Patent Description:
Herbicides are widely used in crop protection. Most of them are used as sole actives in agrochemical compositions, but it has been discovered that some of them may increase their activity when used in association. For practical reasons, it is desirable for the end user to have a single composition to apply to its crop.

However, combining different actives in the same agrochemical composition can be challenging, in particular when the herbicides to be combined have different physical and chemical characteristics. The choice of the adjuvants, solvents and surfactants that allow combining actives from different families into a single stable agrochemical composition can be the object of a long and extensive research.

<CIT> refers to herbicidal combinations containing pyridate and mesotrione, or pyridate and sulcotrione, which can be in form of an emulsifiable concentrate containing: calcium dodecylbenzenesulphate, poly-alkoxylated octyl phenol, cyclohexanone, and aromatic hydrocarbon as solvent.

<CIT> discloses a herbicidal phenylpyridazine concentrate containing benzyl alcohol, N,N-dimethyloctaneamide and N,N-dimethyldecanamide, calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenyl ether and aromatic hydrocarbons.

<CIT> relates to an emulsified concentrate containing a mixture of fomesafen-sodium, tembotrione, isoxadifen-ethyl, polyoxyethylene steryl phenyl ether, calcium dodecylbenzenesulphonate, xylene and N,N-dimethylformamide. This concentrate may be further mixed with herbicides such as pyridate and chloridazon.

<CIT> discloses an EC consisting essentially of one or more herbicides, one or more adjuvants selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and water-immiscible N-alkylpyrrolidones, one or more organic solvents selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, diethylene glycol dialkyl ethers and esters of plant oils or mixtures thereof, emulsifying surfactant system consisting of one anionic surfactant and one non-ionic surfactant, one or more dimethyl dicarboxylates, and one or more antifoam agents.

<CIT> refers to an emulsifiable concentrate containing a pesticide, alkyl lactate, N,N-dimethyldodecanamide, ethoxylated polyalkylarylphenol, ethoxylated and propoxylated isotridecanol, calcium alkylbenzenesulphonate, and aromatic solvent.

The scientific publication "<NPL>, relates to the tank mixtures "Onxy Komplett Maispack", which contains Onxy, EC, Temsa SC and Successor T, and "Onxy Power Set", which contains pyridate, mesotrione, and dimethenamid-p. These formulations together contain non-ionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, cyclohexanone, and aromatic solvent.

In the scientific publication of <NPL>, a pyridate emulsifiable concentrate is described that contains cyclohexanone, aromatic hydrocarbons, calcium dodecylbenzenesulphonate, and alcohol ethoxylate/propoxylate.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose agrochemical formulations suitable for a number of pesticides (e.g., pyridate and chloridazon), which contain solvents, anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants. According to <CIT> the solvent is a dioxolane solvent and according to <CIT> the solvent is an esteramide used in combination with N,N-dialkylamide and optionally a diester.

Nevertheless, there was still the need to propose a stable composition combining the two following families of herbicidal actives: phenylpyridazine derivatives and triketones.

It has been discovered that those two families of actives are increasing their activity against unwanted vegetation when used together, but also that it was difficult to formulate them in a single stable formulation without observing physical stability issues and/or chemical degradation of the actives.

The objective of the present invention has been met by providing an agrochemical composition as defined in claim <NUM>.

The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of said agrochemical composition, wherein the phenylpyridazine herbicide and the triketone herbicide, the surfactant system and the solvent described above are mixed together.

It is a third aspect of the present invention to propose an agrochemical emulsion or suspoemulsion obtainable by diluting the agrochemical composition of the invention, preferably with a dilution ratio which ranges from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> and more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

Last, it is also an object of the invention to propose a method of controlling undesired vegetation, comprising applying an effective amount of said agrochemical composition or of said agrochemical emulsion or suspoemulsion to plants, seeds or to the soil.

The term "agrochemical composition" means a chemical formulation to be used in agriculture. In most cases, agrochemical refers to pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and nematicides. It may also include synthetic fertilizers, hormones and other chemical growth agents, and concentrated stores of raw animal manure.

