OA19561A

OA19561A - Herbicidal composition and method.

Info

Publication number: OA19561A
Application number: OA1202000068
Authority: OA
Inventors: Hong Zhang; Robbie HAINES; Charlie James FLOOD; Pascale LABATUT; Christophe SEPULCHRE DE CONDE; James Sloan; John Martin Groome; Christophe FILLON; Alix BRAMAUD DU BOUCHERON
Original assignee: Arysta Lifescience Inc.
Priority date: 2017-08-11
Filing date: 2018-08-10
Publication date: 2020-12-11

Abstract

An herbicidal composition and method. An oil dispersion is described including one or more base oils; an herbicide composition comprising an herbicide composition comprising a triazolinone, a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, and a sulfonylurea; and a stabilizer comprising a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid derivative, and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid derivative with urea and/or a urea derivative; the dispersion demonstrating an enhanced spectrum of weed control and enhanced stability. A method of preparing an herbicidal composition and a method of controlling weeds are also described.

Description

HERBICIDAL COMPOSITION AND METHOD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/544,409 filed August 11, 2017, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] The field of art to which this invention generally pertains is herbicidal compositions.

BACKGROUND

[003] Because of the increasing concem over use of organic solvents in agricultural formulations due to their cost, flammability, adverse health effects and contribution to environmental pollution, aqueous formulations hâve seen increasing use. The oil-in-water émulsion (EW) is one of the most common aqueous formulations used for many agricultural products, where droplets of oil stabilized by surfactant emulsifiers as a discrète phase are uniformly dispersed in water as a continuons phase. However, Chemical stability challenges can exist with some of these herbicidal formulations, especially with some active Chemicals which are extremely effective individually, but can interact at various températures over time when they are combined together.

[004] Accordingly, there is a constant search for enhancing the stability of effective herbicidal Chemical combinations in this area.

I

BRIEF SUMMARY

[005] An oil dispersion is described comprising one or more base oils; an herbicide composition comprising a triazolinone, a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, and a sulfonylurea; and a stabilizer comprising a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative 5 (e.g. salts such as sodium phosphate) and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative (such as thiourea); the dispersion demonstrating an enhanced spectrum of weed control and enhanced physical and Chemical stability.

