AU674100B2 - Adjuvant for sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling agents - Google Patents

Description

2 TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to spray-assisting/spray compatibility-assisting, adjuvant compositions in concentrate-form, suitable for preparing sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling formulations, comprising a vegetable oil(s) and a surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), as well as to sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect controlling agent(s) containing such concentrate-form adjuvant compositions, besides the use of such sprayable mixes or formulations in controlling or destroying or repelling unwanted plants or insects.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Widely used plant or insect controlling agents include herbicides as a class, plant-growth regulators as a class, fungicides as a class, insecticides as a class, and insect-repellents as a class, several of these substances as a class often being used in admixture, for instance, a mixture of a glyphosate-based herbicide with a diphenyl 20 ether-based herbicide or other herbicide(s). An example of such a mixture of herbicides is a glyphosate-based herbicide such as that sold by Monsanto Company, under the registered trade mark ROUNDUP, specifically, the herbicides identified by the tradename ROUNDUP and/or the tradename 0 25 ROUNDUP CT, with a diphenyl ether-based herbicide such as that sold by Rohm Haas Company, under the registered trade mark GOAL, specifically, the herbicide identified by the tradename GOAL CT.

l~ l~s~a~ s _L c~- 3 Some formulations of plant or insect controlling agent(s) suitable for spray application in the field, particularly some herbicidal formulations of the glyphosatebased herbicide ROUNDUP CT, must be mixed with an additional or supplementary surfactant(s) prior to use in the field, in order to exhibit its full herbicidal activity. Moreover, some mixtures of formulations of plant or insect controlling agents suitable for spray application in the field, particularly some formulations of a glyphosate-based herbicide such as ROUNDUP CT herbicide, with some formulations of a diphenyl ether-based herbicide such as GOAL CT herbicide, when prepared for field use in a low water volume and when the water temperature is below about 0 C, which is a common situation in winter, form sludge in the mixing vessel or tank due to incompatibility of those herbicide formulations, the sludge subsequently interfering with the spray application of the mixed formulations of herbicides, by causing blockage of spray nozzles of the spraying equipment.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an environmentally advantageous and economically acceptable, spray-assisting/compatibility-assisting adjuvant in concentrate-form, comprising a vegetable oil(s) with a s*0* comparatively small amount of a surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) suitable for use in both: preparing sprayable mixes of a plant or insect controlling agent(s) in a vehicle such as water ready for spray-application in the field, without the necessity of using an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s); and preparing sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling agents which normally form sludge when mixed with a vehicle such as water in a mixing vessel or I I I -L L -e -L;sp__ 4 tank due to formulation incompatibility, ready for sprayapplication in the field without the necessity of using an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s), said adjuvant thus avoiding the necessity to use a surfactant(s) prior to application in the field, aside from preventing or substantially preventing the formation of sludge when mixtures of formulations of such plant or insect controlling agents are mixed with a vehicle such as water in field-producing sprayable mixes of formulations of those plant or insect controlling agents, ready for application by spraying in the fild.

*0**1 S Another object of the present invention is to provide a field-use sprayable mix of formulations of a plant or insect controlling agent(s), ready for spray application in the field without the necessity of using additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s), in containing said adjuvant in concentrate-form, as well as providing a sludge-free or substantially sludge-free, field-use, sprayable mix of a mixture of formulations of normally sludge-'forming plant or insect controlling agents, ready for spray-application in the field, without the necessity of using an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s), in containing said adjuvant in concentrateform, whereby the field-use mix is free or substantially free of sludge formation that normally blocks the spraynozzles of spraying equipment when the mix is spray-applied in the field, thereby avoiding interference with the spraying of the mix in the field.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for the preparation of a field-use sprayable mix of formulations of a plant or insect 1 I 5 controlling agent(s), ready for spray-application in the field without the necessity of using an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s), in containing said adjuvant in concentrate-form, as well as providing a method for the preparation of a sludge-free or substantially sludge-free field-use sprayable mix of a mixture of formulations of normally sludge-forming plant or insect controlling agents, ready for spray-application in the field, without the necessity of using an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s), which sprayable mix contains said adjuvent in concentrate-form, whereby the field-use mix is free or substantially free of sludge formation that normally blocks the spray-nozzles of spraying equipment when the mix is spray-applied in the field, thereby avoiding interference with the spraying of the mix :in the field.

*e SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention provides a spray-assisting/spray compatibility-assisting, adjuvant composition in concentrate-form, suitable for preparing sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling formulations, comprising a vegetable oil(s) and a surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) suitable for use in preparing sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling agents, said concentrate-form adjuvant composition 'comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of the composition, together with any one of: C- C- -plB 6 nionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of the composition; or a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/:antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers'antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of the composition; or :15 a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty Cd eQl alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of -20 about 10% to about 15%, preferably about 12%, by weight of the composition, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, Semulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 1% to about preferably about by weight of the composition, the aggregate of and or and or and constituting 100% by weight of the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive CD g~r rYe 7 substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect controlling agents for spray-application in the field.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides sprayable mixes or formulations of a plant or insect controlling agent(s), said sprayble mixes or formulations comprising: a plant or insect controlling agent component, optionally a normally sludge-forming plant or insect controlling agent, or mixture of such plant or insect controlling agents; and (II) a vegetable oil(s) mixed with a surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) adjuvant component in 15 concentrate-form, said adjuvant component comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about '20 by weight of said component, together with any one of: a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about by weight of said component; or ra ylC I I dl B- L.I~_ 8 a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of said component; or a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcchols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 10% to about 15%, preferably about 12%, by weight of said component, together with a nonionic, ethylene 15 oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 1% to about preferably about by weight of said component, the aggregate of and or and or and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by spray-application in the field; and (III) water or other vehicle in which said plant or insect controlling agent component and said adjuvant component and any optional additive substance(s) are dispersed.

