WO2011083363A2

WO2011083363A2 - Broad spectrum herbicide and plant regulator compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2011083363A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/003350
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank López TORRES; Felipe ORTUÑO VICOTRY; Bernal E. Valverde
Original assignee: El Pertiguero, S.A.
Priority date: 2009-12-24
Filing date: 2010-12-23
Publication date: 2011-07-14
Also published as: AR081121A1; WO2011083363A3

Abstract

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for controlling unwanted plants, hi one aspect, the invention is directed to a broad spectrum herbicide composition, in which the herbicide composition has extracts of at least two source plants or parts of plants and upon application to a target plant is translocated at least in part through the xylem and/or phloem. The invention is also directed to an environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic plant function regulator composition having a mixture of extracts of plants and which substantially lacks glyphosate on a weight basis. The herbicide composition can be ineffective on plants having 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3- phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium. The invention is also directed to a process of making the herbicide and plant function regulator compositions and to methods of using them.

Description

Broad Spectrum Herbicide and Plant Regulator Compositions

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Applications

61/290,043, filed December 24, 2009, and 61/344,176, filed June 4, 2010, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The application is generally directed to plant herbicides and plant extracts that regulate plant growth. More particularly, the application discloses- an herbicide composition suitable for use in conventional or organic agriculture, or other uses in an environmentally friendly manner, methods of using the herbicide composition, and methods of making the herbicide composition.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Broad spectrum herbicides are widely used in agriculture to inhibit the growth or spread of unwanted competing plants, termed weeds, to prepare fields for seeding, and to favor transgenic plants having resistance genes. Herbicides can be used before the weeds emerge (pre-emergence) or after the weeds germinate (post-emergence). Herbicides are further classified as systemic or contact herbicides. Contact herbicides act primarily on the part of the plant to which the herbicide is applied. Systemic herbicides are transported within the plant vascular system(s) and affect most or all the plant, including the root. In general, contact herbicides have a more rapid effect than systemic herbicides, but are generally less effective in killing perennial plants. [0004] Moreover, synthetic herbicides cannot be used in organic agriculture.

Major agricultural nations have regulations governing materials suitable for use in agriculture. In the USA, the Department of Agriculture provides the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic agriculture and other countries have regulations for similar purposes.

[0005] Prominent synthetic herbicides include systemic compounds such as glyphosate (ROUNDUP®), which dominates the market, atrazine, sulfonylureas such as chlorsulfuron, aryloxyphenoxypropanoates such as diclofop, and contact herbicides including glufosinate, paraquat, and diquat. The widespread use of these herbicides has led to serious problems, including evolution of resistant weeds, drift of herbicide spray into unwanted areas onto desirable plants, and contamination of ground water. Toxic effects in mammals have led to a program for phase-out of paraquat in Europe and restriction on use in Japan.

[0006] Natural products have been used in agriculture. Coleman et al. disclose organic acids or salts and herbicides. Weed Technology 22: 38 (2008). Hansson et al. disclose phytotoxicity of Brassicaceae seed meals. J. Agric. Food Chem. 56: 3912 (2008). Coleman et al. disclose desiccant activity of short chain fatty acids and comparison to paraquat and glufosinate. Weed Technology 20: 410 (2006). Anjum et al. showed the allelopathic potential of Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) extracts as a natural herbicide. Fourth World Conference on Allelopathy (2005). Leu et al. published that polyphenolic allelochemicals inhibit photosystem II. Plant Physiology 130:2011 (2002). Reigosa et al. showed the effect of several allelochemicals on plant photosynthesis and growth. Allelopathy J. 8: 211 (2001). Hejl et al. found that juglone inhibited photosynthesis and plant growth. J. Chem. Ecology 19: 559 (1993). Einhellig et al. found that sorgoleone inhibits photosynthesis and carbon dioxide-dependent oxygen evolution. J. Chem. Ecology 19: 369 (1993). Heisey found that extracts of Ailanthus altissima inhibited seed germination and seedling growth. Amer. J. Bot. 77: 662 (1990).

[0007] Moreover, WO2008141252 is directed to herbicides having oxidized clove or cinnamon oil. JP2008050329 is directed to an extract of pine tree, hinoki tree, or Japanese cedar with bamboo vinegar, as an herbicide. DK200601016 (WO2008011882) is directed to an extract of garlic, cayenne, and nettles, in combination with dextrose. US2006199739 is directed to use of an herbicide having D-limonene. CN1555710 is directed to an extract of cephalotaxus. US2004121914 is directed to a combined herbicide and fertilizer. US2004028748 is directed to a composition having sodium dodecyl sulfate, vinegar, and salt. US6602824 is directed to an herbicidal composition and a method of using a naturally-occurring organic compound, such as glycine betaine, as an herbicide. US20060194698 is directed to methods for controlling weeds. US6218336 is directed to herbicides. US20090099022 is directed to a natural herbicide containing lemongrass essential oil. US20090111697 is directed to propionic acid as an herbicide. US20090029856 is directed to hinokitiol as a plant pesticide and herbicide. US20070281857 is directed to formic acid as an herbicide. US20070249699 is directed to pesticide compositions and methods for their use. US20040186022 is directed to enhanced herbicides. WO9417070-A discloses new or known anthraquinone or aza- xanthone derivatives that can be useful as herbicides and plant growth regulators. KR2004064795-A, KR460437-B, and US2006240120-A1 teach an extract of Ligularia stenocephala with weed killing activity. See also Cantrell et al., (2007) Phytotoxic Eremophilanes from Ligularia macrophylla. J. Agric. Food Chem. 55:10656-10663. CN1 Oi l 20688- A discloses preparing herbicide miscible oil for controlling crabgrass by extracting Flaveria bidentis plant using an organic solvent to obtain an extract, concentrating and dissolving extract with xylene and adding pesticide adjuvant to extract. IN200700199-11 is directed to an herbicidal composition and its preparation process. JP2008050329-A teaches an organic herbicide useful for killing Elaphe quadrivirgata, dragonfly, water beetle, diving beetle, and Laccotrephes japonensis in a paddy field, and contains a component extracted from plants. KR2007065942-A discloses an extract obtained from Sicyos angulatus I. with herbicidal activity, and a method for preparing the extract and an herbicidal composition comprising the extract. WO2003056916-A, EP1427283-A4, WO2003056916-A3, WO2003056916-A2, AU2002365243-A1, EP1427283-A2, US2005043178-A1, and ZA200402155-A disclose an herbicidal composition for controlling growth of weeds e.g. Linaria dalmatica and for inhibiting growth of bacterium e.g. Xanthomonas campestris in plants, comprising an exudate of Centaurea maculosa. JP7002734-A and JP95064779-B2 describe a new 3-hydroxy-5- methoxy-stilbene-2-carboxylic acid that is extracted from the leaves or stems of Cajanus plants and used as a low toxicity herbicide. JP6128109-A and JP2971268-B2 disclose herbicides for removal of weeds from lawns and containing coumarin and that can be obtained from Anthoxanthum odoratum. A paper by Haig et al. discloses that an extract of Lavandula spp. is phytotoxic against a spectrum of plants including annual ryegrass. Haig et al. (2009) Lavender as a Source of Novel Plant Compounds for the Development of a Natural Herbicide, J. Chem Ecol. 35: 1129-1136. [0008] As weed control is a major cost in agriculture, farmers producing organic crops have faced major time and cost hurdles. Some such farmers have relied on mechanical control, certain contact herbicides suitable for organic crops, and even geese as weeders. Moreover, as serious problems are increasingly discovered with synthetic herbicides, the inventors have identified a need for environmentally friendly herbicides. Thus, an unfilled need for better products exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention is broadly directed to compositions and methods for regulating crop plants and/or managing unwanted plants.

[0010] In one aspect, the invention comprises a broad spectrum herbicide composition comprising an extract of Solanum sp. or parts thereof and an extract of at least one second plant or part thereof. Preferably, the herbicide composition is translocated at least in part through the xylem and/or phloem of a target plant. The broad spectrum herbicide composition is suitable for organic and/or conventional agriculture.

[0011] In another aspect, the invention comprises an environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic plant function regulator composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants entirely of natural origin, wherein at least one of the extracts is an extract of Solanum sp. root and the composition substantially lacks an active constituent of glyphosate. In one embodiment, active constituents of glyphosate are N- phosphonomethyl glycine (glyphosate acid) and/or isopropylamine.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a method for making a broad spectrum systemic herbicide or plant function regulator composition comprising preparing an alcohol/water extract of Ananas sp. or part thereof and an extract of at least one second plant or part thereof and combining the extract and the alcohol/water extract. In one embodiment, the second plant comprises Solanum sp.

[0013] In still another aspect, the invention comprises a method for killing weeds comprising foliar application to said weeds of a broad spectrum herbicide composition and/or an environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic plant function regulator composition.

[0014] In another aspect, the invention comprises a method for managing weeds among genetically modified crop plants comprising applying an effective amount of an environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic herbicide composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants and entirely of natural origin, wherein growth of the genetically modified crop plants is substantially unimpaired.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a plant function regulator composition comprising extracts of at least two plants or parts thereof, wherein the plant function regulator composition inhibits monocot or dicot 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3- phosphate synthase, or both, and wherein the plant function regulator composition does not inhibit 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3 -phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium.

