Abstract:
The invention provides, improved herbicide compositions, methods of making the compositions and methods of controlling plant growth. The subject invention relates to combining fatty acid based and other herbicides with succinic acid, succinic acid derivatives and other additives such as those having essentially no herbicidal activity to increase the activity of the herbicide and provide methods of controlling plant growth by applying a combination of a herbicidal fatty acid with succinic acid and/or succinic acid derivative chemicals and/or other additives. In addition to the use of succinic acid, combining other Krebs cycle acids with herbicides can also provide beneficial effects. Concentrations of herbicides and additives applied to plants in accordance with the invention can include compositions involving 0.1 to 30% herbicide, preferably 0.5 to 15% herbicide and additive and more preferably 1-8% herbicide. The ratio of herbicide, such as fatty acid herbicide to activity enhancing additives can be from 1:10 to 20:1, preferably 1:1 to 20:1, most preferably 1:1 to 5:1.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/692,763, filed on Oct. 19, 2000, which is a division of Ser. No. 09/427,476, filed Oct. 26, 1999, now U.S. Patent No. 6,218,336 dated Apr. 17, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to herbicides, methods of improving existing herbicides and controlling the growth of plant life and more particularly to methods and products involving succinate-based chemicals and other additives which can enhance the activity (effectiveness) of herbicidal compounds. As used herein, herbicidal refers to materials which destroy or inhibit plant growth, such as by desiccation or defoliation, for example, to act as a harvest aid or to control weed growth.  
           [0003]    Glyphosate and paraquat are the number 1 and 2 non-selective herbicides used worldwide. Paraquat is extremely toxic and therefore unacceptable for many applications. Glyphosate can be slow acting, commonly requiring 1 to 2 weeks to achieve plant death and is therefore also unsuitable for many herbicide applications.  
           [0004]    Other conventionally known herbicides include fatty acids, such as pelargonic acid, a nine carbon fatty acid, and caprylic acid, an eight carbon fatty acid. Scythe, sold by Mycogen/Dow and Liberty, made by AgrEvo are known commercially available herbicides. Pelargonic acid is the active ingredient in SCYTHE and glufosinate-ammonium is the active ingredient in LIBERTY. However, the activity of these products is such that the cost of products such as SCYTHE can be undesirably high and the amount of active ingredients needed in products such as paraquat could lead to undesirable effects.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved herbicides, methods for enhancing the activity of existing herbicides and methods of controlling plant growth in order to overcome inadequacies of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, improved herbicide compositions, methods of making the compositions and methods of controlling plant growth are provided. The subject invention relates to combining fatty acid based and other herbicides with succinic acid, succinic acid derivatives and other additives such as those having essentially no herbicidal activity to increase the activity of the herbicide and provide methods of controlling plant growth by applying a combination of a herbicidal fatty acid with succinic acid and/or succinic acid derivative chemicals and/or other additives. In addition to the use of succinic acid, combining other Krebs cycle acids with herbicides can also provide beneficial effects. Concentrations of herbicides and additives applied to plants in accordance with the invention can include compositions involving about 0.1 to 30% herbicide and additive, preferably 0.5 to 15% herbicide and additive and more preferably 1-8% herbicide and additive. The ratio of herbicide, such as fatty acid herbicide to activity enhancing additive can be from about 1:10 to 20:1, preferably 1:1 to 20:1, more preferably 1:1 to 5:1.  
           [0007]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide improved herbicidal compositions.  
           [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide additives which can enhance the activity of herbicidal compositions.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of the invention is to improve the safety of herbicides.  
           [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide improved methods of plant control.  
           [0011]    The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the compositions possessing the characteristics, properties and the relation of constituents useful to effect such steps, which will be exemplified in the compositions hereinafter described, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]    The invention is directed to improved herbicidal compositions. Herbicides, such as those including fatty acids as the active ingredient can be formulated at low fatty acid concentration and have relatively low herbicidal activity or at higher fatty acid concentration and have enhanced activity. However, it has been found that certain additives, such as organic acids and their derivatives, which may have substantially no herbicidal activity can enhance the herbicidal activity of herbicidal fatty acids and other herbicides and provide herbicides with either enhanced activity or reduced fatty acid concentrations. Preferred additives include those organic acids which are part of the Krebs cycle and in particular, succinic acid as well as succinic acid derivatives. Thus, substantially safe non-herbicidal additives are combined with G.R.A.S. (generally recognized as safe by the FDA) herbicidal compounds such as fatty acids, and the result is a generally safe herbicide with enhanced activity.  
         [0013]    The following examples demonstrate the synergistic relationship between additives (such as succinic acid) and fatty acid herbicides such as caprylic acid, pelargonic acid and others. Other synergistic relationships between organic acids (for example, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and lactic acid) with caprylic acid as the fatty acid were also exhibited. In general, with the exception of tartaric acid, there was a general lack of correspondence between the acidity of the organic acid and the degree of synergy of the organic acid with caprylic acid. It was determined that tartaric acid (e.g. L-tartaric acid) exhibited particularly high performance enhancement of caprylic acid across a wide variety of plant types.  
         [0014]    A synergistic relationship between succinic acid and sodium salicylate was also demonstrated where the effect of succinic acid alone on the plants treated was negligible.  
         [0015]    Accordingly, it has been determined that combining cerain organicacids and compounds having a significant herbicidal effect, such as pelargonic, caprylic, caproic, capric and oleic acid, and also such acids as acetic, butyric, valeric, hexanoic and heptanoic acid and compoundssuch as sodium salicylate, glyphosate (in Round Up) or glufosinate-ammonium with other organic acids and additives including those having substantially no herbicidal effect could enhance herbicidal activity and reduce costs, environmentally undesirable effects or be otherwise more convenient to use.  
         [0016]    Effective additives include succinic acid and succinic acid derivatives such as dimethyl succinic acid, calcium succinate, magnesium succinate, diamnmonium succinate and ammonium succinate as well as certain other organic acids, such as tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid and plant oils such as limonene and pine oil, especially Unipine (a pine oil derivative available from Busche, Boake &amp; Allen, Inc.), as well as other additives including ammonium sulfate, ammonium tartrate, ammonium chloride and sodium salicylate.  
         [0017]    In order to confirm that additives in accordance with the invention provided an enhanced herbicidal effect, a number of experiments were performed in which only fatty acids or other herbicides were applied to plants, the additives alone were applied and the fatty acids plus the additives were applied. The herbicides were applied in the “spray to drip” amount or at a calibrated 20-60 gallons/acre. “Spray to drip” is an uncalibrated application of fluid to foliage, where sufficient spray volume is used to sufficiently saturate the foliage surface until excess fluid begins to drip from the foliage. In general, about 5 to 200 gallons/acre, preferably 20-100 gallons/acre can be effective.  