c I 9 In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for the preparation of a sprayable mix or formulation of a plant or insect controlling agent(s), ready for spray- ,applicaton in the field, said method comprising the steps of: charging a spray mixing tank equipped with an agitator and pump, with clean water or other such vehicle to one-third to one-half full capacity of the mixing tank; o;zionally adding to the mixing tank and mixing thoroughly a selected co-herbicide or co-insecticide or other additive that does not present a physical compatibility problem with the plant or insect controlling agent that requires the use of an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s) prior to application in the field; adding the plant or insect controlling agent that requires the use of an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s) prior to application in the field, together with the remaining water or other such vehicle, and mixing thoroughly; and adding the adjuvant component to the spray tank near the end of the spray mixing procedure, and mixing thoroughly.

said adjuvant component comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of said component, together with any one of: I L_ 10 a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about by weight of said component; or a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of said component; or :15 a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 10% to about 15%, preferably about 12%, by weight of said component, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 1% to about preferably about by weight of said component, the aggregate of and or and or and (D) constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental ~sl II C 11 additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mix or formulation, or for applying said sprayable mix or formulation by sprayapplication in the field.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for the preparation of a sprayable mix or formulation of a mixture of plant or insect controlling agents which are normally sludge-forming, ready for spray application in the field, which sprayable mix or formulation is free or substantially free of sludge formation, said method comprising the steps of: charging a spray mixing tank equipped with an agitator and pump, with clean water or other such vehicle to one-third to one-half full capacity of the mixing 15 tank; pre-mixing one part of one of the incompatible agents S. with three parts of the adjuvant component of the invention; adding the resultant pre-mix to the mixing tank and mixing thoroughly; and adding the other of the incompatible agents, together with the remaining water or other such vehicle to the mixing tank, while maintaining adequate agitation, so as to prepare the sprayable mix or formulation for prompt use thereafter, said adjuvant component comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about 12 by weight of said component, together with any one of: a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about by weight of said component; or a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight :15 of said component; or a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated 2 0 fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 10% to about 15%, preferably about 12%, by weight of said component, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, 5 emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 1% to about preferably about by weight of said component, 13 the aggregate of and or and or and (D) constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mix or formulation, or for applying said sprayable mix or formulation by spray-application in the field.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides methods of controlling or destroying or repelling unwanted plants or insects, which methods comprise spraying the locus of said plants or insects with a sprayable mix or formulation in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. More preferably, that aspect of the invention provides a method of controlling or destroying weeds, which comprises spraying the locus of said weeds with a herbicidal sprayable mix or formulation in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the concentrate-form adjuvant composition comprises: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of the composition; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, 14 identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of inciQental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect controlling agents for spray-application in the field.

In another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the concentrate-form adjuvant composition comprises: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of the composition; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, 0 the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental Additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or 15 formulations of plant or insect controlling agents for spray-application in the field.

In another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the concentrate-form adjuvant composition comprises: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of the composition; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 10% to about 15%, preferably about 12%, by weight of the composition, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated *900 fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 1% to about preferably *about by weight of the composition, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of '.i25 incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect controlling agents for spray-application in the field.

16 More preferably, the concentrate-form adjuvant composition of the first aspect of the present invention comprises: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, with ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 10% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated alcohols such as octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol ethoxylate) or nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate), or ethoxylated fatty alcohols, in an amcunt within the range of about 5% to about 12% by weight of the composition; or (ii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition; or (iii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated fatty alcohols in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition; or (iv) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, and octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol .".ethoxylate) in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition; or a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, and nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate) in an 17 amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition.

Still more preferably, the concentrate-form adjuvant composition of the first aspect of the present invention is characterised in that the triacylglycerolsbased vegetable oil(s) are selected from rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, or blends of rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, exemplified by mixtures of: rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil safflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil safflower seed oil.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the spray mix or formulation comprisises: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of said component; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or '"2d fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 25: 10%, by weight of said component, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) 18 achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by spray-application in the field.

In another preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the spray mix or formulation comprises: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of said component; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ 15 antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about sees 3% to about 15%, preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of said component, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by spray-application in the field.

In another preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the spray mix or formulation comprises: 19 a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 95%, preferably about by weight of said component; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of about 10% to about 15%, preferably about 12%, by weight of said component, together with a Yonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of about 1% to about preferably about by weight of said component, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by spray-application in the field.

More preferably, the spray mix or formulation of the second aspect of the present invention comprises: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within 9 0.

the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, with ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amount within the range of about 3% to 20 about 10% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated alcohols such as octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol ethoxylate) or nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate), or ethoxylated fatty alcohols, in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 12% by weight of the composition; or (ii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition; or (iii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated fatty alcohols in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition; or (iv) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight 20 of the composition, and octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol ethoxylate) in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition; or a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of about 85% to about 95% by weight of the composition, and nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate) in an amount within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition.

Still more preferably, the spray ;,ix or formulation of the second aspect of the present invention is characterised in that: 21 the triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil(s) are selected from rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, or blends of rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, exemplified by mixtures of: rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil safflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil safflower seed oil; or the plant or insect controlling agents are selected from herbicides, in particular, glyphosate-based herbicides or glyphosate-based herbicides with diphenyl ether-based herbicides; or the spray mix or formulation: is an ultra low volume (ULV) sprayable mix total spray mix volume less than 5 1/ha for row and field crops, or less than 1/ha for tree-crops) having a ratio by volume of plant or insect controlling agent(s) to said adjuvant component of 1:1 to 1:5; or is a low volume (LV) sprayable mix total spray mix volume of 50-200 1/ha for row and field crops, or 200-500 1/ha for tree-crops) having said adjuvant component in an amount in excess of 0.2-2% by volume, preferably 0.3-0.5% by volume, of the final volume of the ready-to-use, sprayable mix of the plant or insect controlling agent(s); or is a high volume (HV) sprayable mix total spray mix volume of 600 1/ha for row and field crops, or more than 1000 1/ha for tree-crops) having said adjuvant component in an amount in excess of 0.2-2% by volume of the final ready-to-use, sprayable mix of the plant or insect controlling agent(s); or 22 the spray mix or formulation is prepared from said adjuvant composition in concentrate-form in which: the components and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of 800 g/l to 850 g/l: 50 g/l to 100 g/l of the sprayable mix; the components and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range o. 800 g/l to 850 g/l: 50 g/1 to 100 g/l of the sprayable mix; and the three (3) components in and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of 750 to 800 g/l: 100 to 120 g/1' 20 to 40 g/l, respectively, of the sprayable mix, preferably 780 g/l: 110 g/l: 30 g/l, respectively, of the sprayable mix, the ratio of the herbicides in such mixtures of herbicides being within the range of 1:1 to 1:20, preferably 1:5 to 1:10.

