HERBICIDAL AND PLANT GROWTH REGULANT COMPOSITIONS AND THEIR USE

Abstract: Glyphosate formulations which are effective even when employed at dosages below the dosage currently recommended for post-emergent herbicidal or plant growth regulant use are described. They are formulated as water solutions or powders or granules of (a) one or more agriculturally acceptable amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and/or aminoguanidine salts of glyphosate; (b) at least one water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxide in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and (c) at least one water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide having in the range of 8 to 40 carbon atoms in the molecule.

Description: HERBICIDAL AND PLANT GROWTH REGULANT COMPOSITIONS AND THEIR USE TECHNICAL FffiLD This invention relates to glyphosate formulations which are highly effective even when employed at dosages below the dosage currently recommended for post-emergent herbicidal use against undesired vegetation. BACKGROUND Glyphosate, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, is a well-known widely used herbicide. It is generally employed in the form of an agriculturally acceptable salt. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,401 to D. C. Young it is pointed out that although glyphosate is a very active, broad spectrum, systemic, relatively environmentally safe herbicide, its solubility in water at 25 °C is only 1.2 weight percent and many of its homologs and salts are only slightly soluble or are essentially insoluble in water and organic solvents. Thus in practice, formulations of glyphosate salts with other components to enhance its solubility and its effectiveness are typically used. Over the years a wide variety of substances, including surfactants, have been studied or proposed as adjuvants to enhance the effectiveness of glyphosate. For example, J. W. Kassebaum and H. C. Berk indicate in U. S. Pat. No. 5,317,003, that surfactants are usually employed to enhance the effectiveness of glyphosate when it is applied to the foliage of various plants, and that the most widely used surfactant in commercial compositions is an ethoxylated fatty amine. In addition, they refer to knowledge in the art that a particular surfactant used in an aqueous composition with a herbicide can enhance the effectiveness of the herbicide, whereas other surfactants have very little, if any, beneficial effect. They also note that some surfactants may exhibit antagonistic effects. As an example they cite the work of Wyrill and Burnside, Weed Science. Volume 25, (1977), pages 275-287 wherein, among other things, it was found that the surfactant ETHOQUAD 18/12 was relatively ineffective in enhancing phytotoxicity of glyphosate to hemp dogbane whereas in a separate experiment an analogous compound, ETHOQUAD 18/25, was one of the most effective surfactants tested. Despite the extensive studies and efforts devoted to improving the performance of glyphosate, a need exists for a way of potentiating the effectiveness of glyphosate salts such as the amine, sodium, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and aminoguanidine salts thereof by means of an environmentally friendly aqueous formulation made from a small number of ingredients, wherein the amounts of each of the components, including the glyphosate, can be kept very small, and wherein the resulting composition provides clearly observable herbicidal action, especially against broadleaf vegetation, in a short period of time after application. It would be particularly desirable if this need could be fulfilled by use of readily available, cost-effective materials while at the same time avoiding the inclusion of polyvalent metal-containing and metalloid-containing components in the formulation. This invention is deemed to fulfill the foregoing need in an effective and highly efficient manner. THE INVENTION This invention involves the discovery, inter alia, that certain combinations of tertiary amine oxides and quaternary ammonium compounds are highly effective as co- adjuvants for increasing the phytotoxic effectiveness of glyphosate against a number of common broadleaf plant species. Thus this invention makes it possible to achieve enhanced phytotoxic effectiveness in an aqueous solution formed from as few as three added ingredients, all of which are readily available in the marketplace. Moreover it is possible pursuant to this invention to employ the glyphosate herbicide in dosage levels substantially lower than currently recommended. Also, in many cases the co-adjuvants make it possible to bring substantial reductions in glyphosate dosage levels while each of them is used at still smaller dosage levels than required if only one of the adjuvants is used without the other. Moreover, the adjuvants used in the practice of this invention are in themselves environmentally friendly. Further, the formulation requires no polyvalent metal or metalloid components in its formation. Indeed the preferred compositions are devoid of metal and metalloid additive content, and most preferably contain only the elements C, H, O, N, P, and Cl or Br, and optionally S. Moreover, the liquid concentrates are most preferably formed using deionized water. The co-adjuvants used in forming the formulations of this invention are one or more water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and one or more water- soluble quaternary ammonium halides having in the range of 8 to 40 carbon atoms in the molecule. By water-soluble is meant that the component is soluble to at least the extent of 1 % by weight in deionized water at 25 °C. When used in foπning an aqueous concentrate of this invention, the adjuvant should have a water solubility of at