODLANDS
TX
77380
US
|
Assignee: |
Huntsman Petrochemical
Corporation
The Woodlands
TX
|
Family ID: |
39201266 |
Appl. No.: |
12/441834 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
September 20, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/79018 |
371 Date: |
March 18, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60826717 |
Sep 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
514/114 ;
514/383; 514/628 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 25/30 20130101;
A01N 25/30 20130101; A01N 25/34 20130101; A01N 43/653 20130101;
A01N 37/22 20130101; A01N 25/24 20130101; A01N 25/34 20130101; A01N
2300/00 20130101; A01N 57/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/114 ;
514/628; 514/383 |
International
Class: |
A01N 57/10 20060101
A01N057/10; A01N 37/18 20060101 A01N037/18; A01N 43/653 20060101
A01N043/653; A01P 15/00 20060101 A01P015/00 |
Claims
1. A pesticide composition comprising: an active ingredient; and a
surfactant adjuvant, wherein the pesticide composition exhibits
streaming birefringence.
2. The pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the active
ingredient comprises a glyphosate or glyphosate salt.
3. The pesticide composition of claim 2, wherein the surfactant
adjuvant comprises a lard dimethylaminopropylamine amidoamine oxide
surfactant.
4. The pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the surfactant
adjuvant comprises a phosphate ester of a tallow amine
ethoxylate.
5. The pesticide composition of claim 4, wherein the surfactant
adjuvant further comprises an allkylpolysaccharide.
6. The pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the pesticide
composition comprises greater than about 50 wt. % glyphosate
salt.
7. The pesticide composition of claim 6, wherein the glyphosate
salt comprises a mixture of potassium and IPA.
8. A method of making a pesticide composition comprising: mixing a
glyphosate salt and a surfactant adjuvant such that a
thermodynamically stable phase results, said resultant
thermodynamically stable phase to exhibit birefringence under flow
only.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein mixing said glyphosate salt and
said surfactant adjuvant includes adding one or more glyphosate
salts to result in at least 600 grams acid equivalents per liter
glyphosate.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein mixing said glyphosate salt and
said surfactant adjuvant includes mixing a potassium glyphosate
salt and a phosphate ester of a tallow amine surfactant or a lard
dimethylaminopropylamine amidoamine oxide surfactant.
11. A pesticide composition comprising: an active ingredient
combined with one or more surfactants, said combination of said
active ingredient and said one or more surfactants to exhibit
birefringence under flow, but not at rest.
12. The pesticide composition of claim 11 wherein said active
ingredient is one or more glyphosate salts.
13. The pesticide composition of claim 12 wherein the loading of
said one or more glyphosate salts in said pesticide composition is
at least 600 grams acid equivalents per liter glyphosate.
14. The pesticide composition of claim 13 wherein said active
ingredient is a mixture of potassium glyphosate and an
isopropylamine glyphosate.
15. The pesticide composition of claim 11 wherein said active
ingredient is one of metolachlor or tebuconazole.
16. The pesticide composition of claim 11 wherein one of the one or
more surfactants is an alkylamine alkoxylate phosphate ester.
17. The pesticide composition of claim 16 wherein another of the
one or more surfactants is an alkylpolysaccharide.
18. The pesticide composition of claim 17 wherein said one of said
one or more surfactants is a phosphate ester of a tallow amine
ethoxylate.
19. The pesticide composition of claim 11 wherein one of said one
or more surfactants is a lard dimethylaminopropylamine amidoamine
oxide surfactant.
20. The pesticide composition of claim 19 wherein said active
ingredient is a potassium glyphosate salt.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/826,717, which was filed on Sep. 22, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of pesticide
formulations and more specifically to pesticide formulations that
exhibit streaming birefringence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pesticide compositions have been used in agrochemical and
related applications. Pesticide compositions typically include an
active ingredient as well as an adjuvant. Active ingredients
include herbicides such as glyphosate. An example of a typical
adjuvant is a surfactant. Pesticide compositions are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,551; U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,707; U.S. Pat. No.
