Patent Publication Number: US-2013252816-A1

Title: Herbicidal composition and use thereof

Description:
The present invention relates to the use of a branched-chain alcohol ethoxylate adjuvant as a rapid visual indicator of a locus of herbicidal treatment. In particular the invention includes novel herbicidal compositions comprising glyphosate and such an adjuvant, as well as the use of such compositions in combating unwanted plant growth. 
     Glyphosate is a well-known established broad-spectrum non-specific herbicide. Routinely formulations comprising glyphosate are applied by spray to the foliar tissue of unwanted plants and although glyphosate provides highly effective control of such unwanted plants, its uptake into the plants is relatively slow. Consequentially, visual symptoms of phytotoxicity or burndown are also delayed and typically do not appear until 7 to 10 days after treatment. In several sectors of the herbicide market, in particular in lawn and garden, this delay in the appearance of phytotoxic symptoms may have several disadvantages in that it may give rise to a misconception that the product is not working, and furthermore it is difficult for the user to assess rapidly whether he has treated all of the area where his unwanted plants are growing. 
     These disadvantages have been addressed by providing herbicidal compositions of glyphosate and a further herbicide, wherein the further herbicide provides for early visible burndown symptoms yet still allows for sufficient uptake of glyphosate to maintain long term glyphosate-mediated weed control: U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,205 describes a herbicidal composition comprising (i) N-phosphonomethylglycine or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof in combination with (ii) paraquat or diquat or a mixture thereof and (iii) a herbicide which functions as a photosystem II inhibitor. U.S. Pat. No. 7,008,904 describes herbicidal compositions of glyphosate, a bipyridilium (such as diquat or paraquat) and a surfactant that is of a type and present in a concentration sufficient to allow the plant to uptake a herbicidally effective amount of glyphosate prior to the substantial onset of bipyridilim induced leaf damage that would prevent or severely reduce further uptake of glyphosate by the plant. US2006/0063678 describes aqueous herbicidal glyphosate compositions comprising glyphosate, pelargonic acid and a nonionic surfactant component comprising certain water-soluble alkoxylated alcohols. 
     The present invention is based on the unexpected finding that certain branched chain alcohol ethoxylate adjuvants, when applied in combination with glyphosate are capable of acting as rapid visual indicators of glyphosate treatment. The compositions of the present invention not only provide rapid symptoms of phytoxicity whilst preserving prolonged control in plants treated with said compositions, but also have an enhanced safety and toxicity profile in comparison to compositions of the prior art comprising bipyridilium herbicides. Furthermore, since the rapid symptomology is not effected by a second herbicide, formulations of the present invention are simplified. 
     Thus according to a first aspect the invention provides the invention provides a composition comprising glyphosate and a branched chain alcohol ethoxylate molecule of general formula (I), R 1 —O(CH 2 CH 2 O) y —H (I), 
     wherein y is an integer between 2 and 15 inclusive, and R 1  is a branched C 8 -C 18  alkyl chain, and wherein said composition comprises the branched chain alcohol ethoxylate at a concentration greater than 1% w/v, provided said branched chain alcohol ethoxylate is not 2,4,6,8,-tetramethylnonyl alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of ethoxylation. 
     Further aspects of the invention include compositions of the invention in ready-to-use form, as well as in concentrate form. 
     A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a branched chain alcohol ethoxylate, in admixture with glyphosate, as a visual indicator of the locus of glyphosate treatment. 
     A still further aspect relates to the use of compositions of the invention to control unwanted plant growth. 
     Branched chain alcohol ethoxylate molecules for use in the invention will be of general formula R 1 —O(CH 2 CH 2 O) y —H, wherein y is an integer between 2 and 15 inclusive, and R 1  is a branched C 8 -C 18  alkyl chain, with the exclusion of 2,4,6,8,-tetramethylnonyl alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of ethoxylation. 
     In preferred embodiments R 1  is a C 10 -C 16  alkyl chain, preferably a C 12 -C 16  alkyl chain, more preferably a C 12 -C 14  alkyl chain, and most preferably a C 13  alkyl chain. 
     As stated above, branched chain alcohol ethoxylates for use in the invention may be ethoxylated to different extents: they will contain between 2 and 15 moles of ethoxylation (i.e. y in formula (I) denotes the number of moles of ethoxylation, and is between 2 and 15 inclusive). In preferred embodiments y is an integer between 5 and 15 inclusive, more preferably between 5 and 8 inclusive, and most preferably 6 or 8. 
     Examples of particularly useful branched chain alcohol ethoxylates for use in the invention include iso-tridecyl alcohol polyglycol ethoxylates with 2, 5, 6, 8, or 15 moles of ethoxylation. These are commercially available from Clariant under the trade names of Genapol™ X 020, Genapol™ X 050, Genapol™ X 060, Genapol™ X 080 and Genapol™ X 150 respectively. 
     Branched chain alcohol ethoxylates as described above, may be employed in any aspect of the invention as appropriate at any suitable concentration above 1% w/v, up to about 40% w/v. Preferred concentrations are 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 2.75%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% or 40% w/v. 