least 5% by weight in deionized water at 25 °C. In the practice of this invention, these co-adjuvants are typically employed in a weight ratio in the range of 1:5 to 5:1, respectively, and preferably in a weight ratio in the range of 1 :3 to 3: 1 , respectively. From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, a weight ratio in the range of from 1: 1.5 to 1.5:1, respectively, is especially desirable for providing rapid control of broadleaf and grassy species. In accordance with one of its embodiments this invention provides a method of controlling vegetation by applying to plant foliage, preferably by spraying, a solution (preferably a polyvalent metal-free and metalloid-free solution) containing an effective herbicidal or growth regulant amount of a composition formed by intimately mixing the following ingredients with water: (a) at least one agriculturally acceptable amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and/or aminoguanidine salt of glyphosate; (b) at least one water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxide in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and (c) at least one water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide (preferably a chloride or bromide) having in the range of 8 to 40 carbon atoms in the molecule. Another embodiment of this invention is a herbicide or growth regulant formulation which comprises a solution containing at least an effective herbicidal or plant growth regulant amount of a composition formed by intimately mixing components (a), (b) and (c) above with water. Optionally, one or more substances, most preferably that are not herbicides, or plant growth regulants, or surfactants, such as dyes, humectants, corrosion inhibitors, stickers, spreaders and thickeners, can be included as component (d) in these formulations. Still another embodiment of this invention is a herbicide or plant growth regulant formulation which comprises a mixture in powder or granular form containing an effective herbicidal or plant growth regulant amount of a composition formed by intimately mixing together components (a), (b) and (c), and optionally including one or more of (d) above. Such compositions can also be formed by evaporating to dryness (e.g. , by spray drying, extrusion or pan granulation) a solution of components (a), (b) and (c) above and optionally (d) above. Application of the powder formulations to vegetation as foliar dusts for effecting control of the vegetation constitutes another embodiment of this invention. It will be appreciated that to effect control of undesired plant vegetation pursuant to this invention, recourse may be had to herbicidal activity whereby undesired vegetation is killed and/or to plant growth regulant activity whereby the further growth of the vegetation is stunted, inhibited and/or slowed without actually killing all of the undesired vegetation treated with the composition. The herbicidal (phytotoxic) and the plant growth regulant compositions of this invention include aqueous concentrates which can be shipped and stored until diluted with more water on site to produce the final solution for application to the foliage as by spraying. Likewise the herbicidal and the plant growth regulant compositions of this invention include the more dilute aqueous solutions for use in application to the foliage. These more dilute aqueous solutions are preferably formed simply by suitably diluting a concentrate of this invention with water (if a powder or granular concentrate) or with more water (if a liquid concentrate) to achieve the appropriate herbicidal or plant growth regulant dosage, but alternatively, can be formed on site by intimately mixing the separate ingredients or sub-combinations thereof with sufficient water on site to achieve the appropriate dosage. Use of the solid or liquid concentrates of this invention is preferable as it is a much simpler operation and minimizes the possibility of blending errors. Moreover, if desired, other components such as fertilizers, penetrants, spreaders, and stickers, can be introduced into the final solution at the time the concentrate is blended with water to form the diluted solution for application to the foliage. Component (a) The identities and methods for the preparation of the glyphosate ingredient of the formulation are well known and are reported in the literature. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,758 to J. E. Franz which describes amine salts and alkali metal salts of glyphosate, and the production of glyphosate by such methods as the phosphonomethylation of glycine, the reaction of ethyl glycinate with formaldehyde and diethylphosphite, and the oxidation of the corresponding aminophosphinic compounds. Another method involves conducting a Mannich reaction with phosphorous acid and formaldehyde on iminodiacetic acid followed by controlled oxidation to N- (phosphonomethyl)glycine. Typically the amine of the glyphosate amine salts has a molecular weight of less than 300. A preferred amine salt of glyphosate is a salt formed with isopropyl amine. Of the alkali metal salts of glyphosate, sodium is the preferred cation. Inasmuch as glyphosate has more than one replaceable hydrogen atom, either or both of mono- and dialkali metal salts of glyphosate can be formed and used. The alkylsulfonium salts of glyphosate are described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,765 to G. B. Large, and analogous procedures can be used for producing alkylphosphonium salts. Of the alkylsulfonium and alkylphosphonium salts, the trimethylsulfonium salt of glyphosate is preferred. Sulfonylairiine and aminoguanidine salts of glyphosate which are also suitable for use pursuant to this invention are disclosed in EP-A-0 088 180. The patent literature contains numerous additional references to various other methods for the production of glyphosate. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,851,159; 4,898,972; 4,937,376; 4,952,723; 5,061,820; and 5,072,033 to Fields Jr. et al.; 5,023,369 to Fields, Jr.; 4,853,159 to Riley et. al; and 5,047,579 to Glowka et al., as well as relevant references cited in these patents. Fields, Jr. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,403 describes a process for producing the alkali metal salts of glyphosate. Aqueous solutions of glyphosate salts devoid of other adjuvants are commercially available from Monsanto Company and these solutions are suitable for use in forming the compositions of this invention. Component 0?) This component in the form added to the water or aqueous solution is one or more water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferably the long chain group is an alkyl group, most preferably a straight chain primary or normal alkyl group. Of the alkyl dimethyl amine oxide adjuvants of this invention, those in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms are preferred, and those in which the alkyl group contains 12 to 14 carbon atoms are more preferred, especially where the alkyl group is linear. n-Dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide is particularly preferred. Where the long chain group is olefinically unsaturated it will usually contain up to three olefinic double bonds and in the range of 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Of the water-soluble long chain unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxides, those having 12 to 18 carbon atoms in a substantially straight chain are preferred. As noted above, this component can be a single compound or a combination or mixture of two or more compounds. A few examples of such compounds include n-octyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-nonyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-decyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-undecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-tridecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-tetradecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n- pentadecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-hexadecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-heptadecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-octadecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-nonadecyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-eicosyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-heneicosyl dimethyl amine oxide, n-docosyl dimethyl amine oxide, 8-methyl-l-nonyl dimethyl amine oxide, 2,7-dimethyl-l-octyl dimethyl amine oxide, l-dec-9-enyl dimethyl amine oxide, 6-methyl-l-undec-9-enyl dimethyl amine oxide, l-dodec-8-enyl dimethyl amine oxide, l-octadec-9-enyl dimethyl amine oxide, and the water-soluble isomers, analogs and homologs of the foregoing. Component (c) There are, in general, several types of water-soluble quaternary ammonium halides which can be utilized in the practice of this invention. In one type the compound has one saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and a total of up to 36 carbon atoms in the molecule. This group is either saturated or olefinically unsaturated such as described above in connection with component (b), although of course in this case the group has 6-24 carbon atoms and, in any given formulation, this group need not be the same as the long chain group in component (b). This first type of quaternary ammonium halides can be depicted by the formula: R^R^N ® x θ where R 1 is saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, each of R 2 , R 3 and R 4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 and preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen atom, preferably a bromine or chlorine atom. Preferably, the total number of carbon atoms in R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 is up to 30 carbon atoms. Most preferably each of R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is a methyl group. A few examples of these compounds are hexyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, hexyl triethyl ammonium chloride, hexyl tributyl ammonium chloride, heptyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, octyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, nonyl trimethyl amine chloride, decyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, undecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, tridecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, decyl ethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, 7-methylnonyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, 3,4-dimethyloctyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, octadec-9-enyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, hexyl tripropyl ammonium bromide, octyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, nonyl trimethyl amine bromide, decyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, undecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, tridecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, decyl ethyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, 7-methylnonyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, 3,4- dimethyloctyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, octadec-9-enyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and water-soluble isomers, analogs and homologs of the foregoing. Especially preferred are hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride. Mixtures or combinations of two or more adjuvants of this first type can be used. Another type of quaternary ammonium compounds used in making the formulations of this invention are water-soluble compounds