6,544,930; U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,718; and WO 2006/023431, which are
each incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0004] Drawbacks to such pesticide compositions include retention
of the spray drops on the target surface and incomplete
incorporation into the target pest. Further drawbacks include the
limited time the active ingredient has to move into the pest due to
the spray solution solidifying.
[0005] Consequently, there is a need for an improved pesticide
composition. Further needs include an improved pesticide
composition having streaming birefringence. Additional needs
include a pesticide composition having an improved retention and
time for active diffusion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] These and other needs in the art are addressed by a
pesticide composition comprising an active ingredient and a
surfactant adjuvant, and which exhibits streaming
birefringence.
[0007] In an embodiment, a pesticide composition includes a super
high load mixed salt glyphosate soluble liquid formulation. An
embodiment of a pesticide composition may include one or more
active ingredients and one or more surfactants with the final
formulation exhibiting streaming birefringence.
[0008] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments
disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or
designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of
the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled
in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a graph indicating the percent control of weed
growth at ten days after treatment with an embodiment of the
present invention and Round Up.RTM. Original herbicide;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a graph indicating the percent control of weed
growth at 27 days after treatment with the same embodiments as in
FIG. 1 and Round Up.RTM. Original herbicide; and
[0011] FIGS. 3A-3D are photographs of a sample bottle containing an
embodiment of a pesticide composition that exhibits streaming
birefringence.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In an embodiment, a pesticide composition exhibiting
streaming birefringence includes an active ingredient and a
surfactant adjuvant blend. Thus active ingredients may be
formulated in a new thermodynamic equilibrium phase. It is to be
understood that streaming birefringence (e.g., flow birefringence)
refers to birefringence that is induced by flow in liquids,
solutions and dispersions of optically anisotropic, anisometric or
deformable flow molecules or particles due to a non-random
orientation of the molecules or particles. Without being limited by
theory, a pesticide composition that exhibits streaming
birefringence has molecules or particles that are randomly oriented
at rest hence the composition is isotropic and does not exhibit
birefringence. But during flow the molecules or particles are not
randomly oriented hence the composition is anisotropic and exhibits
birefringence.
[0013] For instance, a pesticide composition that exhibits
streaming birefringence may include an active ingredient that is
combined with elongated surfactant micelles; the elongated
surfactant micelles may or may not contain a solubilized oil phase.
At rest, the pesticide composition is isotropic and does not
exhibit birefringence because, in theory, the micelles are randomly
oriented. But when the pesticide composition is disturbed or moved
in any manner, the movement may align the elongated micelles along
the flow field creating an optically anisotropic system that
exhibits birefringence. This dynamic structuring may be observed by
placing a composition between cross polarized films that are
lighted from behind by a light module. At rest, a pesticide
composition having streaming birefringence is isotropic and dark.
Under movement however the composition is anisotropic, and the
material may be visually observed (e.g. bright or lighted) between
the cross polarized films. In other words, the streaming
birefringent phase is illuminated in contrast to the dark static
isotropic phase.
[0014] Active ingredients may include any chemical substance that
has pesticidal properties. Without limitation, examples of active
ingredients having pesticidal properties include herbicides,
insecticides, fungicides, biocides, molluscicides, algaecides,
plant growth regulators, anthelmintics, rodenticides, nematocides,
acaricides, amoebicides, protozoacides, or combinations thereof.
