Abstract:
The present invention discloses a water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, comprising components in the following weight percent: 5-80% 2,4-D salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and a water-soluble filler as the balance. The water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt has an outstanding control efficiency on annual or perennial Poaceae weeds and some broadleaf weeds in fields of soybean and other Fabaceae plants. The formulation is environment-friendly, and has the advantages of being free of organic solvents and dusts and being easy to measure in comparison to conventional emulsifiable formulation, wettable powder formulation and suspension formulation. The present invention also discloses the preparation method of the formulation. The production process is simple, economical and safe. The whole production process, without the use of dangerous chemicals, is easy to control and operate and has a high safety factor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/119,503, filed Nov. 22, 2013, which is a national phase application of PCT/CN2012/000582, filed May 2, 2012, which international application claims priority to CN201210016942.X, filed Jan. 19, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a herbicide and a preparation method thereof and in particular to a water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt (i.e. water-soluble granule) and a preparation method thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     2,4-D, a phenoxyalkanoic acids herbicide, is a selective systemic hormone herbicide. Pure 2,4-D exists as white crystals, which has low solubility in water but is easily soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and benzene. The amine salts and sodium salts of 2,4-D, however, are quite easily soluble in water, 2,4-D is strongly systemic. At low concentration, 2,4-D can inhibit the growth and development of the plant and cause uncontrolled growth and eventually death. 2,4-D is mainly used for post-emergence foliar treatment and has various effects on the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, such that the growing points of the plant stop growing, young leaves are inextensible and normal photosynthesis is inhibited. When transported to the lower parts of the plants, 2,4-D can promote uncontrolled cell division. Root tips become swollen, losing the ability of absorption. Stems and stalks become distorted and aberrant. Sieve tubes are blocked and the phloem is damaged, such that the transport of organic substances is obstructed, leading, to the death of the plant. 2,4-D herbicide has an outstanding control efficiency on annual or perennial Poaceae weeds and some broadleaf weeds in fields of soybean and other Fabaceae plants, for example, such weeds as amaranth, knotweed, lamb&#39;s-quarters, night shade, siberian cocklebur, barnyard grass, foxtail grass, digitaria sanguinalis, broomcorn millet and the like. 
     The main formulations of 2,4-D are emulsifiable formulation of its esters and aqueous formulation of its salts. Because the organic solvents in the emulsifiable formulation are flammable and would cause great pollution to the environment, the fraction of such formulation among herbicide formulations has been decreasing annually in recent years. Although aqueous formulation of 2,4-D salt is environment-friendly, the aqueous formulation with high concentration is very easy to crystallize at low temperatures, and the aqueous formulation with low concentration, while not easy to crystallize, will lead to increased costs in packaging and transporting, which limits the use of aqueous formulation of 2,4-D salt to some extent. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior an, the present invention provides a water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt which is simple in components, friendly to the environment, and more convenient for application than other existing formulations. 
     The present invention further provides a preparation method of the water-soluble granule formulation whereby 2,4-D salt is readily made into water-soluble granules, with simple granulation and convenient operation. 
     The present invention is achieved by the following technical solution: 
     A water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, comprising components in the following weight percent: 5-80% 2,4-D salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and a water-soluble filler which is used to make up to 100%. 
     Preferably, the content (by weight) of 2,4-D salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) is 50-80%, and a water soluble filler which is used to make up to 100%. 
     More preferably, the content (by weight) of 2,4-D salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) is 65-80%, and a water soluble filler which is used to make up to 100%. 
     Most preferably, the content (by weight) of 2,4-D salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) is 80%, and a water soluble filler which is used to make up to 100%. 
     In the above-mentioned water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, the 2,4-D salt is selected from one or more of isopropylamine salt, ethylamine salt, monomethylamine salt, dimethylamine salt, potassium salt and ammonium salt. Preferably, the 2,4-D salt is dimethylamine salt. 
     In the above-mentioned water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, only a water-soluble filler is needed to prepare water-soluble granules, without the need to add any surfactant and binder. The used water-soluble filler is a water-soluble inorganic salt which is selected from one or more of sulfate, nitrate, hydrochlorate, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, dibasic phosphate, monobasic phosphate, borate and silicate. 
     In the above-mentioned water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, the water-soluble inorganic salts include but are not limited to ammonium sulfate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, potassium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and anhydrous sodium sulfate. 
     In the above-mentioned water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt, the water-soluble inorganic salts used can be mixed in any ratio. 
     2,4-D salt herbicide is made into water-soluble granule formulation in the present invention, which overcomes the disadvantages existing in the aqueous formulation and makes the application of the herbicide more convenient. The water-soluble granule formulation of the present invention is simpler in components, without the need to add excipient component such as surfactant, binder and the like. Nevertheless, 2,4-D salt is hard to granulate without adding surfactant or binder. Therefore, based on the composition of the water-soluble granule formulation, the present invention provides a method suitable for preparing the formulation which allows easy granulation and convenient operation. 
