Plant protecting and regulating compositions – Plant growth regulating compositions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2003-01-14
Pryor, Alton (Department: 1616)
Plant protecting and regulating compositions
Plant growth regulating compositions
C504S307000, C504S354000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06506707
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to herbicidal compositions containing plant essential oils and mixtures or blends thereof. In one aspect, the present invention relates to herbicidal compositions containing certain plant essential oils. In another aspect, the present invention relates to herbicidal compositions containing synergistic blends of certain plant essential oils. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling weeds and grasses by the application of pesticidally effective amounts of the herbicidal compositions containing certain plant essential oils and/or synergistic blends thereof to a locus where weed and grass control is desired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Weed and grass control is essential for, among other things, the efficient production of agricultural and horticultural crops, and herbicides are therefore the subject of extensive research and investigation. Weeds and grasses are problematic for many reasons, the end result of which is most often a reduction in the quantity and/or quality of the crop. Weeds and grasses compete with desired crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight, and can provide a refuge for insects and diseases that could damage the quality of the field. Weeds and grasses can also create problems in harvesting operations, and reduce the efficiency of the crop production. In household environments, weeds and grasses are also problematic. In addition to being a nuisance and eyesore in many situations, weeds and certain grasses can also compete with desired plants and grasses in turf and other lawn and garden environments. Herbicide applications for these environments will result in exposure to the general environment, including the water table, of residential and commercial settings.
The widespread use of herbicides has been around since 1940. However, it has become increasingly apparent that the widespread use of synthetic chemical herbicides has caused detrimental environmental effects that are harmful to humans and other animals. For instance, the public has become concerned about the amount of residual chemicals that persist in food, ground water and the environment, and that are toxic, carcinogenic or otherwise incompatible to humans, domestic animals and/or fish. Due to the fact that herbicides are applied to the soil and/or the foliar surfaces, they can easily reach streams, lakes, and reservoirs in water that runs off treated areas. As a result, many herbicide labels currently in use carry groundwater advisory statements regarding herbicide leaching. Worker safety is also an issue when applying these chemicals. Moreover, some target weeds and grasses have even shown an ability to develop immunity to many commonly used synthetic chemical herbicides. In recent times, regulatory guidelines have encouraged a search for potentially less dangerous herbicidal compositions via stringent restrictions on the use of certain synthetic herbicides. As a result, elimination of effective herbicides from the market has limited economical and effective options for controlling weeds and grasses. As an alternative, botanical herbicides are of great interest because they are natural herbicides, i.e., toxicants derived from plants that are safe to humans and the environment. It is also desirable to have botanical herbicides that are selective to certain weeds and grasses while permitting desirable grasses and other crops to flourish.
Accordingly, there is a great need for novel herbicidal compositions containing plant essential oils and synergistic mixtures thereof, especially those that are selective in nature. In addition, there is a need for methods for using same that address the problems described above, i.e., are safe to humans and the environment and relatively inexpensive to use in obtaining acceptable levels of weed and grass control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide novel herbicidal compositions that contain certain plant essential oils.
Another object of the invention is to provide herbicidal compositions containing synergistic mixtures or blends of certain plant essential oils.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling weed and grass growth by the application of the compositions of the present invention to a locus where such control is desired.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fast-acting, rapid defoliant for pre-harvest applications.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a selective herbicide that can be used to control certain weeds and grasses without affecting desirable plant matter.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel herbicide that is safe and can be used in conjunction with conventional pesticides, including but not limited to herbicides e.g., glyphosate and 2, 4-D.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a synergist for conventional herbicides, thereby providing quick burn down of plant matter coupled with systemic action on roots using lower rates of conventional pesticides.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a non-systemic herbicide that can be used to remove green plant matter without affecting the stem of the plants.
It is a further object to provide a safe, non-toxic herbicidal composition and method that will not harm the environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel herbicide that is comprised of food grade materials and is exempt from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel herbicide that is comprised of food grade materials and is exempt from tolerance under the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Cosmetic Act.
It is still another object to provide a herbicidal composition and method that has a pleasant scent and that can be applied without burdensome safety precautions.
It is still another object to provide a herbicidal composition and method as described above which can be inexpensively produced or employed.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a herbicidal composition and method to which weeds and grasses cannot build immunity.
The above and other objects are accomplished by the present invention which is directed to herbicidal compositions containing certain plant essential oils and herbicidal compositions containing synergistic mixtures or blends of certain plant essential oils. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for controlling weeds and grasses by applying a pesticidally-effective amount of the above herbicidal compositions to a locus where weed and grass control is desired.
Additional objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, or may be learned from practicing or using the present invention. The objects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly recited in the appended claims. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not to be viewed as being restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
All patents, patent applications and literatures cited in this description are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In the case of inconsistencies, the present disclosure, including definitions, will prevail.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising, in admixture with a suitable carrier and optionally with a suitable surface active agent, a plant essential oil compound and derivatives thereof, including racemic mixtures, enantiomers, diastereomers, hydrates, salts, solvates and metabolites, etc.
Each plant essential oil or derivative thereof, comprises a monocyclic, carbocyclic ring structure having six-members and substituted by at least one oxygenated or hydroxyl
Ecosmart Technologies, Inc.
McDermott & Will & Emery
Pryor Alton
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