U.S. patent application number 13/450159 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for related enal compounds for controlling plant pests and weeds in soil.
This patent application is currently assigned to AUBURN UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Elizabeth A. Guertal, Rodrigo Rodriguez-Kabana, David H. Teem, Robert H. Walker.
Application Number | 20120225781 13/450159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36206869 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120225781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodriguez-Kabana; Rodrigo ;
et al. |
September 6, 2012 |
RELATED ENAL COMPOUNDS FOR CONTROLLING PLANT PESTS AND WEEDS IN
SOIL
Abstract
A method for controlling pests and weeds on or around plants,
especially crop plants is disclosed. The method includes admixing
2-propenal or other related enal compounds to form an aqueous
solution, and applying the aqueous solution to plants, plant seeds,
weeds, or soil around the around the area in which the plants
grow.
Inventors: |
Rodriguez-Kabana; Rodrigo;
(Auburn, AL) ; Guertal; Elizabeth A.; (Auburn,
AL) ; Walker; Robert H.; (Auburn, AL) ; Teem;
David H.; (Auburn, AL) |
Assignee: |
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Auburn
AL
|
Family ID: |
36206869 |
Appl. No.: |
13/450159 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12190302 |
Aug 12, 2008 |
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13450159 |
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11260771 |
Oct 27, 2005 |
7462579 |
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12190302 |
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60622460 |
Oct 27, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
504/348 ;
514/703 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 35/02 20130101;
A61P 43/00 20180101; A01N 35/02 20130101; A01N 35/02 20130101; A01N
25/04 20130101; A01N 2300/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
504/348 ;
514/703 |
International
Class: |
A01N 35/02 20060101
A01N035/02; A01P 5/00 20060101 A01P005/00; A01P 21/00 20060101
A01P021/00; A01P 3/00 20060101 A01P003/00; A01P 13/00 20060101
A01P013/00; A01P 7/04 20060101 A01P007/04; A01P 7/02 20060101
A01P007/02 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling pests and weeds on or around plants,
comprising the steps of: providing as an active compound an
olefinically unsaturated lower alkyl aldehyde having the formula
##STR00006## where R may be hydrogen or a straight chain alkyl
radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; admixing an effective amount of
said active compound with water to form an aqueous solution; and
applying the aqueous solution to plants, plant seeds, weeds or soil
around the area in which the plants grow.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said effective amount comprises
about 1 to about 1350 parts of said active compound per million
parts of water.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said plants are crop plants.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said crop plants are selected from
the group consisting of corn, wheat, barley, oats, rice, sorghum,
cotton, soybeans, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, sunflowers,
sugar beets, oilseeds, peppers, turnips, turf and cabbage.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein about 75 pounds to about 800
pounds of said active compound per acre of soil is applied to the
soil.
6. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of, after
applying the aqueous solution to soil, drenching the soil to a
depth of about 10 to about 12 inches.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said water comprises irrigation
water.
8. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of, before
applying the aqueous solution, mixing the aqueous solution
containing said active compound with an herbicide, pesticide or
combination of an herbicide and pesticide.
9. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of applying,
separately from applying said aqueous solution, an herbicide,
pesticide or combination of an herbicide and pesticide to plants,
plant seeds, weeds or soil around the area in which plants
grow.
10. A method of enhancing growth of plants, comprising the steps
of: providing as an active compound an olefinically unsaturated
lower alkyl aldehyde having the formula ##STR00007## where R may be
hydrogen or a straight chain alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon
atoms; admixing an effective amount of said active compound with
water to form an aqueous solution; and applying the aqueous
solution to soil around the area in which the plants grow, in an
amount of from about 1 pound to about 600 pounds of said active
compound per acre of soil.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said effective amount comprises
about 1 to about 1350 parts of said active compound per million
parts of water.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein said plants are crop plants.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said crop plants are selected
from the group consisting of corn, wheat, barley, oats, rice,
sorghum, cotton, soybeans, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes,
sunflowers, sugar beets, oilseeds, peppers, turnips, turf and
cabbage.
14. The method of claim 10 comprising the further step of, after
applying the aqueous solution to soil, drenching the soil to a
depth of about 10 to about 12 inches.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein said water comprises irrigation
water.
16. The method of claim 10 comprising the further step of, before
applying the aqueous solution, mixing the aqueous solution
containing said active compound with a fertilizer.
17. The method of claim 10 comprising the further step of applying,
separately from applying said aqueous solution, a fertilizer to
soil around the area in which plants grow.