[0016] The composition having a combination of plant extracts has several uses.

One aspect is use of the composition as a plant growth regulator. Another aspect is use of the composition as a plant ripener, such as a sugarcane ripener. Yet another aspect is use of the composition as a pre-planting field treatment in a cropping system. Still another aspect is use of the composition for selective plant inhibition preferably by using spot application and/or wick application, shielded sprayers, directed application at basal weeds within and/or between crop rows, and/or selective application to weed vines, wherein the use avoids contact of the composition with crop plants. Still yet another aspect is use of the composition immediately after crop sowing and before emergence of the crop seedlings. Even another aspect is use of the composition for site preparation, such as prior to forest or plantation crop establishment. Even yet another aspect is use of the composition for destruction of plantation crops for site release, such as destruction of oil palm trees or fruit trees. Even still another aspect is use of the composition for aquatic weed control. Even yet still another is use of the composition for destruction of crop stubble, preferably perennials crop stubble. A further aspect is use of the composition for killing some microorganisms, such as, for example, Plasmodium, wherein such microorganisms are capable of synthesizing aromatic amino acids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates the translocation and effect of a foliar application of the herbicide composition to selected single leaves of individual plants of Paspalum paniculatum and Panicum maximum.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates the time course of exposed root treatment of P. paniculatum.

[0019] Figure 3 illustrates the time course of soil treatment with P. paniculatum as a test plant.

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates field studies of natural weeds treated without or with graduated doses of the herbicide composition and with glyphosate as a reference treatment. [0021] Figure 5 illustrates the comparative effects at 15 days of graduated doses of the herbicide composition (herbicide preparation) or glyphosate on the aquatic plant Heteranthera limosa and the succulent monocot, Commelina diffusa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

[0022] By an "herbicide composition for organic agriculture" is meant is a material derived from natural biological sources and useful as a chemical treatment for suppression of plant growth Organic agriculture includes field crops, row crops, horticulture, orchards, viticulture, tree farming including silviculture, and turf grass culture grown without herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, other pesticides, or fertilizers having substantial synthetic components. Use of small amounts of chemically synthesized pesticide prevents the agriculture from qualifying as organic. The herbicide composition for organic agriculture acts by chemical means, rather than physical means. Thus, a layer of peat moss or pine bark mulch is not an herbicide for organic agriculture in this context. Derivatives of biological products, for example intentionally oxidized or photolysed biological products, are not encompassed as major active ingredients of the herbicide composition for organic agriculture. "Organic" in the context of organic herbicide does not mean merely that it contains carbon atoms.

[0023] An "herbicide composition for organic agriculture" can be used for conventional agriculture or horticulture as well. In addition, the herbicide has significant non-agricultural/horticultural uses including, for example, forestry, industrial treatments, rights of way, aquatic applications, and the like. [0024] Unless the context provides a different connotation, the term "herbicide composition" refers to a composition according to the present invention.

[0025] By a "systemic herbicide" is meant an agent that is translocated through the plant and effective in suppressing plant growth or viability remote from the site of application. Some systemic herbicides act as hormone analogs or metabolic pathway inhibitors. Systemic herbicides are often slower in action than contact herbicides and often more effective against perennials. "Contact herbicides" or "burn-down" herbicides initially destroy only the part of the plant that is in contact with the herbicide.

[0026] By "broad spectrum" herbicide is meant an herbicide that kills a wide variety of plants. Thus both monocots and dicots are sensitive to a broad spectrum herbicide. By the term nonselective herbicide is meant an indiscriminate herbicide. Thus, glyphosate was originally developed as a broad spectrum indiscriminate and nonselective herbicide, but certain crops (for example ROUNDUP READY® crops) have been engineered to withstand glyphosate. Due to widespread and repeated use, certain weed species have also evolved resistance to glyphosate. Thus, glyphosate is currently better described as a broad spectrum herbicide, which is not nonselective. Glyphosate kills plants in a unique manner by inhibiting 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). EPSPS is a key enzyme in the shikimate biosynthetic pathway which is necessary for the production of the aromatic amino acids, auxin, phytoalexins, folic acid, lignin, plastoquinones and many other secondary products. Duke SO and Powles SB, Glyphosate: a once-in-a-century herbicide. Pest Management Science 64 :319-325 (2008). [0027] Selectivity in herbicide effect can also arise from the method for application or use of an herbicide. Thus, directed application to specific weeds and/or shielding crop plants from the herbicide can lead to a selective action based on method for application rather than selectivity of chemical action.

[0028] By the phrase "substantially lacks an active constituent" is meant that the active constituent is less than 5 % (wt wt) of a composition. By the phrase "very substantially lacks an active constituent" is meant that an active constituent is less than 1 % (wt/wt) of a composition.

[0029] By the phrase "substantially unimpaired" is meant that impairment is less than 5 %. By the phrase "very substantially unimpaired" is meant that impairment is less than 1 %. Impairment can be determined by measure of height, color, mass, or enzyme activity, or other means known to one of skill in the art. One preferred measure of impairment is decrease in green leaf color. Another preferred measure of impairment is decrease in mass, typically measured as weight of vegetation.

[0030] By "synergy" is meant generally that an herbicidal or regulatory effect of two combined agents is greater than the sum of the effects of each agent applied alone. For determining synergy, quantified measurements, e.g. weed counts or fresh or dry weights of plants, the expected herbicidal synergy or antagonism for a given mixture of two agents is calculated according to Colby. Weeds 15: 20-22 (1967) (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Synergy is appropriately measured using a defined test plant.

[0031] The term "comprises" is used in its open and inclusive sense. [0032] The source plants for the plant extracts can conveniently be harvested at maturity. In some embodiments, the source plant part can be a root. In other embodiments, the source plant part can be a non-root plant part such as, for example, a stem, a fruit, a leaf, and the like.

[0033] One of the source plants of the herbicide composition can be Solarium sp.

In one embodiment, the plant is Solarium mammosum.

[0034] Another of the source plants of the herbicide composition can be Ananas sp. In one embodiment, the plant is Ananas comosus.

[0035] The herbicide composition can comprise combined extracts of Solanum mammosum (also known as nipple fruit or cow's udder) and Ananas comosus (pineapple). The herbicidal efficacy of the composition comprising extracts of both Solanum mammosum and Ananas comosus is greatly enhanced in comparison to the effect of extract of either Solanum mammosum or Ananas comosus alone. Thus, the combination of the two extracts provides a synergistic herbicidal effect.

[0036] The herbicide composition can also comprise extracts, such as leaf sap, of a third plant, which can be Aloe. In one embodiment, the plant is Aloe vera.

[0037] The herbicide composition can comprise different ratios of the extract of the one plant to the extract of the at least one second plant. Thus, when there are two extracts, the ratio can be about 90:10, about 80:20, about 70:30, about 60:40, about 50:50, about 40:60, about 30:70, about 20:80, or about 10:90, or any intermediate ratio. When three extracts are used, the ratio of the combination of the first two extracts to the third extract can be about 99:1, about 98:2, about 90:10, about 80:20, about 70:30, about 60:40, about 50:50, about 40:60, about 30:70, about 20:80, or about 1 :99, or any intermediate ratio. One of skill in the art can readily prepare combinations with additional extracts.

[0038] The disclosure provides a composition having extracts of at least two plants or parts thereof. When applied to a plant, the composition is translocated at least in part through the xylem and/or phloem of the plant and can act at sites remote from the site of application. The composition interferes with plant function and at a sufficient dose or application rate kills the plant over the course of several days or a few weeks. The action of the herbicide composition is slower than typical for contact herbicides, which rapidly cause the plant to wither. Contact herbicides often do not kill perennials, however, because the active agents are not transported to remote parts of the plant, such as the roots. The herbicide composition disclosed here acts both locally and systemically and is effective in killing perennial plants. Occasionally, weeds are not killed by a single application. A second application is usually effective.

[0039] When applied to plants at a specific concentration, the herbicide composition generally has an equivalent or slower killing rate, on a weight basis, than the conventional formulation of glyphosate, which is 480 g of isopropylamine salt of N- (phosphonomethyl) glycine per liter that is equivalent to 360 g/L of the acid form. Not unusually, weeds treated with the herbicide composition of the invention show little effect before five days. The composition has a similar efficacy to glyphosate in that the same proportion of weeds is killed. Like glyphosate, the herbicide composition kills a broad spectrum of plants. [0040] Interestingly, glyphosate is known not to kill glyphosate-resistance engineered crops and about 48 weed species that have developed resistance to glyphosate.

[0041] The plant extractions can be performed using any water-miscible solvent in a mixture with water, including, but not limited to acetone, alcohol, methylethylketone, ethyl acetate, and dimethylsulfoxide. Aqueous alcohol (alcohol/water) solutions are useful. A wide range of alcohol, or other solvent, to water ratios can be used. The solvent to water ratio can be 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, 10:90, or intermediate ratios. The alcohol can be any alcohol, including methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and n-propanol. In one embodiment, the alcohol is ethanol.