"Herbicidal substance" or "herbicides", also commonly known as weedkillers, are chemical substances used to control unwanted plants. Selective herbicides control specific weed species, while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed, while non-selective herbicides (sometimes called total weedkillers in commercial products) can be used to clear waste ground, industrial and construction sites, railways and railway embankments as they kill all plant material with which they come into contact.

As used herein, the terminology "a combination of a phenylpyridazine derivative and a triketone" means that the two families of herbicides are present. It has also to be understood that one or more herbicides of each family can be present.

"A solvent" is understood in a broad sense, in particular covering the functions of co-solvent, crystallization inhibitor and stripping agent. The term solvent may especially denote a product that is liquid at the usage temperature, preferably having a melting point less than or equal to <NUM> degrees centigrade, preferably <NUM> degrees centigrade, preferably <NUM> degrees centigrade, which may contribute to rendering a solid substance liquid, or to preventing or retarding the solidification or the crystallization of material in a liquid medium.

As used herein, the terminology "a surfactant system" in the sense of the present invention is a compound that lowers the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids, between a gas and a liquid, or between a liquid and a solid.

"Emulsion" has to be understood as a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (unmixable or unblendable). Emulsions are part of a more general class of two-phase systems of matter called colloids. Although the terms colloid and emulsion are sometimes used interchangeably, emulsion should be used when both phases, dispersed and continuous, are liquids.

"Suspoemulsion" in the meaning of the present invention, is an emulsion that also contains particles (for instance of herbicidal active) in suspension.

As used herein, the terminology "controlling" in the sense of the present invention means reducing, preventing, limiting or eliminating the undesired vegetation.

"Undesired vegetation" or "unwanted vegetation" refers to all plants, such as, broad-leaved weeds, weed grasses or Cyperaceae, which grow at sites where they are unwanted.

As used herein, the terminology "effective amount" or "herbicidally effective amount" in reference to the relative amount of herbicide in an herbicidal composition means the relative amount that is effective to control growth of a target plant when the herbicidal composition is spray applied to the target plant and/or to the environment of the plant at a given application rate.

The term "a" is a generic plural, which means that it covers at least one, but also possibly several compounds that it designates. For sake of conciseness this term has been used in the specification and claims but it can be replaced by "at least one" or "one or more" all along the text of this invention, without any change in the meaning, except if explicit mention is made in the description.

The agrochemical composition according to the invention comprises, as herbicidal substance, <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition, of a combination of a phenylpyridazine derivative, which is herbicide from the class photo system II inhibitors, and triketone herbicide from the class pigment synthesis inhibitors.

Phenylpyridazine derivatives are selective herbicides for controlling unwanted vegetation belonging to the C3 classification according to the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC). They belong to the class of photo system II inhibitors, which means that their mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of the photosynthesis process at the level of the photo system II in plants. In particular, this kind of herbicide inhibits the binding of quinone to the D1 protein of photo system II whereby electrons accumulate in chlorophyll molecules and an excess of oxidation occurs, causing the plant to die. Phenylpyridazine derivatives include pyridate, pyridafol and pyrazon.

According to the invention, the phenylpyridazine herbicide is advantageously selected in the group consisting of pyridate, pyridafol, pyrazon and mixtures thereof, preferably pyridate.

Pyridate and pyridafol have the phenyl substituent attached to the C atom in the pyridazine heterocycle whereas pyrazon has the phenyl substituent attached to the N atom in the pyridazine heterocycle.

The developed structures are as followed:
<CHM>.

Pyrazon Pyridate Pyridafol Pyridate (IUPAC name (<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-phenylpyridazin-<NUM>-yl)octylsulfanylformate ) can be obtained from chlorination of <NUM>-phenyl-pyridazone-<NUM> and subsequent saponification to produce phenyl-<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-chloropyridazine which is further reacted to produce pyridate. It is a commercial herbicide.

Triketones are selective herbicides for controlling unwanted vegetation belonging to the F2 classification according to the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC). Their mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of the pigment synthesis (also called bleaching herbicides). Triketone herbicides include mesotrione, tembotrione, sulcotrione, and tefuryltrione.