         [0018]    Fatty acids above 67 carbon atoms tend to be relatively insoluble in water. Caprylic and pelargonic acids are 8 and 9 carbon acids respectively and require a solvent, such as acetone or an emulsifier to help prevent separation between aqueous and lipid phases. Herbicides can be provided in concentrated form and then diluted at the point of use.  
         [0019]    Aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described more clearly with reference to the following examples, which are intended to be interpreted as exemplary and not in a limiting sense.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0020]    Potato field trial: two varleties (Snowden and Russet Burbank)  
                                                                                                                       Comparison of Desiccate II with experimental formulations                Average injury rating* &amp; (% vine injury)           (days after 1 st  application)                Snowden   Russet Burbank            Treatment:   Day 5   Day 8   Day 15   Day 5   Day 8   Day 15                    1   Desiccate II (2.175 quart/acre)   0 (0)   30 (10)   100 (100)   50 (40)   60 (70)   100 (96)        2   4% pelargonic + 0.5% succinic acid   90 (70)   100 (94)    100 (100)   97 (90)   98 (95)   100 (100)       3   4% caprylic/capric + 0.5% succinic   90 (70)   96 (92)   100 (100)   95 (90)   98 (97)   100 (100)       4   4% caprylic/capric + 0.5% succinic +   90 (80)   100 (98)    100 (100)   95 (90)   96 (92)   100 (100)           1% sodium salicylate       5   4% sodium salicylate + 0.5% succinic   25 (0)    40 (10)   95 (90)   70 (60)   98 (92)   100 (100)       6   6% caprylic/capric + 0.5% succinic   95 (75)   100 (90)    100 (100)   80 (70)   98 (94)   100 (100)                                                                  
 
       EXAMPLE 2 
       [0021]    [0021]                                                                                         Potato field trial: 2 applications of selected       herbicides, including Desiccate II                Injury rating*, average per plot            Treatment   Day 1   Day 2   Day 3   Day 5                    1   5% pelargonic   4.07   4   4.13   4.43       2   5% pelargonic + 1%   4.23   4.23   4.47   4.57           di-ammonium succinate       3   5% caprylic/capric + 1%   3.87   3.9   4.03   4.4           di-ammonium succinate       4   Desiccate II (1.5 quarts/acre)   1   1.5   1.67   3                                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 3 
       [0022]    [0022]                                                                                                                             Dry bean (navy) field trial: single application of selected herbicides, including Desiccate II                Injurv rating*, average per plot   % desiccation, day 14            Treatment   Day 2   Day 4   Day 5   Day 6   Day 14   foliage   vines   pod                    1   Desiccate II (1.5 quarts/acre)   3.375   3.8   4.55   4.68   4.625   90   50   60       2   4% pelargonic + 0.5% succinic acid   4.325   4.35   4.7   4.73   4.763   98   90   97       3   4% caprylic + 0.5% succinic acid   4.413   4.43   4.76   4.83   4.8   98   90   97       4   4% sodium salicylate + 0.5% succinic   4.388   4.38   4.68   4.73   4.775   95   80   97                                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 4 
       [0023]    [0023]                                                                                                                             Bean (black) trial: single application of selected herbicides, including Desiccate II                Injury rating*, average per plot   % desiccation, day 19            Treatments   Day 1   Day 3   Day 7   Day 9   Day 19   foliage   vines   pods                    1   Desiccate II (1.5 quarts/acre)   1.75   4.35   4.5   4.7   4.88   97   99   100       2   3% caprylic + 0.5% succinic acid   4.3   4.55   4.55   4.7   4.9   99   99   100       3   3% pelargonic + 0.5% succinic acid   4.55   4.75   4.78   4.85   5   100   100   100       4   3% sodium salicylate + 0.5% succinic acid   4.5   4.7   4.7   4.83   5   100   100   100                                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 5 
       [0024]    [0024]                                                                                                                             Synergistic interactions of succinic acid and di-ammonium succinate with herbicidal compounds, on navy dry beans                Injury rating*,               average per plot   % desiccation (Day 12)            Treatment:   Day 1   Day 2   Day 3   Day 4   Day 12   foliage   vines   pods                    1   3% caprylic   3.5   3.93   3.93   4   4.2   50   10   80       2   3% caprylic + 0.5% succinic acid   4.43   4.43   4.6   4.5   4.7   95   70   85       3   3% caprylic + 2% succinic acid   4.5   4.47   4.57   4.5   4.8   99   85   90       4   3% caprylic + 2.52% di-ammonium   4.47   4.43   4.67   4.6   4.8   99   90   99           succinate       5   3% sodium saticylate   3.8   4.13   4.57   4.5   4.7   92   70   90       6   3% sodium salicylate + 0.5% succinic acid   3.93   4.27   4.63   4.6   4.8   95   85   92       7   3% sodium salicylate + 2% succinic acid   4.2   4.4   4.67   4.6   4.9   97   80   95       8   3% sodium salicylate + 2.52% di-ammonium   4.4   4.43   4.72   4.6   4.9   97   90   95           succinate       9   0.5% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0       10   2% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0       11   2.52% di-ammonium succinate   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0       12   0.5% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0       13   2% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0       14   2.52% di-ammonium succinate   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0                                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 6 
       [0025]    [0025]                                                                                                     Synergistic interactions of succinic acid and di-ammonium succinate       with other herbicidal compounds, on dry beans (black)                Injury rating*,               average per plot   % desiccation (Day 12)            Treatment:   Day 2   Day 12   foliage   vines   pods                    1   3% caprylic   4   4.73   80   92   95       2   3% caprylic + 0.5% succinic acid   4.37   4.87   97   95-98   90       3   3% caprylic + 2% succinic acid   4.43   4.92   99   98   97       4   3% caprylic + 2.52% di-ammonium   4.37   4.9   99   95-97   85           succinate       5   3% sodium salicylate   4   4.78   95   90   90       6   3% sodium salicylate + 0.5% succinic acid   4.23   4.87   99   98   92       7   3% sodium salicylate + 2% succinic acid   4.07   4.88   99   95   90       8   3% sodium salicylate + 2.52% di-ammonium   4.37   4.8   99   92   80           succinate       9   0.5% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0       10   2% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0       11   2.52% di-ammonium succinate   0   0   0   0   0       12   0.5% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0       13   2% succinic acid   0   0   0   0   0       14   2.52% di-ammonium succinate   0   0   0   0   0                                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 7 
       [0026]    [0026]                                                                                 Enhancement of caprylic acid/sodium salicylate       as an herbicide, by succinic acid                Relative Injury rating*           (average, based on 2 ratings)                Succinic       All       Treatment   acid (%)   potatoes   plants                    1   0.25% caprylic + 0.25%   0   3   8.5           sodium salicylate       2   0.25% caprylic + 0.25%   0.5   5   17           sodium salicylate       3   0.25% caprylic + 0.25%   1   6   17.6           sodium salicylate       4   0.25% caprylic + 0.25%   1.5   7.7   19.7           sodium salicylate       5   0.25% caprylic + 0.25%   2   6.8   18.9           sodium salicylate       6   0.5% caprylic + 0.5%   0   4.8   15.1           sodium salicylate       7   0.5% caprylic + 0.5%   0.5   5.3   17.7           sodium salicylate       8   0.5% caprylic + 0.5%   1   5.5   19.7           sodium salicylate       9   0.5% caprylic + 0.5%   1.5   7   21.3           sodium salicylate       10   0.5% caprylic + 0.5%   2   7.5   22.1           sodium salicylate                                                            