Without limitation, further examples of such pesticides include
triazine herbicides such as simazine, atrazine, terbuthylazine,
terbutryn, prometryn and ametryn; urea herbicides such as diuron
and fluometuron; sulfonyl urea herbicides such as chlorsulfuron,
metsulfuron methyl, nicosulfuron and triasulfuron; sulfonanilide
herbicides such as flumetsulam; organophosphate insecticides such
as azinphos methyl, chlorpyrifos, sulprofos and azamethiphos;
carbamate insecticides such as aldicarb, bendiocarb, carbaryl and
fenobucarb; acid amide herbicides such as metolachlor and alachlor;
fungicides such as dimethomorph, benomyl, carbendazim, mancozeb,
and tebuconazole; and acaricides such as propargite. Lists of
pesticides are disclosed in the Crop Protection Dictionary
(contained in the Meisterpro Crop Protection Handbook) and the
British Crop Protection Council: The Pesticide Manual, which are
each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. It is to
be understood that the pesticide composition may include any
combination of active ingredients suitable for a desired
application. In an embodiment, the active ingredients include an
herbicide such as glyphosate. In some embodiments, the active
ingredients comprise glyphosate, one or more salts thereof, or
combinations thereof. For example, in agricultural applications,
acceptable glyphosate salts include potassium salts, isopropylamine
salts, ammonium salts, sodium salts and monoethanol amine (MEA)
salts, although embodiments are not limited thereto. In some
embodiments, the active ingredients include an insecticide. In
addition, embodiments include the active ingredients including a
fungicide.
[0015] The pesticide composition may contain any amount of the
active ingredient suitable for a desired application. In an
embodiment, the pesticide composition contains from about 1.0 wt. %
to about 65.0 wt. % of the active ingredient, alternatively from
about 5.0 wt. % to about 55.0 wt. % of the active ingredient.
[0016] The pesticide composition may contain any surfactant
adjuvant suitable for providing streaming birefringence. In an
embodiment, the surfactant adjuvant includes an alkylamine
alkoxylate phosphate ester such as an alkylamine ethoxylate
phosphate ester or an alkylamine propoxylate phosphate ester. One
example is a phosphate ester of a tallow amine ethoxylate, although
embodiments are not limited thereto. Other alkylamine alkoxylate
esters include, without limitation, soya- and coco-amine alkoxylate
phosphate esters. In another embodiment the surfactant adjuvant
includes a lard dimethylaminopropylamine amidoamine oxide
surfactant. Additional embodiments may include other surfactant
adjuvants such as an alkylpolysaccharide, a mono- or di-alkyl
sulphosuccinate derivative, a nonionic alcohol alkoxylate
surfactant, and an anionic surfactant such as an alkylbenzene
sulfonate. It is to be understood that the surfactant adjuvants may
include any one or combination of surfactants. In an embodiment,
the surfactant adjuvant comprises a blend of a phosphate ester of a
tallow amine ethoxylate combined with an alkylpolysaccharide,
alternatively phosphate esters of a tallow amine ethoxylate. The
pesticide composition may contain any amount of the surfactant
adjuvants suitable for facilitating dilution and providing
streaming birefringence. In an embodiment, the pesticide
composition contains from about 0.5 wt. % to about 10.0 wt. % of
the surfactant adjuvants.
[0017] In an embodiment, the active ingredients are dispersed in an
aqueous medium by any suitable means. For instance, the active
ingredients may be dispersed by stirring, mixing, blending, and the
like. In an additional embodiment, the active ingredients are
dispersed in or as an oil phase. In an embodiment, the active
ingredients are a solid dispersed in a homogeneous continuous
phase.
[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the pesticide composition
contains additional adjuvants. It is to be understood that an
adjuvant refers to a subsidiary additive in a mixture that
contributes to the effectiveness of the primary ingredient. In an
embodiment, the adjuvants include an oil-based adjuvant. Any
oil-based adjuvant suitable for use in agrochemical applications
may be used. Without limitation, examples of suitable oil-based
adjuvants include crop oils, crop oil concentrates, vegetable oils,
modified vegetable oils, or combinations thereof. The pesticide
composition may contain any amount of the oil-based adjuvant
suitable for a desired use. In some embodiments, the oil-based
adjuvant facilitates efficacy of the active ingredient. In an
embodiment, the pesticide composition contains from about 1.0 wt. %
to about 15.0 wt. % of adjuvant. Other examples of adjuvants (e.g.,
non oil-based) include silicon-based adjuvants, sticker adjuvants,
extender adjuvants, plant penetrant surfactants, compatibility
agent adjuvants, mineral control adjuvants, drift retardant
adjuvants, defoaming agent adjuvants, thickener adjuvants, solvent
adjuvants, and fertilizer-based adjuvants. In an embodiment, the
pesticide composition does not contain an inert adjuvant.