In the agrochemical composition according to invention the triketone is advantageously selected from the group consisting of mesotrione, tembotrione, sulcotrione, tefuryltrione and mixtures thereof, preferably mesotrione.

Mesotrione (IUPAC name <NUM>-(<NUM>-methylsulfonyl-<NUM>-nitrobenzoyl)-cyclohexane-<NUM>,<NUM>-dione), tembotrione (IUPAC name <NUM>-[<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-methylsulfonyl-<NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trifluoroethoxymethyl)benzoyl]cyclohexane-<NUM>,<NUM>-trione), sulcotrione (IUPAC name <NUM>-[<NUM>-Chloro-<NUM>-(methylsulfonyl)-benzoyl]-<NUM>,<NUM>-cyclohexanedione) and tefuryltrione (IUPAC name <NUM>-[<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-methylsulfonyl-<NUM>-(oxolan-<NUM>-ylmethoxymethyl)benzoyl]cyclohexane-<NUM>,<NUM>-dione) are all commercial herbicides.

The weight ratio of phenylpyridazine derivative:triketone in the agrochemical composition according to the invention can vary from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> and more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. When triketone is mesotrione, the range can be more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The agrochemical composition according to the invention also comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a solvent, based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition, selected in the group consisting of dioxolanes and esteramides.

If the solvent is a dioxolane, the solvent is a dioxolane of formula I:
<CHM>
wherein.

In a preferred embodiment, R<NUM> and R<NUM>, independently from one another, are selected in the group consisting of: methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl.

Advantageously, in formula I above R<NUM> is H or a -C(=O)R<NUM> group, with R<NUM> being methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, n-butyl or tert-butyl. More preferably, R<NUM> is H.

One preferred embodiment is when R<NUM> and R<NUM> are methyl and R<NUM> is H. In this case, the compound is commercially available, for example under the name Rhodiasolv® Li-Tec 2V. This compound can be synthesized by reaction between glycerol and acetone, under well-known classical conditions.

In another embodiment, R<NUM> is methyl, R<NUM> is isobutyl and R<NUM> is H. In this case, the compound is commercially available. This compound can be synthesized by reaction between glycerol and methyl-isobutyl ketone, under well-known classical conditions.

In a third embodiment, R<NUM> is methyl, R<NUM> is phenyl and R<NUM> is H. In this case, the compound is commercially available. This compound can be synthesized by reaction between glycerol and acetophenone, under well-known classical conditions.

Another possibility is to have R<NUM> and R<NUM> are methyl and R<NUM> is a -C(=O)R<NUM> group, with R<NUM> being methyl. In this case, the compound is commercially available. This compound can be synthesized by transesterification of Solketal with an alkyl acetate under well-known classical conditions.

Glycerol can be obtained as a coproduct from biodiesel production during the transesterification of triglycerides.

If the solvent is an esteramide. the esteramide is an esteramide of formula II:.

The R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> groups, which are identical or different, may especially be groups chosen from C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or arylalkyl groups or the phenyl group. The R<NUM> and R<NUM> groups may optionally be substituted, in particular by hydroxyl groups.

The R<NUM> group may especially be chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, <NUM>-ethylbutyl, n-octyl, isooctyl, <NUM>-ethylhexyl, tridecyl groups.

The R<NUM> and R<NUM> groups, which are identical or different, may especially be chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl (n-propyl), isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-pentyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl or hydroxyethyl groups. The R<NUM> and R<NUM> groups may also be such that they form, together with the nitrogen atom, a morpholine, piperazine or piperidine group. According to particular embodiments, R<NUM>=R<NUM>=methyl, or R<NUM>=R<NUM>=ethyl, or R<NUM>=R<NUM>=hydroxyethyl.

According to one particular embodiment, if A comprises a linear group of formula -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- and/or of formula -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- and/or of formula -(CH<NUM>)<NUM>- then it is a mixture of A groups. According to one particular embodiment, if A is linear, then it is a mixture of A groups, for example a mixture of two or three -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- (ethylene); -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- (n-propylene); and -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- (n-butylene) groups. According to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the A group is a divalent linear alkyl group chosen from the groups of the following formulae: -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- (ethylene); -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- (n-propylene); -CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>- (n-butylene), and mixtures thereof.