18. A method of reducing transplant shock of tomato plants,
comprising the steps of: providing as an active compound an
olefinically unsaturated lower alkyl aldehyde having the formula
##STR00008## where R may be hydrogen or a straight chain alkyl
radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; admixing an effective amount of
said active compound with water to form an aqueous solution;
applying the aqueous solution to soil around the area in which the
tomato plants grow; and allowing sufficient time for the tomato
plant to absorb some or all of the active compound prior to
transplanting.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said effective amount comprises
about 1 to about 1350 parts of said active compound per million
parts of water.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein about 75 pounds to about 800
pounds of said active compound per acre of soil is applied to the
soil.
21. The method of claim 18 comprising the further step of, after
applying the aqueous solution to soil, drenching the soil to a
depth of about 10 to about 12 inches.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/190,302, filed Aug. 12, 2008, which application is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/260,771, filed on Oct.
27, 2005, which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/622,460, filed on Oct. 27, 2004, the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to pesticides and herbicides,
and more particularly to the use of 2-propenal and related enal
compounds for controlling pests and weeds on or around plants,
especially crop plants.
[0003] A variety of herbicides are well known and have been long
used to kill unwanted weeds in crop fields. Typically, these
herbicides are sprayed onto the soil (pre-emergence), or onto the
plants themselves (post-emergence). Pesticides are also well known,
and are necessary for reducing the level of pest infestation in the
soil around the area in which the plants grow or on the plants
themselves. One such pesticide is methyl bromide. Methyl bromide is
an odorless, colorless gas that has been used as an agricultural
soil fumigant to control a wide variety of pests. However, because
it has been discovered that methyl bromide depletes the
stratospheric ozone layer, its use is being phase out. It is
therefore desirable to find a replacement for methyl bromide.
[0004] It is well known that many herbicides and pesticides are
expensive, quite toxic to the environment, and often times result
in unintended consequences such as soil and ground water
contamination, crop damage, spray drift on non-targeted plant
species, and other health concerns. It is therefore desirable to
provide an active compound that is relatively inexpensive, is less
toxic to the environment, and minimizes the unintended consequences
noted above, yet remains effective against weeds and pests.
[0005] Herbicides and pesticides also have a further disadvantage
in that the active ingredient, as well as being quite toxic, has no
function other than killing weeds or pests. In other words, the
active ingredient typically does not have any beneficial effect on
the soil or for the plant. Thus, it would also be desirable to
provide an active ingredient that is not only herbicidally and
pesticidally effective, but also may have some beneficial effect on
plant growth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed toward the use of
2-propenal and related enal compounds for controlling pests and
weeds on or around plants, particularly crop plants. In one
embodiment, the invention is directed toward a method for
controlling pests and weeds on or around plants comprising the
steps of providing as an active compound an olefinically
unsaturated lower alkyl aldehyde having the formula
##STR00001##
where R may be hydrogen or a straight chain alkyl radical having 1
to 5 carbon atoms, admixing an effective amount of the active
compound with water to form an aqueous solution, and applying the
aqueous solution to plants, plant seeds, weeds or soil around the
area in which the plants grow. The preferred compounds are
2-propenal (acrolein), 2-butenal (crotonaldehyde) and
trans-2-pentenal.
[0007] Although the application of these enal compounds are
herbicidally and pesticidally effective with all types of plants,
they are particularly effective when used to control pests and
weeds on or around crop plants. Typical crop plants include corn,
wheat, barley, oats, rice, sorghum, cotton, soybeans, potatoes,
strawberries, tomatoes, sunflowers, sugar beets, oilseeds, peppers,
turnips, turf and cabbage. The above list is not all-inclusive, and
only represents but a few of the crop plants with which the active
enal compounds disclosed herein can be used.
[0008] The active enal compound is admixed with water in an amount
of from about 1 to about 1350 parts of the active compound per
million parts of water. Typically, the water will comprise
irrigation water for the above crop plants. Typical application
rates are from about 75 pounds to about 800 pounds of the active
compound per acre of soil, and preferably the active is drenched in
the soil to a depth of about 10 to about 12 inches to provide
effective and long lasting herbicidal and pesticidal activity.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, it has been
unexpectedly found that in low doses, the enal compounds disclosed
herein provide a method of enhancing growth of the plants,
especially crop plants. It has been discovered that the application
of the active compound to soil around the area in which the plants
grow in an amount of from about 1 pound to about 600 pounds of said
active compound per acre of soil (lbs/A), preferably from about 100
to about 400 lbs/A, results in increased growth of plants as
compared to plants growing in untreated soils.
[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, it has
further been unexpectedly found that the application of the active
ingredient to soil around the area in which tomato plants grow
results in reduced transplant shock of the tomato plants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-propenal on
reniform and microbivorous nematodes in soil at various
pre-emergent application rates.
[0013] FIG. 1B is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-propenal on
reniform and microbivorous nematodes in soil at termination of
experiment.