       EXAMPLE 8 
       [0027]    [0027]                                                           Effect of 1% succinic acid on herbicidal       activity of Liberty and Scythe                    Total score           for all injury           Treatment   ratings*                    1   4% Scythe   66       2   2% Scythe   54.2       3   2% Scythe + 1% succinic   56.1       4   2% Scythe + 0.25% caprylic +   56.3           0.25% sodium salicylate       5   2% Scythe + 0.25% caprylic +   60.3           0.25% sodium salicylate + 1% succinic       6   2% Scythe + 0.5% sodium salicylate   47.5       7   Liberty (4 oz/gal)   87.8       8   Liberty (2 oz/gal)   76.6       9   Liberty (2 oz/gal) + 1% succinic   81       10   Liberty (2 oz/gal) + 0.25% caprylic +   77           0.25% sodium salicylate       11   Liberty (2 oz/gal) + 0.25% caprylic +   78.4           0.25% sodium salicylate + 1% succinic       12   Liberty (2 oz/gal) + 0.5% sodium salicylate   75.7       13   Liberty (1 oz/gal)   65.9       14   Liberty (1 oz/gal) + 1% succinic   70.3       15   Liberty (1 oz/gal) + 0.25% caprylic +   67.6           0.25% sodium salicylate       16   Liberty (1 oz/gal) + 0.25% caprylic +   72.1           0.25% sodium salicylate + 1% succinic       17   Liberty (1 oz/gal) + 0.5% sodium salicylate   70.8                                                            
       EXAMPLE 9 
       [0028]    [0028]                                                                         Enhancement of RoundUp Ultra&#39;s herbicidal activity       on snapbeans and potatoes using 1% succinic acid                Average injury rating*            Treatment   potatoes   snapbeans                    1   RoundUp Ultra, 1.25%   4.48   2.92       2   RoundUp Ultra, 1.25% + 1% succinic acid   4.67   4.78       3   RoundUp Ultra, 0.25%   3.35   2.82       4   RoundUp Ultra, 0.25% + 1% succinic acid   4.37   3.2                                                            
       EXAMPLE 10 
       [0029]    [0029]                                                                         Succinic acid enhancement of herbicidal activities:       sodium salicylate +/− caprylic acid                Injury rating*                    Average           Spray   rating       Treatment   to drip   per pot                    1   0.75% caprylic + 0.75% sodium salicylate   45.1   2.82       2   0.75% caprylic + 0.75% sodium salicylate +   60.3   3.77           1% succinic acid       3   1% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate   50.1   3.13       4   1% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate +   61.1   3.82           1% succinic acid       5   1.5% sodium salicylate   56.2   3.51       6   1.5% sodium salicylate + 1% succinic acid   62.5   3.91                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 11 
       [0030]    [0030]                                                                       Enhancement of herbicide formulations with 1% succinic acid                    Average               Injury       Treatment       rating                    1   0.5% caprylic +               31.6           0.5% sodium salicylatc       2   0.5% caprylic +   0.5% ammonium           41.4           0.5% sodium salicylate   sulfate       3   0.5% caprylic +   0.5% ammonium   0.5% ammonium       41.6           0.5% sodium salicylate   sulfate   chloride       4   0.5% caprylic +   0.5% ammonium           39.2           0.5% sodium salicylate   chloride       5   0.5% caprylic +   0.5% ammonium       1% succinic   46.8           0.5% sodium salicylate   sulfate       acid       6   0.5% caprylic +   0.5% ammonium   0.5% ammonium   1% succinic   44.6           0.5% sodium salicylate   sulfate   chloride   acid       7   0.5% caprylic +   0.5% ammonium       1% succinic   43.6           0.5% sodium salicylate   chloride       acid       8   0.5% caprylic +   1% succinic           40           0.5% sodium salicylate   acid                                                            
       EXAMPLE 12 
       [0031]    [0031]                                                                         Succinic acid enhancement of herbicidal activities: sodium salicylate       combined with hexanoic, acetic or caprylic/capric acid                Injury rating*                    Average           Spray   rating       Treatment   to drip   per pot                    1   2% hexanoic + 1% sodium salicylate   44.1   3.68       2   2% hexanoic + 1% sodium salicylate +   55.8   4.65           1% succinic       3   3% acetic + 1% sodium salicylate   47.1   3.93       4   3% acetic + 1% sodium salicylate +   54.4   4.53           1% succinic       5   2% caprylic/capric + 1% sodium salicylate   50   4.17       6   2% caprylic/capric + 1% sodium salicylate +   54.4   4.53           1% succinic       7   2% caprylic/capric + 1% sodium salicylate +   56.7   4.73           2% succinic                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 13 
       [0032]    [0032]                                                                         Succinic acid enhancement of oleic acid/sodium       salicylate herbicidal activity                Injury rating*                    Average           Spray   rating       Treatment   to drip   per pot                    1   2% oleic acid   26.4   2.2       2   2% oleic acid + 1% sodium salicylate   37.9   3.16       3   2% oleic acid + 1% sodium salicylate +   49.2   4.1           1% succinic acid       4   2% oleic acid + 1% succinic acid   28.1   2.33                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 14 
       [0033]    [0033]                                                                                         Succinic acid enhancement of oleic acid/sodium       salicylate herbicidal activity                Total Injury rating*                            Average               Spray       rating       Treatment   60 G/a   to drip   Total   per pot                    1   2% oleic acid   23.5   22.3   45.8   1.91       2   2% oleic acid + 1% sodium   52.3   34.7   87   3.63           saticylate       3   2% oleic acid + 1% sodium   63.8   37.1   101   4.2           salicylate + 1% succinic acid                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 15 
       [0034]    [0034]                                                                                                         Cotton desiccation: comparison of Scythe with formulations containing       caprylic/capric, sodium salicylate and succinic acid                Average rating*   Average rating           Three evaluations   for all 3            Treatment       1   2   3   evaluations                    1   2% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate   1% succinic acid   0.3% Sylgard 309   4   3.5   3.6   3.7       2   2% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate   1% succinic acid   0.3% Hasten   3.8   4.1   4   3.97       3   2% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate   1% succinic acid   0.3% Hasten   4.2   4.5   4.4   4.4       4   2% Scythe (1.2% active ingredients)           2   2   2   2       5   4% Scythe (2.4% active ingredients)           3.4   3.2   3.3   3.27                                                            
       EXAMPLE 16 
       [0035]    [0035]                                                       Herbicide activity of caprylic acid/sodium       salicylate +/− succinic acid                Total injury       Treatment   rating*                    1   1% caprylic + 3% sodium salicylate + 0.5% succinic   97.7       2   3% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate + 0.5% succinic   97.9       3   1% caprylic + 3% sodium salicylate + 1.5% succinic   97.9       4   3% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate + 1.5% succinic   99.9       5   1% caprylic + 3% sodium salicylate   79.8       6   3% caprylic + 1% sodium salicylate   91.3                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 17 