[006] Additional embodiments include: the oil dispersion described above, where the triazolinone is amicarbazone, and/or the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor is 10 mesotrione, and/or the sulfonylureas is nicosulfuron; the oil dispersion described above where the stabilizer is a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative; the oil dispersion described above, where the stabilizer is a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative; the oil dispersion described above, where the dispersion is physically stable at températures at least as low as -10°C for at least two weeks; the 15 oil dispersion described above, where the dispersion is physically stable at températures at least as low as -10°C for at least two months; the oil dispersion described above, where the phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative is présent in an amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight, and the urea and/or a urea dérivative is présent in an amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight; the oil dispersion described above, where the Chemical rétention for nicosulfuron is above 80% by 20 weight for at least two weeks at températures of at least 54°C; the oil dispersion described above, where the Chemical rétention of the nicosulfuron is above 93%, for example 97%, by weight for at least two weeks at températures of at least 54°C; the oil dispersion described above, where the Chemical rétention of the amicarbazone and mesotrione are each above 95% by weight; the oil dispersion described above, where the Chemical stability of the amicarbazone, 25 mesotrione and nicosulfuron are each above 95% by weight for at least 8 weeks at températures of at least 40°C; the oil dispersion described above, where the Chemical stability of the amicarbazone, mesotrione and nicosulfuron are each above 95% by weight for at least 12 weeks at températures of at least 35°C; the oil dispersion described above, containing 0.5% by weight phosphoric acid and 0.5% by weight to 1% by weight urea, where the nicosulfuron Chemical • 3 rétention is at least 93% by weight for at least two weeks at a température of at least 54°C, and the Chemical rétention of the amicarbazone and mesotrione are each above 95% by weight; the oil dispersion described above, where the Chemical rétention of the nicosulfuron, mesotrione and amicarbazone are each at least 95% by weight for at least eight weeks at température of at least 40°C; the oil dispersion described above, where the Chemical rétention of the nicosulfuron, mesotrione and amicarbazone are each at least 95% by weight for at least twelve weeks at température of at least 35°C; the oil dispersion described above, where the dispersion demonstrates enhanced weed control on a weed spectrum of grasses, broadleaf weeds and sedge; the oil dispersion described above, where the oil is présent in the dispersion in an amount up to 90 percent by volume; the oil dispersion described above, where the oil is présent in the dispersion in an amount from 10 to 80 percent by volume; the oil dispersion described above, additionally containing a dispersant, said dispersant comprising an oil-soluble nonionic surfactant and an emulsifïer system, the emulsifier system comprising one or more anionic surfactants and/or one or more non-ionic surfactants; the oil dispersion described above, where the herbicide is présent in an amount in a range from about 2 to about 50 weight percent of the oil dispersion; the oil dispersion described above, where the base oil is selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, tung oil kapok oil, papaya oil, camellia oil, rice bran oil, esters of any of the foregoing, alkoxylated oils of any of the foregoing, methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids, minerai oils, paraffinic and isoparaffïnic oils, esters, aromatic solvents, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; the oil dispersion described above, where the base oil is selected from the group consisting of methylated rapeseed oil, ethoxylated soybean oil, methyl-5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyi-5oxopentanoate, alkyl dimethylamide, 2-ethylhexyl iactate, methyl caprylate caproate, methyl stéarate, canola oil, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; the oil dispersion described above, where the dispersant is présent in a range of about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight of the oil dispersion; the oil dispersion described above, where dispersant is présent in a range of about 0.5 to about 10 percent by weight of the oil dispersion; the oil dispersion described above, where dispersant is présent in a range of about 0.5 to about 5.0 percent by weight of the oil dispersion; the oil dispersion described above, where the nonionic surfactant of . 4 the emulsifier system comprises one or more nonionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ethoxylates, tristyrylphenol ethoxylates, alkylphenolethoxylates, castor oil ethoxylates, fatty acid ethoxylates, alkylpolyglucosides, sorbitan ethoxylates, and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block copolymers; the oil dispersion described 5 above, where the anionic surfactant of the emulsifier system comprises one or more anionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of salts of dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, salts of tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphates, salts of fatty acids, salts of alkyl sulfates, salts of alkylether sulfates, salts of alkylether phosphates, and sodium N-methylN-oleyltaurate; the oil dispersion described above, where the emulsifier system is présent in a 10 range from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight of the oil dispersion; the oil dispersion described above, where the emulsifier system is présent in a range from about 3 to about 15 percent by weight of the oil dispersion; the oil dispersion described above, where the emulsifier system is présent in a range from about-5 to about 12 percent by weight of the oil dispersion; the oil dispersion described above, where the ratio of anionic to non-ionic surfactant is in a range 15 from about 0.1:10 to about 10:0.1; the oil dispersion described above, where the ratio of anionic to non-ionic surfactant is in a range from about 1:5 to about 5:1; the oil dispersion described above, where the ratio of anionic to non-ionic surfactant is in a range from about 1:3 to 3:1 ; the oil dispersion described above, additionally containing a thickener, the oil dispersion described above, where the thickener is a hydrophobie fumed silica, bentonite, castor wax, magnésium 20 stéarate, aluminum/magnesium hydroxide stéarate, or polymeric thickener, or combinations thereof; the oil dispersion described above, where the composition comprises about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight ofthe thickener, the oil dispersion described above, where the composition comprises about 0.1 to about 3 percent by weight of thickener; and the oil dispersion described above, additionally containing one or more additives comprising an absorbent, an antifoaming 25 agent, a stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a base, an acid, and a buffer.