[0014] FIG. 1C is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-propenal on
reniform and microbivorous populations in plant root systems at
termination of experiment.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-propenal on
the growth response of young soybean plants at various pre-emergent
application rates.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-propenal on
the growth response of soybean plants at various pre-emergent
application rates on root weight and root condition of the
plant.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-butenal on
reniform and microbivorous nematodes in soil at various
pre-emergent application rates.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-propenal on
yellow nutsedge in response to various post emergent application
rates.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-butenal
(crotonaldehyde) on yellow nutsedge in response to various post
emergent application rates.
[0020] FIG. 6A is a graph illustrating the effect of 2-pentenal on
reniform nematodes in soil and roots.
[0021] FIG. 6B is a graph illustrating the effective of 2-pentenal
on microbivorous nematodes in soil and roots.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] It has now been discovered that the addition of olefinically
unsaturated lower alkyl aldehydes to water, particularly irrigation
water, employed in the agricultural industry for growing plants,
especially crop plants, destroys and kills, or at least effectively
inhibits, and therefore controls pests and weeds on or around such
plants, without adversely affecting the plants themselves. Thus,
the use of these olefinically unsaturated lower alkyl aldehydes in
the amounts hereinafter described, kills, destroys and/or inhibits
the growth of pests and weeds for substantial periods of time
without affecting to any material degree the plant itself. These
aldehydes thus provide an effective replacement for methyl
bromide.
[0023] The olefinically unsaturated lower alkyl aldehydes
contemplated by the present invention for use as the pesticidally
and herbicidally effective active compound are those represented by
the following general formula
##STR00002##
where R may be hydrogen or a straight chain alkyl radical having
1-5 carbon atoms. The preferred active compounds are 2-propenal
(acrolein) having the structure
##STR00003##
or 2-butenal (crotonaldehyde) having the structure
##STR00004##
or trans-2-pentenal having the structure
##STR00005##
The most preferred active compound is 2-propenal which, as noted
above, is commonly referred to as acrolein.
[0024] The above aldehydes are commercially available or can be
synthesized by methods well known in the art. For example,
2-propenal is available under the trade name "MAGNACIDE H" from
Baker Petrolite. It may be commercially prepared by vapor phase
oxidation of propylene wth air or oxygen in the presence of a
catalyst. Reference should be made to Shell Oil Company's U.S. Pat.
No. 2,042,220 for a description of the synthesis. 2-butenal is
available under the trade name "crotonaldehyde" from Richmond
Chemical, Inc. Trans-2-pentenal is available from Nanyang Chemicals
and China Aroma Chemicals Co., Ltd.
[0025] The rate of application of the active ingredient will depend
on a number of factors including, for example, the extent of the
herbicidal and pesticidal activity of the active ingredient, the
plant species with which the active ingredient is to be used, the
growth stage of the plant, the method of application, the weed
and/or pest to be eliminated, and the time period of effectiveness
desired, among other factors. As a general guide, however, the
application rate of the active ingredient is from about 75 pounds
to about 800 pounds of the active compound per acre of soil. For
pest control, typical application rates will be about 75 pounds to
about 300 pounds per acre of soil, and most preferably about 100 to
about 200 pounds of active per acre of soil. For weed control, the
application rate is preferably about 200 to about 800 pounds of
active per acre of soil, and most preferably about 200 to about 400
pounds of active per acre of soil.
[0026] The preferred method of application is addition of the
active ingredient to irrigation water. This is typically
accomplished by attaching a container of the active ingredient to
an irrigation line through a control valve. As irrigation water
moves through the irrigation pipe, it draws the active ingredient
from its container to be admixed therewith to form the aqueous
solution to be applied to the plants, plant seeds, weeds or soil
around the area in which the plants grow. The amount of active
ingredient is metered by the control valve, or other conventional
means. Preferably, to be most effective, the aqueous solution
containing the active ingredient should be allowed to drench the
soil on which it is applied to a depth of about 10 to about 12
inches. Drenching to this depth will enable the active compound to
be herbicidally and pesticidally effective for a longer period of
time. However, drenching is not required, but is only preferred.
The effective amount of the active ingredient admixed with the
irrigation water to form the aqueous solution will typically be
from about 1 to about 1350 parts of the active compound per million
parts of water. Preferably, the concentration of active in the
aqueous solution is from about 300 parts to about 1300 parts of the
active compound per million parts of water.
[0027] Spraying of the aqueous solution containing one or more
active enal compounds is not recommended. The enal compounds
disclosed herein are very volatile and hydrophilic. As such,
attempting to apply these active ingredients via spraying would
result in high evaporation rates of the active compound to the
extent that spraying reduces the amount of active ingredient
actually applied to the plant, plant seeds, weeds or soil so that
this technique is substantially ineffective in controlling pests
and weeds.