     Compositions of the invention may be in the form of a ready-to-use (RTU) composition, which is suitable for direct application without requiring further dilution. Typically such compositions will comprise more than 1% and less than or equal to 5% w/v, preferably more than 1% but less than or equal to 3% w/v, more preferably between approximately 1.75% and 2.5% w/v inclusive. In particular embodiments such ready-to-use compositions comprise approximately 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 2.75%, 3%, or 5% w/v branched chain alcohol ethoxylate. 
     Compositions of the invention may also be in the form of a concentrate, which when diluted for use comprises more than 1% but less than or equal to 5% w/v branched chain alcohol ethoxylate. Concentrate compositions of the invention will preferably comprise at least 5%, and may contain 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% or 40% w/v. Preferably diluted concentrate compositions (i.e. compositions in use) will comprise more than 1% but less than equal to 3% w/v branched chain alcohol ethoxylate. 
     Compositions of the invention not only comprise a branched chain alcohol ethoxylate as described hereinbefore, but also glyphosate. The term glyphosate as used herein includes N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, as well agronomically acceptable salts, adducts, or esters thereof. In particular the term glyphosate encompasses the potassium, monoammonium, diammonium, sodium, monoethanolammonium, n-propylammonium, iso-propylammonium, ethylammonium, dimethylammonium, ethylenediamine, butylamine, monoisopropylamine, hexamethylenediamine and trimethylsulfonium salts of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. 
     Compositions of the invention, in particular ready-to-use compositions, are of particular use in the lawn &amp; garden market. Typically ready-to-use compositions will comprise between about 0.7% and 1.0% w/v glyphosate, depending upon the salt of glyphosate employed, and in particular may comprise 0.72% w/v acid equivalent (a.e.), 0.83% w/v (a.e), or 0.97% w/v isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. With respect to concentrates, these typically contain between about 15% to 50% w/v glyphosate, and in particular may contain 15.3% w/v a.e. 36% w/v a.e. or 50% w/v a.e. glyphosate. 
     Although of particular use in the lawn &amp; garden arena, compositions of the invention may be used as non-selective herbicides for the control of unwanted plants in the crop production arena. Where compositions of the invention are employed on such a large scale the glyphosate application rate, in terms of glyphosate acid equivalent (a.e.) may vary depending on, for example species, age, stress, time of year, crop rotation, biotype etc., but common rates include 560 g. a.e./ha, 1120 g a.e./ha, and 1680 g a.e./ha. 
     Branched chain alcohol ethoxylates as described herein are capable of conferring rapid symptomology to herbicidal compositions comprising glyphosate. The phrase “rapid symptomology” as used herein means the ability to produce visual symptoms of phytotoxicity (for example wilting, browning, desiccation, bleaching, necrosis, or any other visual symptom of injury) on treated plants, in a time period after treatment within which glyphosate per se is typically incapable of producing such symptoms. As stated supra glyphosate does not typically produce any visual symptoms of phytotoxicity until 7-10 days after treatment. Accordingly, symptoms appearing within 5 days of treatment, preferably within 48 hours of treatment, more preferably within 24 hours of treatment and most preferably within 12 hours of treatment, are considered as appearing “rapidly”. 
     Thus in a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of indicating the locus of glyphosate treatment, said method comprising applying a branched chain alcohol ethoxylate in admixture with glyphosate to unwanted plants at a locus at which the unwanted plants are growing, and visually assessing said locus within a time period of less than 5 days after treatment, wherein the presence of plants exhibiting visual symptoms of phytotoxicity is indicative that said locus has been treated with a composition comprising glyphosate. 
     Branched chain alcohol ethoxylates, and the concentration thereof and of glyphosate that is admixed in the above method are preferably as described supra in respect of compositions of the invention. In preferred embodiments visual assessment of the locus at which unwanted plants are growing will be carried out within a time period of 48 hours or less from treatment, preferably 24 hours or less from treatment, and most preferably 12 hours of less from treatment. 