[007] A method of preparing an herbicidal composition as an oil dispersion is also described including mixing an herbicide comprising an herbicide composition comprising a triazolinone, a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, and a sulfonylurea; and a stabilizer comprising a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative, and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid 30 and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative; one or more base oils, a dispersant comprising an oil soluble nonionic surfactant, and an emulsifier system, the emulsifier system comprising one or more anionic surfactants and/or one or more non-ionic surfactants to provide an herbicidal mixture; and diluting the mixture with water;

[008] Additional embodiments include: the method described above, where the triazolinone is amicarbazone, and/or the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor is mesotrione, and/or the sulfonylureas is nicosulfuron; the method described above, where the stabilizer is a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative; the method described above, where the stabilizer is a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative; the method described above, where the herbicide is présent in an amount in a range from about 2 to about 50 weight percent of the herbicidal mixture; the method described above, where the base oil is selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, tung oil kapok oil, papaya oil, camellia oil, rice bran oil, esters of any of the foregoing, alkoxylated oils of any of the foregoing, methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids, minerai oils, paraffinic and isoparafïïnic oils, esters, aromatic solvents, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; The method described above, further comprising a thickener; the method described above, where the thickener is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobie fumed silicas, bentonite, castor wax, magnésium stéarate, aluminum/magnesium hydroxyl stéarate, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; the method described above, further comprising adding one or more additives selected from the group consisting of an absorbent, an antifoaming agent, a stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a base, an acid, and a buffer; the method described above, where the diiuted mixture comprises at least 50 percent by weight water; the method described above, where the diiuted mixture comprises between about 50 to about 99.99 percent by weight water; and the method described above, where the diiuted mixture comprises between about 60 to about 90 percent by weight water.

[009] A method of controlling weeds is also described including providing an herbicidal mixture comprising: an herbicide comprising a triazolinone, a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, and a sulfonylurea; and a stabilizer comprising a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative, and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative; one or more base oils, a dispersant comprising an oil soluble nonionic surfactant, and an emulsifier System, the emulsifier System comprising one or more anionic surfactants and/or one or more non-ionic surfactants; diluting the herbicidal mixture with water, where the herbicidal mixture is formulated as oil dispersion in water; and applying the diluted herbicidal mixture to a crop.

[0010] Additional embodiments include: the method described above, where the triazolinone is amicarbazone, and/or the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor is mesotrione, and/or the sulfonylureas is nicosulfuron; the method described above, where the stabilizer is a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative; the method described above, where the stabilizer is a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative; the method described above, where the applying step is performed postemergently after the crop breaks ground; t method described above, where the applying step is performed pre-emergently before the crop breaks ground; the method described above, where the herbicide is présent in an amount in a range from about 2 to about 50 weight percent of the herbicidal composition; the method described above, where the base oil is selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safïlower oil, sesame oil, tung oil kapok oil, papaya oil, camellia oil, rice bran oil, esters of any of the foregoing, alkoxylated oils of any of the foregoing, methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids, minerai oils, paraffinic and isoparafïïnic oils, esters, aromatic solvents, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; the method described above, where the herbicidal composition further comprises thickener; the method described above, where the herbicidal composition further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of an absorbent, an antifoaming agent, a stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a base, an acid, and a buffer;

[0011] These, and additional embodiments, will be apparent from the following descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0012] The Figure demonstrates exemplary efficacy data for exemplary compositions described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the various embodiments of the présent invention only and are 5 presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fondamental understanding of the invention, the description making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice

[0014] The présent invention will now be described by reference to more detailed embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complété, and will folly convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, ail technical and scientific terms used herein hâve the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are 20 intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ail publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0016] Unless otherwise indicated, ail numbers expressing quantifies of ingrédients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the spécification and claims are to be understood as 25 being modified in ail instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following spécification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the présent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of équivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

[0017] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the spécifie examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard déviation found in their respective testing measurements. Every numerical range given throughout this spécification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were ail expressly written herein.

[0018] Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be leamed by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

[0019] What is disclosed herein is an effective herbicidal composition again a broad weed spectrum, having improved Chemical stability of ail of active ingrédients including amicarbazone, mesotrione and nicosulfuron. The combination provides a broader weed spectrum control than amicarbazone and mesotrione alone, and in admixture.