[0028] The aqueous solution containing the active ingredient
applied to plants, plant seeds, weeds or soil around the area in
which the plants grow, may also contain other adjuvants commonly
utilized in agricultural compositions. Such adjuvants include
compatibilizing agents, anti-foam agents, sequestering agents,
neutralizing agents, buffers, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, odorants,
spreading agents, penetration aids, sticking agents, dispersing
agents, thickening agents, freezing point depressants,
antimicrobial agents, ultraviolet (UV) light absorbers, and the
like. The compositions may also contain other compatible
components, for example, other herbicides or pesticides, plant
growth regulants, fungicides, insecticides, and the like. The
active ingredients can also be formulated together with liquid or
solid fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate, urea, and the like.
[0029] Representative plant species that may be treated with the
active enal compounds of the present invention include domestic and
agricultural plants, especially crop Plants such as corn, wheat,
barley, oats, rice, sorghum, cotton, soybeans, potatoes,
strawberries, tomatoes, sunflowers, sugar beets, oilseeds, peppers,
turnips, turf and cabbage. It should be particularly noted that it
is not intended that the use of these active enal compounds and the
methods of the present invention be limited only to the above
listed plant species. The active ingredient and the method
disclosed herein is effective for controlling pests and weeds on or
around all plant species.
[0030] It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the
adjuvants listed above are not essential to the activity of the
active enal compounds. Their proportions, therefore, are not
critical and may be optimized for the purpose and method of
application by one skilled in the art. It should also be apparent
to one skilled in the art that the adjuvants listed above may be
used alone or in combination with one or more of the active enal
compounds of the present invention.
[0031] In addition, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the
art that the active enal compounds of the present invention may be
used singlely (alone), in combination with one or more other active
enal compounds, or with one or more other auxiliary herbicides
and/or pesticides. Such auxiliary pesticides may be a chemical
pesticide, a fungal insecticide, a viral insecticide or a
biopesticide such as a Bacillus-based insecticide.
[0032] The chemical pesticide may be selected from carbamates,
avermectins, insect growth regulators, pyroles, organophosphates,
pyrazoles, chlorinated arganics or pyrethroids. The viral
insecticide may be a polyhedrosis or a granulosis virus.
[0033] Examples of biopesticides include but are not limited to
baculoviruses, such as nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), e.g.
Autographa californica NPV, Syngrapha falcifera NPV, Heliothis zea
NPV, Lymantria dispar NPV, Spodoptera exigua NPV, Neodiprion
lecontei NPV, Neodiprion sertifer NPV, Harrisina brillians NPV,
Endopiza viteana Clemens NPV; granulosis viruses e.g., Cydia
pomonella granulosis virus (GV), Pieris brassicae GV, Pieris rapae
GV; entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium
anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii, and Paecilomyces spp. and various
Bacillus-based products. Examples of Bacillus-related pesticides
include but are not limited to pesticides produced by Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus
cerius, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki/tenebrionis, Bacillus
thuringiensis aizawai/kurstaki, and Bacillus thuringiensis
kurstaki/kurstaki.
[0034] The abovementioned pests which can be controlled by the
method according to the invention include, for example, insects,
representatives of the order acarina and representatives of the
class nematoda; especially from the order Lepidoptera Acleris spp.,
Adoxophyes spp., especially Adoxophyes reticulana; Aegeria spp.,
Agrotis spp., especially Agrotis spinifera; Alabama argillaceae,
Amylois spp., Anticarsia gemmatalis, Archips spp., Argyrotaenia
spp., Autographa spp., Busseola fusca, Cadra cautella, Carposina
nipponensis, Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella,
Cnaphalocrocis spp., Cnephasia spp., Cochylis spp., Coleophora
spp., Crocidolomia binotalis, Cryptophlebia leucotreta, Cydia spp.,
especially Cydia pomonella; Diatraea spp., Diparopsis castanea,
Earias spp., Ephestia spp., especially E. Khuniella; Eucosma spp.,
Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp., Grapholita spp.,
Hedya nubiferana, Heliothis spp., especially H. virescens and H.