having two same or different saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups having in the range of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and two methyl groups. Preferably, the total number of carbon atoms in the molecule is no more than 30 carbon atoms. The respective aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups are either saturated or olefinically unsaturated such as described above in connection with component (b), although here, each group has 6-18 carbon atoms and, in any given formulation, neither of these groups need be the same as the long chain group in component (b). This second type of quaternary ammonium halides can be depicted by the formula: R 5 R 6 (CH 3 ) 2 N Θ X θ where R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and each is a saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen atom, preferably a bromine or chlorine atom. Most preferably the total number of carbon atoms in the molecule is no more than 24. A few examples of these compounds are bis(hexyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, bis(heptyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, bis(octyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, bis(nonyl) dimethyl amine chloride, bis(decyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, hexyl nonyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, decyl octyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, decyl dodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, bis(hexyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide, bis(6-methylheptyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide, bis(octyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide, bis(decyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide, decyl octyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, hexyl dodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, bis(hex-5-enyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide, bis(oct-4-enyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide, hept-6-enyl hexyl ammonium bromide, and water-soluble isomers, analogs and homologs of the foregoing. One or more water-soluble dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides or bromides in which each of the two alkyl groups has in the range of from 10 to 16 carbon atoms are especially preferred. Mixtures or combinations of two or more of the compounds of this second type can be used. A third type of quaternary ammonium halides useful in the practice of this invention is comprised of N-hydrocarbyl pyridinium halides. The hydrocarbyl group attached to the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring of the pyridinium nucleus is a saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 4 to 18 carbon atoms. The pyridinium nucleus itself can be substituted with one or more short chain alkyl groups of up to 4 carbon atoms each with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in the overall molecule is not more than 24 carbon atoms. As in the prior types of component (c) compounds, the aliphatic hydrocarbyl group bonded to the nitrogen atom is either saturated or olefinically unsaturated such as described above in connection with component (b), although in any given formulation, this group need not be the same as the long chain group in component (b). Some examples of this type of quaternary ammonium halide are N-butyl pyridinium chloride, N-isobutyl pyridinium chloride, N-pentyl pyridinium chloride, N-hexyl pyridinium chloride, N-heptyl pyridinium chloride, N-octyl pyridinium chloride, N-isooctyl pyridinium chloride, N- decyl pyridinium chloride, N-dodecyl pyridinium chloride, N-tetradecyl pyridinium chloride, N-hexadecyl pyridinium chloride, N-octadecyl pyridinium chloride, N-pent-3- enyl pyridinium chloride, N-dec-9-enyl pyridinium chloride, N-dodec-6-enyl pyridinium chloride, N-oleyl pyridinium chloride, N-butyl pyridinium bromide, N-isobutyl pyridinium bromide, N-pentyl pyridinium bromide, N-octyl pyridinium bromide, N-decyl pyridinium bromide, N-dodecyl pyridinium bromide, N-2-ethylhexyl pyridinium bromide, and water-soluble isomers, analogs and homologs of the foregoing. N-dodecyl pyridinium bromide or chloride are especially preferred. Mixtures or combinations of two or more of the compounds of this third type can be used. In each of the above three types of quaternary ammonium halides, the halogen atom is preferably a chlorine or bromine atom. This invention contemplates use as component (c) of combinations or mixtures of (1) one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the first above type with one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the second above type; or (2) one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the first above type with one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the third above type; or (3) one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the second above type with one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the third above type; or (4) mixtures of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the first above type with one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the second above type and with one or more quaternary ammonium compounds of the third above type. Methods for producing the quaternary ammonium compounds used as component (c) in the practice of this invention are also well known and are reported in the literature. Typically they involve the quaternization of the appropriate tertiary amine by use of an appropriate lower alkyl halide such as methyl or ethyl bromide or chloride. Suitable compounds of the above formula are available as articles of commerce. Table 1 sets forth general and preferred proportions for use in forming the liquid