Ready-to-use, sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling agents in accordance with the invention, include sprayable mixes of herbicides such as the glyphosate-based herbicide identified by the tradename ROUNDUP CT, prepared from said concentrate-form adjuvant composition, as well as sprayable mixes of glyphosate based herbicides with diphenyl ether-based herbicides, such as mixtures of the herbicide identified by the tradename ROUNDUP CT, with the herbicide identified by the tradename GOAL CT, prepared from said concentrate-form adjuvant composition, which may contain those materials in different ratios determined by the elected end-use of the sprayable mix.

As indicated above, ready-to-use, sprayable mixes S"of herbicides or mixtures of herbicides in accordance with the invention, including sprayable mixes of glyphosate-based herbicides with diphenyi ether-based herbicides, such as 23 mixtures of the herbicides identified by the tradename ROUNDUP CT, with the herbicide identified by the tradename GOAL CT, may be prepared from said concentrate-form adjuvant composition in which: the components and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of about 800 g/l to about 850 g/l: about 50 g/l to about 100 g/l of the sprayable mix; the components and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of about 800 g/l to about 850 g/l: about 50 g/1 to about 100 g/l of the sprayable mix; and the three components in and (D) are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of about 750 to about 800 g/l: about 100 to about 120 g/l: about 20 to about 40 g/l, respectively, of the sprayable mix, preferably about 780 g/l: about 110 g/l: about 30 g/l, respectively, of the sprayable mix, the ratio of the herbicides in such mixtures of herbicides conveniently being within the range of about 1:1 to about 1:20, preferably about 1:5 to about 1:10.

24 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils which may be used in preparing the concentrate-form, adjuvant composition of the invention include rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil. Blends of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils include blends such as mixtures of rapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, and safflower seed oil, for example, mixtures of: rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil safflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil safflower seed oil.

Rapeseed oil or canola oil or blends of rapeseed oil and/or canola oil with other triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils are preferred. Rapeseed oil is the oil extracted from seeds of the plant species Brassica napus or Brassica campestris. Canola oil is the oil extracted from :i seeds of the plant species Brassica napus and Brassica campestris but containing less than 30 micromoles of glucoslinolates per g. of oil-free, air-free, solids and not more than 5% erucic acid in the oil component, as a proportion of the total fatty acids content. Characteristics of rapeseed, canola oil and other triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils are determined by Australian Technical and Trading Standards (The Australian Oilseed Federation).

Canola oil is the preferred vegetable oil because of the unique fatty acid composition in this triglyceride: Fatty Acid Canola Oil Rapeseed Oil C 12 C 14 0.2 C 16 4.5 2.5 25 Fatty Acid Canola Oil Rapeseed Oil C 16. 1 0.2 C 18 2.2 1.1 C 18.1 59.8 12.8 C 18.2 20.2 12.3 C 18.3 8.7 7.8 C 20 0.6 0.9 C 20.1 1.5 9.1 C 22 0.3 0.8 C 22.1 0.6 47.7 Thus, canola oil has a very high content of C' I? fat:y acids whereas rapeseed oil had vey hi.gh content of C 22.1 fatty acid, known as erucic acid which is recarded as less desirable from a health and environmental 15 vie':'point.

Nonionic ethylene oxide condensates of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s), or blends of such nonionic surfactants, which may be used in preparing 20 the adjuvant composition of the invention, are based upon biodegradable straight chain alcohols obtained from synthetic sources. This series of condensates generally contains 2-40 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydrophobe, for instance octyl phenol ethoxylates containing 5-40 moles of ethylene oxide, such as 3-23 moles of ethylene oxide, more particularly, 4-12 moles of ethylene oxide; nonyl phenol ethoxylates containing 2-13 moles of ethylene oxide, such as 2-5 moles of ethylene oxide or 8-13 moles of ethylene oxide or 8 or 9 or 12 or 13 moles of ethylene oxi..e; and dodecyl phenol ethoxylates containing m.cles of ethyl.ene oxide.

26 Other such condensates are derived from biodegradable straight chain alcohols and contain 3-23 moles of ethylene oxide, for instance 4-6 moles of ethylene oxide or 6-12 moles of ethylene oxide, examples being tridecanol ethoxylate, cetyl-stearyl alcohol ethoxylates, cetyl-oleyl alcohol ethoxylates, and propylene glycol ethoxylates. All such condensates are available commercially from ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd. under various trade identifications related to the registered trade mark TERIC.