     As mentioned hereinbefore, compositions of the invention are of use in controlling unwanted plant growth. Thus in a further aspect there is provided a method of controlling unwanted plant growth, which comprises applying to said unwanted plants a composition as described hereinbefore. An unwanted plant is any plant growing at a locus where the user of the composition does not wish it to grow. Thus unwanted plants include monocot and dicot weeds (i.e. grasses, sedges, and broadleaf weeds), as well as crop plants growing as volunteers or escapes. Compositions of the invention are particularly useful in controlling (and exhibiting rapid symptomology in) a broad spectrum of unwanted plants, including for example,  Abutilon threophrasti, Amaranthus  spp.,  Artemisia  spp.,  Asclepias  spp.,  Borreria  spp.,  Brassica  spp.,  Cirsium arvense, Commelina  spp.,  Convolvuslus arvensis, Erodium  spp.,  Helianthus  spp.,  Ipomea  spp.,  Kochia scoparia, Malva  spp.,  Polygonum  spp.,  Pteridium aquilinum, Pueraria  spp.,  Rubus  spp.,  Salsola  spp.,  Sida  spp.,  Sinapis arvensis, Stellaria  spp. (in particular  Stellaria media ),  Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium repens, Ulex europaeus, Urtica dioica, Veronica persica, Xanthium  spp.,  Agropyron repens, Avena fatua, Axonopus  spp.,  Brachiara  spp.,  Bromus tectorum, Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria  spp.,  Echinochloa  spp.,  Eleusine indica, Elymus repens, Equisetum  spp.,  Imperata cylindrica, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Oryza sativa, Ottochloa nodosa, Panicum maximum, Paspalum dilatatum, Paspalum notatum, Phalaris  spp.,  Phragamites  spp.,  Poa annua, Setaria  spp.,  Sorghum halepense, Triticum aestivum, Typha  spp., and  Zea mays.    
     The term “plant” refers to all physical parts of a plant, including seeds, seedlings, saplings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, foliage and fruits. 
     In order to act as an indicator of the locus of glyphosate treatment, a branched chain alcohol ethoxylate, preferably as described hereinbefore, will be applied in admixture with glyphosate to said unwanted plants through any appropriate method known to the skilled man. Similarly, in order to control unwanted plant growth, compositions of the invention will be applied to said unwanted plants through any appropriate method known to the skilled man. Typically application to unwanted plants will be by spray to foliar tissue. 
     In one particular embodiment a ready-to-use composition of the invention is packaged in a portable container suitable for hand carry (or suitable for carrying on the back), said container being fitted with apparatus for releasing said composition from the container onto the foliage of the unwanted plants in the form of a spray. 
     In a further embodiment glyphosate and the branched chain alcohol ethoxylate will be packaged separately (for example as a combi-pack), and the packages may be arranged such that the branched chain alcohol ethoxylate and glyphosate can be admixed immediately prior to application. 
     Compositions of the invention may be formulated in any suitable manner known to the man skilled in the art. For example, branched chain alcohol ethoxylates may readily be combined with or included within known glyphosate formulations. Typically such formulations will also comprise ammonium sulphate. 
     Compositions and/or formulations of the invention may comprise an additional herbicidal agent and/or an additional rapid symptomology component. However, it is preferred that the branched chain alcohol ethoxylate will be the main (particularly preferably, the sole) component conferring rapid symptomology upon compositions of the invention, and it is further preferred that glyphosate will be the major herbicidal component to confer prolonged weed control effects on compositions of the invention. In the most preferred embodiments rapid symptomology will be conferred solely by the branched chain alcohol ethoxylate and prolonged weed control will be conferred solely by glyphosate. 
     It should also be appreciated that the invention extends to compositions of the invention comprising more than one branched chain alcohol ethoxylate. In such compositions the combined concentration of branched chain alcohol ethoxylate will be greater than 1% w/v, and preferably the combined concentration will be as stated supra in respect of an individual branched chain alcohol ethoxylate. More preferably each branched chain alcohol ethoxylate will be at a concentration greater than 1% w/v, or as stated above. 
     The skilled man will appreciate that the preferences described above with respect to various aspects and embodiments of the invention may be combined in whatever way is deemed appropriate. 
     Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by way of example. It will be appreciated that modification of detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     Effect of Different Adjuvants on Weed Species: Comparison of Different Types of Adjuvant 
     The effect of different adjuvants (see Table 1 below) on the growth of broadleaf weed and grass species was investigated and compared to untreated (water only) control weeds. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Adjuvants tested 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Trade name 
                 Source 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Genapol ™ O050 
                 Clariant 
                 Oleyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ O100 
                 Clariant 
                 Oleyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 10 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ O150 
                 Clariant 
                 Oleyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 15 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ O200 
                 Clariant 
                 Oleyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 20 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ X060 
                 Clariant 
                 Iso-tridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with 6 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ X150 
                 Clariant 
                 Iso-tridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with 15 Moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 AGNIQUE 
                 Cognis 
                 C 8 -C 10  alkyl polyglucoside 
               