       [0036]    [0036]                                                                                     Herbicidal activity of caproic acid with other       compounds: succinic acid and sodium salicylate                Total Injury ratings*                        Spray   Total           Treatment   60 G/a   to drip   score                        1   2% caproic   11.2   7.3   18.5       2   2% caproic + 1% succinic   13.8   7.6   21.4       3   2% caproic + 2% succinic   12.7   7.1   19.8       4   3% caproic   13.9   7   20.9       5   3% caproic + 1% succinic   14.1   7.9   22       6   3% caproic + 2% succinic   14.5   8.2   22.7       7   2% caproic + 1% sodium   13.5   8.7   22.2           salicylate       8   2% caproic + 1% sodium   16.7   9.2   25.9           salicylate + 1% succinic                                                            
       EXAMPLE 18 
       [0037]    [0037]                                                                                 Herbicidal activity of caprylic acid combined with other compounds       (i.e., salts of succinate +/− sodium salicate)                Total injury ratings*                    Spray   Total       Treatment   60 G/a   to drip   score                    1   2% caprylic   61   8.2   69.2       2   2% caprylic + 1.5% diammonium   67.9   8.8   76.7           succinate       3   2% caprylic + 1.5% potassium   58   7.6   65.6           succinate       4   2% caprylic + 1.5% sodium   63.7   7.8   71.5           salicylate       5   2% caprylic + 1.5% sodium   70   8.6   78.6           salicytate + 1.5% diammonium           succinate       6   2% caprylic + 1.5% sodium   58.9   7.5   66.4           salicylate + 1.5% potassium           succinate                                                            
       EXAMPLE 19 
       [0038]    [0038]                                                                                             Efficacy of caprylic with succinic or ammonium succinate,       as herbicides in an emulsification system (Emsorb 6900)                Injury rating*, total score               for 2 evaluations                    Spray       Average           60   to   Total   rating       Treatment   G/a   drip   Rating   per pot                    1   2% caprylic   73.6   49.8   123.4   4.11       2   2% caprylic +   76.1   54.5   130.6   4.35           1.5% ammonium           succinate       3   2% caprylic +   76.4   57.7   134.1   4.47           3% ammonium           succinate       4   2% caprylic +   80.6   52.4   133   4.43           1.5% succinic           acid                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 20 
       [0039]    [0039]                                                                                             Efficacy of caprylic with succinic or ammonium succinate,       as herbicides in an emulsification system (Emsorb 6900)                Injury rating*, total score               for 2 evaluations                    Spray       Average           60   to   Total   rating       Treatment   G/a   drip   Rating   per pot                    1   3% caprylic   142   36.6   178.4   4.05       2   3% caprylic +   145   37.5   182.2   4.14           0.5% ammonium           succinate       3   3% caprylic +   145   39.8   185   4.2           1.5% ammonium           succinate       4   3% caprylic +   151   44.6   195.9   4.45           1.5% succinic           acid                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 21 
       [0040]    [0040]                                                                                         Efficacy of 1.5% succinic acid with oleic, caprylic or pelargonic       acid, as herbicides in an emulsification system (Emsorb 6900)                Injury rating*, total score           for 2 evaluation                            Average               Spray   Total   rating       Treatment   60 G/a   to drip   Rating   per pot                    1   3% oleic   24.2   9.4   33.6   1.2       2   3% oleic +   27.3   8.7   36   1.29           1.5% succinic       3   3% caprylic   88.1   35.4   123.5   4.41       4   3% caprylic +   91.5   37.5   129   4.61           1.5% succinic       5   3% pelargonic   85.3   37.6   122.9   4.39       6   3% pelargonic +   91.2   37.4   128.6   4.59           1.5% succinic                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 22 
       [0041]    [0041]                                                                                         Efficacy of caprylic + sodium salicylate + succinic acid,       as an herbicide in an emulsification system (Emsorb 6900)                Injury rating*, total score           for 2 evaluation                            Average               Spray   Total   rating       Treatment   60 G/a   to drip   Rating   per pot                    1   2% caprylic + 1.5%   58.5   62   120.5   3.08           succinic       2   2% caprylic + 1.5%   65   64.1   129.1   3.31           succinic + 1% sodium           salicylate       3   3% caprylic + 1.5%   68.7   68.1   136.8   3.51           succinic       4   3% caprylic + 1.5%   72   71.1   143.1   3.67           succinic + 1% sodium           salicylate       5   4% caprylic + 1.5%   71   66.6   137.6   3.53           succinic                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 23 
       [0042]    [0042]                                                                                         Herbicidal activity: relationships between caprylic       acid and succinic acid +/− ammonium sulfate                Total Injury ratings, combined,           for two separate evaluations*                    Spray   Total   Average       Treatment   60 G/a   to drip   Rating   rating/pot                    1   4% caprylic acid   60.7   56.1   116.8   4.49       2   4% caprylic acid + 0.5%   63.9   57   120.9   4.65           succinic acid       3   4% caprylic acid + 1%   61.6   55.6   117.2   4.51           succinic acid       4   4% caprylic acid + 2%   59.4   57.4   116.8   4.49           succinic acid       5   4% caprylic acid + 0.5%   60.4   56.6   117   4.5           succinic acid +           ammonium sulfate       6   4% caprylic acid +   64   57.8   121.8   4.68           1% succinic acid +           ammonium sulfate       7   4% caprylic acid +   62.1   57.4   119.5   4.6           2% succinic acid +           ammonium sulfate                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 24 
       [0043]    [0043]                                                                                                 Herbicidal activity: comparison of fatty acids, when       combined with succinic acid and sodium salicylate                Total Injury ratings, combined,           for two separate evaluations*                pH,       Spray       Average           spray   60   to       rating/       Treatment   solution   G/a   drip   Total   pot                    1   3% butyric acid +   3.8   102.3   52.5   154.8   4.3           succinic/NaSal       2   3% valeric acid +   3.9   105   53.8   158.8   4.41           succinic/NaSal       3   3% caproic acid +   4.4   104.9   51.9   156.8   4.36           succinic/NaSal       4   3% heptanoic acid +   4.5   108.9   54.1   163   4.53           succinic/NaSal       5   3% caprylic acid +   4.5   112.4   55.5   167.9   4.67           succinic/NaSal       6   3% pelargonic acid +   4.5   111.9   56.6   168.5   4.68           succinic/NaSal       7   3% oleic acid +   4.5   105   53.2   158.2   4.39           succinic/NaSal       8   3% caprylic/capric +   4.6   114.3   57.3   171.6   4.77           succinic/NaSal                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 25 