zea; Hellula undalis, Hyphantria cunea, Keiferia lycopersicella,
Leucoptera scitella, Lithocollethis spp., Lobesia spp., Lymantria
spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosoma spp., Mamestra brassicae, Manduca
sexta, Operophtera spp., Ostrinia nubilalis, Pammene spp., Pandemis
spp., Panolis flammea, Pectinophora spp., Phthorimaea operculella,
Pieris rapae, Pieris spp., Plutella xylostella, Prays spp.,
Scirpophaga spp., Sesamia spp., Sparganothis spp.,
Spodopteralittoralis, Synanthedon spp., Thaumetopoea spp., Tortrix
spp., Trichoplusia ni and Yponomeuta spp.; from the order
Coleoptera, for example Agriotes spp., Anthonomus spp., Atomaria
linearis, Chaetocnema tibialis, Cosmopolites spp., Curculio spp.,
Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp., Epilachna spp., Eremnus spp.,
Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Lissorhoptrus spp., Melolontha spp.,
Oryzaephilus spp., Otiorhynchus spp., Phlyctinus spp., Popillia
spp., Psylliodes spp., Rhizopertha Scarabeidae, Sitophilus spp.,
Sitotroga spp., Tenebrio spp., Tribolium spp. and Trogoderma spp.;
from the order Orthoptera, for example Blatta spp., Blattella spp.,
Gryllotalpa spp., Leucophaea maderae, Locusta spp., Periplaneta
spp. and Schistocerca spp.; from the order Isoptera, for example
Reticulitermes spp.; from the order Psocoptera, for example
Liposcelis spp.; from the order Anoplura, for example Haematopinus
spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Pemphigus spp. and
Phylloxera spp.; from the order Mallophaga, for example Damalinea
spp. and Trichodectes spp.; from the order Thysanoptera, for
example Frankliniella spp., Hercinothrips spp., Taeniothrips spp.,
Thrips palmi, Thrips tabaci and Scirtothrips aurantii; from the
order Heteroptera, for example Cimex spp., Distantiella theobroma,
Dysdercus spp., Euchistus spp. Eurygaster spp. Leptocorisa spp.,
Nezara spp., Piesma spp., Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella singularis,
Scotinophara spp. and Triatoma spp.; from the order Homoptera, for
example Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aleyrodes brassicae, Aonidiella
aurantii, Aphididae, Aphiscraccivora, A. fabae, A. gosypii;
Aspidiotus spp., Bemisia tabaci, Ceroplaster spp., Chrysomphalus
aonidium, Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, Coccus hesperidum, Empoasca
spp., Eriosoma lanigerum, Erythroneura spp., Gascardia spp.,
Laodelphax spp., Lecanium corni, Lepidosaphes spp., Macrosiphus
spp., Myzus spp., especially M. persicae; Nephotettix spp.,
especially N. cincticeps; Nilaparvata spp., especially N. lugens;
Paratoria spp., Pemphigus spp., Planococcus spp., Pseudaulacaspis
spp., Pseudococcus spp., especially P. Fragilis, P. citriculus and
P. comstocki; Psylla spp., especially P. pyri; Pulvinaria
aethiopica, Quadraspidiotus spp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia
spp., Scaphoideus spp., Schizaphis spp., Sitobion spp.,
Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza erytreae and Unaspis citri; from
the order Hymenoptera, for example Acromyrmex, Atta spp., Cephus
spp., Diprion spp., Diprionidae, Gilpinia polytorna, Hoplocampa
spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Neodiprion spp.,
Solenopsis spp. and Vespa spp.; from the order Diptera, for example
Aedes spp., Antherigona soccata, Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora
erythrocephala, Ceratitis spp., Chrysomyia spp., Culex spp.,
Cuterebra spp., Dacus spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Fannia spp.,
Gastrophilus spp., Glossina spp., Hypoderma spp., Hyppobosca spp.,
Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Melanagromyza spp., Musca spp.,
Oestrus spp., Orseolia spp., Oscinella frit, Pegomyia hyoscyami,
Phorbia spp., Rhagoletis pomonella, Sciara spp., Stomoxys spp.,
Tabanus spp., Tannia spp. and Tipula spp.; from the order
Siphonaptera, for example Ceratophyllus spp. and Xenopsylla
cheopis; from the order Thysanura, for example Lepisma saccharina
and from the order Acarina, for example Acarus siro, Aceria
sheldoni; Aculus spp., especially A. schlechtendali; Amblyomma
spp., Argas spp., Boophilus spp., Brevipalpus spp., especially B.
californicus and B. phoenicis; Bryobia praetiosa, Calipitrimerus
spp., Chorioptes spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Eotetranychus spp.,
especially E. carpini and E. orientalist; Eriophyes spp.,
especially E. vitis; Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Olygonychus
pratensis, Ornithodoros spp., Panonychus spp., especially P. ulmi
and P. citri; Phyllocoptruta spp., especially P. oleivora;
Polyphagotarsonemus spp., especially P. latus; Psoroptes spp.,
Rhipicephalus spp., Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp., Tarsonemus
spp. and Tetranychus spp., in particular T. urticae, T.
cinnabarinus and T. Kanzawai; representatives of the class
Nematoda; (1) nematodes selected from the group consisting of root
knot nematodes, cyst-forming nematodes, stem eelworms and foliar
nematodes; (2) nematodes selected from the group consisting of
Anguina spp.; Aphelenchoides spp.; Ditylenchus spp.; Globodera
spp., for example Globodera rostochiensis; Heterodera spp., for
example Heterodera avenae, Heterodera glycines, Heterodera
schachtii or Heterodera trifolii; Longidorus spp.; Meloidogyne
spp., for example Meloidogyne incognita or Meloidogyne javanica;
Pratylenchus, for example Pratylenchus neglectans or Pratylenchus
penetrans; Radopholus spp., for example Radopholus similis;
Trichodorus spp.; Tylenchulus, for example Tylenchulus
semipenetrans; and Xiphinema spp.; or (3) nematodes selected from
the group consisting of Heterodera spp., for example Heterodera
glycines; and Meloidogyne spp., for example Meloidogyne
incognita.