               
                 PG8107-G/-U 
               
               
                 EMULSOGEN ™ 
                 Clariant 
                 Castor oil ethoxylate with 36 Moles 
               
               
                 EL 360 
                   
                 of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 SAPOGENAT ™ 
                 Clariant 
                 Tri-sec-butylphenol polyglycol ether 
               
               
                 T 060 
                   
                 with 6 Moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Merge ™ 
                 BASF 
                 Surfactant blend with petroleum 
               
               
                   
                   
                 hydrocarbons 
               
               
                 GENOL PLANT/ 
                 Maag 
                 Rapeseed oil based additive 
               
               
                 Sanoplant 
               
               
                 (Sanoplant 
               
               
                 winteröl) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Plates, each with 48 pots measuring 2.7 cm diameter and 5 cm deep, were filled with TKS1 growing media (Floragard, Germany). Seeds of  Taraxacum officinale, Stellaria media  or  Poa annua  were sown on the surface (10 to 20 per pot). Plants were grown in glasshouse at a temperature of 18 to 20° C. and at 60% relative humidity. 
     Plants were treated 15 ( Stellaria, Poa ) and 34 ( Taraxacum ) days after sowing with 60 μl of a 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10% (w/v) solution of adjuvant using a hand airbrush. 
     Visual assessment of the percentage damage to the plant was carried out 1 day and 6 days from application. 
     Damage was assessed as wilting, desiccation or any other kind of visual injury in comparison to the untreated control (water only). The results are shown in Table 2 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Average % damage caused to broadleaf weed and grass species at 1 and 6 days 
               
               
                 after treatment with various adjuvants in comparison to untreated (water only) control 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 avg % damage 1 DAA 
                 avg % damage 6 DAA 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Concentration 
                 
                   Taraxacum 
                 
                   
                   
                 
                   Taraxacum 
                 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Adjuvant 
                 % w/v 
                 
                   officinale 
                 
                 
                   Stellaria media 
                 
                 
                   Poa annua 
                 
                 
                   officinale 
                 
                 
                   Stellaria media 
                 
                 
                   Poa annua 
                 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 GenapolO050 
                 10 
                 10 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 25 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolO050 
                 5 
                 10 
                 15 
                 0 
                 20 
                 25 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolO050 
                 2.5 
                 10 
                 10 
                 0 
                 3 
                 15 
                 5 
               
               
                 GenapolO050 
                 1.25 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 GenapolO100 
                 10 
                 5 
                 50 
                 0 
                 0 
                 55 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolO100 
                 5 
                 5 
                 15 
                 0 
                 0 
                 30 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolO100 
                 2.5 
                 5 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolO100 
                 1.25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                 GenapolO150 
                 10 
                 5 
                 43 
                 0 
                 3 
                 60 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO150 
                 5 
                 5 
                 13 
                 0 
                 3 
                 30 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO150 
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 20 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO150 
                 1.25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 3 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO200 
                 10 
                 10 
                 15 
                 0 
                 0 
                 30 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO200 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO200 
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO200 
                 1.25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 3 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                 10 
                 45 
                 60 
                 70 
                 35 
                 85 
                 80 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                 5 
                 30 
                 35 
                 75 
                 40 
                 65 
                 80 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                 2.5 
                 10 
                 30 
                 55 
                 20 
                 40 
                 70 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                 1.25 
                 5 
                 25 
                 45 
                 20 
                 35 
                 50 
               