       [0044]    [0044]                                                 Synergistic relationships between 5% caprylic/capric       (c/c) and succinic acid: desiccation of cotton plants                    Average percent               Average   of foliage           Rating   desiccated   Treatment                       2   20   5% c/c           4   70   0.5% succinic and 5% c/c           4   60   1% succinic and 5% c/c           4   70   2% succinic and 5% c/c                                                                                                
       EXAMPLE 26 
       [0045]    [0045]                                                       Synergistic relationships between 5% caprylic/capric       (c/c) and succinic acid            Average rating: degree of plant damage           (1-5, where 5 = complete desiccation)            60 G/acre   Spray to drip   Treatment Ingredients               4.14   4.61   5% c/c       4.33   4.83   0.5% succinic and 5% c/c       4.43   4.82   1% succinic and 5% c/c       4.41   4.71   2% succinic and 5% c/c                                                            
       EXAMPLE 27 
       [0046]    [0046]                                                                     Synergistic relationship between caprylic/capric (c/c) and       succinic acid, as harvest aids for potatoes and cotton            Average rating: degree of plant damage           (1-5, where 5 = complete desiccation)       Average, 2 evaluations            Cotton   Potatoes   Treatment Ingredients                    3.75   4.1   8% c/c       4.35   4.25   0.5% succinic and 8% c/c       4.65   4.15   1% succinic and 8% c/c       4.65   4.35   2% succinic and 8% c/c                                                            
       EXAMPLE 28 
       [0047]    [0047]                                                                                         Herbicidal activities: synergy between       succinic acid and pelargonic acid                Total iniury           ratings*                        Spray           Treatment   40 G/a   60 G/a   to drip   Total                    1   4% pelargonic acid   41.6   45.6   66.2   153.4       2   4% pelargonic acid +   42.8   46.7   66.3   155.8           0.5% succinic acid       3   0.5% succinic acid   0   0   0   0                                                            
       EXAMPLE 29 
       [0048]    [0048]                                                                                 Synergistic relationships with caprylic/capric acids (c/c)            Average relative Injury rating*                        Average                   rating   Treatment Ingredients       60 G/acre   Spray to drip   per pot   Compound (1%)                    4.5   4.57   4.52       3% c/c       4.49   4.59   4.54   urea   3% c/c       4.56   4.33   4.45   sorbic acid   3% c/c       4.46   4.33   4.4   di-sodium succinate   3% c/c       4.62   4.5   4.58   ammonium tartrate   3% c/c       4.53   4.52   4.53   methyl salicylate   3% c/c       4.56   4.47   4.52   potassium salicylate   3% c/c       4.6   4.61   4.61   succinic acid   3% c/c                                                    
       EXAMPLE 30 
       [0049]    [0049]                                                                             Herbicidal activity on cotton foliage: synergistic relationships       between succinic acid and caprylic/capric acid (c/c) combinations                Total injury ratings, combined,               for two separate evaluations*                    Average       Treatment   60 G/a   rating/pot                    1   4% c/c   18.5   3.08       2   4% c/c + 0.5%   21.4   3.57           succinic acid       3   5% c/c   22.4   3.73       4   5% c/c + 0.5%   25.7   4.28           succinic acid       5   6% c/c   25.3   4.22                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 31 
       [0050]    [0050]                                                                                         Herbicidal activities: synergistic relationships between       succinic acid and caprylic/capric acid (c/c) combinations                Total injury ratings, combined           for two separate evaluation*                            Average               Spray   Total   rating       Treatment   60 G/a   to drip   Rating   per pot                    1   4% c/c   123.3   41.5   164.8   4.12       2   4% c/c + 0.5%   128.1   45.1   173.2   4.33           succinic acid       3   5% c/c   129.9   46.3   176.2   4.41       4   5% c/c + 0.5%   134.5   46.5   181   4.53           succinic acid       5   6% c/c   133.9   46.8   180.7   4.52                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 32 
       [0051]    [0051]                                                                                             General screening of candidate compounds: to examine for synergistic       relationships with caprylic/capric acids (c/c)            Treatment Ingredients   Average relative injury rating*            Compound               Spray   Average       (equimolar       40   60   to   rating       amounts)   c/c   G/acre   G/acre   drip   per pot                         3% c/c   4.21   4.43   4.44   4.35       succinic   +3% c/c   4.35   4.47   4.54   4.44       acid (1%)       ammonium   +3% c/c   4.35   4.49   4.61   4.47       succinate (1.26%)       ammonium   +3% c/c   4.36   4.42   4.4   4.4       sulfate (1.12%)       ammonium   +3% c/c   4.35   4.5   4.59   4.47       tartrate (1.42%)                                                            
       EXAMPLE 33 
       [0052]    [0052]                                                                             Herbicidal activity: storage stability of fatty       acid/succinic acid-based formulations       Formulations stored one week (average day and night time       temperatures were 90 and 75 degrees, Fahrenheit, in       the greenhouse) and re-tested, via spray to drip       applications on same test plant varieties 4% caprylic,       4% caprylic/capric and 4% pelargonic (+/−0.5% succinic acid)       were tested or a total of 6 formulations, each containing       1.125% Emsorb 6900 (Henkel)                 Average scores, for all 6 formulations               (rating per pot, 2-20 plants/pot                Before storage   After storage                            Barnyard grass   4.73   4.8           Foxtail   4.68   4.68                                                                        
       EXAMPLE 34 
       [0053]    [0053]                                                                                                 Herbicidal combinations of caprylic/capric (c/c) or       pelargonic acid, with equimolar amounts of succinic       acid and ammonium succinate, on weed varieties                Total Injury ratings*                        Spray       Average           40   60   to       rating/       Treatment   G/a   G/a   drip   Total   pot                    1   3% c/c   85.5   60.2   36.1   181.8   4.33       2   3% c/c +   88.1   62.5   36.7   187.3   4.46           1% succinic acid       3   3% c/c + 1.26%   88.8   60.8   37.4   187   4.45           ammonium succinate       4   3% pelargonic acid   87.7   60.8   37.3   185.8   4.42       5   3% pelargonic   865.9   62.2   38   187.1   4.45           acid + 1%           succinic acid       6   3% pelargonic   87.6   61.2   36.9   185.7   4.42           acid + 1.26%           ammonium succinate                                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 35 
       [0054]    [0054]                                                                                                     Enhancement of RoundUp Ultra (+/− ammonium sulfate or Ams)       herbicidal activity, using succinic acid amendments       RoundUp Ultra at 1 pint/acre (No Sylgard or any other surfactant used)                Days after treatment:               relative injury ratings*   Average                Day   Day   Day   Day   rating           #6   #9   #11   #14   per pot                        1   RU   10.5   17.1   15.9   17.5   1.91       2   RU + ams   18.3   17.6   18.4   21.6   2.37       3   RU + ams +   21   20.3   24.3   25.7   2.85           0.5% succinic acid       4   RU + ams +   19.4   18.6   24.2   27.3   2.8           1.5% succinic acid       5   RU + 0.5%   16.7   14.2   16   20.5   2.11           succinic acid       6   RU + 1.5%   16.8   16.1   18.6   23.6   2.35           succinic acid                                                            