[0020] The herbicidal compositions described herein include amicarbazone, and mesotrione, and nicosulfuron, and methods of their use in admixture. It was found to be challenging to develop amicarbazone and mesotrione premix formulation alone due to the predicted side reaction between above two molécules. It was found to be even more challenging to develop amicarbazone and mesotrione and nicosulfuron premix formulation with stable chemistry. However, it has been discovered that by including stabilizing amounts of phosphoric acid, or a combination of phosphoric acid and urea, to the above three active herbicidal ingrédients the desired degree of Chemical stability of the ingrédients is attained in an herbicidal oil dispersion formulation.

[0021] By being able to include ail three active ingrédient with Chemical stability into an herbicidal premix formulation, a signifïcantly increased control spectrum of weed management can be attained. .

EXAMPLES

[0022] Without the inclusion of the above stabilizers, Chemical rétention for nicosulfuron, for example, for two weeks at 54°C is below 80% by weight. With inclusion of the above phosphoric acid and urea stabilizers, the rétention and stability of the nicosulfuron under 5 the same conditions improves to over 93%, while still keeping the other two active herbicide ingrédients (amicarbazone, and mesotrione) in the formulation above 95% rétention, again, under the same testing conditions. In fact, ail three active ingrédients can be retained in the stabilized herbicidal pre-mix formulations at a level above 95% by weight for at least 8 weeks at a température of at least 40°C and even 12 weeks or more at températures of at least 35°C. In addition, the pre-mix formulation, when mixed with water, exhibits an increased spectrum of weed control. It has been found that with an addition of, for example, of 0.5% by weight phosphoric acid and 0.5% to 1% by weight urea, nicosulfuron Chemical rétention increases from approximately 70% to 93% for at least 2 weeks at at least 54°C, while the amicarbazone and mesotrione in the pre-mix formulation is retained and remains above 95% . With the addition of 15 similar amounts of the phosphoric acid and urea stabilizers, ail three active ingrédients including the nicosulfuron, mesotrione and amicarbazone, are chemically retained when stored above at least 95% for at least 8 weeks at a température of at least 40°C and for at least 12 weeks at températures of at least 35°C, respectively. An exemplary composition includes, for example, amicarbazone 112 grams/liter (g/L) mesotrione 112 grams/liter and nicosulfuron 60 grams/liter, respectively.

[0023] Additional benefits and details are demonstrated, for example, in the Tables below, for multiple exemplary compositions demonstrating their stability at various time periods and températures. The composition also demonstrates physical properties stability at low températures as described herein, e.g., phase séparation stability, formulation uniformity, particle 25 size, émulsion stability, etc.

Table 1	NonAqueous Dispersant	Aqueous Dispersan t	Emulsifier System	% ure a	% phosphor ic acid
Exampl e
1	3% alkylated vinyl pyrrolidon es	2% polymeri c amphoter ic dispersan t	3% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccina te	4.5% polyoxyethyle ne(40) sorbitol hexaoleate	4.5% ethoxylate d castor oil	0.0 0	0.00 0.20 0.40 0.50 0.70 0.90
2	3% alkylated vinyl pyrrolidon es	2% polymeri c amphoter ic dispersan t	3% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccina ^te	4.5% polyoxyethyle ne(40) sorbitol hexaoleate	4.5% ethoxylate d castor oil	0.0 0 0.2 5 0.5 0 0.7 5 1.0 0 1.5 2.0	0.50
3	3% alkylated vinyl pyrrolidon es	2% polymeri c amphoter ic dispersan t	3% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccina te	4.5% polyoxyethyle ne(40) sorbitol hexaoleate	4.5% ethoxylate d castor oil	0.0 0 0.2 5 0.5 0 0.7 5 1.0 0 1.5 2.0	0.50