               
                 GenapolX-150 
                 10 
                 10 
                 25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 25 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolX-150 
                 5 
                 20 
                 15 
                 0 
                 10 
                 15 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolX-150 
                 2.5 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 5 
               
               
                 GenapolX-150 
                 1.25 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 10 
                 10 
               
               
                 AGNIQUE PG 8107-G/-U 
                 10 
                 3 
                 5 
                 0 
                 13 
                 10 
                 15 
               
               
                 AGNIQUE PG 8107-G/-U 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 10 
                 10 
                 5 
               
               
                 AGNIQUE PG 8107-G/-U 
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
               
               
                 AGNIQUE PG 8107-G/-U 
                 1.25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 EMULSOGEN EL 360 
                 10 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 15 
                 0 
               
               
                 EMULSOGEN EL 360 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 EMULSOGEN EL 360 
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 EMULSOGEN EL 360 
                 1.25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 SAPOGENAT T 060 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 20 
                 35 
               
               
                 SAPOGENAT T 060 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 20 
                 25 
               
               
                 SAPOGENAT T 060 
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 SAPOGENAT T 060 
                 1.25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 Merge 
                 10 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 13 
                 15 
                 10 
               
               
                 Merge 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                 Merge 
                 2.5 
                 3 
                 0 
                 0 
                 3 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 Merge 
                 1.25 
                 3 
                 0 
                 0 
                 3 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                 GENOL PLANT/Sanoplant 
                 10 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                 GENOL PLANT/Sanoplant 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                 GENOL PLANT/Sanoplant 
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                 GENOL PLANT/Sanoplant 
                 1.25 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Control 
                   
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Surprisingly branched chain alcohol ethoxylate adjuvants (Genapol™ X060 and Genapol™ X150) gave a comparatively high level of visual symptoms of phytoxicity in both broadleaf weeds and grasses at 1 and 6 days after treatment, in comparison to linear alcohol ethoxylate and other classes of adjuvant, which gave little or no visual symptoms of phytotoxicity. 
     Example 2 
     Effect of Different Alcohol Ethoxylate Adjuvants on Weed Species 
     The effect of different types of alcohol ethoxylate (branched—Genapol X-series, and unbranched—Genapol O-series, differing degrees of ethoxylation, see Table 3 below for more details), on unwanted vegetation (broadleaf weed and grass species), in the absence of glyphosate, was investigated and compared to untreated (water only) control weeds. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Alcohol ethoxylate adjuvants tested 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Trade name 
                 Source 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Genapol ™ O020 
                 Clariant 
                 Oleyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ O050 
                 Clariant 
                 Oleyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ O080 
                 Clariant 
                 Oleyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 8 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ X020 
                 Clariant 
                 Iso-tridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with 2 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ X060 
                 Clariant 
                 Iso-tridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with 6 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ X080 
                 Clariant 
                 Iso-tridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with 8 moles of ethoxylation 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Troughs (measuring 16 cm by 13 cm by 5 cm) were filled with local field soil. Seeds of  Veronica persica, Stellaria media, Trifolium repens  and  Poa annua  were sown 24 days before application of test samples. Plants were grown in the glasshouse at 18 to 20° C. and 60% relative humidity. Application of alcohol ethoxylate test samples was carried out using a tracksprayer, spraying at a rate of 300 l/ha. Plants were kept in glasshouse and visual assessment of the estimated percentage damage to the plant was carried out 1, 7, and 14 days from application. 
     Damage was assessed as wilting, desiccation or any other kind of visual injury in comparison to the untreated control (water only). The results are summarized in Table 4 below. 
     The data shows that in the linear (unbranched) alcohol ethoxylate adjuvants (Genapol™ O series) had little or no effect on the weed species tested at any of the time points analysed. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Average % damage caused to broadleaf weed and grass species at 1, 7 and 14 days 
               