[0042] Preferably the herbicide composition is an aqueous solution. The herbicide composition can have an alcohol/water extract. The residual alcohol content can be about 6 % (v/v), less than about 6% (v/v), less than about 4% (v/v), less than about 2% (v/v), or about zero.

[0043] The term "organic" in the context of organic acid means an acid that is a non-mineral acid and either is made by a biological process or is an allowed substance from the USDA National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. In some embodiments, the term "organic" in the context of an acid can refer to an acid that is designated to be an allowed substance by an appropriate regulatory body of any other country, region, or jurisdiction having policies indicating whether certain substances are considered "organic." Preferably, the term organic acid does not comprise succinic acid.

[0044] By an "environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic" herbicide or plant function regulator composition is meant a composition that does not pollute the environment, including soils or ground water, with chemicals synthesized by humankind or chemicals derivatized from natural products by humankind.

[0045] Organic carboxylic acids useful in the invention can be any organic acid.

Preferably organic acids are selected from the group consisting of: acetic acid, acrylic acid, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, ascorbic acid, asparagine, benzoic acid, bionic acids, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cysteine, formic acid, fulvic acid, fumaric acid, galactonic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glutaric acid, glyceric acid, glycolic acid, hexonic acid, histidine, humic acid, isobutyric acid, isocitric acid, isoleucine, itaconic acid, ketoglutaric acid, lactic acid, leucine, malic, methionine, mevalonic acid, malonic acid, oxalacetic acid, pentonic acid, phenylalanine, proline, propionic acid, pyruvic acid, proline, tefrahydrofurfuryl salicylic acid, saccharic acid, salicylic acid, serine, tartaric acid, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, and mixtures thereof. More preferred organic acids are acetic, malic, malonic, tartaric, or citric acids. A yet more preferred organic acid is acetic acid.

[0046] Acids having a single terminal carboxyl and having two carbon atoms, for example acetic acid, are not considered to be fatty acids. Medium chain length fatty acids have more than two carbon atoms and have up to ten carbon atoms. Long chain length fatty acids are longer than medium chain length fatty acids.

[0047] The herbicide composition can be applied at about 0.5 liters per hectare

(L/ha). For a more complete herbicidal effect or for more difficult to control weeds, the herbicide composition can be applied at between about 0.5 L/ha and about 4 L/ha. More than 4 L/ha can be applied. In one embodiment, the herbicide composition is applied at about 1 L/ha. Alternatively, the herbicide composition is applied at about 2 L/ha. Preferably, the herbicide composition is applied at about 3 L/ha. More preferably, the herbicide composition is applied at about 4 L/ha. Most preferably, the herbicide composition is applied at a dose effective for the kinds of weeds present and the stage of growth of the weeds. Weeds can be treated on multiple occasions and multiple times.

[0048] The herbicide composition can further comprise less than about 10 % (v/v) organic acid. Preferably, the final acid concentration is less than 3 % (v/v). The acid concentration can be about 0 % (v/v) to about 0.5 % (v/v). In another embodiment, the acid concentration is between about 0.5 % (v/v) to about 1.5 % (v/v). In another embodiment, the acid concentration is between about 1.5 % (v/v) to about 2.5 % (v/v). In yet another embodiment, the acid concentration is between about 2.5 % (v/v) to about 3.5 % (v/v). The acid concentration can be between about 3.5 % (v/v) to about 4.5 % (v/v). The acid concentration can be between about 4.5 % (v/v) to about 5.5 % (v/v). The acid concentration can be between about 5.5 % (v/v) to about 6.5 % (v/v). The acid concentration can be between about 7.5 % (v/v) to about 8.5 % (v/v). The acid concentration can be between about 8.5 % (v/v) to about 9.5 % (v/v).

[0049] The pH of the herbicide composition can be selected from pH 3.0 to pH

7.0. The pH can be about 6 or less than about 7, less than about 6.8, less than about 6.6, less than about 6.4, less than about 6.2, less than about 6.0, less than about 5.8, less than about 5.6, or less than about 5.4. The pH of the herbicide composition can be more than about 5, more than about 5.2, more than about 5.4, more than about 5.6, more than about 5.8, more than about 6.0, more than about 6.2, more than about 6.4, more than about 6.6, or more than about 6.8. In one embodiment, the pH is about 6.5. It is advantageous that the pH is not so low as to immediately destroy the herbicide composition application site on the plant.

[0050] The herbicide can also have a surfactant. Any compatible surfactant is suitable. Preferably, the surfactant is an extract of Aloe sp., a soap, a detergent, or lecithin. The extract can be sap. More preferably, the surfactant is sap of Aloe. Likewise, in some embodiments, the surfactant can be derived from other plants and can be based upon such things as extracts and/or juices of cacti, plants of the Agavaceae family (e.g., Yucca spp.), and others.

[0051] The herbicide composition disclosed here is effective in killing broadleaf weeds, including, for example, Abutilon theophrasti, Ageratum conyzoides, Amaranthus spp. (including A. palmeri, A. rudis .[= A. tuberculatus], and A. spinosus), Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Bidens pilosa, Boerhavia erecta, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Chamaesyce spp., (including C. hyssopifolia, and C. maculatd), Chenopodium album, Cirsium arvense, Cissus sicyoides, Cleome pilosa, Clidemia hirta, Commelina spp., Conyza spp., Cucumis melo, Cyathula prostrata, Descurainia pinnata, Drymaria cordata, Erechtites valerianifolia, Euphorbia heterophylla, Fleurya aestuans [= Laportea aestuans], Kochia scoparia, Galinsoga ciliata, Hedysarum sp., Heteranthera limosa, Lactuca serriola, Lamium amplexicaule, Ludwigia spp., Malachra alceifolia, Malva parviflora, Momordica charantia, Phyllanthus niruri, Portulaca oleraceae, Pseudolephantophus spicatus, Rumex spp., Sida rhombifolia, Sisymbrium altissimum, Solanum spp. (including S. nigrum and S. ptycanthum), Sonchus oleraceus, Spermacoce latifolia, Stellaria media, Syngonium spp., Tribulus terrestris, Trifolium repens, Tridax procumbens, Veronica arvensis, Wedelia spp., and Xanthosoma sagittifolium. As with other herbicides, species can vary in their sensitivity to the herbicide composition. The herbicide composition is effective in killing stands of mixed broadleaf weed species.

[0052] The herbicide composition is also effective at killing grasses and sedges, including, for example: Agropyron repens, Allium vineale, Brachiaria sp., Bromus tectorum, Cynodon spp. (including C. dactylon and C. nlemfuensis), Cyperus spp. (including C. esculentus, C. ferax, C. luzulae, C. niger and C. rotundus,), Digitaria spp., Echinochloa spp. (including E. colona and E. crus-galli), Eleusine indica, Festuca arundinacea, Ischaemum indicum, Ixophorus unisetus, Leptochloa filiformiS) Lolium spp. (including L multiflorum and L. perenne), Oplismenus burmannii, Panicum maximum, Paspalum paniculatum, Poa annua, Rottboellia cochichinensis, Setaria spp. (including S. faberi and S. glaucd), and Scleria pterota. P. paniculatum is native to Central and Latin America and is invasive in Pacific Islands including Hawaii, and in Mississippi, and Puerto Rico. The herbicide composition is effective in killing stands of mixed grasses, sedges, and mixtures of grasses and sedges.

[0053] The herbicide composition also kills crop plants, including: Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli), Carica papaya (papaya), Musa spp. (banana or plantain) and Zea mays (corn).

[0054] The herbicide composition is also effective at killing stands comprising mixtures of broadleaf weeds, weed grasses, and/or weed sedges.

[0055] The herbicide composition can be used to treat dry land plants, marsh plants, and estuary plants.

[0056] Studies to date have found no plant species that are entirely unaffected by the herbicide composition, other than species that express 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3- phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium. Thus, without being limited to mechanism, the studies suggest that a key physiological process in the target plant is affected. Also, metabolic degradation of the active principle of the herbicide composition can be slow or limited. That said, some plant species, particularly some broadleaf plants, are affected by the herbicide composition only at high doses.

[0057] The herbicide composition can be used to treat weeds in a field of genetically modified crop plants. The genetically modified crop plants can comprise a nucleic acid encoding heterologous 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3 -phosphate synthase. The heterologous synthase can be from Agrobacterium. In one embodiment, the heterologous synthase is not substantially inhibited by the herbicide composition. In one embodiment, the crop plant is soybean, corn (maize), cotton, oilseed rape, sorghum, sugar beet, alfalfa, rice, or wheat.

[0058] The herbicide composition can be applied by any method known in the art.

Application methods can include, but are not limited to spraying, brushing, and wicking. Spraying can be accomplished with a backpack sprayer or the like, a cart or trailer sprayer, a tractor-mounted sprayer, or an aircraft-mounted sprayer.

[0059] Application of the herbicide composition can have little apparent effect for a few days after application. The herbicide composition can then cause slight chlorosis at distal portions of the leaves after about seven days, especially in grasses. In broad leaf plants the veins are often initially affected. Generalized tissue necrosis is common at 10 to 15 days. Plant death has generally been seen at 14 to 30 days. Re-growth is inhibited in treated perennial grasses. If re-growth occurs, new tillers are bleached and abnormal. When sublethal doses of the herbicide composition are applied, the plants are generally bleached. The effect of the herbicide composition can be affected by weather and dosing.