[0019] In other alternative embodiments, the pesticide composition
may also contain formulation aids. Without limitation, examples of
suitable formulation aids include antifreeze, dyes, thickening
agents, preservatives, anti-foaming agents, ultraviolet
stabilizers, and pH adjusting agents. The pesticide composition may
contain any amount of the formulation aids suitable for a desired
application. In an embodiment, the pesticide composition may
contain from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10.0 wt. % of the formulation
aids.
[0020] In an embodiment, the pesticide composition is applied in
any desirable application such as in agricultural applications. For
instance, the pesticide composition may be applied to control
weeds, insects, and/or fungi. In addition, the pesticide
composition may be applied to insects, crops, soils, and the like.
The pesticide composition may be applied by any suitable method. In
some embodiments, the pesticide composition is applied directly to
the target (e.g., the insect, soil, and/or crop) or is diluted
before such application.
[0021] In some embodiments, the pesticide composition is a super
highly loaded glyphosate composition that comprises greater than
about 50 wt. % glyphosate salt comprising a mixture of glyphosate
salts and also comprising one or more surfactants. In embodiments,
the pesticide composition is a super highly loaded glyphosate
composition comprising greater than about 50 wt. % glyphosate salt
comprising a mixture of potassium and isopropylamine (IPA)
glyphosate salts, the phosphate ester of a tallow amine ethoxylate,
and an alkylpolysaccharide. The potassium and IPA may be in any
ratio suitable for an agrochemical use. In an embodiment, the
pesticide composition comprises a weight ratio of potassium to IPA
salt from about 91:9 to about 99:1.
[0022] The pesticide composition exhibiting streaming birefringence
has many advantages over conventional compositions. For instance,
the composition system can be in a single-phase thermodynamic
equilibrium, which may provide long term physical stability in
comparison to non thermodynamic or multiple-phase equilibrium
systems. Further advantages include the elongated micelles of the
pesticide composition showing that the system is very close to a
hexagonal liquid crystal phase transition. The presence of a liquid
crystal phase provides many advantages to a pesticide formulation.
Such advantages include increased efficacy due to enhanced
translocation of the active ingredient, drift control due to
increased elongational viscosity of the spray solution, increased
active ingredient (a.i.) diffusion that will result from keeping
the spray from solidifying for extended times, and improved
sticking of the spray solution to the target that may result from
the surface chemistry of the surfactant phase behavior. Without
being limited by theory, since the system being sprayed originally
existed as elongated micelles, the sprayed solution may form a
liquid crystal during drying faster than a system that originally
consisted of spherical micelles. Additional advantages of the
pesticide composition include that the elongated micelles may
increase retention of the spray drop on the target surface due to
increased viscosity.
[0023] It is to be understood that other pesticidal active
ingredients may be formulated into a streaming birefringent phase.
In addition, the elongated micelles may be formulated into
formulation types other than soluble liquids.
[0024] To further illustrate various illustrative embodiments of
the present invention, the following examples are provided.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Formulations Including an Alkylamine Alkoxylate Phosphate Ester
Surfactant Adjuvant
[0025] During a project to investigate the maximum loading possible
for a soluble liquid glyphosate formulation, a composition was
discovered that exhibited streaming birefringence. A mixed K:IPA
salt of glyphosate with a high ratio of K was used with a
surfactant blend of two surfactants. The first surfactant in the
blend was a phosphate ester of a tallow amine ethoxylate. The
surfactant chemistry for phosphate esters of tallow amine is
disclosed in WO 01/11958A1, which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. The second surfactant in the blend was an
alkylpolysaccharide.