       EXAMPLE 36 
       [0055]    [0055]                                                                                                     Enhancement of RoundUp Ultra (+/− ammonium sulfate or Ams)       herbicidal activity, using succinic acid amendments       RoundUp Ultra at 1 pint/acre                Days after treatment:               relative injury ratings*   Average                Day   Day   Day   Day   rating       Treatment   #6   #9   #11   #14   per pot                    1   RU   29   30.2   31.5   29.8   3.35       2   RU + ams   30.8   32.9   34.7   32.5   3.64       3   RU + ams +   30.2   32.7   35.5   34.5   3.69           0.5% succinic           acid       4   RU + ams +   34.6   35.7   37.8   37.4   4.04           1.5% succinic           acid       5   RU + 0.5%   32.8   33.9   35.1   35.4   3.81           succinic acid       6   RU + 1.5%   32.5   31.2   32.6   32.5   3.58           succinic acid                                                            
       EXAMPLE 37 
       [0056]    [0056]                                                                                                             Enhancement of RoundUp Ultra (+/− ammonium sulfate or Ams) herbicidal activity,       using succinic acid amendments RoundUp Ultra (RU) at 1 quart per acre                    Average           Days after treatment: relative Injury ratings*   rating            Treatment   Day #5   Day #8   Day #10   Day #13   Day 17   per pot                    1   RU   32.7   29.9   28.6   29.5   31.4   3.8       2   RU + ams   33.3   33.6   30.7   34.5   36.6   4.22       3   RU + ams + 0.5%   34   34.5   32.4   35.3   36.7   4.32           succinic acid       4   RU + ams + 1.5%   35.3   35.6   32.5   35.3   38.4   4.43           succinic acid       5   RU + 0.5% succinic acid   33.8   30.9   30.3   31   33.1   3.98       6   RU + 1.5% succinic acid   33.7   30.2   31   33.6   34   4.06                                                            
       EXAMPLE 38 
       [0057]    [0057]                                                                                                                             Enhancement of herbicidal activity of RoundUp Ultra/ammonium       sulfate testing selected amendments                pH, spray   Days after treatment: injury ratings*       average            Treatment   solution   day #4   day #7   day 11   day #13   average   per test                    1   RU/ams   4.51   32.3   44.1   50   50.8   44.3   4.03       2   RU/ams + succinic acid   1.77   39.3   46.3   50.7   51.4   46.9   4.26       3   RU + ams +   3.71   36.2   46.2   51.3   52.3   46.5   4.23           ammonium succinate       4   RU + ams ammonium   4.78   35.7   46   49.3   50.2   45.3   4.12           tartrate       5   RU/ams + tartaric acid   1.27   33.9   46.9   50.7   51.5   46.2   4.2       6   RU/ams + citric acid   1.38   34.6   46.7   50.7   51.4   45.7   4.15       7   RU/ams + L-malic acid   1.59   34.6   47.7   51.1   51.8   46.3   4.21       8   RU/ams + acetic acid   2.51   33.7   47.1   50.8   51.3   45.7   4.15                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 39 
       [0058]    [0058]                                                                                             Enhancement of herbicidal activity of caprylic/capric acids       (c/c), using selected compounds at equimolar amounts                Days after treatment:   Average           relative injury ratings*   rating            Treatment   Day #2   Day #4   Day #5   per pot                    1   3% c/c   30   27.6   30.3   3.66       2   3% c/c + succinic acid (1%)   35.8   33.6   35.1   4.35       3   3% c/c + di-ammonium succinate (1.26%)   35.1   32.5   34.2   4.24       4   3% c/c + ammonium sulfate (1.12%)   35.5   33.6   34.4   4.3       5   3% c/c + ammonium tartrate (1.42%)   35.9   33.6   34.2   4.32       6   succinic acid (1%)   0   0   0   0       7   di-ammonium succinate (1.26%)   0   0   0   0       8   ammonium sulfate (1.12%)   0   0   0   0       9   ammonium tartrate (1.42%)   0   0   0   0                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 40 
       [0059]    [0059]                                                                                                                             Desiccation of cotton foliage: Interaction of RoundUp Ultra       and caprylic acid/capric acid (+/− succinic acid)                Day after treatment: average rating*   Total            Treatment       1   2   5   7   10   12   Rating                    1   RU + 2% AMS       0   0   6   6   7   7   26       2   RU + 2% AMS   4% C/C   18   16   15   15   15   16   95.9       3   RU + 2% AMS   4% C/C + 1% succinic acid   18   17   17   17   16   18   103.2       4   RU + 2% AMS   1% succinic acid   0   0   7.2   6.5   7.7   8.8   30.2       5   2% AMS   4% C/C + 1% succinic acid   18   17   18   17   18   17   105.4       6   2% AMS   4% C/C   18   17   18   18   18   17   104.8                                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 41 
       [0060]    [0060]                                                                                         Synergistic relationship between succinic acid and caprylic/capric       acids C/C, relating to herbicidal activity                Injury ratings based on           2 independent evaluations*                            Average                       rating       Treatment   40 G/a   60 G/a   Total   per pot                    1   4% caprylic/capric   87.3   80.7   168   4.42       2   4% caprylic/capric +   88.6   82.1   170.7   4.49           1% succinic       3   4% caprylic/capric +   89.9   82.7   172.6   4.54           0.5% succinic       4   4% caprylic/capric +   90.3   82.6   172.9   4.55           0.5% succinic +           0.5% sodium salicylate       5   0.5% succinic acid   0   0   0   0       6   0.5% sodium salicylate   1   0.5   1.5   0.04       7   5% caprylic/capric   92   82.8   174.8   4.6       8   5% caprylic/capric +   91.6   83.9   175.5   4.62           0.5% succinic acid                                                                            
       EXAMPLE 42 
       [0061]    [0061]                                                                                     Herbicidal activity: comparison of caprylic, pelargonic and       an equimolar mixture of caprylic and pelargonic acids                Injury ratings based on 2           independent evaluations*                            Average           Treatments   40   60   rating           (equimolar comparison)   G/acre   G/acre   per pot                        1   3% caprylic   40.8   51.6   4.16       2   3.375% pelargonic   43   53.6   4.41       3   1.5% caprylic +   43   53.6   4.41           1.69% pelargonic       4   4% caprylic   44.1   54.5   4.49       5   4.5% pelargonic   45.1   53.9   4.51       6   2% caprylic +   44.6   54.2   4.51           2.25% pelargonic                                                            
       EXAMPLE 43 
       [0062]    [0062]                                                                                         Herbicidal enhancement of pelargonic by succinic add and diammonium succinate                Injury ratings based on 2 independent evaluations*                            Average                   Spray   rating       Treatment   40 G/a   60 G/a   to drip   per pot                    1   2.5% Scythe active ingredients   78.7   103   53.6   4.36       2   2.5% pelargonic   79.2   102.2   53.8   4.36       3   2.5% pelargonic + 0.5% succinic   81.7   105.1   55.3   4.48       4   2.5% pelargonic + 2% succinic   80.2   105.5   55.1   4.46       5   2.5% pelargonic + 2% diammonium   80.9   105.4   54.4   4.46           succinate       6   2.22% caprylic/capric (C/C)   80.3   103.4   51.5   4.36                                                                    
       EXAMPLE 44 