According to one particular variant in this first embodiment, the compound of the invention is chosen from the following compounds:.

MeOOC-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CONMe<NUM>;.

MeOOC-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CONMe<NUM>, as a mixture with MeOOC-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CONMe<NUM> and/or with MeOOC-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-CONMe<NUM>.

According to a second particular embodiment of the invention, the A group is a divalent branched alkylene group having one of the following formulae (IIa), (IIb), (IIc), (IIIa) and (IIIb), or a mixture of at least two groups chosen from the groups of formulae (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc) or from the groups of formulae (IIIa) and (IIIb), or a mixture of at least two groups, one chosen from the groups of formulae (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc) and the others chosen from the groups of formulae (IIIa) and (IIIb):.

-(CHR<NUM>)y-(CHR<NUM>)x-(CHR<NUM>)z-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-     (IIa).

-CH<NUM>-CH<NUM>-(CHR<NUM>)z-(CHR<NUM>)x-(CHR<NUM>)y-     (IIb).

-(CHR<NUM>)z-CH<NUM>-(CHR<NUM>)x-CH<NUM>-(CHR<NUM>)y-     (IIc).

-(CHR<NUM>)y-(CHR<NUM>)x-(CHR<NUM>)z-CH<NUM>-     (IIIa).

-CH<NUM>-(CHR<NUM>)z-(CHR<NUM>)x-(CHR<NUM>)y-     (IIIb).

In this second particular embodiment, the A group is preferably a group such that y=z=<NUM>.

Preferably, in the formula (IIa) and/or in the formula (IIb):
x=<NUM>; y=z=<NUM>; Rs=methyl.

Preferably, in the formula (IIIa) and/or in the formula (IIIb):
x=<NUM>; y=z=<NUM>; R<NUM>=ethyl.

According to one particular variant in the second particular embodiment, the compound of the invention is chosen from the following compounds, and mixtures thereof:.

In the preferred embodiment, the esteramide comprises a mixture of MeOOC-AMG-CONMe<NUM> and MeOOC-AES-CONMe<NUM>, which is commercially available under the tradename Rhodiasolv® Polarclean.

The agrochemical composition according to the invention also comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a surfactant system, based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition, comprising a non ionic and an anionic surfactant.

It has been discovered that particularly good results have been obtained when the weight ratio of non ionic surfactant to anionic surfactant is greater than <NUM>, preferably greater than <NUM>, more preferably greater than <NUM>.

Suitable nonionic surfactants are known in the art, and include, for example, alkylaryl alkoxylates, such as alkoxylated alkylphenols, alkarylphenol alkoxylates, such as alkoxylated tristryrylphenols, alkoxylated triglycerides, such as alkoxylated castor oils or fatty acids, sorbitan fatty acid esters, such as sorbitan monooleate, alkoxylated sorbitan fatty acid esters, such as polyoxyethylene (<NUM>) sorbitan monopalmitate, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, such as ethoxylated stearyl alcohol, alkoxylated fatty acids, such as poly(ethylene glycol) monostearates, alkoxylated fatty acid esters, alkoxylated copolymers, such as ethylene/propylene block copolymers, glycoside surfactants, such as alkylglucosides and alkylpolyglucosides, amine oxides, such as cocoamine oxide, alkanolamides, such as cocoamide DEA, alkoxylated fatty amines, and mixtures thereof.

In the surfactant system according to the invention, the non ionic surfactant is advantageously selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated alkylphenols, alkoxylated tristyrylphenols, alkoxylated castor oils or fatty acids, sorbitan fatty acid esters, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty amines, and mixtures thereof, preferably alkoxylated tristyrylphenol.

By way of examples of anionic surfactants, mention may be made, without wishing to be limited thereto, of:.

The anionic surfactants may be in acid form (they are potentially anionic) or in a partially or totally salified form, with a counterion. The counterion may be an alkali metal, such as sodium or potassium, an alkaline earth metal, such as calcium, or an ammonium ion of formula N(R)<NUM>+ in which R, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl radical optionally substituted with an oxygen atom.