[0026] Referring to Table 1, below, several pesticide formulations
are listed in which the active ingredient was potassium glyphosate
58.0 wt. % active ingredient (ai), or potassium glyphosate
manufacturer use concentrate, which corresponds to 47.5 wt. %
glyphosate acid equivalent (ae), together with isopropylamine
glyphosate 62.0 wt. % ai. A surfactant used in Formulations 1-7 and
9 was the Surfactant PET5, which is a phosphate ester of a
5-mole-ethoxylate of tallow amine; another surfactant used in each
formulation was TERWET.RTM. 3001 surfactant, which is an
alkylpolysaccharide. Both surfactants were obtained from Huntsman
(The Woodlands, Texas) as experimental Surfactant PET5 and
TERWET.RTM. 3001 respectively.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Ingredient Formulation No. (grams) 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 K Glyphosate 87.5 87.5 87.5 87.5 87.5 87.5 87.5 87.5 89
(58% ai) IPA Glyphosate 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.4 (62%
ai) TERWET .RTM. 2.6 3.6 4.6 5.6 6.6 7.6 8.6 9.2 4.6 3001
Surfactant 6.6 5.6 4.6 3.6 2.6 1.6 0.6 0 3 PET5 Total w/w % 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
[0027] Potassium and isopropylamine (IPA) glyphosate salts are
available from sources such as Monsanto (St. Louis, Mo.), Nufarm
(Victoria, Australia), Albaugh (Ankeny, Iowa), or Cheminova
(Lemvig, Denmark). Alternatively, potassium glyphosate may be
prepared by neutralizing n-phosphonomethylglycine acid with
potassium hydroxide, and IPA glyphosate may be prepared by
neutralizing n-phosphonomethyl glycine acid with isopropyl
amine.
[0028] Generally, the formulations of Table 1 were made by mixing
the glyphosate salts and surfactant(s) in a sample bottle until
uniform. In some instances a sample was heated to facilitate mixing
and cooled to room temperature (RT).
[0029] Glyphosate formulations that are considered for commercial
introduction typically are physically stable, homogeneous at
specified temperatures, have a cloud point greater than 50.degree.
C., and have a viscosity sufficiently low to be pumped. Thus,
glyphosate Formulations 1-9 were analyzed for homogeneity and cloud
point. Homogeneity was established by visually inspecting the
formulations at room temperature (RT) for clarity. Cloud point was
determined by mixing each formulation while heating until it became
cloudy. The formulation was then removed from the heat source and
the temperature was measured in degrees Celsius (.degree. C.) when
the formulation regained clarity. Formulations 1-9 were also
examined to see if they exhibited streaming birefringence. The
streaming birefringence of a formulation was established by
visually inspecting a sample bottle containing the formulation that
was placed between two cross polarized plates, which were lighted
from behind. The formulations were visually inspected both at rest
and while agitated. The results for each formulation are indicated
in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Formulation No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 RT
Solution No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Clear? Cloud Point --
49 59 69 94 >97 >97 >97 74 (.degree. C.) Streaming n/a Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Birefringence?
[0030] Referring to Table 2, it is shown that the combination of a
phosphate ester of a tallow amine ethoxylate and an
allkylpolysaccharide provide both potassium glyphosate
compatibility and improved bioefficacy. In comparison, an
allkylpolysaccharide alone (e.g. Formulation 8) or in combination
with a low concentration of a phosphate ester of a tallow amine
ethoxylate (e.g. Formulation 7) did not show such improvement.