]0 Ethoxylated alcohol(s) or -*thoxylated. fatty alcohol(s), nonionic surfactants so available are as follows: octyl phenol ethoxylates identified by the trade names 'Teric' X5, 'Teric' X7, 'Teric' X8, 'Teric' 'Teric' X11, 'Teric' X13, 'Teric' X16, and 'Teric' nonyl phenol ethoxylates identified by the trade names 'Teric' N2, 'Teric' N3, 'Teric' N4, 'Teric' N5, 'Teric' N8,'Teric' N9, 'Teric' N10, 'Teric' N11, 'Teric' N12, 'leric' N13, 'Teric' N15, 'Teric' N20, 'Teric' N30, 'Teric' N40, and 'Teric' N100; dodecyl phenol ethoxylates identified by the trade names 'Teric' DD5 and 'Teric' DD9; fatty alcohol ethoxylates identified by the trade names 'Teric' 12A3, 'Teric' 12A6, 'Teric' 12A9, 'Teric' 12A12, 'Teric' 12A16, 'Teric' 12A23 and 'Teric' 15All; a tridecanol ethoxylate identified by the trade name 'Teric' 13A9; 25 cetyl-stearyl alcohol ethoxylates identified by the trade names 'Teric' 16A16, 'Teric' 16A22 and 'Teric' 16A29; I cetyl-oleyl alcohol ethoxylates identified by the trade names 'Teric' 17A2, 'Teric' 17A3, 'Teric' 17A6, 'Teric' 17A8, 'Teric' 17A10, 'Teric' 17A13 and 'Teric' 17A25; and *0 polypropylene glycol ethoxylates identified by the trade names 'Teric' PE61, 'Teric' PE62, 'Teric' PE64, 'Teric' PE68, 'Teric' PE75, 'Teric' PE87 and 'Teric' PE103.

27 Preferred ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s), nonionic surfactants for use in preparing the adjuvant composition of the invention are: nonyl phenol ethoxylate containing 5.5 moles of ethylene oxide, HLB 10.5, carrying the tradename 'Teric' N5; octyl phenol ethoxylate containing 5 moles of ethylene oxide, HLB 10.4, carrying the tradename 'Teric' X5; cetyl-oleyl alcohol ethoxylate containing 3 moles of ethylene oxide, HLB carrying the trade name 'Teric' 17A3; and (4) straight-chain alcohols ethoxylate containing 2.6 moles of ethylene oxide, HLB 7.8, carrying the trade name 'Teric' 12A3, each of which is available commercially from ICI Australia Operations Pty. Ltd., although similar products are available from other surfactant producers.

Nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s), or blends of such nonionic emulsifiers/ antistatic agents, which may be used in preparing the adjuvant composition of the invention, include ethoxylated oleic acid or ethoxylated stearic acid. These emulsifiers/ antistatic agents generally contain 4-15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydrophobe, for instance, ethoxylated oleic acid containing 4-8 moles of ethylene oxide, and ethoxylated stearic acid, containing 9-15 moles of ethylene oxide. Preferred condensates of this class contain 4-6 moles of ethylene, with a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of 7.7-10.

These ethoxylated oleic acid emulsifiers/ 'antistatic agents are also available commercially from ICI Australia Operations Pty. Ltd. under trade identifications related to the trade mark TERIC, for instance, 'Teric' OF4, 28 'Teric' OF6 and 'Teric' OF8. These ethoxylated stearic acid emulsifiers are also available commercially from ICI Australia Operations Pty. Ltd. under trade designations related to the registered trade mark TERIC, for instance, 'Teric' SF9 and 'Teric' SF15. A number of other emulsifier/antistatic agent producers have similar products in their range.

Plant or insect controlling agents which may be used in the preparation of either plant or insect controlling agent formulations or sprayable mixes derived from those formulations according to the invention, include herbicides as a class, plant-growth regulators as a class, fungicides as a class, insecticides as a class, and insect repellents as a class, in particular, mixtures of such plant or insect controlling agents as a class and formulations which are normally incompatible when used in admixture, for instance, a mixture of a glyphosate-based herbicide with a diphenyl ether-based herbicide or other herbicide(s), as a result of which sludge formation normally occurs and affects field-application of the sprayable mixes by blocking the spray-nozzles of spraying equipment used in the field.

An example of such a mixture of formulations of herbicides is a glyphosate-based herbicide such as that sold by Monsanto Company, under the trade mark ROUNDUP, specifically, the herbicide identified by the O tradename ROUNDUP CT, with a diphenyl ether-based herbicide such as that sold by Rohm Haas Company, under the trade mark GOAL, specifically, the herbicide identified by the tradename GOAL CT. Normally, sludge formation occurs when a sprayable mix of such a mixture of formulations of those herbicides is prepared for spray-application in the

I

29 field, which interferes with the spraying due to blockage of the spray-nozzles of spray equipment used for the purpose. However, field experiments with a field-use sprayable mix of such a mixture of herbicide formulations with the adjuvant in accordance with the present invention has shown that no sludge formation occurs so that the sprayable mix may be readily spray-applied in the field without blockage of the spray-nozzles of spray equipment used for the purpose.

The active component of ROUNDUP CT herbicide is a salt of the compound N-phosphonomethylglycine, which compound is commonly referred to as glyphcsata,, h:.'e'e alternative names for this compound are glycine methylene phosphonic acid and carboxymethylaminomethylphosphonate, having the following structural formula:

HOOC-CH

2

-NH-CH

2 (OH)2 although in being considered to exist as a zwitterion in the solid state, it could also be represented as: 0 HOOC CH 2 NH CH 2 P OC

OH

Glyphosate, and its use as a herbicide, is described in U.S. Patent 3 799 758, while use as a plant growth regulator, including the treatment of sugarcane, is described in U.S. Patent 3 853 530. The specifications of 30 these patents include within their disclosures, inter alia, the alkylamine and the alkali metal salts of glyphosate, including the mono-, di- and trisodium salts. In addition, at least the specification of U.S. Patent 3 853 530 describes the use of glyphosate compounds with other phytotoxicants and/or plant growth regulators.

For example, the specification of U.S. Patent 3 853 530 describes the use of glyphosate compounds with triazines, ureas, carbamates, acetamides, acetanilides, uracils, acetic acids, phenol thiocarbamates, triazoles, benzoic acids, and nitriles, Admixtures of glyphosate compounds with other herbicides currently in commercial use are admixtures with triazine herbicides or diphenyl ether herbicides. One example of the diphenyl ether herbicides is GOAL CT herbicide, the active component of which has the structural formula: e l OCH 2

CH

3 F 0 NO 2 3 2 and with the chemical nomenclature of 2-chloro-l-(3-ethoxy- 4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene, whilst examples of triazine herbicides are the compound 2-chloro-4, 6-ethylamino-s-triazine known commercially as Simazine, and the compound 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamine-striazine known commercially as Atrazine.