concentrate formulations of this invention. The percentages given in Table 1 are weight percentages, and represent weight percent of the total composition. The percentages for the amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and/or aminoguanidine salt ("Glyphosate Salt") used in the practice of this invention as given in Table 1 are on an active ingredient basis and are in terms of glyphosate acid equivalent (i.e., the weight of the particular salt-forming portion of the product is excluded from the weight of the salt). Likewise the amount of any water associated with the salt as received is excluded from consideration as regards the percentages of the Glyphosate Salt shown in the table. Table 1 Ingredient General Range, wt% Preferred Range, wt% (a) Glyphosate Salt 0.1 to 65% 18 to 65% (b) Amine oxide 1 to 35% 10 to 20% (c) Quaternary Salt 1 to 35% 10 to 20% Other Ingredient(s) 0 to 20% 0 to 5% Water Balance to 100% Balance to 100% Table 2 sets forth the proportions which can be used in forming the powder or granular compositions of this invention. As in Table 1 , the percentages given in Table 2 are weight percentages on an active ingredient basis, and represent weight percent of the total composition. And as above, the percentages for the amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and/or aminoguanidine salt ("Glyphosate Salt") used in the practice of this invention as given in Table 2 are in terms of glyphosate acid equivalent. Table 2 Ingredient General Range, wt% Preferred Range, wt% (a) Glyphosate Salt 10 to 98% 75 to 98% (b) Amine oxide 1 to 85% 1 to 40% (c) Quaternary Salt 1 to 85% 1 to 40% Other Ingredient(s) 0 to 20% 0 to 5% The diluted solutions for application to the plant foliage are typically formed prior to application using a tank mixer, spray tank or similar apparatus. The dosage level of the composition applied to the plant foliage will depend to some extent upon the plant species being treated, and the prevailing weather conditions. Generally speaking, however, the amount applied will be a herbicidally effective amount falling within the range of 50 to 1250 grams of glyphosate (on an acid equivalent basis, i.e., excluding the weight of the cationic salt associated therewith) per hectare. In terms of ounces avoirdupois per acre this range corresponds (on the same acid equivalent basis) to 0.7 to 20 ounces of glyphosate per acre. In accordance with this invention it is preferred to employ a herbicidally effective amount (again on an acid equivalent basis) falling within the range of 200 to 830 grams of glyphosate per hectare which corresponds (on the same acid equivalent basis) to 3 to 12 ounces avoirdupois of glyphosate per acre, as this is generally sufficient to control most undesired plant species, is below the dosage currently recommended for herbicidal use of glyphosate formulations, and is thus more economical and environmentally friendly. On the basis of this disclosure and the new technology described herein, it is now possible to make departures from the foregoing ranges whenever such is deemed necessary or desirable in any given situation. The following non-limiting Examples illustrate the practice and advantages of this invention. EXAMPLES A field test was conducted in which the effectiveness of various compositions of this invention was compared with effectiveness of a standard recommended glyphosate formulation. The test formulations of this invention consisted of the aqueous solution made from (a) N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine isopropyl amine salt, (b) dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, (c) a quaternary ammonium halide, and water. No other component or ingredient was employed in forming these test formulations. Table 3 identifies the particular quaternary ammonium compounds used as component (c) in the formulations of the invention. Table 3 Formulation Component (c) A bis(n-decyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride B n-hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide C bis(n-decyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide D N-n-dodecyl pyridinium bromide E mixed dialkyl dimethyl ammonium bromide in which 40% of the alkyl groups were dodecyl, 50% were tetradecyl, and 10% were hexadecyl The glyphosate used in forming these formulations was ROUND-UP (0) D-Pak from Monsanto, which is a 62.0% aqueous solution of the glyphosate isopropyl amine salt in water with no other component therein. The control formulation was an aqueous solution of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine isopropyl amine salt and the commercial adjuvant INDUCE (Helena Chemical Company) which, according to A Guide to Agricultural Sprav Adjuvants Used in the United States, by T. L. Harvey, 1992-93 Edition, Thomson Publications, Fresno, California, page 33 is alkyl polyoxyalkane ether, free fatty acids and IP A, which is an adjuvant currently recommended for use in glyphosate formulations. The control formulation was applied at the recommended dosage level of 15 fluid ounces of glyphosate (active ingredient basis) per acre (624 grams of glyphosate per hectare) whereas the formulations of this invention were applied at dosages of only 5 and 10 fluid ounces of glyphosate (active ingredient basis) per acre (209 and 416 grams of glyphosate per hectare, respectively, on an active ingredient basis). All solutions contained one percent by weight of the particular adjuvant used, and the adjuvants of ϋ is invention were used in equal weights so that each test solution contained 0.5 wt% of component (b) and 0.5 wt% of component (c). All tests were conducted at the same experimental test site at the same time, and were performed with three replicate tests for each composition, using randomized