[0060] The herbicide composition is mobile in the xylem. That is, the herbicide composition, or active components of the composition, is transported within the network of interconnected spaces of a plant, including spaces within the cell walls, between cells, and in nonliving tissue. The xylem provides the main pathway for the movement of water between the sap-conducting vessels and the cells. This effect is illustrated by application of the herbicide composition to different portions of a plant leaf. Without being confined to a specific mechanism, it appears that the transport of the herbicide composition, or parts thereof, is initially acropetal, but subsequently redistributes within the plant, including basipetally and reaches growing points and roots.

[0061] The herbicide composition can be used as a pre-planting field treatment in a cropping system to destroy existing weeds. The cropping system can be a minimum tillage, no tillage, or conventional tillage system. The treatment can be for control of conspecific or closely crop-related weed species. The herbicide composition can also be used for selective plant inhibition preferably by using spot application and/or wick application, shielded sprayers, directed application at basal weeds within and/or between crop rows, and/or selective application to weed vines, wherein the use avoids contact of the composition with crop plants. That is, selectivity can be achieved by the method of application of the herbicide composition. Another aspect is use of the herbicide composition immediately after crop sowing and before emergence of the crop seedlings. In this use, newly emergent weeds, including those having a faster germination rate than the crop or actively growing at the time of planting, are effectively treated. The herbicide composition can also be used for site preparation, such as prior to forest or plantation crop establishment. Applicants envision use of the herbicide composition for destruction of plantation crops for site release, such as destruction of existing oil palm trees or fruit trees. Also, the herbicide composition can be used for destruction of crop stubble. For example, perennials crop stubble such as Ananas can be effectively destroyed after harvest of the fruit to free the field for subsequent planting of a new crop or a rotation crop. Such a use reduces build-up of insect populations, for example flies, by destruction of habitat.

[0062] The herbicide composition can also be used in combination with, or prepared as a mixture with one or more other compatible herbicides. Such a use is envisioned for example, to kill glyphosate-resistant weeds. The herbicides that are envisioned for use with the herbicide composition include, but are not limited to: clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop-P- butyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl, propaquizafop, quizalofop-P-ethyl, alloxydim, butroxydim, clethodim, cycloxydim, profoxydim, sethoxydim, tepraloxydin, tralkoxydim, pinoxaden, amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, fiazasulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl-Na, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron, mesosulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron- methyl, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron, tribenuron-methyl, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, tritosulfuron, imazapic, imazamethabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, florasulam, flumetsulam, metosulaim, penoxsulam, bispyribac-Na, pyribenzoxim, pyriftalid, pyrithiobac-Na, pyriminobac-methyl, flucarbazone-Na, propoxycarbazone-Na, ametryne, atrazine, cyanazine, desmetryne, dimethametryne, prometon, prometryne, propazine, simazine, simetryne, terbumeton, terbuthylazine, terbutryne, trietazine, hexazinone, metaniitron, metribuzin, amicarbazone, bromacil, lenacil, terbacil, pyrazon, chloridazon, desmedipham, phenmedipham, chlorobromuron, chlorotoluron, chloroxuron, dimefuron, diuron, ethidimuron, fenuron, fluometuron, isoproturon, isouron, linuron, methabenzthiazuron, metobromuron, metoxuron, monolinuron, neburon, siduron, tebuthiuron, propanil, pentanochlor, bromofenoxim, bromoxynil, ioxynil, bentazon, pyridate, pyridafol, diquat, paraquat, acifluorfen-Na, bifenox, chlomethoxyfen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, fomesafen, halosafen, lactofen, oxyfluorfen, fluazolate, pyraflufen- ethyl, fluazolate, pyraflufen-ethyl, cinidon-ethyl, flumioxazin, flumiclorac-pentyl, fluthiacet-methyl, thidiazimin, oxadiazon, oxadiargyl, azafenidin, carfentrazone-ethyl, sulfentrazone, pentoxazone, benzfendizone, butafenacil, pyraclonil, profluazol, flufenpyr- ethyl, norfluazon, diflufenican, picolinafen, beflubutamid, fluridone, flurochloridone, flurtamone, mesotrione, sulcotrione, isoxachlortole, isoxaflutole, benzofenap, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, benzobicyclon, amitrole, clomazone, fluometuron, aclonifen, glufosinate-ammonium, bialophos, bilanophos, asulam, benefin, benfluralin, butralin, dinitramine, ethalfluralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, trifluralin, amiprophos-methyl, butamiphos, dithiopyr, thiazopyr, propyzamide, pronamide, tebutam, chlorthal-dimethyl, chlorpropham, propham, carbetamide, acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, dimethachlor, dimethanamid, metazachlor, metolachlor, pethoxamid, pretilachlor, propachlor, propisochlor, thenylchlor, diphenamid, napropamide, naproanilide, flufenacet, mefenacet, fentrazamide, anilofos, cafenstrole, piperophos, dichlobenil, chlorthiamid, isoxaben, flupoxam, quinclorac, dinoseb, dinoterb, butylate, cycloate, dimepiperate, EPTC, esprocarb, molinate, orbencarb, pebulate, prosulfocarb, thiobencarb, benthiocarb, tiocarbazil, tnallate, vernolate, bensulide, benfuresate, ethofumesate, TCA, dalapon, flupropanate, clomeprop, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, dichlorprop (2,4-DP), MCPA, MCPB, mecoprop (MCPP, CMPP), chloramben, dicamba, TBA, clopyralid, fluroxypyr, picloram, triclopyr, quinclorac, quinmerac, benazolin-ethyl, naptalam, diflufenzopyr-Na, Flamprop- M-methyl /-isopropyl, difenzoquat, DSMA, MSMA, bromobutide, (chloro)-flurenol, cinmethylin, cumyluron, dazomet, dymron (daimuron), methyl-dimuron (methyl- dymron), etobenzanid, fosamine, indanofan, metam, oxaziclomefone, oleic acid, pelargonic acid, or pyributicarb. The herbicide composition can be mixed with herbicides of non-synthetic origin and used for organic agriculture. The above uses of combinations or mixtures of herbicides can complement the activity of the herbicide composition of the invention by broadening its weed spectrum, improving its efficacy, or synergizing its effects in a manner that can be dose dependent.

[0063] The invention can comprise an environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic plant function regulator composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants entirely of natural origin. Preferably, when applied to a weed the plant function regulator composition is similar-acting or slower-acting than glyphosate on a weight basis. In one embodiment of the environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic plant function regulator composition, the composition substantially lacks N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) in any form, including but not limited to the acid form and the isopropylamine salt form. Moreover, in another embodiment the plant function regulator composition substantially lacks glycine, phosphate, and/or phosphonate. In yet another embodiment of the environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition the composition comprises an extract of a first plant root and an extract of a second plant root. The environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition can comprise Solarium sp., preferably Solarium mammosum as the first plant root. The plant function regulator composition can comprise Ananas sp. as the second plant root, preferably Ananas comosus. In another embodiment, the environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition is substantially free of amine-containing surfactant and medium- or long-chain fatty acid. The term "root" in this context is used herein in a general sense to indicate a portion of the plant that is found in the soil. However, in a more technical botanical usage, the plant part otherwise referred to as a root can be, in some embodiments, more accurately described as some other, non-root, part of the plant that, in such plant, is found in the soil. Thus, for example, in Ananas comosus, the growth habit of the plant is such that a significant part of the plant stem can be found in the soil, and such part of the stem can be referred to, non-technically, as the root because of its location in the soil. See, Bartholomew, D. (Editor); Paull, R. E. (Editor); Rohrbach, K. (Editor). Pineapple : Botany, Production and Uses. Wallingford, Oxon, GBR: CABI Publishing, 2002. p 13-14.

[0064] The plant regulatory efficacy of the environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition comprising extracts of both Solanum mammosum and Ananas comosus is greatly enhanced in comparison to the plant function regulatory effect of an extract of either Solanum mammosum or Ananas comosus alone. Thus, the combination of the two extracts provides a synergistic regulatory effect. [0065] In one aspect, the invention also comprises a method for making a systemic herbicide composition for agriculture comprising preparing an alcohol/water extract of a first plant or part thereof and an alcohol/water extract of at least one second plant or part thereof and combining both alcohol/water extracts. In one embodiment, an extract of Solanum sp. is used. In another embodiment, an extract of Ananas sp. is used. Preferably extracts of both Solanum and Ananas are used. In yet another embodiment, the extract is an alcohol/water extract. The extract of Solanum sp. can be a water/alcohol extract of Solanum mammosum. The extract of Ananas sp. can be a water/alcohol extract of Ananas comosus. The method can further comprise adding an organic acid. The organic acid can cause a hydrophobic/hydrophilic phase separation in the preparation. Optionally, the hydrophilic phase is retained for use in preparing an herbicide composition. Moreover, a surfactant can be added.