31 PRACTICAL EXAMPLES Practical examples of the adjuvant of ,-he present invention are as follows: Examole Product- Identification MAL 1023 MAL 1024 MAL 1025 MAL 1026 MAL 1027 Z 901 0 Components Canola Oil Teric X 5 Teric OF 6 Canola 0Oil Teric 12A3 Teric OF 6 Canola Oil Teric 12A3 Teric 17A3 Canola Oil Teric X 5 Teric OF 6 Canola Oil Teric N 5 Teric OF 6 Canola Oil Teric OF 6 Canola Oil Teric OF 6 Canola Oil Teric OF 6 Canola Oil Teric X 5 87% 3% 100% 8 5 57 1 3% 0-J 85 .0% 10. 4. Y% 0. IV% 87 3$, 100% 8 7 c 3% 100% 90%6 10W5 100% 92.5% 100% 5 100% 100%" 0 Z 902 5@ Se S 5 S5 S

S

S5 Z 903 Z 905 L I 32 Example Product Identification Components Z 906 Canola Oil Teric N 5 100% 11: Z 907 Canola Oil 92% Teric 12A 100% 12: Z 908 Canola Oil Teric X5 Teric OF 6 100% Comparative Product Example Identification Come 'nents 13: Z 904 Canola Oil 97.5% Teric OF 6 100% FIELD USE PREPARATION The method of preparing field-use sprayable mixes ".20 of plant or insect controlling agents, such as the glyphosate-based herbicide identified by the tradename ROUNDUP CT in the field, utilizing the adjuvant composition of the invention as a nonionic surfactant, may be in accordance with the following mixing procedure: charge a spray mixing tank equipped with an agitator and pump, with clean water to about one-third to about one-half full capacity of the mixing tank; optionally add to the mixing tank and mix thoroughly a selected co-herbicide or co-insecticide or other additive, as required that does not present a physical compatibility problem with ROUNDUP CT herbicide; add the recommended rate of ROUNDUP CT herbicide and the remaining water, and mix thoroughly; and 33 add the adjuvant composition to the spray tank near the end of the spray mixing procedure, and mix thoroughly.

The method of preparing field-use sprayable mixes of mixtures of plant or insect controlling agents, such as the diphenyl ether-based herbicide identified by the tradename GOAL CT, with the glyphosate-based herbicide identified by the tradename ROUNDUP or ROUNDUP CT, in the field, utilizing the adjuvant composition of the invention as a comr.atibility agent, may be in accordar:e with the following mixing procedure: charge a spray mixing tank equipped with an agitator and pump, with clean water to about one-third to about one-half full capacity of the mixing tank; pre-mix one part of GOAL CT herbicide with three parts of the adjuvant composition of the invention ml/ha GOAL CT herbicide plus 225 ml/ha adjuvant composition); add the resultant pre-mix to the mixing tank and mix thoroughly; and add the recommended rate of ROUNDUP herbicide or ROUNDUP CT herbicide, as well as the remaining water, to the mixing tank while maintaining adequate agitation, the sprayable mix being promptly used thereafter.

S. EXPERIMENTAL DATA 9.

Set out below are experimental data on the preparation and use of the adjuvant composition of the invention.

I 34 Trials were conducted in typical conservation tillage situations using ROUNDUP CT herbicide together with conventional surfactants such as those marketed under the registered trade mark TURBO, or with ammonium sulphate marketed under the trade name LIQUID BOOST, prior to application in the field, in comparison with the use of ROUNDUP CT herbicide together with the adjuvant in accordance with the present invention. A sample of such trials as set out below, shows weed control when the adjuvant of the present invention is mixed with ROUNDUP CT herbicide in substitution of the supplementary or additional surfactants such as the TURBO or LIQUID BOOST surfactants, to be at least as effective as ROUNDUP CT herbicide mixed with such supplementary or additional commonly used surfactants, I* *I

PEST

Wild Oats (Avena Fatua)

TREATMENT

Untreated ROUNDUP CT

TURBO

ROUNDUP CT MAL 1023 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1024 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1025 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1026 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1027 RATE 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3

REPLICATES

0 0 0 65 75 65 75 85 80 65 85 80 65 90 75 70 90 75 70 85 95 85 85 95 85 85 85 95 85 85 95 75 85 90 75 85 90 75 75 70 75 75 70

MEAN

*"jV 76.67 76.67 78.33 78.33 88,33 88.33 88.33 88.33 83.33 83 33 73.33 73,33 ROUNDUP CT 0.27 LIQUID BOOST 4.0 ~lp 35 RATE

PEST

Sow Thistle (Sonchus Oleraceus)

TREATMENT

Untreated ROUNDUP CT

TURBO

ROUNDUP CT MAL 1023 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1024 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1025 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1026 ROUNDUP CT MAL 1027 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.3

REPLICATES

0 0 0 70 60 60 70 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 70 50 60 70 50 60 60 50 60 60 50 60 50 50 60 50 50 60 50 60 70 50 60 70 70 60 50 70 60 50

MEAN

0 63.33 63.33 60.00 60.00 60,00 60.00 56.67 56.67 55.33 55.33 60.00 60.00 60.00 63.0C3 ROUNDUP CT 0.27 LIQUID BOOST 4.0 The rate of application of ROUNDUP CT herbicide is indicated in kg active agent per hectare, whilst the rate of application of adjuvant of the present invention or of TURBO or of LIQUID BOOST surfactant is indicated in litre per 100 litre v/v).