plots. Each plot was 10 feet by 15 feet (ca. 3.1 meters by ca. 4.6 meters) in size. Single applications were made between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the same calm, sunny day with a relative humidity reading of 75% and an air/soil temperature of 85 °F and 92 °F (ca. 29°C and ca. 33 °C), respectively. The application was made with a carbon dioxide pressurized back pack sprayer. The soil and leaf conditions were both dry at the time of application. The population of weed species in the plots included the following: ♦ 1 to 3 square feet of morning glory (3-10 inches in height). ♦ 2 to 5 square feet of red weed (3-6 inches in height, with 3 to 6 leaves per plant). ♦ 3 to 5 square feet of sickle pod (3-7 inches in height, with 3 to 6 leaves per plant). ♦ 0 to 2 square feet of hemp sesbania (2-5 inches in height, with 3 to 5 leaves per plant). ♦ 1 to 4 square feet of barnyard grass and crab grass (3-5 inches in height, with 2 to 4 leaves per plant). Observations of percentage of control were made at 7 days and 19 days after application, and Tables 4-8 summarize the results obtained in these tests. In Tables 4-8 the results are shown in terms of their statistical significance within 95 % confidence limits. Thus the symbol 37 signifies that the test formulation of this invention gave results mat statistically were equivalent to results given by the control. In every case the glyphosate dosage level in the formulations of this invention was only a fraction (33% or 67%) of the glyphosate dosage level in the control formulation. The symbol O signifies that statistically the result was only 1% below equivalence with the control, whereas the symbol fc? signifies that statistically the result was not equivalent to that of the control. Table 4 - Control of Morning Glory Under Field Conditions Formulation Glyphosate Dosage, % of Result, 7 Days Result, 19 Days Control A 33% Θ Θ A 67% Θ Θ B 33% θ Θ B 67% θ Θ C 33% θ Θ C 67% © Θ D 33% Θ θ D 67% Θ θ E 33% Θ Φ E 67% Θ Φ Table 5 - Control of Red Weed Under Field Conditions Table 6 - Control of Sickle Pod Under Field Conditions Table 7 - Control of Hemp Sesbania Under Field Conditions Table 8 - Control of Barnyard Grass & Crab Grass Under Field Conditions Optionally, one or more other substances can be employed in the formulations of this invention provided no such substance materially detracts from the effectiveness of the composition in combatting the particular plant species to be controlled by use of the formulation. By "materially" in this context is meant that in tests conducted by concurrent application under identical conditions and using identical dosages of one or the other of two (2) test formulations to a plant species in three (3) identical pairs of test plots (each pair consisting of a Case I plot and a Case II plot) in the same substantially uniform test site, where in Case I the formulation of this invention does not contain such additional substance(s) whereas in Case II the identical formulation does additionally contain such additional substance(s), there is a reduction in the average percentages of the plant species controlled in the three (3) Case II plots as compared to the average percentages of the plant species controlled in the three (3) Case I plots, and the aritiimetic difference between these averages exceeds 10% . Such other substances that may be used if they do not materially detract from the effectiveness of the composition include dyes, pigments, humectants, corrosion inhibitors, thickeners, adhering agents (stickers), spreading agents, other herbicides, and like materials. Such other substances can be introduced into the water in any sequence relative to components (a), (b) and (c) thereof, i.e., such materials can be added before, after or at the same time as any one or two, or all three of components (a), (b) and (c). In mis connection, while one or more additional herbicides can be used in the compositions of this invention, most preferably the one or more glyphosate salts constitute(s) the only herbicide(s) or plant growth regulant(s) used in forming the compositions of this invention. Likewise, most preferably the herein- described combinations of components (b) and (c) constitute the only surfactants used in the practice of this invention. The use of component (a) as the sole herbicide(s) or plant growth regulant(s), and components (b) and (c) as the only surfactants ensures that the substantial benefits provided by this invention are realized in full. The powder or granular formulations of this invention may be mixed with a finely-divided solid diluent such as talc, gypsum, Fuller's earth, kaolin, kieselguhr, bentonite, dolomite, calcium carbonate, and powdered magnesia. They may also be formulated as dispersible powders or grains, and in this case it is desirable to include a wetting agent to facilitate the dispersion of powder or grains in the liquid carrier. Additionally, formulations in the form of powders can be applied to vegetation as foliar dusts. It is to be understood that the terms "ingredient" or "component" or "substance" as used anywhere in the specification or claims hereof, whether used in the singular or plural, are used in the sense that it is a substance employed in forming the powder or granular concentrate or aqueous solution, and thus at least prior to mixing with other ingredients or components and/or addition to an aqueous medium, the ingredient or component is in the chemical form specified. It matters not what chemical changes, transformations and/or reactions, if any, take place in the mixture or aqueous medium itself as such changes, transformations and/or reactions are the natural result of bringing the specified ingredients or components together as solids or in an aqueous medium.