               
                 after treatment with various adjuvants in comparison to untreated (water only) control 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 mean % 
               
               
                   
                 mean % damage 1 daa 
                 damage 7 daa 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Adjuvant/ 
                 Concentration 
                 
                   Trifolium 
                 
                 
                   Stellaria 
                 
                 
                   Veronica 
                 
                 
                   Poa 
                 
                 
                   Trifolium 
                 
                 
                   Stellaria 
                 
               
               
                 Treatment 
                 (% w/v) % 
                 
                   repens 
                 
                 
                   media 
                 
                 
                   persica 
                 
                 
                   annua 
                 
                 
                   repens 
                 
                 
                   media 
                 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GenapolO020 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 5 
               
               
                 GenapolO050 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 10 
               
               
                 GenapolO080 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolX020 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 10 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 10 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                 1 
                 40 
                 5 
                 10 
                 20 
                 40 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 60 
                 10 
                 20 
                 20 
                 50 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 70 
                 10 
                 70 
                 40 
                 60 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 70 
                 20 
                 60 
                 40 
                 60 
                 40 
               
               
                 GenapolX080 
                 1 
                 20 
                 10 
                 5 
                 0 
                 20 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 50 
                 10 
                 10 
                 10 
                 60 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 50 
                 20 
                 20 
                 40 
                 60 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 50 
                 30 
                 30 
                 40 
                 60 
                 30 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 mean % 
                   
               
               
                   
                 damage 7 daa 
                 mean % damage 14 daa 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Adjuvant/ 
                 Concentration 
                 
                   Veronica 
                 
                 
                   Poa 
                 
                 
                   Trifolium 
                 
                 
                   Stellaria 
                 
                 
                   Veronica 
                 
                 
                   Poa 
                 
               
               
                 Treatment 
                 (% w/v) % 
                 
                   persica 
                 
                 
                   annua 
                 
                 
                   repens 
                 
                 
                   media 
                 
                 
                   persica 
                 
                 
                   annua 
                 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 GenapolO020 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolO050 
                 1 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 10 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 20 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 10 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 20 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 20 
                 5 
                 0 
                 10 
                 20 
                 5 
               
               
                 GenapolO080 
                 1 
                 5 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 5 
                 5 
                 10 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolX020 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 5 
                 5 
                 0 
                 5 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 5 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                 1 
                 10 
                 30 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 20 
                 40 
                 0 
                 0 
                 10 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 70 
                 50 
                 0 
                 10 
                 50 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 40 
                 50 
                 5 
                 20 
                 40 
                 0 
               
               
                 GenapolX080 
                 1 
                 5 
                 10 
                 15 
                 5 
                 5 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 1.5 
                 20 
                 30 
                 10 
                 0 
                 20 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 10 
                 50 
                 15 
                 10 
                 20 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 2.5 
                 40 
                 50 
                 10 
                 10 
                 40 
                 20 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In comparison, (in particular for a given degree of ethoxylation) the branched chain alcohol ethoxylate adjuvants in general demonstrated a greater degree of phytoxicity at each time point. 
     The data also shows that whilst plants treated with Genapol™ X060 and Genapol™ X080 (in the absence of glyphosate) exhibit symptoms of a phytotoxicity at all time points, the level of damage decreases from day 14 onwards, as the plants begin to recover. 
     Example 3 
     Effect on Weeds of Branched Chain Alcohol Ethoxylate Adjuvants in Admixture with Glyphosate 
     The effects of different branched chain alcohol ethoxylates in admixture with glyphosate on both Dandelions and a mixture of grasses were investigated. 
     Dandelion samples and a mixture of grasses obtained from a meadow environment were planted into square 20 cm pots and kept and grown on in glasshouse for at least 2 weeks (18 to 20° C., 60% relative humidity). 
     Application of branched chain alcohol ethoxylate was carried out using a tracksprayer, spraying at a rate of 600 l/ha. 
     Visual assessment of the estimated percentage damage to the plant was carried out 1, 6, 13, and 20 days from application. 
     Damage was assessed as wilting, desiccation or any other kind of visual injury in comparison to the untreated control (water only). The results are summarised in Table 5 below. 
     The data shows that the branched chain alcohol ethoxylate adjuvants tested are as effective at providing rapid symptomology as the commercially available “fast-acting” glyphosate compositions wherein rapid symptomology is brought about via a second herbicide (i.e. diquat or pelargonic acid). 
     The data also shows that whilst plants treated with Genapol X060 in the absence of glyphosate exhibit symptoms of a phytotoxicity at all time points, the level of damage decreases from day 13 onwards, as the plants begin to recover. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of different branched chain alcohol ethoxylates in admixture with glyphosate on both Dandelions and a mixture of grasses 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 % Damage 
                 % Damage 
                 % Damage 
                 % Damage 
               