[0035] The method according to the invention allows pests of the
abovementioned type to be controlled, i.e. contained or destroyed,
which occur, in particular, on plants, mainly useful crop plants
and ornamentals in agriculture, in horticulture and in forests, or
on parts, such as fruits, flowers, foliage, stalks, tubers or
roots, of such plants. The protection against these pests in some
cases even extends to plant parts which form at a later point in
time.
[0036] The above-mentioned weeds which can be controlled by the
method according to the present invention include, for example, the
following: [0037] yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) [0038]
purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) [0039] bermudagrass (Cynodon
dactylon) [0040] torpedograss (Panicum repens) [0041] morningglory
(Ipomoea spp.) [0042] pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) [0043] crabgrass
(Digitaria spp.) [0044] goosegrass (Eleusine indica) [0045]
junglerice (Echinochloa colonum) [0046] broadleaf signalgrass
(Urochloa platphylla) [0047] Texas panicum (Panicum texanum) [0048]
sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) [0049] jimson weed (Datura
stramonium) [0050] foxtail (Setaria spp.) [0051] prickly sida (Sida
Spinosa) [0052] small-flower morningglory Jacquemontia tamnifolia)
[0053] henbit (Lamiutn amplexicaule) [0054] wild radish (Rhapanus
rhaphanistrum)
[0055] The above list is not all-inclusive but only provides many
of the more common weeds against which the active enal compounds
are effective.
EXAMPLE 1
[0056] Methods and Materials
[0057] The nematicidal properties of 2-propenal
(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH--CHO; acrolein), 2-butenal
(CH.sub.3--CH.dbd.CH--CHO; crotonaldehyde), and trans 2-pentenal
(CH.sub.3--CH.sub.2--CH.dbd.CH--CHO) were studied in greenhouse
experiments with soil severely infected with the reniform nematode
(Rotylenchulus reniformis). The soil was collected from a cotton
field and was a sandy loam with pH 6.2, organic matter content
<1.0% and cation exchange capacity <10 meq/100 gms soil. The
soil was mixed 50:50 by volume, with washed fine siliceous river
sand and the mixture, here-from referred to as soil. The moist soil
(50% field capacity) was apportioned in 1 Kg quantities contained
in 4 L polyethylene bags. The compounds were applied to the soil in
the bags, and after thorough mixing the treated soil was
transferred to 1 L capacity, 4-inch-diam. plastic (PVC) pots which
were then covered with a polyethylene bag (1 mil) held tightly to
the outside wall of the pot with a rubber band. The covered pots
were placed on a greenhouse table and after 10 days the bags were
removed and soil samples for nematode analyses were collected from
each pot. The pots were planted with "Young" soybean (5 seed/pot.)
Soybean plants were grown for 8 weeks when they were removed, soil
samples taken for nematode analysis (salad bowl incubation
technique), and data were collected on shoot height, and fresh
weights of shoots and roots. The relative health of the root
systems was determined using a subjective scale. In the scale
values ranged from 1 to 5, a value of 1 corresponded to healthy,
well develop and clean looking root systems without necrotic area
and no disease symptoms; a value of 5 represented roots with
severely reduced development and obvious disease symptoms including
large portions with necrotic and/or rotten tissue. Values between 1
and 5 represented intermediate degrees of damage. The roots were
incubated to assess nematode populations in them.
[0058] Herbicidal properties of the compounds were studied as
described for experiments on nematicidal activities. The soil was
from a cotton field with a silt loam soil from a cotton field with
similar properties as the one used for the nematode experiments. It
was infested with a variety of weeds and was artificially seeded
with 5 yellow nutsedge tubercles/pot. Nutsedge plants and other
weeds were grown for a month, and the pots were then treated with
2-propenal and covered with polyethylene bags for 10 days, when the
bags were removed and weed counts taken at two weeks and one month
after treatment. Rates used in these experiments were: 0, 100, 200,
300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 mgs/kg soil.
[0059] Emulsifiable concentrates (EC's) were prepared for all three
compounds containing 10% (w/w) emulsogen. The EC's were used to
make aqueous emulsions containing 2.5% active ingredient; these
emulsions were then used to deliver the compounds to soil. Each
compound was delivered using the following rates: 0, 25, 50, 75,
100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300 mgs/kg soil. In every
experiment there were 6 replications (pots) per treatment arranged
in a randomized complete block design.