In the agrochemical composition according to the invention, the anionic surfactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkoxylated alkylaryl phosphates, alkoxylated alcohol phosphates, sulfosuccinates, alkoxylated tristyrylphenol phosphates, alkoxylated distyrylphenol sulfates, and mixtures thereof, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonates, more preferably dodecylbenzene sulfonate.

The agrochemical composition is preferably a concentrated composition, which means that it preferably does not contain large amounts of water. Typically the water content is generally less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM> percent by weight, more preferably less than <NUM> percent by weight.

The agrochemical composition is preferably a liquid formulation, for example in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), dispersible concentrate (DC) or an oil-dispersion type formulation (OD). By "oil-dispersion type" it has to be understood that the fluid used as a continuous phase that can be water-immiscible or water-miscible. The scope of the invention does not exclude the production of solid agrochemical compositions, such as formulations in which a liquid comprising the agrochemical composition is supported by a mineral and/or dispersed in a solid matrix. In this case we thus obtain a wettable powder (WP) and when granulated we obtain water-dispersible granules (WDG) or water soluble granules (WSG) or water emulsifiable granule (WEG).

The agrochemical composition may quite obviously include certain ingredients (or "other additives") other than the herbicidal substances combination, the solvent(s), the surfactant system and the optional water. It may include, in particular viscosity modifying agents, antifoam agents and defoamers, in particular silicone antifoams and defoamers, anti-rebound agents, anti-leaching agents, inert fillers, in particular mineral fillers, anti-freeze agents, stabilizers, dyes, emetic agents, stickers (adhesion promoters), etc..

In a particular embodiment, the agrochemical composition according to the invention may further contain rheological additives/thickeners, preferably a mineral suspending agent, more preferably selected from the group consisting of silicas, surface treated silicate, mixed oxides and mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the agrochemical composition according to the invention may further contain other surfactants as wetting and/or dispersing agents, different from the non ionic or anionic surfactant cited above, and preferably selected in the group consisting of alkoxylated C8-C24 alcohols, alkoxylated sorbitan esters, alkylnaphtalene sulfonates, condensed alkylnaphtalene sulfonates, alkoxylated alcohol phosphates, alkoxylated phosphates, phenylsulfonates, alkoxylated tristyrylphenol phosphates, alkoxylated tristyrylphenol sulfates, alkoxylated distyrylphenol sulphates, polycarboxylates, acrylic polymers and mixtures thereof, more preferably ethoxylated isodecyl alcohol.

In a first embodiment, the agrochemical composition according to the invention is a dispersion of the triketone herbicide in a solution comprising the phenylpyridazine herbicide, the solvent and the surfactant system.

In a second embodiment, the agrochemical composition according to the invention is a homogeneous solution of the triketone herbicide and the phenylpyridazine herbicide in the solvent and the surfactant system.

Known conventional methods for preparing phytosanitary formulations or mixtures of solvents may be implemented. It is possible to undertake this by simply mixing the constituents.

That's why the present invention aims at a process for the preparation of the agrochemical composition according to the invention and described above, wherein the phenylpyridazine herbicide, the herbicide, the surfactant system and the solvent are mixed together.

In a first embodiment of the process according to the invention, the following steps are performed:.

In a second embodiment of the process according to the invention, the following steps are performed:.

The agrochemical composition defined above is generally in the form of a concentrated composition, that is intended to be spread out over a cultivated field or a field to be cultivated, most often after dilution with water, in order to obtain a diluted composition. Dilution is generally carried out by the farm operator before usage, and it is going to form an emulsion or suspoemulsion. The present invention thus also provides an emulsion or suspoemulsion obtainable by diluting the agrochemical composition defined above, preferably with a dilution ratio which ranges from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> and more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

Dilution is generally carried out directly in a tank, for example in the tank of a device intended to spread out the composition. This does not exclude the possibility of the farm operator adding other plant protective products, for example fungicides, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, tank-mix adjuvants, etc. The dilution ratios and the amounts to be applied over the field generally depend on the phytosanitary product and on the desirable dose for treating the field (this may be determined by the farm operator).