[0066] The invention also comprises methods of killing undesired plants. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method for killing weeds comprising applying, to the weeds, the herbicide composition comprising extracts of at least two plants or parts thereof and which is translocated at least in part through the xylem and/or phloem. In yet another embodiment, the herbicide composition is similar in rate of effect or slower in effect than glyphosate on a weight basis.

[0067] The herbicide composition can be applied to any part of a weed, including: leaves, stems, flowers, bracts, tillers, roots, and rhizomes, separately or in any combination. [0068] All tested plants are at least partially susceptible to the herbicide composition. More particularly, weeds selected from the group consisting of broadleaf plants, grasses, and sedges are susceptible to the herbicide composition.

[0069] The invention also comprises a method for killing weeds comprising application to said weeds of an herbicide composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants entirely of natural origin, wherein when applied to a weed the herbicide composition is similar in rate of effect or slower-acting than glyphosate on a weight basis.

[0070] Use of the herbicide in nonagricultural areas. The herbicide composition can be used in a method for killing weeds in a non-agricultural area comprising application of the composition. Thus, sidewalks, driveways, roads, parking lots, patios, buildings, waterways, and construction sites can be treated with the herbicide composition.

[0071] The herbicide composition can also be used to control aquatic weeds by applying the composition to the above- water vegetation, directly to weeds prior to flooding, or applied directly to water for distribution in the water medium to weed species. Any aquatic weeds can be treated, including water hyacinth, water lettuce, duckweed, cattails, and lilies.

[0072] Use of the plant function regulator composition before harvest. The plant function regulator composition can also be used on crops before harvest by treating the crop with the plant function regulator composition before the harvest. The crop can be treated up to one, two, three, or four weeks before the harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about five days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about six days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about seven days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about eight days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about nine days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about ten days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about eleven days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twelve days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about thirteen days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about fourteen days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about fifteen days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about sixteen days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about seventeen days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about eighteen days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about nineteen days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty-one days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty-two days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty-three days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty-four days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty five days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty- six days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty-seven days before harvest. In one embodiment, the crop is treated at about twenty-eight days before harvest.

[0073] The pre-harvest treatment can be used on any crop. Advantageously, the crop is selected from the group consisting of wheat, barley, rye, oats, field corn, oilseed rape (including canola), mustard, peas, field beans, lentils, lupines (including sweet lupines), potatoes, cotton, and linseed. The pre-harvest treatment has several advantages. Importantly, the treatment can reduce crop moisture (especially for grains, rape, and legumes), improve the effectiveness of mechanical harvesting, reduce the presence of annual weeds in the crop, and speed harvesting. Pre-harvest treatment with the herbicide composition is also useful to control perennial weeds and reduce weed seed load in the field. For grains, pre-harvest treatment with the herbicide composition can provide more uniform ripening and reduced risk of fungal toxin development. The size of potatoes can be controlled by pre-harvest application of the herbicide composition and the incidence of potato disease reduced. For field beans, pre-harvest application of the herbicide composition prevents re-growth late in the season, after rain. For cotton, staining of the fiber by the crushed leaves is minimized by pre-harvest herbicide application. Moreover, pre-harvest application simplifies the timing of spring plowing, fertilizing, and planting. For fall planted crops, preparing the field by pre-harvest treatment of the previous crop permits more flexibility in the fall sowing. Pre-harvest treatment should not, however, be used for crops intended for production of planting seed.

[0074] Use of the Composition as a Plant Function Regulator (PFR). At one extreme, plant growth is regulated by using selective or non-selective herbicides, which manage any undesirable plant by killing the plant. The plant function regulator of the invention can be used for other regulation of plant function. For example, more subtle regulation of plant functions, such as growth, flowering, pollination, maturation, fruiting, and tuber setting, which can be regulated through exogenous or endogenous compounds, is of equal interest but more difficult to define, quantify and manage. The plant function regulatory compounds can be critical for the production of crops, management of fruiting and flowering, regulation of nutrient reserves to enhance production of specific plant parts (e.g. seeds, tubers, roots, fruits), manage post-harvest senescence and more. The identification and role of chemical plant regulators, and their interactions with one another in determining relative growth and development of different plant parts in directing nutrient reserves into harvested parts and in the regulation of the rate of development and post-harvest characteristics of plants and plant parts are all aspects of major importance to the food-producing industry and to the challenges of maintaining or increasing the world food supply. Furthermore, plant growth is regulated to improve or enhance human aesthetics and enjoyment (as reducing the growth rate of turf grass on a golf course or the enhancement of the Poinsettia crop at Christmas time).

[0075] Regulation of plant functions. The plant extracts composition disclosed herein can be formulated as a plant function regulator. Specifically, the invention comprises a method for regulating a plant function comprising applying to a plant a low dose or a micro-dose of a composition comprising, for example, an extract of Ananas comosus and an extract of Solanum mammosum, typically prepared by dilution of the herbicidal composition and termed the plant function regulator compositioa Low application doses are about one-half, one-quarter, one fifth, one-eighth, or one-tenth of the dose needed for optimal herbicide function, or intermediate amounts. The low application dose can be about 500 mL ha^"1, about 400 mL ha^"1, about 200 mL ha^"1, or about 100 mL ha^"1, or any intermediate amount. In one embodiment the application dose is between about 100 mL ha^"1 and about 400 mL ha^"1. Preferably, the application dose and time of application are adjusted according to the particular crop, status of the crop, and the local weather conditions. Microapplication doses are about one-twentieth, one- fortieth, one-hundredth or less of the dose needed for optimal herbicide function, and intermediate amounts. The microapplication dose is less than 100 mL ha^"1, or about 80 mL ha^"1, 50 mL ha^"1, 20 mL ha^"1, or 10 mL ha^"1, or an intermediate amount. Advantageously, low- or micro- application doses can be mimicked by appropriate dilution of stock herbicide and application of larger volumes of the diluted material. Multiple applications are also contemplated.

[0076] The plant extracts composition can be used as a plant function regulator to modify plant growth and/or hasten the ripening of fruit. It can be used to, for example, regulate growth of peanuts and improve sugar content of sugarcane, that is, sugarcane ripening. In such uses, it can be applied at low- or micro- application doses, for example, as a ground spray to peanut fields to regulate and speed fruit ripening and as an aerial spray to sugarcane for enhancement of sugar content.

[0077] The plant extracts composition can be used to stunt excessive crop growth and avoid lodging. In this process the crop is sprayed or wicked at a low application dose of the herbicide or plant function regulator composition or at a micro application dose of the herbicide or plant function regulator composition, before maturation of the crop. The amount of herbicide or plant function regulator composition is adjusted so as to stunt further excessive growth of the crop, without significantly impeding maturation or ripening. By this treatment the crop is less susceptible to storm damage. Crops particularly suitable for such low or micro-application doses include wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, bananas, and papayas. EXAMPLES

[0078] The invention is not limited by the examples provided, which illustrate particular embodiments of the herbicide composition, the preparation of embodiments of the herbicide composition, and methods of use of embodiments of the herbicide composition.

[0079] Example 1. Production of Ananas extract. Roots of Ananas comosus were collected, washed, coarsely chopped, and dried to constant weight with flowing air at 50-60 °C. The dry mass was milled to form 2-6 mm particles. A drum was filled with the milled root mass and a sufficient volume of an ethyl alcohol/water (7:3) mixture added to fill the drum. After eight days at ambient temperature, the solution was filtered and the filtrate solution retained. A fresh volume of the alcohol/water mixture was added to the residual milled root mass and the extraction continued. After eight days, the procedure of filtration and extraction was repeated. The three filtrate solutions were combined and subjected to rotoevaporation to remove substantially all the alcohol and to reduce the total volume to 20% of the original, removal of sediments and additional filtration through silica. The purified aqueous concentrate is termed Extract PI .

[0080] Example 2. Production of Solanum extract. Roots of Solanum mammosum were collected, washed, coarsely chopped, and dried to constant weight with flowing air at 50-60 °C. The dry mass was milled to form 2-6 mm particles. A drum was filled with the milled root mass and a sufficient volume of an ethyl alcohol/water (7:3) mixture added to fill the drum. After eight days at ambient temperature, the solution was filtered and the filtrate solution retained. A fresh volume of the alcohol/water mixture was added to the milled root mass and the extraction continued. After eight days, the procedure was repeated. The three filtrate solutions were combined and subjected to rotoevaporation to remove substantially all the alcohol and to reduce the total volume to 20% of the original, removal of sediments and additional filtration through silica. The purified aqueous concentrate is termed Extract P2.

[0081] Example 3. Combinations. Purified aqueous concentrate PI was combined with purified aqueous concentrate P2 at a ratio of 15-50 volumes of PI to 85- 50 volumes of P2, and a volume of banana vinegar added sufficient to cause a phase separation. That is, in different batches the ratio of PI to P2 varied from 15:85 to 50:50. The hydrophobic phase was discarded. The pH of the aqueous phase concentrate was adjusted to about 5-6 and the resulting preparation is termed Example 3 herbicide composition. An alternative formulation was made by adding 1/40^ώ volume of concentrated Aloe vera leaf sap, as a natural surfactant. One preparation of the latter formulation is termed TTN-0847 (or occasionally TTN).