Moreover, Formulation 1 was the only formulation of Table 1 that
was not clear at room temperature. In fact, it separated into two
phases and it was turbid. Because Formulation 1 was not acceptable
for commercialization its cloud point was not established and it
was not tested for birefringence. Of the formulations in which
cloud point was established, only Formulation 2 had a borderline
cloud point. The cloud points for Formulations 3 and 4 were
acceptable for a commercial product and the cloud points for
Formulations 5-9 were much greater than 50.degree. C. The cloud
points for Formulations 6-8 were greater than 97.degree. C. as they
were clear when heated to this temperature. To avoid boiling, these
formulations were not heated above 97.degree. C. Formulations 2-6
and 9 exhibited streaming birefringence; Formulations 7 and 8 did
not. Furthermore, of the formulations that exhibited streaming
birefringence, Formulations 2-4 were brighter to the eye than the
others.
[0031] Generally, Formulations 3 and 4 provided good stability,
which is indicated, for example, by cloud point. Additionally,
Formulation 3 passed three freeze/thaw cycles to -10.degree. C. and
a four week freeze at -10.degree. C. without any precipitation,
which also indicates good stability. Notably, this formulation
stayed fluid at -10.degree. C. Moreover, each formulation of Table
1 had acceptable viscosity. For example, the viscosity of
Formulation 4 was 170 centipoise (cP) at 20.degree. C. But the
density of Formulation 4 was measured at 1.403 g/ml, which
corresponds to a relatively heavy 1,403 g/L.
[0032] As can be gathered from the results above, formulations were
loaded with glyphosate at a high level, physically stable,
homogeneous at room temperature, and had an acceptable cloud point
and viscosity. For example, potassium glyphosate made up about 51
wt. % of the final formulation of Formulations 1-9 with K:IPA mixed
salt present at a 96:4 ratio of mixed salt. Notably, Formulation 4
contained 583 grams acid equivalent (gae)/L glyphosate from the K
salt and 22 gae/L glyphosate from the IPA salt. A total of 605
gae/L glyphosate in Formulation 4 is significantly above the
highest loaded commercially available formulation of 540 gae/L, of
which there are several. Formulation 9 was similar to Formulation
4, but the glyphosate loading was pushed to an even higher level of
615 gae/L. The surfactant loading in these formulations was
approximately 130 g/L. The surfactant was preferred to be fully
loaded since there was such a high loading of glyphosate. As is
shown herein, liquid glyphosate formulations can be loaded at or
above 600 gae/L glyphosate, be physically stable (even at
temperatures as low as -10.degree. C.), and have a relatively low
viscosity (e.g. 423 cP at 5.degree. C.).
Example 2
Field Trials with Formulations No. 3 and 9
[0033] Field trials were run on Formulations No. 3 and 9 of Table
1, above, and Roundup.RTM. Original (RU Orig.) herbicide (which was
applied at half label rates) to test for phytotoxicity and
glyphosate efficacy. Roundup.RTM. Original is obtainable from
Monsanto, St. Louis, Mo. Generally, plants were grown on test plots
that were thirty feet long by ten feet wide and that included four
thirty-inch width rows of plants. Three replicate test plots were
used for each herbicide tested. The crop chosen for testing was a
Roundup Ready.RTM. soybean (Monsanto, St. Louis, Mo.), which were
at the trifoliate stage, approximately 12 inches tall. The weeds in
the test plots were 6-12 inches tall. The weeds studied included
Tall Waterhemp (AMATU), Velvetleaf (ABUTH), Ivyleaf Morningglory
(IPOHE), Common Cocklebur (XANST), and Dent Corn (ZEAMD). One set
of test plots was left unsprayed to act as a control--to monitor
prevailing weed growth. Formulations were applied using flat fan
nozzles at 30 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) spray pressure
and 10 gallons/acre spray volume. The plots were visually observed
at 10, 19, and 27 days after treatment (DAT) to determine weed
control. No soybean phytotoxicity was observed for any of the
samples.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Days After Treatment Weed Control % (DAT)
Formulation AMATU ABUTH IPOHE XANST ZEAMD 10 No. 3 70 18 12 82 78
No. 9 63 35 10 80 82 RU Orig. 47 32 15 90 83 19 No. 3 73 27 17 97
93 No. 9 70 38 12 90 85 RU Orig. 45 33 13 100 95 27 No. 3 70 18 17
100 100 No. 9 63 30 8 98 100 RU Orig. 47 30 13 100 100
[0034] Referring to Table 3 and FIGS. 1 and 2, weed control is
reported as a percent (%) of control. In the Figures, the weed
types are indicated on the x-axis and the percent control is on the
y-axis. The results for the % control of each weed type are shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 by depicting Formulation No. 3 as the left-most
bar, Formulation No. 9 as the middle bar, and RU Orig. as the
right-most bar. Generally, the results were obtained by observing
the growth of weeds on each plot and averaging the observations for
the three test plots that were sprayed with a particular herbicide.