In the trials detailed above, the values indicated in the replicates are taken from a rating system as follows: er :25 RATING DESCRIPTION OF MAIN CATEGORIES 0 No effect

DETAILED

DESCRIPTION

No weed control No crop reduction or injury Slight effect Very poor weed control Slight crop discoloration or stunting Poor weed control Some crop discoloration, stunting, or stunt loss Poor to deficient weed control Crop injury more pronounced, but not lasting I I 36 RATING DESCRIPTION OF MAIN CATEGORIES

DETAILED

DESCRIPTION

Deficient weed control Moderate injury, crop usually recovers Deficient to moderate weed control Crop injury more lasting, recovery doubtful Moderate weed control Lasting crop injury, no recovery Moderate effect Weed control somewhat less than satisfactory Heavy crop injury and stand loss Satisfactory to good weed control Crop nearly destroyed. A few surviving plants Very good to excellent weed control Only occasional live crop plants left Severe effect 0t** *6 Complete weed destruction 100 Complete effect Complete crop destruction Field trials with the products listed as Examples 6-13 above, showed that the product identified as Z 901 was the most effective, and that each of the products of those examples, with the exception of the product identified as Z 904, was commercially acceptable. These field trials also showed that while on the one hand the addition of less than of surfactant(s) and/or emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) in combination with the vegetable oil(s) component was satisfactory in overcoming the incompatibility of mixing ROUNDUP CT herbicide with GOAL CT herbicide, on the other hand it was necessary for the amount of surfactant(s) and/or emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) to comprise at least about of mixtures of vegetable oil(s) with surfactant(s) and/or 35

IL

I

37 emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in order for the producZ to enhance herbicidal activity.

The effectiveness of the adjuvant of the presenz invention was also established by investigations into the ability of that adjuvant to modify droplet size, which was observed in the field and was confirmed using a Malvern spray particle size analyzer, which showed the reduction in small droplets by the addition of the adjuvant of the present invention to a normal spray solution of ROUNDUP CT herbicide compared to the addition of TURBO surfactant. Th:s test showed a reduction of 34% of spray volume present in droplets less than 100 microns.

Our test data establishes that the adjuvant of the present invention acts as both a spreader and activator. A "spreader" is defined by J. Wade Van Valkenburg in "Adjuvants for herbicides", published by the Weed Science Society of America, Champaign, U.S.A. (1982), as being able to spread and stick spray droplets onto foliage, which is the most basic result of any non-ionic surfactant, as it reduces the surface tension of the spray solution. An "activator" is defined in that publication by J. Wade Van Valkenburg as being able to increase herbicidal activity, which is amply demonstrated by our data on the effect of surfactants TURBO) on glyphosate performance and the equivalence of TURBO surfactant with the adjuvant of the present invention.

Moreover, the adjuvant of the present invention is a "low foam" product, which is in direct contrast to most surfactants/activators/spreaders because these are mostly synthetic surfactants (surface active agents) which cause I- I -I I 38 inconvenient foaming in spray tanks during the filling process, whereas the adjuvant of the present invention in consisting of at least about 80% vegetable oil, does not cause foaming and indeed tends to reduce foaming caused by other components generally mixed with plant or insect controlling agents.

The effectiveness of the adjuvant of the present invention as a compatibility agent was established in the tests set out immediately below, in which the products identified as MAL 1024 and MAL 1026 were mixed with GCAL CT herbicide and ROUNDUP CT herbicide, by: adding the adjuvant (MAL 1024 or MAL 1026) to GOAL CT herbicide, then adding this mixture to water at 10 0 C or less, followed by the addition of ROUNDUP CT herbicide. The resultant mixtures were held overnight, and a total of six replicates were tested for each mixture: One litre of each mixture was passed through a hand-held, gas-pressurized low volume sprayer with a single flat fan nozzle, under conditions known to contribute to filter blocking, i.e: cold water 5.20C, (ii) fine filter SS110015 nozzle and 200 mesh filter, (iii) mixture held overnight, (iv) 200 ppm calcium carbonate, low water volumes.

Test simulates were carried out at an application of 1/ha of water, the results being set out below: PRODUCT RATE (l/ha) DEPOSIT RESULT ROUNDUP CT 0.8 Significant GOAL CT 0.075 b-U I I 39 PRODUCT RATE (1/ha) DEPOSIT RESULT ROUNDUP CT 0.8 None GOAL CT 0.075 MAL 1024 0.225 ROUNDUP CT 0.8 None GOAL CT 0.075 MAL 1026 0.225 The effectiveness of the adjuvant of the present invention as a compatibility agent was also established by gelling tes-s, in which tests were carried out with water at 5.2 0 C and 200 ppm hardness to induce gelling, the solutions being tested 24 hours after mixing by passing the mixture thrc;gh a bench boom fitted with standard nozzle.

and 200 mesh filters. The amount of gelling was visually assessed after a litre of mixture was sprayed. The results in this test showed no gelling when MAL 1024 was pre-mixed with GOAL CT herbicide prior to adding to the ROUNDUP CT herbicide. The result \as the same when the tests were repeated using MAL 1025 or MAL 1026 or MAL 1027 or Z 901 or Z 902 or Z 903 or Z 905 or Z 906 or Z 907 or Z 908 in substitution for MAL 1024, while the omission of the indicated adjuvant of the present invention resulted in gelling and clogging of the filter.

The effectiveness of the adjuvant of the present invention was further established by field trials to confirm weed effectiveness of mixtures of the adjuvant of the invention, GOAL CT herbicide and ROUNDUP CT herbicide as follows: Method: Hand-boom RCB, 3 reps. Water volume 90 1/ha.

'Plots 2m x 10m. GOAL CT herbicid and ROUNDUP CT herbicide were tank-mixed with the adjuvant of the invention according to the method set out above.

40 The treatments were applied through gas pressurised, hand-held booms with SS110015 nozzles and 100 mesh filters.

Standard, field-use water sources were used and the trials were conducted in the prevailing conditions (no manipulation of water quality, temperature, etc.) The tank mixtures were applied immediately after mixing.

Sites where weeds were actively growing were selected. Weed control efficacy was assessed at intervals after treatments.

Treatments: The core treatment (identified as "CORE" below) was: ROUNDUP CT

TURBO

GOAL CT 1.000 1/ha 300 ml/100 1 spray 0.075 1/ha 4*9* 449b 4A The GOAL CT herbicide and adjuvant of the invention were pre-mixed.