[0082] Example 4. Treatment of individual leaves o Paspalum paniculatum and

Panicum maximum plants. The herbicide composition of Example 3 with the added Aloe leaf sap was diluted 1 :4 (v/v) to form the working herbicide composition and topically applied to individual leaves of P. paniculatum plants. As shown in Figure 1 , in which the application sites are indicated by arrows, treatment with the herbicide resulted in generalized chlorosis at day six or seven (6 days after treatment, 6 DAT for P. maximum or 7 days after treatment, 7 DAT for P. paniculatum), but the plants had not wilted substantially. At later dates (17 or 25 DAT, respectively), the plants were substantially necrotic. More specifically, Figure 1, illustrates a single treatment of a lower leaf or upper leaf (Panel A) of different P. paniculatum plants, or an intermediate leaf (Panel D), as indicated by the arrows. Panels B and E illustrate the plants at 7 DAT and Panels C and F illustrate the plants at 17 DAT. Similarly, for P. maximum (panels G to J) phytotoxicity symptoms evolved leading to plant death at 25 DAT. Thus, the results demonstrate that the herbicide is transported systemically in the vascular system to parts of the plant remote from the site of application. Moreover, the results further show that small amounts of the herbicide composition reaching plant foliage can be phytotoxic to the entire plant.

[0083] Example 5. Treatment of roots. The herbicide composition of Example 3 with added Aloe leaf sap was diluted 1 :9 (v/v) and then 50 ml applied to the basin and exposed roots of potted P. paniculatum at day zero. As shown in Figure 2, at day seven (7 days after treatment, 7 DAT) the leaves and stalks of the plants showed generalized chlorosis and at day 17 (17 days after treatment, 17 DAT), the plants were dead. Thus, the results show that the herbicide was absorbed by the exposed roots, and transported and distributed in the vascular system throughout the plant. The volunteer broadleaf weeds growing in the pot continued developing normally indicating that their roots did not absorb the herbicide composition incorporated into the soil by capillarity probably because it became adsorbed to the soil colloids or partitioned into the soil organic matter thus becoming inactive.

[0084] Example 6. Treatment of the soil. The herbicide composition of Example

3 with the added Aloe leaf sap was diluted 1 : 19 (v/v) and then 50 ml applied to the soil, taking care to avoid direct contact with the potted P. paniculatum plants. As shown in Figure 4, at days seven and 17 (7 DAT and 17 DAT, respectively), the plants appear healthy. Additional growth is seen between days seven and 17. Thus, the results show that the herbicide is not effective when applied to soil at this concentration.

[0085] Example 7. Controlled field trial in Costa Rica. The herbicide composition of Example 3 with added Aloe leaf sap was diluted and applied to marked plots of mixed weeds in a macadamia field in Costa Rica. The weeds varied somewhat from plot to plot and generally included Ageratum conyzoides, Commelina sp., Digitaria sp., P. paniculatum and Spermacoce assurgens. Negative control plots were untreated. Positive control plots were treated with glyphosate. A graduated range of application doses was used for both the present herbicide composition (500, 1000, 2000, 4000) and the glyphosate (500, 1000, 2000, 4000), in mL ha^"1. Four separate plots were used for each treatment or control. Moreover, the plots were well separated to minimize effects of drifting of the present herbicide or glyphosate. The plots were photographed on May 15, 2009, the day of the treatment, and on May 29, 2009 (14 days after treatment, 14 DAT), and on June 25, 2009 (40 DAT). Results are illustrated in Figure 4 composed with photographs taken from the first replicate. In Figure 4 each photograph is identified by a number that indicates herbicide treatment (1 = untreated or negative control, 2 = 500 mL ha^"1, 3 = 1000 mL ha^"1, 4 = 2000 mL ha^"1, 5 = 4000 mL ha^"1, of the herbicide composition of Example 3 with added Aloe leaf sap diluted in 200 L ha^"1 and 5 = 4000 mL ha^"1 of formulated glyphosate as a positive control) followed by a capital letter that indicates time of evaluation (A = at time of application, 14 DAT and 40 DAT). Despite the limitations imposed by black and white images, it is noticeable in Figure 4 that at the time of application (Panels labeled with letter A) there was a substantial weed pressure at the macadamia plantation, which increased rapidly in the untreated control with time (compare Panels 1A to IB (14 DAT) and 1C (40 DAT)). Because the herbicide composition is slow acting, a definite evaluation of its effect is best made in practice at 30 or more DAT. In the current trial, efficacy of the herbicide composition improved, as expected, with increasing application doses (compare Panels 2C to 5C) and it was substantially comparable to that of glyphosate (Panel 6C) by killing a broad spectrum of weed plants within the experimental period. Efficacy of the herbicide composition is of practical relevance at doses of 2.0 and 4.0 L ha^"1 (Panels 4B and 5B and Panels 4C and 5C) particularly because the herbicidal effect is systemic in origin and substantive thus providing middle term weed control which is complemented by the decomposing weed stubble. An overall visual evaluation of the plots was also made at 40 DAT, and recorded in Table 1.

Table 1. Weed control achieved in a field experiment comparing herbicide composition of Example 3 with added Aloe leaf sap (Composition Ex3) with a commercial formulation of glyphosate.

Visual estimation of weed control at 40 DAT

Herbicide Dose¹ (% effect)

Treatment (L ha ¹)

Overall Broadleaf weeds Grasses

Composition Ex3 0.5 20 3 26

Composition Ex3 1.0 38 25 58

Composition Ex3 2.0 73 45 90

Composition Ex3 4.0 85 68 100

Roundup 0.5 53 33 75

Roundup 1.0 80 40 93

Roundup 2.0 90 68 100

Roundup 4.0 89 70 100

Untreated control 0.0 0 0 0

Glyphosate formulation (ROUNDUP®, Monsanto) contained 360 g acid equivalent glyphosate L^"1.

[0086] Example 8. Controlled field trials in the United States. Several trials were established in the United States in 2009 and 2010. The herbicide composition (TTN-0847) or glyphosate were separately applied post-emergence to fields infested with natural weeds, including as prevalent species in 2009 Amaranthus palmeri (AMAPA), Portulaca oleracea (POROL), Leptochloa panicea (LEFFI), Seteria faberi (SETFA), Chenopodium album (CHEAL), Amaranthus rudis [= A. tuberculatus] (AMATA), and Abutilon theophrasti (ABUTH), in the annual crop soybeans, Gylcine max (GLYMA). In 2010, the prevalent weed species were Poa annua (POAAN), Capsella bursa-pastoris (CAPBP), Conyza canadensis (ERICA), Sonchus asper (SONAS), Cenchrus spinifex (CCHPA), Stellaria media (STEME), Taraxacum officinale (TAROF), Thlaspi sp. (THLSS), Cardamine parviflora (CARP A), and Descurainia pinnata (DESPI).

[0087] Table 2 summarizes the observed cumulative percent control of each plant type at each application dose in 2009. At Proctor, Arkansas, TTN-0847 at 0.5 L ha^"1 was slightly less effective than glyphosate at the same dose at controlling AMAPA, POROL, and LEFFI both at 14 and 21 days after treatment (DAT). At 2 and 4 L ha^"1 TTN-0847 and glyphosate were similarly effective. Neither TTN-0847 nor glyphosate inhibited the growth of ROUNDUP READY® soybeans. At Carlyle, Illinois, TTN-0847 at 0.5 L ha^"1 was substantially less effective at control of SETFA, CHEAL, and AMATA than was glyphosate. At 4 L ha^"1, both TTN-0847 and glyphosate were substantially effective in controlling these weeds by 21 and 35 DAT. Neither TTN-0847 nor glyphosate inhibited the growth of ROUNDUP READY® soybeans, although a small inhibition was observed in crop plants treated with glyphosate, but not with TTN-0847 at 21 and 35 DAT. At Bagley, Iowa, TTN-0847 at 0.5 and 1.0 L ha^"1 was less effective at control of SEFTA, ABUTH, and AMATA than was glyphosate. Efficacy of TTN-0847 relative to that of glyphosate improved at 2.0 L ha^"1 and became equivalent to that of glyphosate at 18 DAT when sprayed at 4.0 L ha^"1. Similar to what was observed at other locations, TTN-0847 at Bagley did not inhibit the growth of ROUNDUP READY® soybeans. Thus application of the herbicide composition can inhibit growth of both dicots and monocots without a noticeable negative growth effect on the ROUNDUP READY® crop.

Table 2. Examples of weed control in replicated field tests in three different locations in the United States during 2009. All trials were applied to simulate commercial weed control conditions using 50-300 liters of water spray volume per hectare and compressed air or C0₂ sprayers. Applications were made postemergence to weeds ranging in height from 5 to 30 cm. All trials contained at least three replications, multiple weed species, generally one crop species and multiple evaluations after application.