4	3% alkylated vinyl pyrrolidon es	2% polymeri c amphoter ic dispersan t	3% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccina te	4.5% polyoxyethyle ne (40) sorbitol hexaoléate	4.5% ethoxylate d castor oil	0.0 0 0.2 5 0.5 0 0.7 5 1.0 0 1.5 2.0	0.50
5	3% alkylated vinyl pyrrolidon es	2% polymeri c amphoter ic dispersan t	3% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccina te	4.5% Tensiofix nonionîc surfactant	4.5% ethoxylate d castor oil	0.7 5	0.75
6	3% nonionic block copolymer	2% polymeri c amphoter îc dîspersan t	3% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccina te	4.5% polyoxyethyle ne (40) sorbitol hexaoleate	4.5% ethoxylate d castor oil	0.0 0 0.5 0 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.7 5 1.0	0.50 0.50 0.75 0.75 0.75 1.00
7	3% nonionic block copolymer	2% polymeri c amphoter ic dispersan t	3% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccina te	4.5% polyoxyethyle ne (40) sorbitol hexaoleate	4.0% ethoxylate d castor oil	0.7 5	0.75

Table 1 (continuée!)

			Amicarbazone	Mesotrione (%
	Thickener	Storage	Nicosulfuron
Example	(% of-10°C)	of - 10°C)	(% of -10°C)
		2weeks	could not be sampled 90.7	could not be sampled 98	could not be sampled 65.3
1	1% Bentone 1000	at 54°C	93.2	101.8	76.2
		94.2	101.4	76.21
			92.4	101.3	78.8
			91.3	100.3	78.8
		2weeks	93.7 92.1 92.7	97.3 95.8 94	76.2 79.2 78.3
2	1% Bentone SD-1	at 54°C	94.3 93.3	94.9	79.2
		93.6	94
			93	93.4	93.6
			92	88.8	94.4
		8 weeks	95.9 95.4 96	96.1 97.5 97.5	99.3 93 92.4
3	1% Bentone SD-1	at 40°C	96.4	97.4	94.2
		/	/	/
			/	/	/
			/	/	/
			97.9	96.2	101
			96	98.1	95.7
	1% Bentone SD-1	12weeks	95.5	98	96.5
4	96.5	98.7	98.5
	at35°C
		/	/	/
			/	/	/
			/	/	/
5	1% Bentone SD-1	2weeks	95.1	98	85.9

		at 54°C
6	1% Bentone SD-1	8weeks at40°C	92.7 91.5 93.1 91.8 91.2 93.4	98.5 97 97.6 98.2 95.8 96.9	93.1 90.7 93 93.6 93 93.9
7	0.25% Bentone SD-1 0.25% Bentone SD-3 0.25% Bentone . SD-3 0.25% Bentone SD-1 0.12% Bentone SD-3 0.1% Bentone SD-1 0.2% Bentone SD-3 0.15% Bentone SD-1 l%Attagel 50	2weeks at 54°C	88.8 88.7 87.9 89.1 89.3 89.7	95.2 97.0 95.6 95.9 96.1 94.9	85.3 89.5 87.9 87.4 87.8 87.7

Table 2

Calculated as percentage of initial analysis:

Exam pie Num ber	Initial	2 weeks at 10°C	2 weeks at 54 °C	2 months at -10 °C	2 months at 40 °C
A MZ	MS T	N CS	AM Z	MS T	NC S	A MZ	MS T	N CS	AM Z	MS T	NC S	A MZ	MS T	N CS
1	11. 02	11. 38	5.8 8	—			10. 26	11. 12	5.2 9	—	—	—	10. 53	11. 21	5.6 8
N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	—		—	93 %	98 %	90 %	—	—	—	96 %	99 %	97 %

2	10. 72	11. 43	6.1 1	10. 97	11. 61	6.2 3	10. 30	11. 14	5.5 3	10. 90	11. 32	6.1 3	10. 55	11. 19	5.8 9
N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	102 %	102 %	102 %	96 %	97 %	91 %	93 %	98 %	90 %	98 %	98 %	96 %
	10.	11.	5.9	10.	11.	5.8	10.	11.	5.1	10.	11.	5.9	10.	11.	5.7
3	80	74	0	81	64	2	12	26	7	90	58	5	45	38	0
	N/	N/	N/	100	99	99	94	96	88	101	99	101	97	97	97
	A	A	A	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
	10.	11.	5.8	11.	11.	5.9	10.	11.	5.5	11.	11.	5.9	10.	11.	5.8
4	89	46	7	17	69	2	3	12	9	04	42	3	64	17	4
	N/	N/	N/	103	102	101	95	97	95	101	100	101	98	97	99
	A	A	A	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Note: In above four compositions, a 1 contain 5 g/L of phosphoric acid and 7.5g/L of urea for first three, then 12.5 g/L of Urea for Example 4, respectively.