     The preparation method of the present invention comprises: sufficiently and homogeneously mixing the 2,4-D salt and the water-soluble filler in a kneader, adding 1-10 wt % water based on the total amount of the 2,4-D salt and the water-soluble filler to perform kneading, granulating at 40-110° C. after kneading, and drying at 20-90° C. 
     In the above-mentioned preparation method, granulation is performed without adding any binder and surfactant, so long as it is ensured that the mixture is granulated at 40-110° C. 
     In comparison with the prior art, the water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt of the present invention has the following advantages: 
     1. The production process is simple, economical and safe. The whole production process, without the use of dangerous chemicals, is easy to control and operate and has a high safety factor. 
     2. The water-soluble granule formulation is environment-friendly, and has the advantages of being free of organic solvents and dusts and being easy to measure in comparison to conventional emulsifiable formulation, wettable powder formulation and suspension formulation. 
     3. The water-soluble granule formulation of 2,4-D salt obtained is convenient for using, which reduces the costs of packaging, storing and transporting and is suitable for large-scale popularization and application. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter further description will be made by incorporating examples to illustrate the present invention, which by no means should be regarded as a limitation of the present invention. 
     Example 1 
     The content by weight) of each component was: 65% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and disodium hydrogen phosphate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 5% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 55° C., drying at 82° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 65% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 2 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 50% 2,4-D methylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salt ammonium nitrate which was used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 1% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 70° C., drying at 74° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 50% methylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 3 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 5% 2,4-D ethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salt ammonium chloride which was used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 7% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 40° C., drying at 65° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 5% 2,4-D ethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 4 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 20% 2,4-D potassium salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salt potassium phosphate which was used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 10% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 100° C., drying at 20° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 20% 2,4-D potassium salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 5 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 35% 2,4-D ethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 3% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 95° C., drying at 43° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 35% 2,4-D ethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 6 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 80% 2,4-D isopropylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts anhydrous sodium sulfate and disodium hydrogen phosphate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 4% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 85° C. drying at 90° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D isopropylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 7 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts anhydrous sodium sulfate and disodium hydrogen phosphate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 4% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 85° C., drying at 90° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 8 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 50% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts ammonium nitrate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 1% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 70° C., drying at 74° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 50% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 9 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 5% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts ammonium sulfate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 7% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 60° C., drying, at 65° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 5% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 10 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 75% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts ammonium sulfate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 1% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 55° C., drying at 82° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 75% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 11 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 55% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts ammonium sulfate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 1% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 70° C., drying at 74° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 55% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     Example 12 
     The content (by weight) of each component was: 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid), and water-soluble inorganic salts ammonium sulfate which were used to make up to 100%. The components were sufficiently and homogeneously mixed in a kneader. Then 4% water was added to perform kneading followed by granulating at 75° C., drying at 90° C. Thus a water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) was obtained. 
     The water-soluble granule formulations prepared in above examples are free of organic solvents and dusts, and are friendly to the environment. The water-soluble granule formulations are convenient and have remarkable effects when used to control the broadleaf weeds like lamb&#39;s-quarters and amaranth in the field, of wheat, soybean, rice, corn, and cane. Also it can be used for soil treatment after sowing before emergence in the field of corn to control some monocotyledon an dicotyledon weeds. 
     I. The measured properties of the water-soluber granule formulation obtained in above the examples were showed in Table 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Foam- 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 abil- 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ity/mL 
                   
