Plant protecting and regulating compositions – Plant growth regulating compositions – Organic active compound containing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-27
2001-11-27
Pryor, Alton (Department: 1616)
Plant protecting and regulating compositions
Plant growth regulating compositions
Organic active compound containing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323156
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the use of ammonium salts of fatty acids as non-selective herbicides to destroy the growth of plants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are two major categories of herbicides to treat growing weeds—selective and non-selective. Selective herbicides only kill selected weeds such as broad leafed plants like dandelion, an example being the well-known herbicide 2,4-D. The non-selective herbicides kill all weeds. Commercially known non-selective herbicides include glyphosate (such as ROUNDUP®) and paraquat. Paraquat is a known hazardous material. Roundup often has a higher than desired kill time. Non-hazardous non-selective herbicides exhibiting decreased kill time are desired.
It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide non-hazardous non-selective herbicides having low kill time for use on unwanted vegetation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Vegetation may be killed by application of a composition of the formula:
R
1
COO
−
X
+
(I)
wherein R
1
is a C
6
to C
19
hydrocarbyl group and X is ammonium (NH
4
+
). In the formula (I), any of the hydrogen on R
1
may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl or C
1
-C
5
hydrocarbyl group, such as an alkyl group. The herbicidal composition of the invention contains essentially no free fatty acid content. Such compounds have been found to act as “non-selective” herbicides.
The invention relates to a method for killing unwanted vegetation, by applying to the locus of the unwanted vegetation a herbicide of formula (I). The composition may be applied as an aqueous solution and may further contain a surfactant. Since the mode of action appears to be through the leaves of the vegetation, there is little, if any, residual herbicidal effect in the ground. Thus, it is possible to grow desirable plants adjacent to and around the treated area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Unwanted vegetation may be killed by wetting the locus of the vegetation with a composition represented by the formula:
R
1
COO
−
X
+
(I)
wherein R
1
is a saturated or unsaturated C
6
to C
19
hydrocarbyl (preferably a C
7
to C
11
hydrocarbyl), or an epoxide or cycloproparie thereof, X is ammonium, (NH
4
), and any of the hydrogen on R
1
may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl or C
1
-C
5
hydrocarbyl groups. This herbicidal composition contains less than 0.5 wt. % free fatty acids. More preferred, the herbicidal composition of the invention contains less than 0.1 wt. % free fatty acids. In a most preferred embodiment, the herbicidal composition of the invention contains essentially no free fatty acids. The composition of the invention may further contain a diluent.
Any solvent in which the herbicide is soluble may be employed as a diluent. As a post-emergent, the herbicides of the invention are preferably applied to the locus of the unwanted vegetation as an aqueous solution.
The method of the invention may be used to control established vegetation in the vicinity of a seeded crop or in a weed concentrate area by contacting the foliage of the unwanted vegetation with the herbicidal composition. The herbicidal activity of such herbicidal compositions rapidly dissipates in the unwanted vegetation upon contact.
The herbicide is applied as a solution to the locus of the unwanted vegetation in effective amounts. Typically, the herbicide is applied as an aqueous solution wherein the amount of herbicide in the formulation is between about 3 to about 17, weight percent, preferably about 5 to about 15, weight percent, more preferably for some applications from about 5 to about 10, weight percent and for some other applications from about 10 to about 15, weight percent.
The herbicides of the invention exhibit several advantages not previously seen with other commercial herbicides. These advantages include:
More Rapid Kill Time.
Vegetation usually starts to die within an hour after receiving a single application. Typically unwanted vegetation is dead in less than 24 hours. Some readily obtainable herbicides require at least seven days. Further, herbicides evidencing quicker kill times in the prior art are highly toxic.
Based on Naturally Occurring Compounds.
Suitable herbicides for use in the invention include several based on acids found in nature. No commercially known water soluble herbicides are based on naturally occurring compounds.
Action is Through the Leaves.
In light of the quick kill time of the herbicidal compositions of the invention, reseeding can take place immediately. Most commercial herbicides must be allowed to degrade before reseeding.
Non-toxic and Biodegradable.
Herbicides within the invention are non-toxic and further are biodegradable. Most commercial herbicides are hazardous to apply.
Low Cost.
The herbicides of the invention are relatively low in cost.
Easy Transportation.
Unlike most commercial herbicides which as liquids must be shipped in containers requiring special disposal methods, the herbicides of the invention are water soluble solids and thus may be shipped in readily disposable containers. Upon reaching their desired location, the solid herbicide may be prepared into solutions at their requisite strength. Alternatively, the herbicides of the invention may be shipped as liquid compositions.
The herbicidal composition of the invention is contacted with the foliage of the unwanted vegetation by spraying or otherwise distributing the composition onto the foliage. Leaves of vegetation sprayed with herbicidal compositions of the invention usually start to shrivel or turn brown within hours after application. Necrosis is evident, usually in 24 hours. In the case of smaller weeds such as dandelions, chickweed and other common lawn weeds, the roots of the plants also shrivel and turn brown or black within 24 hours.
Spraying is a preferred method of wetting the leaves. A light spray is usually sufficient to kill the plant at ambient temperatures above 20° C. without any additional treatment. Herbicidal effectiveness generally increases with temperature.
Weeds and grasses which have been killed by use of the herbicidal composition of the invention include quack grass, buttercup, common cinquefoil, multi flora rose, common yellow woodsorrel, prostrate spurge, poison ivy, poison hemlock, common speedwell, broadleaf plantain, Japanese honeysuckle, dandelion, wild violet, Bermuda grass, nutsedge, wild garlic, knotweed, red sorrel, lambs quarters, pokeweed, carpetweed, crabgrass, buckhorn plantain, nimblewill or common chickweed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5919733 (1999-07-01), Sedun et al.
Falcon Lab LLC
Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP
Pryor Alton
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