Claims: Claims 1. A method of controlling vegetation which comprises applying to plant foliage a herbicidal or growth regulant amount of a composition formed by intimately mixing the following components with water: a) at least one agriculturally acceptable amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and/or aminoguanidine salt of glyphosate; b) at least one water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxide in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and c) at least one water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide having in the range of 8 to 40 carbon atoms in the molecule. 2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein component a) thereof is an amine or alkylsulfonium salt of glyphosate. 3. A method according to Claim 1 wherein component a) thereof is the isopropyl amine salt of glyphosate. 4. A method according to Claim 1 wherein component a) thereof is the only herbicide used in forming said composition. 5. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is a chloride or bromide. 6. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is one or more quaternary ammonium halides represented by the formula: R R 2 R 3 R 4 N e X θ where R 1 is saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, each of R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4, and X is a halogen atom, and where the total number of carbon atoms in R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is up to 30 carbon atoms. 7. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride. 8. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is one or more quaternary ammonium halides represented by the formula: R 5 R 6 (CH 3 ) 2 N Θ X θ where R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and each is a saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen atom. 9. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is one or more water-soluble dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides or bromides in which each of the two alkyl groups has in the range of from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. 10. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is bis(decyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride. 11. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride in which 40% of the two alkyl groups is dodecyl, 50% of the two alkyl groups is tetradecyl, and 10% of the two alkyl groups is tetradecyl. 12. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is one or more N-hydrocarbyl pyridinium halides wherein the hydrocarbyl group attached to the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring of the pyridinium nucleus is a saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 4 to 18 carbon atoms. 13. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is N-dodecyl pyridinium bromide or chloride. 14. A composition which comprises a solution containing at least a herbicidally or plant growth regulating amount of a composition formed by intimately mixing the following components with water: a) at least one agriculturally acceptable amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and/or aminoguanidine salt of glyphosate; b) at least one water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxide in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and c) at least one water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide having in the range of 8 to 40 carbon atoms in the molecule. 15. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein component a) thereof is an amine or alkylsulfonium salt of glyphosate. 16. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein component a) thereof is the isopropyl amine salt of glyphosate. 17. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein component a) thereof is the only herbicide used in forming said composition. 18. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is a chloride or bromide. 19. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is one or more quaternary ammonium halides represented by the formula: RMVN ® X θ where R 1 is samrated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, each of R 2 , R\ and R 4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4, and X is a halogen atom, and where me total number of carbon atoms in R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is up to 30 carbon atoms. 20. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride. 21. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is one or more quaternary ammonium halides represented by the formula: R 5 R 6 (CH 3 ) 2 N Θ X θ where R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and each is a saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen atom. 22. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is one or more water-soluble dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides or bromides in which each of the two alkyl groups has in the range of from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. 23. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is bis(decyl) dimethyl ammomum bromide or chloride. 24. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride in which 40% of the two alkyl groups is dodecyl, 50% of the two alkyl groups is tetradecyl, and 10% of the two alkyl groups is tetradecyl. 25. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is one or more N-hydrocarbyl pyridinium halides wherein the hydrocarbyl group attached to the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring of the pyridinium nucleus is a saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 4 to 18 carbon atoms. 26. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is N-dodecyl pyridinium bromide or chloride. 27. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein the solution is devoid of metal and metalloid additive content other than the phosphorus of the glyphosate, and is formed using deionized water. 28. A composition according to Claim 27 wherein component a) thereof is an amine salt of glyphosate, wherein the weight ratio of components b) and c) used in forming said solution is in the range of 3:1 to 1:3, respectively, and wherein said solution is an aqueous concentrate adapted for dilution with water before use. 29. A composition according to Claim 27 wherein component a) thereof is an amine salt of glyphosate, wherein the weight ratio of components b) and c) used in forming said solution is in the range of 3:1 to 1:3, respectively, and wherein said solution is a dilute water solution adapted for direct application to at least one plant species. 30. A composition which comprises a powder or granular mixture containing at least a herbicidally or plant growth regulating amount of a composition formed by intimately mixing together the following components: a) at least one agriculturally acceptable amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, and/or aminoguanidine salt of glyphosate; b) at least one water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxide in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and c) at least one water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide having in the range of 8 to 40 carbon atoms in the molecule. 31. A composition according to Claim 30 wherein component a) is an amine or alkylsulfonium salt of glyphosate. 32. A composition according to Claim 30 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is one or more quaternary ammonium halides represented by the formula: R'R 2 R 3 R 4 N Θ X θ where R 1 is saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, each of R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4, and X is a halogen atom, and where the total number of carbon atoms in R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is up to 30 carbon atoms. 33. A composition according to Claim 30 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide is one or more quaternary ammonium halides represented by the formula: R 5 R 6 (CH 3 ) 2 N ® X θ where R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and each is a saturated or olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen atom. 34. A composition according to Claim 30 wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is one or more alkyl dimethyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is one or more N-hydrocarbyl pyridimum halides wherein the hydrocarbyl group attached to the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring of the pyridinium nucleus is a saturated or olefinically unsamrated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having in the range of 4 to 18 carbon atoms. 35. A composition according to Claim 30 wherein component a) thereof is the isopropyl amine or trimethylsulfonium salt of glyphosate and is the only herbicide used in forming said composition; wherein said water-soluble amine oxide is n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide, and wherein said water-soluble quaternary ammomum halide is (i) hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride, or (ii) bis(decyl) dimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride; or (iii) a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium bromide or chloride in which 40% of the two alkyl groups is dodecyl, 50% of the two alkyl groups is tetradecyl, and 10% of the two alkyl groups is tetradecyl; or (iv) N-dodecyl pyridinium bromide or chloride. 36. A composition according to Claim 30 wherein said composition consists of said components a), b) and c). 37. A method of controlling vegetation which comprises applying to plant foliage a herbicidal or plant growth regulant amount of a polyvalent metal-free and metalloid-free herbicide or plant growth regulant composition formed by intimately mixing together the following ingredients: a) at least one agriculturally acceptable amine, alkali metal, alkylsulfonium, alkylphosphonium, sulfonylamine, or aminoguanidine salt of glyphosate as the only herbicide or plant growth regulant used in forming said composition; b) at least one water-soluble long chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl dimethyl amine oxide in which the hydrocarbyl group is a linear or substantially linear saturated or olefinically unsamrated aliphatic group having in the range of 8 to 22 carbon atoms; c) at least one water-soluble quaternary ammonium halide having in the range of 8 to 40 carbon atoms in the molecule, ingredients b) and c) being the only surfactants used in forming said composition; and d) optionally, one or more agriculturally acceptable substances none of which is a herbicide, or a plant growth regulant or a surfactant. 38. A method according to Claim 37 wherein said herbicide or plant growth regulant composition is a water solution, and wherein said composition is applied to the foliage by spraying the water solution onto the foliage. 39. A method according to Claim 37 wherein said herbicide or plant growth regulant composition is in the form of a powder, and wherein said composition is applied to the foliage as a foliar dust.

Inventors: DELAET DRU L, MAGIN RALPH W, QUEBEDEAUX DEBORAH A, SAUER JOE D, DELAET, DRU, L., MAGIN, RALPH, W., QUEBEDEAUX, DEBORAH, A., SAUER, JOE, D.
Applicants: ALBEMARLE CORP, ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A01N57
IPC codes: A01N57