                   
                 Heat 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Moisture 
                 (after 
                 Free 
                   
                 storage 
               
               
                 Exp. 
                 pH 
                 content % 
                 1 min) 
                 phenol % 
                 Water insoluable 
                 stability 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 4.8 
                 0.12 
                 6 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 4.6 
                 0.19 
                 13 
                 0.02 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 3 
                 4.6 
                 0.20 
                 10 
                 0.02 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 4 
                 5.0 
                 0.25 
                 11 
                 0.02 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 5 
                 4.9 
                 0.22 
                 13 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 6 
                 5.1 
                 0.17 
                 15 
                 0.02 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 7 
                 5.0 
                 0.10 
                 4 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 8 
                 4.8 
                 0.15 
                 5 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 9 
                 5.0 
                 0.10 
                 7 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 4.8 
                 0.15 
                 5 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 11 
                 5.0 
                 0.10 
                 6 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
                   
               
               
                 12 
                 4.8 
                 0.15 
                 5 
                 0.01 
                 Totally dissolved, 
                 Eligible 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 No crystallization 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     II. Weed control effects of the water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) in Example 12 were studied as example. 
     1. Agents been Used 
     Test agent: the water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (calculated as 2,4-D acid) obtained in Example 12 of this invention. 
     Comparative agent: the aqueous formulation of 860 g/L 2,4-D dimethylamine salt, registered as PD20097137, produced by Shandong Weifang Rainbow Chemical Co., Ltd. 
     2. Field Used for Study 
     The study was carried out on a field of Taian Academy of Agricultural Science. No herbicide was applied on the field one year before the study. Populations of weeds in the field were stable and well-distributed. Major weeds in the field are  Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Sonchus brachyotus , and  Cirsium segetum , and some appeared sporadically are  Amaranthaceae ascendens, Portulaca oleracea , and  Commelina communis  etc. 
     3. Study Methods 
     3.1 Dosage of the Agents. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Dosage of  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Effective 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dosage 
                 components 
               
               
                 Group 
                 Agent 
                 (g/mu) 
                 (g/ha) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 Water-soluble granule formulation of 
                 50 
                  720 
               
               
                   
                 2,4-D dimethylamine salt 
                   
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 Water-soluble granule formulation of 
                 70 
                 1008 
               
               
                   
                 2,4-D dimethylamine salt 
                   
                   
               
               
                 3 
                 Water-soluble granule formulation of 
                 90 
                 1296 
               
               
                   
                 2,4-D dimethylamine salt 
                   
                   
               
               
                 4 
                 Aqueous formulation of 860 g/L  
                 78.14 
                 1008 
               
               
                   
                 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (CK1) 
                 (ml) 
                   
               
               
                 5 
                 Black control (CK) 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     3.2 Division of the Field Used for Study. 
     The field used for study was divided into 20 small test regions as shown in Table 3. Each region has an area of 40 m 2 . The agents described above in section 3.1 were applied to the respective field according to remarks. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
               