This average was compared to the average growth of that weed type
in the control plots. For example, if the growth of AMATU on the
control plots is taken as 100%, Formulation No. 3 reduced the
growth of that weed type by 70% at 10 and at 27 DAT. In other
words, only 30% of AMATU was observed growing on the test plots
sprayed with Formulation No. 3 as compared to the test plots left
unsprayed.
[0035] As is shown in Table 3 and FIG. 1, Formulations 3 and 9 both
performed better at 10 DAT than RU Orig. in controlling AMATU (Tall
Waterhemp) growth. Furthermore, all three formulations were
effective at controlling XANST (Common Cocklebur) and ZEAMD (Dent
Corn) growth at 10 DAT. Similar results were observed at 19 DAT,
which is shown in Table 3. Referring to FIG. 2 and Table 3, it is
shown that Formulations 3 and 9 both maintained a better
performance at 27 DAT than RU Orig with respect to AMATU and that
all three formulations were very effective at controlling the
growth of XANST and ZEAMD.
Example 3
Additional Pesticide Formulations
[0036] Pesticide compositions that exhibit streaming birefringence
are not limited to a particular surfactant chemistry or active
ingredient. For example, the surfactant compositions and/or the
active ingredient compositions of Formulations 10-12 of Table 4,
below, differ from that of Formulations 1-9.
[0037] Referring to Table 4, the active ingredient of Formulation
10 is potassium glyphosate 58.0 wt. % ai, which corresponds to 47.5
wt. % glyphosate ae. Generally, Formulation 10 was made by adding
15 grams of a lard DMAPA N-oxide surfactant to 85 grams of a 58%
solution of potassium glyphosate in water. The blend was gently
warmed to about 50.degree. C. and it was stirred until uniform. The
active ingredients of Formulations 11 and 12 were Metolachlor
(98.7% ai, liquid technical) and Tebuconazole (96.5% ai, solid
powder technical) respectively. Generally, Formulations 11 and 12
were made by mixing 0.05 grams of the respective active ingredient
with 19.95 grams of Formulation 3 to make a 0.25% w/w % pesticide
formulation.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Formulation No. Ingredient (grams) 10 11 12
K Glyphosate (58% ai) 85 17.45 17.45 IPA Glyphosate (62% ai) --
0.66 0.66 Metolachlor (98.7% ai) -- 0.05 -- Tebuconazole (96.5% ai)
-- -- 0.05 TER WET .RTM. 3001 -- 0.92 0.92 Surfactant PET5 -- 0.92
0.92 Lard DMAPA amidoamine oxide 15 -- -- surfactant Total (grams)
100 20 20
[0038] Potassium glyphosate may be obtained from Monsanto (St.
Louis, Mo.), Nufarm (Victoria, Australia), Albaugh (Ankeny, Iowa),
or Cheminova (Lemvig, Denmark), or it may be prepared as explained
above. Metolachlor may be obtained from Syngenta (Greensboro, N.C.)
or DuPont (Newark, Del.), whereas Tebuconazole may be obtained from
Bayer (Kansas City, Mo.) or Makhteshim-Agan (New York, N.Y.).