It is the last aspect of the present invention to propose a method of controlling undesired vegetation, comprising applying an effective amount of the agrochemical composition defined above or of the agrochemical emulsion or suspoemulsion described above to plants, seeds or to the soil.

The examples of implementation of the invention below are given purely by way of illustration, and could not in any way be limiting in nature.

In the below experimental part, the following compounds have been used:.

For this first step, Pyridate Tech. miscibility in various solvents at a concentration of <NUM> wt% has been tested:.

Pyridate Tech. shows a good miscibility in the above solvents after <NUM> days at room temperature and <NUM>.

The miscibility of several surfactants in compositions containing Pyridate and solvents was tested. The concentration of Pyridate Tech. was <NUM>% by weight and the concentration of surfactant was <NUM>% by weight, up to <NUM>% by weight with the solvent.

Among those formulations, only formulations having a surfactant system comprising at least one anionic and at least one nonionic surfactant lead to physically stable formulations.

Two systems (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean with Soprophor <NUM>/P (<NUM>%) / Rhodafac RE/<NUM>-E (<NUM>%) and Rhodiasolv® Li-Tec 2v with Geronol blend # <NUM>) are selected for further formulation. Those <NUM> formulations are stable even after <NUM> days at <NUM>.

Different concentrations for each system have been tested:.

The best results in terms of emulsification and suspensibility are obtained with an amount of surfactant of <NUM>% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation (without Mesotrione).

Pyridate concentration adjustments have been made accordingly:.

Tests performed on the above formulations showed the below results:.

Mesotrione has been introduced in both Rhodiasolv® Li-Tec 2v and Rhodiasolv® Polarclean. Mesotrione is not soluble in Rhodiasolv® Li-Tec 2v and is soluble in (for instance at concentration of <NUM>/L) Rhodiasolv® Polarclean.

<NUM> oil dispersions of mesotrione in pyridate formulations with different ratios of Pyridate/Mesotrione have been developed and tested. Those compositions and results are presented below.

After <NUM> weeks at <NUM> we have less than <NUM>% of chemical degradation of Pyridate and Mesotrione.

The above formulations <NUM> and <NUM> show good physical & chemical stability, dilution and suspensibility characteristics.

<NUM> emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations of mesotrione and pyridate have been developed and tested. The compositions and results are presented below.

Formulations <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> show good physical storage stability and adequate dilution characteristics.

<NUM> emulsifiable concentrate of tembotrione and pyridate, and <NUM> oil dispersion of tembotrione in pyridate have been developed and tested. Those compositions and results are presented below.

Formulations <NUM> and <NUM> show good physical storage stability and dilution characteristics.

Claim 1:
An agrochemical composition comprising:
- as herbicidal substance <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-% of a combination of a phenylpyridazine herbicide from the class photo system II inhibitors, and a triketone herbicide from the class pigment synthesis inhibitors;
- <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-% of a solvent selected from the group consisting of dioxolanes and esteramides; and
- <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-% of a surfactant system comprising a non ionic and an anionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition,
wherein if the solvent is an dioxolane, the solvent is a dioxolane of formula I
<CHM>
wherein
R1 and R2, independently from one another, are selected in the group consisting of: a linear or branched C1-C12 alkyl, a C4-C12 cycloalkyl or an aryl;
R3 is H, a linear or branched alkyl, a cycloalkyl or a -C(=O)R4 group, with R4 being a linear or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl; and
if the solvent is an esteramide the esteramide is an esteramide of formula II

        R<NUM>OOC-A-CONR<NUM>R<NUM>     (II)

wherein :
R5 is a radical selected from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, optionally cyclic, optionally aromatic hydrocarbon-based radicals having an average number of carbon atoms ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>;
R6 and R7, which may be identical or different, are each radicals selected from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, optionally cyclic, optionally aromatic, optionally substituted hydrocarbon-based radicals having an average number of carbon atoms ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, with the proviso that R6 and R7 may optionally together form a ring member that is optionally substituted and/or that optionally contains a heteroatom; and
A is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical having an average number of carbon atoms ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.