[0060] All data were analyzed according to standard procedures for
analysis of variance. Fisher's Least Significant Differences (FLSD)
were calculated when F values were significant and are included in
the graphs. Curvilineal analyses were conducted according to
standard procedures with the TableCurve 2D program.
[0061] Results
[0062] Nematicidal Activity, 2-propenal. Data obtained from the
experiment with 2-propenal are presented in FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2E.
The compound reduced exponentially populations of reniform and
microbivorous nematodes in pre-plant samples (FIGS. 1A-1B). A dose
of 50 mgs/kg soil equivalent to 100 lbs/A resulted in >90%
reduction in these populations. Soil and root samples at the end of
the pre-plant samples; however, microbivorous populations had
recovered in response to applications of .ltoreq.100 mgs/kg soil
and were even stimulated by the 75 mg rate.
[0063] Sharp increases in shoot height and weights were observed in
response to dosages .ltoreq.50 mgs (FIGS. 2A-2C); this was followed
by gradual decline in values for the two variables. The overall
response was typical of a log-normal model. Root weights increased
gradually (FIGS. 2D-2E) in response to rates up to 175 mgs and
declined with higher dosages in a typical Gaussian symmetrical
pattern. Root condition was improved by all but the highest dose of
2-propenal (FIG. 2D).
[0064] 2-butenal. Response patterns of nematodes to applications of
2-butenal were very similar to those described for 2-propenal. FIG.
3 serves to illustrate the similarity of response between the two
compounds.
[0065] 2-pentenal. Response patterns of nematodes to applications
of 2-pentenal were very similar to those described for 2-propenal.
FIGS. 6A-6B serve to illustrate the similarity of responses between
the two compounds.
[0066] Herbicidal Activity. Application of 2-propenal resulted in
sharp declines in the number of yellow nutsedge weeds in response
to increasing doses of the chemical (FIG. 4). The relation between
dose and weed population adjusted well to an inverse cubic model
(FIG. 4) indicating that doses .gtoreq.200 mgs/kgs soil applied
post-emergence resulted in practical elimination of the weed.
[0067] Application of 2-butenal also resulted in sharp declines in
the number of yellow nutsedge weeds in response to increasing dose
of the chemical (FIG. 5). FIG. 5 thus illustrates the similarity of
responses between the two compounds.
[0068] Application of 2-pentenal is likewise expected to result in
sharp declines in the number of yellow nutsedge weeds in response
to increasing doses of the chemical (data not shown).
CONCLUSIONS
[0069] 2-propenal, 2-butenal and 2-pentenal are powerful
nematicidal and herbicidal compounds with long-term effects against
plant pathogenic nematodes but with no long lasting negative
effects on beneficial microbivorous nematodes. Application rates of
50-100 mgs/kg soil which are equivalent to 100-200 lbs/acre (lbs/A)
on a broadcast basis eliminate plant pathogenic nematodes, retain
microbivorous nematodes and increase growth of plants. Yellow
nutsedge, a hard-to-kill species, and other weeds were practically
eliminated with rates 200 mgs/kg soil; the 200 (mgs/kg) rate is
equivalent to 400 lbs/A on a broadcast basis. These rates are very
practical and are considerably below those used with methyl bromide
(400-1000 lbs/A) for soil fumigation. The fact that 2-propenal and
2-butenal are precursors for the synthesis of many other organic
compounds makes these chemicals available in large quantities and
at a very reasonable price compared with current prices for methyl
bromide.
EXAMPLE 2
[0070] This example together with the data in Table 1 includes
results of a study conducted to test the affects of acrolein on
tomato plant growth. The first column in Table 1 includes, from
left to right the treatment number, the treatment name, the rate of
application, and the unit for that rate. The treatment name
includes two separate treatment ingredients for each treatment
number. The top name of each treatment name lists the test
additive, and the bottom listing of the treatment name lists any
additional herbicide applied in that particular treatment number.
For example, in treatment number 5, methyl bromide was applied with
a sandea herbicide. The rate and the rate unit headings, for this
study, lists the amount of application of the treatment ingredients
in pounds of active ingredients per acre (lb ai/a). Column 2 of
Table 1 lists a vigor rating for each tomato plant on a scale of 1
to 5, wherein a 1 rating indicates a tomato plant with very little
vigor, and a 5 rating indicates a very vigorous tomato plant.
Column 2 lists vigor scale ratings for each treatment number taken
on Aug. 17, 2005, and column 3 lists a vigor rating for each
treatment taken on Aug. 25, 2005. Comparing column 2 to column 3
will illustrate whether any given treatment had a positive or
negative effect on the vigor of the tomato plant.