TERWET.RTM. 3001 surfactant and experimental Surfactant PET5 were
obtained from Huntsman (The Woodlands, Tex.).
[0039] The lard DMAPA amidoamine oxide surfactant was synthesized
by combining partially hydrogenated lard (125 grams) with
dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) (49 grams) in a reactor vessel,
and heating the mixture to 160.degree. C. The heated mixture was
stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere for 6 hours. Excess DMAPA was
stripped out of the reactor by passing a stream of nitrogen over
the reaction mixture while continuing to stir at 160.degree. C. The
mixture was cooled to 50.degree. C., and 35% hydrogen peroxide
solution (45 grams) was carefully added. After 1 hour of continuous
stirring, the lard-amidoamine N-oxide was ready for use. DMAPA is
available from Huntsman (The Woodlands, Tex.), hydrogen peroxide is
available from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.), and partially
hydrogenated lard was obtained from H.E. Butt Grocery Company (San
Antonio, Tex.).
[0040] Referring to Table 5, below, Formulation 10 was analyzed for
homogeneity and cloud point in the same manner as Example 1.
Formulation 10 was crystal clear and had a cloud point of
90.degree. C. In contrast, Formulations 11 and 12 were hazy so
their cloud points were not obtained. Nevertheless each formulation
of Table 4 exhibited streaming birefringence under cross-polarized
light.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Formulation No. 10 11 12 RT Solution Clear?
Yes Hazy Hazy Cloud Point (.degree. C.) 90 n/a n/a Streaming Yes
Yes Yes Birefringence?
[0041] Formulation 11 was an oil-in-water emulsion that formed a
second discontinuous phase suspended in a continuous phase. The
continuous phase of this formulation exhibited streaming
birefringence. Formulation 12 was a solid suspended in a continuous
phase. After standing at room temperature for about 20 hours,
streaming birefringence was observed in the equilibrium continuous
aqueous phase. Thus, Formulations 11 and 12 show that a second
discontinuous phase can be suspended in a thermodynamic equilibrium
composition that exhibits streaming birefringence without
destroying the elongated micelle structure of the continuous phase
that produces the streaming birefringence. The second dispersed
phase can either be an oil-in-water emulsion such as Formulation 11
or a solid suspension, such as Formulation 12.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, photographs of Formulation 10 are
shown. FIG. 3A is a photograph of Formulation 10 in ambient light
and at rest. As can be seen in FIG. 3A, Formulation 10 is a clear
liquid that is physically homogeneous. FIG. 3B is a photograph of
the same formulation at rest between crossed polarizing films and
is lighted from behind the films. Only the curvature of the glass
sample bottle can be partially seen in this photograph; the
formulation is not birefringent at rest. In contrast, referring to
FIGS. 3C and 3D, the formulation shows birefringence under very
slight mixing with a magnetic stirrer (FIG. 3C) and more
birefringence with slightly faster stirring (FIG. 3D). The only
difference between FIGS. 3B and 3C and 3D is the degree of flow. In
theory, the elongated micelles of the surfactant are randomly
oriented at rest, producing an isotropic index of refraction, and
therefore no birefringence. Thus, the sample is dark when placed
between cross-polarized plates. When flow is induced, however, the
elongated micelles align themselves with the flow field to create a
structured liquid system. This structuring can be seen as
birefringence, or the bright part of the sample near the stir bar
at the bottom of the sample. The oriented elongated micelles have
produced a liquid with an anisotropic refractive index. In other
words, the index of refraction changes with direction. Comparing
FIG. 3C with FIG. 3D, as more of the sample is structuring under
increased agitation, more of the sample is birefringent and
bright.
[0043] While the present invention has been described with respect
to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will
appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is
intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and
variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present
invention.
* * * * *