Table 3

Percentage at high temp calculated as percentage of-lOC sample at the same storage interval:

Exam pie Numb er	Initial	2 weeks at - . 10°C	2 weeks at 54 °C	2 monthsat-10 °C	2 months at 40 °C
A MZ	MS T	N CS	A MZ	MS T	N CS	A MZ	MS T	N CS	A MZ	MS T	N CS	A MZ	MS T	N CS
	11.	11.	5.8				10.	11.	5.2				10.	11.	5.6
1	02	38	8				26	12	9				53	21	8
	N/	N/	N/	N/	N/	N/				N/	N/	N/
	A	A	A	A	A	A				A	A	A
	10.	11.	6.1	10.	11.	6.2	10.	11.	5.5	10.	11.	6.1	10.	11.	5.8
2	72	43	1	97	61	3	30	14	3	90	32	3	55	19	9
	N/	N/	N/	N/	N/	N/	94	96	89	N/	N/	N/	97	99	96
	A	A	A	A	A	A	%	%	%	A	A	A	%	%	%
3	10.	11.	5.9	10.	11.	5.8	10.	11.	5.1	10.	11.	5.9	10.	11.	5.7

	80	74	0	81	64	2	12	26	7	90	58	5	45	38	0
N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	94 %	97 %	89 %	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	96 %	98 %	96 %
4	10. 89	11. 46	5.8 7	11. 17	11. 69	5.9 2	10. 3	11. 12	5.5 9	11. 04	11. 42	5.9 3	10. 64	11. 17	5.8 4
N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	92 %	95 %	94 %	N/ A	N/ A	N/ A	96 %	98 %	98 %

Note: In above four compositions, al contain 5 g/L of phosphoric acid and 7.5g/L of urea for first three, then 12.5 g/L of urea for Example 4, respectively.

[0024] As mentioned above, the novel ready-mix herbicidal compositions described herein are 5 effective on a broader weed spectrum, such as, for example on grasses, broadleaf weeds and sedge, which is not the case with the individual herbicidal components alone. The compositions different mode of action (MoA) or biology pathways helps make this product a very effective weed résistance management tool, especially, for example, for the corn market, among others.

See also the Figure which demonstrates, for example, the efficacy of the compositions disclosed 10 herein above other combinations and above the efficacy limit (red line) up to 45 days after application. H1358aa @0,2 kg/ha and nicosulfuron 40 SC @0,75 L/ha are below this limit at this date. CEB means Commission des essais Biologiques, an Efficacy trial committee. So here, level 7 is the minimum acceptable level of efficacy (i.e., greater than 85 %). Sample 1 contains amicarbazone, mesotrione and nicosulfuron; Sample 2 contains amicarbazone and mesotrione;

and Sample 3 contains nicosulfuron only.

[0025] The use of conventional carriers with the compositions described herein also helps prevent crystallization at low températures and upon dilution in water. And while individual carriers can be used, carrier mixtures of compatible carriers (for example, rapeseed oil, and aromatic 150 (a naphthalene containing solvent available from Exxon Mobile, for example) can 20 be also used as long as the added carriers do not adversely affect the Chemical stability or the solubility or water miscibility of the individual components. Typically the components are présent in the carrier in an amount of about 10% to about 90 % by weight. When diluted with water, the pre-mix is typically présent in an amount of about 0.01% to about 10% by weight.

[0026] The product also has extended shelf life, e.g., expected to be at least two years. The delivery System also has an acceptable toxicity profile according to current MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) data.