Location Percent Visual Control

Test Number Liters of Product per Hectare

Date 4 2 1 0.5

Days¹ Species GLY² TTN³ GLY TTN GLY TTN GLY TTN

Proctor, AR AMAPA⁴ 100 100 99 100 100 99 100 64

PD090101 POROL 100 100 100 100 100 98 100 71

8/29/2009 GLYMA⁵ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

14 Days LEFFI 100 100 100 100 100 99 99 89

Proctor, AR AMAPA 100 100 100 100 100 95 100 63

PD090101 POROL 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 83

8/29/2009 GLYMA n a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

21 Days LEFFI 100 99 100 96 100 99 100 84

Carlyle, IL GLYMA⁵ 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0

PD090101B SETFA 86 78 84 59 76 43 63 23

8/12/2009 CHEAL 74 75 71 45 50 33 58 5

21 Days AMATA 74 71 76 40 55 29 49 11

Carlyle, IL GLYMA⁵ 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0

PD090101B SETFA 86 79 83 58 75 40 64 23

^' 8/12/2009 CHEAL 75 74 70 41 50 28 56 5

35 Days AMATA 76 71 76 40 58 29 50 11

Bagley, IA GLYMA⁵ 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 0 0

PD090101C SETFA 92 95 92 78 93 50 87 50

8/17/2009 ABUTH 84 82 74 67 77 50 68 50

18 Days AMATA 92 93 73 70 73 50 68 50

Days = days between application and observation 2

Gly = Glyphosate formulated as Roundup® or Glyfos X-tra® containing 360 g acid equivalent per liter

³TTN = Herbicide composition, TTN-0847 experimental herbicide

4Five-Letter Bayer Code for plant species; AMAPA, Amaranthus palmeri; POROL, Portulaca oleracea; GLYMA, Gylcine max; LEFFI, Leptochloa panicea; SETFA, Seteria faberi; CHEAL, Chenopodium album; AMATA, Amaranthus rudis; ABUTH, Abutilon theophrasti.

⁵Soybeans were tolerant to glyphosate (Roundup Ready®)

[0088] Table 3 summarizes the weed control results in trial conducted in three states of the United States where TTN-0847 was applied at doses of 0.8 and 1.6 L ha^"1 and glyphosate at 0.62 and 0.95 L ha^"1. Taking into consideration that the doses of both formulated herbicides are not comparable on a volume basis, it is clear that TTN-0847 was similarly effective to glyphosate at controlling POAAN, CAPBP, and DESPI. For the rest of the weeds, TTN-0847 was less effective, particularly at controlling ERICA in

Proctor, Arkansas. This ERICA biotype is most likely glyphosate resistant. POAAN at this location was also substantially less susceptible to TTN-0847 than the population of this weed at Chenyville, Louisiana.

Table 3. Examples of weed control in replicated field tests in three different locations in the United States during 2010. All trials were applied to simulate commercial weed control conditions using 50-300 liters of water spray volume per hectare and compressed air or C0₂ sprayers. Applications were made postemergence to weeds ranging in height from 5 to 30 cm. All trials contained at least three replications, multiple weed species, generally a crop species and multiple evaluations after application.

Percent Visual Control

Location

Test Number Liters of Product per Hectare

Date 0.95 1.6 0.62 0.8

Days' Species GLY² TTN³ GLY TTN

Chenyville, LA POAAN⁴ 100 92 100 98

PD100000A CAPBP 100 94 100 96

3/29/2010 ERICA 90 60 80 45

29 Days SONAS 89 53 83 53

Days = days between application and observation

²Gly = Glyphosate formulated as Roundup® or Glyfos X-tra® containing 360 g acid equivalent per liter

³TTN = Herbicide composition, TTN-0847 experimental herbicide

4Five-Letter Bayer Code for plant species: POAAN, Poa annua; CAPBP, Capsella bursa-pastoris; ERICA, Conyza canadensis; SONAS, Sonchus asper; CCHPA, Cenchrus spinifex; STEME, Stellaria media; TAROF, Taraxacum officinale; THLSS, Thlaspi sp.; CARPA, Cardamine parviflora; DESPI, Descurainia pinnata

5ERICA biotype in this trial is likely glyphosate resistant

[0089] Without being limited to any particular mechanism, these data suggest that

TTN-0847 and glyphosate act on the same metabolic pathway or act to inhibit autologous

5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase or synthesis of the autologous synthase.

[0090] Example 9. Comparative whole-plant bioassays. The effect of the herbicide composition of Example 3 with added Aloe leaf sap was compared to glyphosate in dose response bioassays. Glyphosate was used as the isopropylamine salt containing 360 g glyphosate acid L^"1 (480 g glyphosate isopropylamine L^"1), which is sold as ROUNDUP® by Monsanto. Individual pots of Paspalum paniculatum,

Commelina diffusa, Heteranthera limosa or Cyperus niger were treated with 0, 31, 62,

125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, or 4000 mL ha^"1 of either the herbicide composition or glyphosate in a whole-plant bioassay. Each bioassay had at least four replications of each treatment. After 15 to 21 days, the effects were evaluated visually and by determining the fresh weight of the plants. Figure 5 illustrates the effect on H. limosa and C. diffusa. Table 4 shows the half-effective dose (ED₅₀) based on the fresh weight of the plants, determined according to a logistic model using standard procedures (Streibig JC and P Kudsk. 1993. Herbicide bioassays. Boca Raton: CRC Press. -270 p.), and the relative efficacy index (REI) calculated as the ratio of the ED₅o for the herbicide composition: ED₅o for glyphosate.

Table 4: Dose Response Bioassays for Three Weed Species

Test plant Herbicide Glyphosate REI Correlation composition statistics

ED₅₀ (mL ha^"1) ED₅₀ (mL ha^"1)

Paspalum paniculatum 0.252 0.368 0.68 ns

Commelina diffusa 0.147 0.108 1.35 ns

Heteranthera limosa 0.104 0.292 0.36 <0.05

Cyperus niger 0.077 θ!ΐ48 0.52 ns

[0091] In Table 4, "ns" indicates no statistical difference between the ED50 values for the herbicide composition of Example 3 with added Aloe leaf sap and glyphosate and "O.05" indicates a statistically significant difference at the p < 0.05 level. Thus, the dose response action of the herbicide composition is similar overall to glyphosate, for these species.

[0092] Example 10. Analysis of TTN-0847. A sample of the herbicide composition prepared according to Example 3 had a refractive index of 1.3715, a specific gravity of 1.0650 and a flash point of 82 °C. The sample was also analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy of the effluent materials. According to the analysis, the results were consistent with a very substantial lack of glyphosate in the sample. [0093] Example 11. Toxicology of TTN-0847. Acute toxicology of TTN-0847 was determined by testing by oral administration to rats. The Acute Oral Toxicity LD50 value of >5000 mg/kg was obtained by using the US EPA OPPTS Series 870.1100 guidelines study for oral toxicity. Based on these results, the herbicide has an acute oral toxicology rating of Category 4, i.e., the highest safety rating for acute toxicology.

[0094] Specific embodiments

[0095] Specific embodiment one comprises a method for making a systemic herbicide or plant regulator composition comprising preparing an alcohol/water extract of Ananas sp. or part thereof and an extract of at least one second plant or part thereof and combining the extract and the alcohol/water extract.

[0096] Specific embodiment two comprises the method according to specific embodiment one, wherein the extract of a least one second plant or part thereof synergizes an herbicidal effect of the alcohol/water extract of Ananas sp.

[0097] Specific embodiment three comprises the method according to specific embodiment one, wherein the at least one second plant comprises Solanum sp.

[0098] Specific embodiment four comprises the method according to specific embodiment one, wherein the Ananas sp. is Ananas comosus and the at least one second plant comprises Solanum mammosum.

[0099] Specific embodiment five comprises the method according to specific embodiment one, further comprising adding an organic acid.

[0100] Specific embodiment six comprises the method according to specific embodiment one, further comprising adding a surfactant.

[0101] Specific embodiment seven comprises a broad spectrum herbicide composition, comprising an extract of Ananas sp. or part thereof and an extract of at least one second plant or part thereof. Preferably the herbicide composition is suitable for translocation at least in part through the xylem and/or phloem of a target plant.

[0102] Specific embodiment eight comprises the composition according to specific embodiment seven, wherein the at least one second plant comprises Solatium sp.

[0103] Specific embodiment nine comprises the composition according to specific embodiment seven, wherein the Ananas sp. is Ananas comosus.

[0104] Specific embodiment ten comprises the composition according to specific embodiment seven, wherein the at least one second plant comprises Solanum mammosum.

[0105] Specific embodiment eleven comprises the composition according to specific embodiment seven, wherein the Ananas sp. plant part, the at least one second plant part, or both, is a root.

[0106] Specific embodiment twelve comprises the composition according to specific embodiment seven, further comprising organic acid.

[0107] Specific embodiment thirteen comprises the composition according to specific embodiment seven, further comprising a surfactant.

[0108] Specific embodiment fourteen comprises the composition according to specific embodiment thirteen, wherein the surfactant is sap of Aloe sp.

[0109] Specific embodiment fifteen comprises a method for killing weeds comprising applying the composition of specific embodiment seven to said weeds.

[0110] Specific embodiment sixteen comprises the method according to specific embodiment fifteen, wherein the composition is slower or similar in rate of killing than glyphosate on a weight basis.

[0111] Specific embodiment seventeen comprises the method according to specific embodiment fifteen, wherein the weeds are selected from the group consisting of broadleaf plants, grasses, and sedges.