       [0063]    [0063]                                                                                         Synergistic Relationship between Succinic or Citric       acid and Caprylic Acid, Testing Dry Beans Treatment       effects 3 days after single, foliar application                Green Foliage   Yellow Foliage                Overall   Foliage   Overall   Foliage       Treatment   Effect   Affected (%)   Effect   Affected (%)                    Na Salicylate (2%)   5   90   5   &gt;90       Na Salicylate (0.5%)   2    5-10   1   30       Na Salicylate (0.5%) +   1    5-10   1   30       Citric Acid (0.5%)       Na Salicylate (0.5%) +   1.5    5-10   1   &gt;40       Succinic Acid (0.5%)       Citric Acid (0.5%)   0   0   0   0       Succinic Acid (0.5%)   0   0   0   0       Caprylic Acid (0.5%)   2.5    10-15    2   70       Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   3.5   30   3   90       Citric Acid (0.5%)       Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   4   50   4   &gt;90       Succinic Add (0.5%)                                            
       EXAMPLE 45 
       [0064]    [0064]                                         Greater Effect by Succinic Acid over Calcium Succinate, when       used with Sodium Salicylate, Testing Several Plant Varieties*                overall           effect,           9 evaluations       Treatments   (averaee)               Sodium Salicylate (1%) + Succinic Acid (1%)   2.89       Sodium Salicylate (1%) + Calcium Succinate (1%)   1.44                                    
       EXAMPLE 46  
       [0065]    Confirmation of Example 45, Testing Turf and Shrub Foliage Treatment effects 1, 2, 4 and 7 days after a single, foliar application.  
                                                       Overall effect,               17 evaluations           Treatments   (average)                           Sodium Salicylate (1%)   1.35           Sodium Salicylate (1%) +   2.59           Succinic Acid (2%)           Sodium Salicylate (1%) +   2.18           Calcium Succinate (2%)           Succinic Acid (2%)   0.24                                              
 
       EXAMPLE 47 
       [0066]    [0066]                                                                                                                                 Effects of desiccants and desiccant combinations with other compounds on young potato plants                Injury ratings or treated plants           Treatment   (hours or days after application)   All evaluations            #   Ingredients   1.5 hr   1   3   6   17   22   27   (total score)                    1   1% caprylic   2   2   3   2   2.5   3   3   17.5       2   1% caprylic + 0.5% tartaric + 0.5% NaSal   3   5   5.5   5   5.5   5.5   4   29.5       3   1% caprylic + 1% tartaric   2   3   3.5   3   3.4   4   3   23       4   1% caprylic + 0.5% dimethyl succinic acid   2   3   3   3   3   3.5   3   21.5       5   1% caprylic + 0.5% beta-alanine   1   2   2   2   2.5   3   2.5   15       6   1% caprylic + 1% succinic   3   4   3   4   5   5.5   4.5   30       7   2% caprylic   3.5   5   5   5   5   5.5   5.5   34.5       8   2% caprylic + 0.5% tartaric + 0.5% NaSal   4.5   6   6   6   6   6   6   40.5           sodium salicylate       9   2% caprylic + 1% tartaric   3.5   5   5   5   5   5.5   5.5   34.5                                            
       EXAMPLE 48 
       [0067]    [0067]                                                                   Synergistic Relationships Between:       Succinic Acid + Caprylic Acid       Succinic Acid + Sodium Salicylate       Treatment effects 3 days after a single,       foliar application, testing soybeans                    Overall   Foliage           Treatment   Effect   Affected (%)                            Caprylic Acid (1%)   2.5   25-30           Caprylic Acid (1%) +   3   30-35           Succinic Acid (1%)           Succinic Acid (1%)   0   0           Sodium Salicylate (1%)   1.5   15-20           Sodium Salicylate (1%) +   3.5   40-50           Succinic Acid (1%)                                                
       EXAMPLE 49 
       [0068]    [0068]                                                                                                                                                                                   Enhancement of Scythe&#39;s herbicidal activity by selected compounds                Independent evaluations of snapbean and potato plants,               hours/days after application of desiccants                1.5 hours   2 days   11 days   15 days   Totals, all evaluations            Treatment #   Treatment Ingredients   beans   potatoes   beans   potatoes   beans   potatoes   beans   potatoes   Beans   Potatoes   All                    1   2% NaSalicylate   1   0   1   1   1.5   1   1   1   4.5   3   7.5       2   4% Scythe   3   3   3.5   2.5   2   2   1   2   9.5   9.5   19       3   4% Scythe + 2% NaSal   4   3   5   3.5   3   3   2   3   14   12.5   26.5       4   4% Scythe + 0.25% tartaric   4   3   4   3   2.5   2.5   3   2   13.5   10.5   24       5   4% Scythe + 0.5% tartaric   4   4   5.5   3   3   2   4   1.5   16.5   10.5   27       6   4% Scythe + 1% tartaric   4   3.5   6   3.5   3   3   3   2   16   12   28       7   4% Scythe + 1% NaSal   3   3   4.5   3   2.5   2.5   2   2   12   10   22       8   4% Scythe + 0.5% NaSal   3   3   4.5   2   1.5   1.5   1   1.5   10   8   18       9   4% Scythe + 1% caprylic   4   4.5   5   3.5   2   3.5   1   3.5   12   15   27       10   4% Scythe + 0.5% tartaric +   4   5   5.5   5   3.5   4   3   5   16   19   35           0.5% NaSal       11   4% Scythe + 1% citric acid   4   3   6   3   2.5   2   2   2   15.5   10   24.5                                    
       EXAMPLE 50 
       [0069]    [0069]                                                                             Synergistic Relationships Between Succinic Acid and Caprylic Acid at       Different Application Rates, Testing Soybeans       Treatment effects 2 days after a single, foliar application                Two Independent Sites               (average of 2 sites)                Overall   Foliage           Effect   Affected (%)                            Caprylic Acid (0.2%)   0.5   1.25           Caprylic Acid (0.5%)   2.25   9           Caprylic Acid (1.0%)   4   22.3           Caprylic Acid (0.2%) +   1.5   6.5           Succinic Acid (1.0%)           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   3   15           Succinic Acid (1.0%)           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) +   4.25   26           Succinic Acid (1.0%)           Succinic Acid (1.0%)   0   0           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.75   15           L - Lactic Acid (1.0%)           L-Lactic Acid (1.0%)   0.5   1.25                                                            
       EXAMPLE 51 
       [0070]    [0070]                                                                                 Synergy Comparisons of Various Organic Acids with       Caprylic Acid, Testing Soybeans       Treatment effects 3 days after a single, foliar application                Two Independent Sites               (average of 2 sites)                    Overall   Foliage           Treatments   Effect   Affected (%)                            Caprylic Acid (0.5%)   1.5   5           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.75   17.5           L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2   11.5           L-Malic Acid (0.5%)           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.25   12.5           Succinic Acid (0.5%)           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.25   11.5           L-Lactic Acid (0.5%)           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.75   17.5           CitricAcid (0.5%)           L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   0   0           L-Malic Acid (0.5%)   0   0           Succinic Acid (0.5%)   0   0           L-Lactic Acid (0.5%)   0   0           CitricAcid (0.5%)   0   0                                                            
       EXAMPLE 52 