               
                 4 
                 5 
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
               
               
                 5 
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
               
               
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 1 
                 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     3.3 Weather Conditions on the Day when the Agents were Applied 
     When the agents were applied, the weather conditions were: sunny to cloudy, south wind class 1-2, mean temperature of 22.5° C. (maximum temperature of 28° C., minimum temperature of 18° C.), relative humidity 58%, and no rain. In the period of study, no atrocious climate occurred, which was advantageous for the agents to effect. 
     3.4 Application Method 
     Stem spraying method was applied, and only sprayed once. Water, in a volume be ⅓ to a volume (3 L) of a solution of the agent required for each region, i.e. about 1 L, was added into a sprayer. The agent required for each region was measured accurately and added into the sprayer. Then more water was added into to obtain a mixture with the volume required. The mixture obtained was shook to homogenous, and then was pressured and sprayed. When spraying, the solution of the agent was applied from low concentration to high concentration in sequence, so as to allow the whole weed to be applied adequately without repetition or leaking. 
     When the competitive agent was applied, the sprayer should be cleaned up before preparing the solution and spraying. 
     4. Efficacies Calculated Method 
     Efficacies were calculated using equation E1 or E2, 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     CE 
                     ⁡ 
                     
                       ( 
                       % 
                       ) 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                           A 
                           ⁢ 
                           
                               
                           
                           ⁢ 
                           1 
                         
                         - 
                         
                           B 
                           ⁢ 
                           
                               
                           
                           ⁢ 
                           1 
                         
                       
                       
                         A 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         1 
                       
                     
                     × 
                     100 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     E 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     1 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     CE 
                     ⁡ 
                     
                       ( 
                       % 
                       ) 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                           A 
                           ⁢ 
                           
                               
                           
                           ⁢ 
                           2 
                         
                         - 
                         
                           B 
                           ⁢ 
                           
                               
                           
                           ⁢ 
                           2 
                         
                       
                       
                         A 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         2 
                       
                     
                     × 
                     100 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     E 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     2 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In the equations E1 and E2, and in the hereinafter: 
     CE means “control effect”; 
     SD means “significance of difference”; 
     A1 means “Number of weeds plants in competitive field”; 
     B1 means “Number of weeds plants in treated field”; 
     A2 means “fresh weight of weeds plants in competitive field”; and 
     B2 means “fresh weight of weeds plants in treated field”. 
     Significance of difference was analyzed by Duncan&#39;s Multiple-range Test (DMRT). 
     5. Results 
     The weeds in the field were observed everyday at a fixed position. After application, the central leaf of some weeds got chlorosis after 4˜5 days, which stopped growing after 6 to 7 days, then became wilting, turned, yellow, and finally died. The weeds control status on the 15 th  day and the 35 th  day after application were showed in the Tables 4-6, in which, Agent 1 represented water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt with a dosage of 720 g/ha, Agent 2 represented water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt with a dosage of 1008 g/ha, Agent 3 represented water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt with a dosage of 1296 g/ha, and Agent 4 represented of aqueous formulation 860 g/L 2,4-D dimethylamine salt with a dosage of 1008 g/ha. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Control effect (%) calculated with the number of 
               
               
                 weeds plants on the 15 th  days after application 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 
                   Amaranthus 
                 
                 
                   Chenopodium 
                 
                 
                   Sonchus 
                 
                 
                   Cirsium 
                 
                 Other 
                 All the 
               
               
                   
                 
                   retroflexus 
                 
                 
                   album 
                 
                 
                   brachyotus 
                 
                 
                   segetum 
                 
                 weeds 
                 weeds 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Agent 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 81.42 
                 cC 
                 79.37 
                 cB 
                 76.89 
                 cC 
                 83.10 
                 cB 
                 76.90 
                 cC 
                 79.78 
                 cC 
               
               
                 2 
                 84.50 
                 bB 
                 83.79 
                 bAB 
                 83.55 
                 bB 
                 87.32 
                 bAB 
                 81.40 
                 bB 
                 84.23 
                 bB 
               