[0112] Specific embodiment eighteen comprises the herbicide composition of specific embodiment seven, further comprising a second herbicide.

[0113] Specific embodiment nineteen comprises a method for killing weeds comprising applying the composition of specific embodiment eighteen to said weeds. [0114] Specific embodiment twenty comprises an environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic plant function regulator composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants or parts thereof, wherein at least one of the extracts is an extract of Solanum sp. root and the composition substantially lacks an active constituent of glyphosate.

[0115] Specific embodiment twenty-one comprises the plant function regulator composition according to specific embodiment twenty, wherein the mixture of extracts comprises an extract of Ananas sp.

[0116] Specific embodiment twenty-two comprises the plant function regulator composition according to specific embodiment twenty-one, wherein said Solanum sp. is Solanum mammosum.

[0117] Specific embodiment twenty-three comprises the plant function regulator composition according to specific embodiment twenty, wherein the composition is substantially free of amine-containing surfactant and medium- or long-chain fatty acid.

[0118] Specific embodiment twenty-four comprises the plant function regulator composition according to specific embodiment twenty, wherein the active constituent of glyphosate is selected from the group consisting of glyphosate acid and isopropylamine.

[0119] Specific embodiment twenty-five comprises a method for regulating a plant function in a plant comprising applying the composition of specific embodiment twenty to the plant.

[0120] Specific embodiment twenty-six comprises a method for preparing a crop for harvesting comprising treating the crop with the composition of specific embodiment twenty, wherein the composition is translocated at least in part through the xylem and/or phloem before the harvest.

[0121] Specific embodiment twenty-seven comprises the method of specific embodiment twenty-six, wherein the crop is selected from the group consisting of wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, oilseed rape, mustard, peas, field beans, lentils, lupines, potatoes, cotton, and linseed.

[0122] Specific embodiment twenty-eight comprises a method for making an adherent herbicide composition for organic agriculture comprising adding sap of Aloe sp. to an herbicide. [0123] Specific embodiment twenty-nine comprises a method for regulating a plant function comprising applying to a plant a low dose or a micro-dose of a composition according to specific embodiment twenty.

[0124] Specific embodiment thirty comprises the method of specific embodiment twenty-nine, wherein the plant function is sugar content.

[0125] Specific embodiment thirty-one comprises a method for managing weeds among genetically modified crop plants comprising applying an effective amount of a broad spectrum systemic herbicide composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants, wherein growth of the genetically modified crop plants is substantially unimpaired.

[0126] Specific embodiment thirty-two comprises the method according to specific embodiment thirty-one, wherein the genetically modified crop plants comprise a nucleic acid encoding heterologous 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase.

[0127] Specific embodiment thirty-three comprises the method of specific embodiment thirty-two, wherein the crop plant is soybean, corn, cotton, oilseed rape, sorghum, sugar beet, alfalfa, rice, or wheat.

[0128] Specific embodiment thirty-four comprises a plant function regulator composition comprising extracts of at least two plants or parts thereof, wherein the plant function regulator composition inhibits monocot or dicot 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3- phosphate synthase, or both, and wherein the plant function regulator composition does not inhibit 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3 -phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium.

[0129] Specific embodiment thirty-five comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment seven immediately after crop sowing and before emergence of the crop seedlings.

[0130] Specific embodiment thirty-six comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment seven for site preparation.

[0131] Specific embodiment thirty-seven comprises the use according to specific embodiment thirty-six, wherein the composition is applied prior to forest or plantation crop establishment.

[0132] Specific embodiment thirty-eight comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment seven for destruction of plantation crops for site release. [0133] Specific embodiment thirty-nine comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment seven for aquatic weed control.

[0134] Specific embodiment forty comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment seven for destruction of crop stubble.

[0135] Specific embodiment forty-one comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment twenty as a plant growth regulator.

[0136] Specific embodiment forty-two comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment twenty as a plant ripener.

[0137] Specific embodiment forty-three comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment twenty as a pre-planting field treatment in a cropping system.

[0138] Specific embodiment forty-four comprises use of the composition of specific embodiment twenty for selective plant inhibition, wherein selective plant inhibition is achieved by a method selected from the group consisting of spot application, wick application, shielded spraying, directed application at basal weeds within and/or between crop rows, and selective application to weed vines, wherein the use avoids contact of the composition with crop plants.

[0139] Having now fully described the present invention in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the same can be performed by modifying or changing the invention within a wide and equivalent range of conditions, formulations and other parameters without affecting the scope of the invention or any specific embodiment thereof, and that such modifications or changes are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

A method for making a systemic herbicide composition comprising preparing an alcohol/water extract of Solanum sp. or part thereof and an extract of at least one second plant or part thereof and combining the extract and the alcohol/water extract.

The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract of a least one second plant or part thereof synergizes an herbicidal effect of the alcohol/water extract of Solanum sp.

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one second plant comprises Ananas sp.

The method of claim 1, wherein the Solanum sp. is Solanum mammosum and the at least one second plant comprises Ananas comosus.

The method of claim 1, further comprising adding an organic acid.

The method of claim 1, further comprising adding a surfactant.

A broad spectrum herbicide composition, comprising an extract of Solanum sp. or part thereof and an extract of at least one second plant or part thereof.

The herbicide composition of claim 7, wherein the at least one second plant comprises Ananas sp.

The herbicide composition of claim 7, wherein the Solanum sp. is Solanum mammosum.

10. The herbicide composition of claim 7, wherein the at least one second plant comprises Ananas comosus.

11. The herbicide composition of claim 7, wherein the Ananas sp. plant part, or the at least one second plant part, or both, is a root.

12. The herbicide composition of claim 7, further comprising organic acid.

13. The herbicide composition of claim 7, further comprising a surfactant.

14. The herbicide composition of claim 13, wherein the surfactant is sap of Aloe sp.

15. A method for killing weeds comprising applying the composition of claim 7 to said weeds.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the composition is slower or similar in rate of killing than glyphosate on a weight basis.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the weeds are selected from the group consisting of broadleaf plants, grasses, and sedges.

18. The herbicide composition of claim 7, further comprising a second herbicide.

19. A method for killing weeds comprising applying the composition of claim 18 to said weeds.

20. An environmentally friendly broad spectrum systemic plant function regulator composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants or parts thereof, wherein at least one of the extracts is an extract of Solanum sp. root and the composition substantially lacks an active constituent of glyphosate.

21. The environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition of claim 20, wherein the mixture of extracts comprises an extract of Ananas sp. root.

22. The environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition of claim 21, wherein said Solanum sp. is Solanum mammosum.

23. The environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition of claim 20, wherein the composition is substantially free of amine-containing surfactant and medium- or long-chain fatty acid.

24. The environmentally friendly broad spectrum plant function regulator composition of claim 20, wherein the active constituent of glyphosate is selected from the group consisting of glyphosate acid and isopropylamine.

25. A method for regulating a plant function in a plant comprising applying the composition of claim 20 to the plant.

26. A method for preparing a crop for harvesting comprising treating the crop with the composition of claim 20, wherein the composition is translocated at least in part through the xylem and/or phloem before the harvest.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the crop is selected from the group consisting of wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, oilseed rape, mustard, peas, field beans, lentils, lupines, potatoes, cotton, and linseed.

28. A method for making an adherent herbicide composition for organic agriculture comprising adding extract of Aloe sp. to an herbicide.

29. A method for regulating a plant function comprising applying to a plant a low dose or a micro-dose of a composition according to claim 20.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the plant function is sugar content.

31. A method for managing weeds among genetically modified crop plants comprising applying an effective amount of a broad spectrum systemic herbicide composition comprising a mixture of extracts of plants, wherein growth of the genetically modified crop plants is substantially unimpaired.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the genetically modified crop plants comprise a nucleic acid encoding heterologous 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3 - phosphate synthase.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the crop plant is soybean, corn, cotton, oilseed rape, sorghum, sugar beet, alfalfa, rice, or wheat.

34. A plant function regulator composition comprising extracts of at least two plants or parts thereof, wherein the plant function regulator composition inhibits monocot or dicot 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3 -phosphate synthase, or both, and wherein the plant function regulator composition does not inhibit 5-enolpyruvyl shikimic acid-3 -phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium.

35. Use of the composition of claim 7 immediately after crop sowing and before emergence of the crop seedlings.

36. Use of the composition of claim 7 for site preparation.

37. The use according to claim 36, wherein the composition is applied prior to forest or plantation crop establishment.

38. Use of the composition of claim 7 for destruction of plantation crops for site release.

39. Use of the composition of claim 7 for aquatic weed control.

40. Use of the composition of claim 7 for destruction of crop stubble.

41. Use of the composition of claim 20 as a plant growth regulator.

42. Use of the composition of claim 20 as a plant ripener.

43. Use of the composition of claim 20 as a pre-planting field treatment in a cropping system.

44. Use of the composition of claim 20 for selective plant inhibition, wherein selective plant inhibition is achieved by a method selected from the group consisting of spot application, wick application, shielded spraying, directed application at basal weeds within and/or between crop rows, and selective application to weed vines, wherein the use avoids contact of the composition with crop plants.