               
                   
                 Herbicidal active 
                 Adjuvant 
                 1 daa 
                 6 daa 
                 13 daa 
                 20 daa 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Treatment 
                 ingredient [w/v] 
                 [w/v] 
                 Dandelion 
                 Grass mix 
                 Dandelion 
                 Grass mix 
                 Dandelion 
                 Grass mix 
                 Dandelion 
                 Grass mix 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Resolva 
                 Glyphosate [0.83%] 
                 — 
                 40 
                 20 
                 70 
                 70 
                 90 
                 90 
                 90 
                 90 
               
               
                   
                 Diquat [0.03%] 
                 — 
               
               
                 RoundUp Fast 
                 Glyphosate [0.72%] 
                 — 
                 20 
                 0 
                 20 
                 30 
                 90 
                 50 
                 90 
                 70 
               
               
                 Action 
                 Pelargonic acid [2%] 
                 — 
               
               
                 Weedbuster + 
                 Glyphosate 
                 Genapol 
                 40 
                 10 
                 70 
                 30 
                 90 
                 70 
                 90 
                 70 
               
               
                 GenapolX020 
                   
                 X020 [5%] 
               
               
                 Weedbuster + 
                 Glyphosate 
                 Genapol 
                 40 
                 20 
                 70 
                 60 
                 98 
                 98 
                 98 
                 100 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                   
                 X060 [5%] 
               
               
                 Weedbuster + 
                 Glyphosate 
                 Genapol 
                 30 
                 10 
                 50 
                 30 
                 98 
                 80 
                 100 
                 80 
               
               
                 GenapolX150 
                   
                 X150 [5%] 
               
               
                 GenapolX060 
                 — 
                 Genapol 
                 40 
                 20 
                 50 
                 50 
                 30 
                 40 
                 20 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                   
                 X060 [5%] 
               
               
                 Control 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Example 4 
     Effect on Weeds of Different Concentrations of Branched Chain Alcohol Ethoxylate in Presence and Absence of Glyphosate 
     The effect on broadleaf weeds and grasses of different concentrations of Genapol™ X060 (iso-tridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 6 moles of ethoxylation) in admixture with glyphosate was investigated. 
     Troughs (measuring 55 cm by 9 cm by 8.5 cm) were filled with local field soil. Seeds of  Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, Trifolium repens  and  Poa annua  were sown 41 days before application of test samples, and seeds of  Stellaria media, Veronica persica, Agropyron repens  and  Lolium multiflorum  were sown 24 days before application of test samples. Plants were grown in the glasshouse at 18 to 20° C. and 60% relative humidity. One week before application of test samples, troughs were placed outside (but covered). 
     Application of test samples was carried out using a tracksprayer, spraying at a rate of 300 l/ha. Treated plants were kept outside and visual assessment of the percentage damage to the plants was carried out at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after application. 
     Damage was assessed as wilting, desiccation or any other kind of visual injury in comparison to the untreated control (water only). The results are summarised in Table 6 below. 
     The results show that admixture of Genapol™X060 at a concentration of 2.5% w/v with glyphosate (in the form of Weedbuster) provided for more rapid symptomology against all weeds in comparison to Roundup, and for more rapid symptomology against most weeds in comparison to Weedbuster. Even at its lowest concentration, Genapol™X060 conferred more rapid symptomology than either Roundup or Weedbuster against some weeds. Furthermore, particularly at higher concentrations, the effect of Genapol™X060 in combination with glyphosate is comparable to the effect of Roundup Fast Action and Resolva. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Herbicidal 
                   
                 Mean % damage 
               
               
                   
                 Active 
                 [Genapol ™ 
                 at 1, 7, 14, &amp; 21 days after treatment 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 X060] 
                 