               
                 3 
                 87.57 
                 aA 
                 87.53 
                 aA 
                 89.27 
                 aA 
                 91.10 
                 aA 
                 86.32 
                 aA 
                 88.18 
                 aA 
               
               
                 4 
                 83.66 
                 bB 
                 82.74 
                 bcAB 
                 81.98 
                 bB 
                 87.46 
                 bAB 
                 79.73 
                 bB 
                 93.25 
                 bB 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Control effect (%) calculated with the number of weeds plants on the 35 th  days after application 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 
                   Amaranthus 
                 
                 
                   Chenopodium 
                 
                 
                   Sonchus 
                 
                 
                   Cirsium 
                 
                 Other 
                 All the 
               
               
                   
                 
                   retroflexus 
                 
                 
                   album 
                 
                 
                   brachyotus 
                 
                 
                   segetum 
                 
                 weeds 
                 weeds 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Agent 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 81.33 
                 cC 
                 81.77 
                 cC 
                 80.39 
                 bB 
                 82.59 
                 cC 
                 80.48 
                 cC 
                 81.53 
                 cC 
               
               
                 2 
                 88.43 
                 bAB 
                 87.91 
                 bB 
                 85.20 
                 bB 
                 87.02 
                 bB 
                 88.58 
                 bB 
                 87.57 
                 bB 
               
               
                 3 
                 92.34 
                 aA 
                 94.94 
                 aA 
                 92.96 
                 aA 
                 94.09 
                 aA 
                 94.11 
                 aA 
                 93.74 
                 aA 
               
               
                 4 
                 86.71 
                 bB 
                 87.91 
                 bB 
                 85.10 
                 bB 
                 87.00 
                 bB 
                 88.34 
                 bcBC 
                 87.12 
                 bB 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Control effect (%) calculated with weeds fresh weight on the 35 th  days after application 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 
                   Amaranthus 
                 
                 
                   Chenopodium 
                 
                 
                   Sonchus 
                 
                 
                   Cirsium 
                 
                 Other 
                 Total 
               
               
                   
                 
                   retroflexus 
                 
                 
                   album 
                 
                 
                   brachyotus 
                 
                 
                   segetum 
                 
                 weeds 
                 weeds 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Agent 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
                 CE (%) 
                 SD 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 82.65 
                 cC 
                 82.53 
                 cC 
                 84.66 
                 cC 
                 84.29 
                 cC 
                 83.56 
                 cB 
                 83.62 
                 cC 
               
               
                 2 
                 86.19 
                 bB 
                 88.59 
                 bB 
                 90.46 
                 bB 
                 90.19 
                 bB 
                 90.49 
                 bB 
                 89.25 
                 bB 
               
               
                 3 
                 92.46 
                 aA 
                 93.90 
                 aA 
                 95.44 
                 aA 
                 95.89 
                 aA 
                 95.46 
                 aA 
                 94.70 
                 aA 
               
               
                 4 
                 86.30 
                 bB 
                 88.60 
                 bB 
                 90.75 
                 bB 
                 89.45 
                 bB 
                 89.99 
                 bB 
                 89.09 
                 bB 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Significance of difference was analyzed by Duncan&#39;s Multiple-range Test (DMRT). The results showed that the water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt is sensitive to some weeds:  Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Sonchus brachyotus, Cirsium segetum, Amaranthaceae ascendens, Portulaca oleracea , and  Commelina communis , and the control effect increased as the increased dosage. 
     From the analysis of the total control effect calculated with the number of weeds plants on the 35 th  days after application, it can be found that the comparison differences between any two of low dosage, middle dosage, and high dosage were greatly significant. From the analysis of the total control effect calculated with weeds fresh weight on the 35 th  days after application, it could be found that the comparison differences between any two of low dosage, middle dosage, and high dosage were greatly significant. 
     From the results of the study, it could be found that the control effect of the water-soluble granule formulation of 80% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt was equivalent to that of the competitive agent with the same dosage of effective components, with no significant difference.