       [0071]    [0071]                                                           Synergistic Relationships Between Succinic Acid and Caprylic       Acid (or Sodium Salicylate), Testing Turf       Treatment effects 2 days after a single, foliar application                    Overall           Treatments   Effect                            Caprylic Acid (1.0%)   2           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Succinic Acid (0.5%)   3           Succinic Acid (0.5)   0           Sodium Salicylate (1.0%)   1.5           Sodium Salicylate (1.0%) + Succinic Acid (0.5%)   2                                    
       EXAMPLE 53 
       [0072]    [0072]                                                   Effects of Various Compounds on Caprylic Acid       Testing Turf and Covergrass       Treatment effects 1, 3, 6, 7 and 11 days after a single,       foliar application at two, independent sites                Overall_Effect           10 Evaluations       Treatments   (average)                    Caprylic Acid (1.0%)   2.45       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Adipic Acid (0.5%)   2.6       Caprylic Acid (1.0) + L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   3.8       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Unipine (0.5%)   3.45       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Sodium Salicylate(0.5%)   3.1                                    
       EXAMPLE 54 
       [0073]    [0073]                                                   Effects of Various Compounds on Caprylic Acid       Testing Turf and Shrub Foliage       Treatment effects 3, 4, 6 and 7 days after       a single, foliar application                Overall_Effect           29 Evaluations       Treatments   (average)                    Caprylic Acid (1.0%)   1.05       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Adipic Acid (0.5%)   2.19       Caprylic Acid (1.0) + L-Malic Acid (0.5%)   1.4       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   2.19       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Unipine (0.5%)   2.4       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Sodium Salicylate(0.5%)   2.05       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Succinic Acid (0.5%)   1.95       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + L-Lactic Acid (0.5%)   2.16       Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Citric Acid (0.5%)   1.47                                    
       EXAMPLE 55 
       [0074]    [0074]                                                       Measurement of pH Values for Test Desiccants                pH Value                            Caprylic Acid (0.5%)   3.30           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) + L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   1.07           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) + L-Malic Acid (0.5%)   1.49           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) + Succinic Acid (0.5%)   1.67           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) + L-Lactic Acid (0.5%)   1.69           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) + Citric Acid (0.5%)   1.51           L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   1.52           L-Malic Acid (0.5%)   1.69           Succinic Acid (0.5%)   1.94           L-Lactic Acid (0.5%)   1.93           Citric Acid (0.5%)   1.64           Caprylic Acid (0.5%)   3.55           Caprylic Acid (0.5%) + Succinic Acid (0.5%)   1.77           Succinic Acid (1.0%)   1.85           Sodium Salicylate (1.0%)   5.63           Sodium Salicylate (1.0%) + Succinic Acid (0.5%)   2.9           Caprylic Acid (1.0%)   3.93           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Adipic Acid (0.5%)   2.69           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + L-Malic Acid (0.5%)   2.17           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   2.07           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Unipine 90 (0.5%)   4.06           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Sodium Salicylate (0.5%)   4.29                        
       EXAMPLE 56 
       [0075]    [0075]                                                       Measurement of pH Values for Test Desiccants                pH           Value                            Sodium Salicylate (0.5%)   4.48           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Succinic Acid (1.0%)   2.76           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Succinic Acid (1.0%) +   2.78           Caprylic Acid (0.5%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%)   4.2           Succinic Acid (1.0%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%)   2.24           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.46           L-Tartaric Acid (1.0%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.82           L-Lactic Acid (1.0%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   3.24           Succinic Acid (1.0%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.32           Succinic Acid (1.0%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.02           L-Lactic Acid (1.0%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   1.58           L-Tartaric Acid (1.0%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   5.12           Unipine 90 Acid (1.0%)           Sodium Salicylate (0.5%) + Caprylic Acid (0.5%) +   2.78           Adipic Acid (1.0%)           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Gluconic Acid (0.5%)   2.49           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Succinic Acid (0.5%)   2.29           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + Beta-Alanine (0.5%)   4.4           Caprylic Acid (1.0%)   3.85           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   1.76           Caprylic Acid (1.0%) + L-Lactic Acid (0.5%)   1.95           L-Tartaric Acid (0.5%)   1.72           Beta-Alanine (0.5%)   6.65                        
       EXAMPLE 57 
       [0076]    [0076]                                                           Field trial comparisons of caprylic/capric and       pelargonic acids on mixed weed varieties                    Average               injury rating           Treatment   per plot*                    1   3% caprylic/capric   3.95       2   3% caprylic/capric + 0.75% succinic acid   4.113       3   3% pelargonic   4.175       4   3% pelargonic + 0.75% succinic acid   4.213                                                    
       EXAMPLE 58 
       [0077]    [0077]                                                                                 Field trial comparisons of caprylic/capric and       pelargonic acids on mixed weed varieties                Average           injury rating           per plot*                        Canadian thistle:       Treatment            1   3% caprylic/capric   2.58       2   3% caprylic/capric + 0.75% succinic acid   2.8       3   3% pelargonic   4.03       4   3% pelargonic + 0.75% succinic acid   4.35            Redwood pigweed:       Treatment            1   4% caprylic/capric   3.1       2   6% caprylic/capric   4.55       3   6% pelargonic   4.35                                                    
       EXAMPLE 59 
       [0078]    [0078]                                             Succinic Acids Potentiation of Sodium Salicylate, Testing Cotton       Treatment effect 2 days after a single, foliar application                    Foliage           Treatment   Affected (%)                       Succinic Acid (1.0%)   No effect           Succlnlc Acid (1.0%) + Sodium Salicylate (1.0%)   &gt;70           Sodium Salicylate (1.0%)   &lt;70                                    
         [0079]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above methods and in the compositions set forth, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0080]    It is also understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.  
         [0081]    Particularly, it is to be understood that in said claims, ingredients or components recited in the singular are intended to include compatible mixtures of said ingredients wherever the sense permits.