[0071] Still referring to Table 1, treatment number 1 shows a
"check 1" treatment with no additional herbicide. This treatment is
merely a "check" treatment, meaning that neither methyl bromide,
nor acrolein were applied to the tomato plant. In treatment 1, the
vigor of the tomato plant decreased from 3.5 to 3.0 over the
duration of the test. Treatment 4 shows that 350 pounds of active
ingredient per acre of methyl bromide 1 was applied to the tomato
plant with no additional herbicide, which resulted in no change in
vigor scale rating over the term of the test. Treatment numbers 7
and 13 illustrate acrolein injected into the soil with no
additional herbicides at relatively low rates of 200 pounds of
active ingredient per acre and 400 pounds of active ingredient per
acre, respectively. In treatment number 7, the vigor of the tomato
plant enjoyed an increase of 4.25 to 4.75, and in test 13, the
tomato plant enjoyed an increase in vigor of 4.0 to 5.0. The
results included in Table 1 support the conclusion that relatively
small amounts of acrolein applied to the soil around tomato plants
increase the vigor and stimulates growth of the tomato plants,
while applying methyl bromide to the soil around tomato plants
results in no significant improvement in vigor and/or growth of
tomato plants. At the same time, the untreated tomato plants showed
a decrease in vigor scale.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 TOMATO TOMATO 17 Aug. 2005 25 Aug. 2005
VIGOR VIGOR Trt Treatment Rate 1-5 SCALE 1-5 SCALE No. Name Rate
Unit 2 3 1 CHECK 1 3.500 3.000 NONE 2 CHECK 1 0.25 lb ai/a 3.250
3.250 SANDEA 3 CHECK 1 0.25 lb ai/a 3.000 3.500 V-10142 4 METHYL
BROMIDE 1 350 lb ai/a 2.500 2.500 NO HERBICIDE 5 METHYL BROMIDE 1
350 lb ai/a 2.250 2.750 SANDEA 0.25 lb ai/a 6 METHYL BROMIDE 1 350
lb ai/a 2.000 2.650 V-10142 0.25 lb ai/a 7 ACROLEIN INJECT 200 lb
ai/a 4.250 4.750 NO HERBICIDE 8 ACROLEIN INJECT 200 lb ai/a 4.000
4.750 SANDEA 0.25 lb ai/a 9 ACROLEIN INJECT 200 lb ai/a 4.000 4.750
V-10142 0.25 lb ai/a 10 ACROLEIN DRIP 600 lb ai/a 1.250 2.500 NO
HERBICIDE 11 ACROLEIN DRIP 600 lb ai/a 1.500 2.500 SANDEA 0.25 lb
ai/a 12 ACROLEIN DRIP 600 lb ai/a 2.250 2.900 V-10142 0.25 lb ai/a
13 ACROLEIN INJECT 400 lb ai/a 4.000 5.000 NO HERBICIDE 14 ACROLEIN
INJECT 400 lb ai/a 3.000 4.250 SANDEA 0.25 lb ai/a 15 ACROLEIN
INJECT 400 lb ai/a 4.000 4.650 V-10142 0.25 lb ai/a 16 ACROLEIN
DRIP 400 lb ai/a 3.000 3.250 NO HERBICIDE 17 ACROLEIN DRIP 400 lb
ai/a 2.750 3.500 SANDEA 0.25 lb ai/a 18 ACROLEIN DRIP 400 lb ai/a
3.000 3.250 V-10142 0.25 lb ai/a 19 ACROLEIN DRIP 200 lb ai/a 3.000
4.000 NO HERBICIDE 20 ACROLEIN DRIP 200 lb ai/a 3.000 3.750 SANDEA
0.25 lb ai/a 21 ACROLEIN DRIP 200 lb ai/a 3.000 3.850 V-10142 0.25
lb ai/a 22 ACROLEIN INJECT 600 lb ai/a 3.250 4.250 NO HERBICIDE 23
ACROLEIN INJECT 600 lb ai/a 3.250 4.000 SANDEA 0.25 lb ai/a 24
ACROLEIN INJECT 600 lb ai/a 3.250 3.750 V-10142 0.25 lb ai/a 25
METHYL BROMIDE 2 350 lb ai/a 2.250 2.500 NO HERBICIDE 26 METHYL
BROMIDE 2 350 lb ai/a 2.500 2.500 SANDEA 0.25 lb ai/a 27 METHYL
BROMIDE 2 350 lb ai/a 2.500 2.500 V-10142 0.25 lb ai/a 28 CHECK 2
350 lb ai/a 3.250 3.500 NO HERBICIDE 29 CHECK 2 0.25 lb ai/a 2.750
3.250 SANDEA 30 CHECK 2 0.25 lb ai/a 3.00 3.250 V-10142
* * * * *