                   Trifolium 
                 
                 
                   Taraxacum 
                 
                   
                 
                   Stellaria 
                 
               
               
                 Treatment 
                 [% w/v] 
                 (% w/v) 
                 
                   repens 
                 
                 
                   officianale 
                 
                 
                   Urtica dioica 
                 
                 
                   media 
                 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Resolva 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 60, 90, 98, 98 
                 60, 98, 100, 100 
                 60, 95, 98, 100 
                 20, 90, 98, 98 
               
               
                   
                 Diquat 
                 — 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Roundup 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 40, 50, 70, 98 
                 20, 30, 100, 100 
                 30, 40, 98, 100 
                 30, 60, 90, 98 
               
               
                 Fast Action 
                 Pelargonic acid 
                 — 
               
               
                 Weedbuster 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 30, 50, 90, 100 
                 10, 30, 100, 100 
                 20, 40, 90, 98 
                 20, 50, 95, 98 
               
               
                 Roundup 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 0, 30, 90, 100 
                 0, 10, 98, 100 
                 0, 30, 80, 98 
                 0, 50, 95, 100 
               
               
                 Weedbuster + 
                 Glyphosate 
                 1.5 
                 20, 40, 80, 98 
                 30, 70, 100, 100 
                 40, 60, 90, 98 
                 10, 30, 95, 100 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ 
                   
                 1.75 
                 20, 60, 90, 98 
                 30, 70, 100, 100 
                 40, 70, 90, 98 
                 10, 80, 98, 100 
               
               
                 X060 
                   
                 2 
                 20, 30, 70, 90 
                 20, 40, 80, 100 
                 40, 70, 90, 98 
                 10, 80, 98, 98 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2.5 
                 20, 30, 70, 80 
                 40, 40, 80, 100 
                 50, 70, 98, 90 
                 50, 90, 98, 98 
               
               
                 Control 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0, 0, 0, 0 
                 0, 0, 0, 0 
                 0, 0, 0, 0 
                 0, 0, 0, 0 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Herbicidal 
                   
                 Mean % damage 
               
               
                   
                 Active 
                 [Genapol ™ 
                 at 1, 7, 14, &amp; 21 days after treatment 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 X060] 
                 
                   Veronica 
                 
                 
                   Agropyron 
                 
                   
                 
                   Lolium 
                 
               
               
                 Treatment 
                 [% w/v] 
                 (% w/v) 
                 
                   persica 
                 
                 
                   repens 
                 
                 
                   Poa annua 
                 
                 
                   multiflorum 
                 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Resolva 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 70, 90, 100, 
                 30, 98, 100, 100 
                 30, 80, 98, 100 
                 50, 98, 98, 100 
               
               
                   
                 Diquat 
                 — 
                 100 
               
               
                 Roundup 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 30, 30, 98, 100 
                 20, 80, 100, 100 
                 30, 70, 95, 100 
                 30, 60, 98, 100 
               
               
                 Fast Action 
                 Pelargonic 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 acid 
               
               
                 Weedbuster 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 30, 50, 95, 100 
                 20, 70, 100, 100 
                 20, 60, 98, 100 
                 30, 80, 98, 100 
               
               
                 Roundup 
                 Glyphosate 
                 — 
                 20, 20, 90, 100 
                 10, 50, 100, 100 
                 0, 40, 95, 100 
                 20, 50, 98, 100 
               
               
                 Weedbuster + 
                 Glyphosate 
                 1.5 
                 30, 20, 95, 100 
                 30, 60, 100, 100 
                 30, 70, 98, 100 
                 20, 80, 100, 100 
               
               
                 Genapol ™ 
                   
                 1.75 
                 40, 30, 90, 100 
                 20, 70, 100, 100 
                 30, 60, 95, 100 
                 10, 60, 100, 100 
               
               
                 X060 
                   
                 2 
                 40, 40, 98, 100 
                 20, 80, 100, 100 
                 20, 48, 98, 100 
                 10, 80, 100, 100 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2.5 
                 30, 40, 90, 100 
                 50, 80, 100, 100 
                 40, 80, 98, 100 
                 30, 90, 100, 100 
               
               
                 Control 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0, 0, 0, 0 
                 0, 0, 0, 0 
                 0, 0, 0, 0 
                 0, 0, 0, 0