-Treatment 1 2 3 4 Products and Rate Untreated

CORE

CORE MAL 1024 0.225 1/ha CORE MAL 1026 0.225 1/ha CORE Z909 0.225 1/ha Weeds: Vulnia bromoides (VULBR). Pre-tiller, 6cm high.

cover.

Arctotheca calendula (ARCCA). Rosette 10 cm diameter. 30% cover.

o' 41 Results: Brownout Days After Treatment

VULBR

Treatment

ARCCA

1 000 000 2 90, 90, 90 70, 70, 3 90, 100, 90 70, 70, 4 90, 100, 90 80, 70, 90, 90, 90 70, 70, Brownout 31 Days After Treatment Treatment VULBR

ARCCA

1 000 000 2 100, 100, 100 100, 99, 100 3 100, 100, 100 95, 100, 100 4 100, 100, 100 100, 100, 100 100, 100, 100 90, 100, 100 eq

DISCUSSION

S..

S

*q 5* S. The adjuvant of the present invention comprising a vegetable oil(s) with a comparatively small amount of surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) may be used in substitution of the commonly used surfactant(s) required to be added to ROUNDUP CT herbicide prior to its application in the field, which reduces the 25 quantity of surfactant(s) commonly used in formulating ROUNDUP CT herbicide for field-use to about 20% of the amount of such surfactant(s) presently used in preparing field-use mixes of ROUNDUP CT herbicide, and accordingly significantly lowers the quantity of surfactant(s) spread into the field, aside from the adjuvant of the present invention having been shown to provide compatibility not I1C11 42 only of a normally incompatible mixture of ROUNDUP CT herbicide GOAL CT herbicide, or a mixture of ROUNDUP CT herbicide Atrazine herbicide, or a mixture of ROUNDUP CT herbicide Simazine herbicide, but also provide enhancement in plant control by said mixtures of herbicides, the compatibility being determined by the absence or substantial absence of sludge formation in field-use, sprayable mixes of those herbicides with respect to spraying in the field.

Thus, the adjuvant of the present invention may act as a replacement for any non-ionic surfactant currently recommended for use with ROUNDUP CT herbicide, as well as act as a compatibility agent in avoiding physical incompatibility with mixtures of GOAL CT herbicide with ROUNDUP herbicide or ROUNDUP CT herbicide. In consequence, one commercial advantage of the adjuvant of the present invention is that users of ROUNDUP herbicides may now use a single product in substitution of the two products required to be used with ROUNDUP herbicide, namely: firstly, the non-ionic surfactants required to be used with ROUNDUP CT herbicide; and, secondly, the compatibility agents required to be used with mixtures of GOAL CT herbicide with ROUNDUP herbicide or ROUNDUP CT herbicide.

The effectiveness of the adjuvant of the present invention in overcoming physical incompatibility between 25 plant or insect controlling agents such as mixtures of GOAL CT herbicide with ROUNDUP herbicide or ROUNDUP CT herbicide, is presumably due to one of the incompatible agents (e.g.

GOAL CT herbicide) being encapsulated in the vegetable oil component of the adjuvant, while the other component(s) of the adjuvant act to emulsifier and spread the resultant mixture of incompatible agents GOAL CT herbicide with ROUNDUP herbicide or ROUNDUP CT herbicide) over the plant surface.

b- ~_II- 43 Importantly, the adjuvant of the present invention comprises a food-grade vegetable oil which does not constitute a health or environmental concern, and a surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) that is/are already in use in a number of existing plant cr insect controlling agent field-use mixes, but in significantly smaller quantities in the adjuvant of the ppresent invention than in those existing field-use mixes, with consequential environmental advantages.

Overall advantages of the adjuvant of the invention, w:.th a single herbicide such as ROUNDUP CT herbicide, is that the quantity of surfactant(s) required for preparing ROUNDUP CT herbicide for field-use is reduced to about 20% of the amount of surfactant(s) presently used in preparing field-use mixes of ROUNDUP CT herbicide, and accordingly significantly lowers the quantity of surfactant(s) spread into the field, and the advantages of the adjuvant component of the present invention with normally incompatible mixtures of herbicides, include the following: decreasing of incompatibility between mixtures of GOAL CT herbicide ROUNDUP herbicide or ROUNDUP CT herbicide; decreasing of the number of fine droplets during field application (by test with droplets anaiyser), *such a feature being important for droplet survival and drift control, as well as being important in relation to a significant reduction in evaporation of such formulated mixes; use in ultra low volume (ULV) application; (d) complete bio-degradability of the components in most instances; a significant lowering of costs; and (f) *40 enhancement of plant control by said agents.

The matter contained in each of the following claims is to be read as part of the general description of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. A spray-assisting/spray compatibility-assisting, .adjuvant composition in concentrate-form, suitable for preparing sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling formulations, comprising a vegetable oil(s) and a surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) suitable for use in preparing sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling agents, said concentrate-form adjuvant composition comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of the composition, together with any one of: a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or 15 fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of the 20 composition; or 4 a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, .emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ 25 antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 3% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of the composition; or a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, I 9P 45 surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 10% to 15%, preferably 12%, by w.eight of the composition, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, cr blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 1% to preferably by weight of the composition, the aggregate of and or and or and constituting 100% by weight of the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or formulations of :plant or insect controlling agents for spray-application in S"the field.

2. A concentrate-form adjuvant composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising: 20 a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of the composition; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or 25 fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 5% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of the composition, II d _I 46 the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect controlling agents for spray-application in the field.