[0027] As described herein, these problems and others in this area are addressed by the 5 invention described herein. Thus, the scope of the invention shall include ail modifications and variations that may fall within the scope of the attached daims. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from considération of the spécification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the spécification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the 10 following daims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An oil dispersion comprising

a. one or more base oils;

b. an herbicide composition comprising amicarbazone, mesotrione, and nicosulfuron, wherein the herbicide composition is présent in an amount from about 2 to about 50 weight percent of the oil dispersion; and

c. a stabilizer comprising a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative;

wherein the phosphoric acid and/or sodium phosphate and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or sodium phosphate is présent in an amount of 0.2 to 10% by weight of the oil dispersion, and wherein the urea and/or thiourea, when présent, is in an amount of 0.25 to 10% by weight of the oil dispersion;

the dispersion demonstrating an enhanced spectrum of weed control and enhanced physical and Chemical stability.
2. The oil dispersion of claim 1, containing 0.5% by weight phosphoric acid and 0.5% by weight to 1% by weight urea, wherein the nicosulfuron Chemical rétention is at least 93% by weight for at least two weeks at a température of at least 54°C, and the Chemical rétention of the amicarbazone and mesotrione are each above 95% by weight.
3. The oil dispersion of claim 1, wherein the oil is présent in the dispersion in an amount up to 90 percent by volume.
4. The oil dispersion of claim 1, additionally containing a dispersant, said dispersant comprising an oil-soluble nonionic surfactant and an emulsifier system, the emulsifier system comprising one or more anionic surfactants and/or one or more nonionic surfactants.
5. The oil dispersion of claim 1, wherein the base oil is selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, tung oil kapok oil, papaya oil, camellia oil, rice bran oil, esters of any of the foregoing, alkoxylated oils of any of the foregoing, methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids, minerai oils, paraffïnic and isoparaffînic oils, esters, aromatic solvents, methylated rapeseed oil, ethoxylated soybean oil, methyl-5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5oxopentanoate, alkyl dimethylamide, 2-ethylhexyl lactate, methyl caprylate caproate, methyl stéarate, canola oil and combinations of one or more of the foregoing.
6. The oil dispersion of claim 4, wherein the dispersant is présent in a range of about 0.1 to about 20.0 percent by weight of the oil dispersion.
7. The oil dispersion of claim 4, wherein the emulsifier system is présent in a range from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight of the oil dispersion.
8. The oil dispersion of claim 4, wherein the emulsifier system is présent in a range from about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight of the oil dispersion.
9. The oil dispersion of claim 1, additionally containing a thickener.
10. The oil dispersion of claim 1, additionally containing one or more additives comprising an absorbent, an antifoaming agent, a stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a base, an acid, and a buffer.
11. A method of controlling weeds comprising:

a) providing an herbicidal mixture comprising:

i) an herbicide comprising amicarbazone, mesotrione, and nicosulfuron, wherein the herbicide composition is présent in an amount from about 2 to about 50 weight percent of the oil dispersion; and a stabilizer comprising a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphoric acid dérivative, and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid dérivative with urea and/or a urea dérivative;

ii) one or more base oils, iii) a dispersant comprising an oil soluble nonionic surfactant, and iv) an emulsifier System, the emulsifier System comprising one or more anionic surfactants and/or one or more non-ionic surfactants, wherein the herbicide composition is présent in an amount from about 2 to about 50 weight percent of the oil dispersion, the phosphoric acid and/or sodium phosphate and/or a mixture of phosphoric acid and/or sodium phosphate is présent in an amount of 10 0.2 to 10% by weight of the oil dispersion, and wherein the urea and/or thiourea, when présent, is in an amount of 0.25 to 10% by weight of the oil dispersion;

b) diluting the herbicidal mixture with water, wherein the herbicidal mixture is formulated as oil dispersion in water; and

c) applying the diluted herbicidal mixture to a crop.
12. The oil dispersion of claim 1, wherein the nicosulfuron Chemical rétention is at least 80% by weight for at least two weeks at a température of at least 54°C, and the Chemical rétention of the amicarbazone and mesotrione are each above 95% by weight at a température of at least 54°C.