3. A concentrate-form adjuvant composition as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of the composition; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 3% to preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of the composition, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of 20 the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect cor .olling agents for spray-application in the field. i 25 4. A concentrate-form adjuvant composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising: I _C _I 47 a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of the composition; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 10% to 15%, preferably 12%, by weight of the composition, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emutsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 1% to preferably by weight of the composition, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the composition subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving

6.:i6 a useful purpose in preparing water-based sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect controlling agents for spray-application in the field. 0 5. A concentrate-form adjuvant composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a triacylglycerols- based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-base vegetable oils in an amount within the range of by weight of the composition, with ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amou. within the range of 3% to 10% by weight of the compositiui., __cL~ 48 and ethoxylated alcohols such as octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol ethoxylate) or nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate), or ethoxylated fatty alcohols, in an amount within the range of 5% to 12% by weight of the composition; or (ii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amount within the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the composition; or (iii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated fatty alcohols in an amount within the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the composition; or (iv) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, and octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol ethoxylate) in an amount within the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the 20 composition; or a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, and nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate) in an :'amount within the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the composition. 6. A concentrate-form adjuvant composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil(s) are selected from rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, or blends of rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, exemplified by mixtures of: rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil safflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil safflower seed oil. C_ 49

7. A sprayable mix or formulation of a plant or insect controlling agent(s), said sprayble mix or formulation comprising: a plant or insect controlling agent component, optionally a normally sludge-forming plant or insect controlling agent, or mixture of such plant or insect controlling agents; and (II) a vegetable oil(s) mixed with a surfactant(s) and/or an emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s) adjuvant component in concentrate-form, said adjuvant component comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of said 0.:i..15 component, together with any one of: a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 5% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of said component; or a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 3% to preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of said component; or -d 50 a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 10% to 15%, preferably 12%, by weight of said component, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 1% to preferably by weight of said component, the aggregate of and or and or and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by 20 spray-application in the field; and (III) water or other vehicle in which said plant or insect controlling agent component and said adjuvant component and any optional additive substance(s) are dispersed.

8. A spray mix or formulation as claimed in claim 7, comprising: i a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of said component; and O _1 51 a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 5% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of said component, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by spray-application in the field.

9. A spray mix or formulation as claimed in claim 7, comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferualy 85%, by weight of said component; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ S"antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 3% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of said component, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) I -I 52 achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by spray-application in the field. A spray mix or formulation as claimed in claim 7, comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of said component; and a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount 5 within the range of 10% to 15%, preferably 12%, by weight of said component, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 1% to preferably by weight of said component, the aggregate of and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mixes or formulations, or in applying said sprayable mixes or formulations by spray-application in the field. II 53

11. A spray mix or formulation as claimed in claim 7, comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, with ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amount within the range of 3% to 10% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated alcohols such as octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol ethoxylate) or nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate), or ethoxylated fatty alcohols, in an amount within the range of 5% to 12% by weight of the composition; or (ii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated (polyoxyethylene) fatty acid (oleic acid) in an amount within the range of 5% to by weight of the composition; or (iii) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, and ethoxylated fatty alcohols in an amount within the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the composition; or (iv) a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the composition, and octoxynol (tetramethyl butyl phenol ethoxylate) in an amount within the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the composition; or a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 85% to 95% by weight of the 30 composition, and nonoxynol (nonyl phenol ethoxylate) in an amount within the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the composition. 9 54

12. A spray mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil(s) are selected from rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, or blends of rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, exemplified by mixtures of: rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil safflower seed oil; or rapeseed oil sunflower seed oil safflower seed oil. 13, A spray mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein said plant or insect controlling agents are selected from herbicides, in particular, glyphosate-based herbicides or glyphosate-based herbicides with diphenyl ether-based herbicides.

14. A spray mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, which is an ultra low volume (ULV) sprayable mix total spray mix volume less than 5 1/ha for row and field crops, or less than 50 1/ha for tree- crops) having a ratio by volume of plant or insect controlling agent(s) to said adjuvant component of 1:1 to 1:5; or is a low volume (LV) sprayable mix total spray mix volume of 50-200 1/ha for row and field crops, or

200-500 1/ha for tree-crops) having said adjuvant component in an amount in excess of 0.2-2% by volume, preferably :.2.I25 0.3-0,5% by volume, of the final volume of the ready-to- use, sprayable mix of the plant or insect controlling agent(s); or is a high volume (HV) sprayable mix (i.e. total spray mix volume of 600 1/ha for row and field crops, or more than 1u00 1/ha for tree-crops) having said adjuvant component in an amount in excess of 0.2-2% by volume of the final ready-to-use, sprayable mix of the plant or insect controlling agent(s). Lls_~ 55 A spray mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, which is prepared from said adjuvant composition in concentrate-form in which: the components and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of 800 g/1 to 850 g/l: 50 g/l to 100 g/1 of the sprayable mix; the components and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of 800 g/l to 850 g/l: 50 g/l to 100 g/l of the sprayable mix; and the three components in and are present in the sprayable mix at a ratio within the range of 750 to 800 g/l: 100 to 120 g/l: 20 to 40 g/l, respectively, of the sprayable mix, preferably 780 g/l: 110 g/l: 30 g/l, respectively, of the sprayable mix, the ratio of the herbicides in such mixtures of herbicides being within the range of 1:1 to 1:20, preferably 1:5 to 1:10. 16. A method for the preparation of a sprayable mix or formulation of a plant or insect controlling agent(s), ready for spray-application in the field, said method comprising the steps of: charging a spray mixing tank equipped with an agitator and pump, with clean water or other such vehicle to one-third to orie-half full capacity of the mixing tank; optionally adding to the mixing tank and mixing thoroughly a selected co-herbicide or co-insecticide or other additive that does not present a physical compatibility problem with the plant or insect :controlling agent that requires the use of an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s) prior to application in the field; 56 adding the plant or insect controlling agent that requires the use of an additional or supplementary commonly used surfactant(s) prior to application in the field, together with the remaining water or other such vehicle, and mixing thoroughly; and adding the adjuvant component to the spray tank near the end of the spray mixing procedure, and mixing thoroughly, said adjuvant component comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of said component, together with any one of: a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or :15 fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 5% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by 20 weight of said component; or 4 a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene .oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ 25 antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 3% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of said component; or a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene 3-- 57 oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 10% to 15%, preferably 12%, by weight of said component, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 1% to preferably by weight of said component, the aggregate of and or and or and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component S:b jecc to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mix or formulation, or for applying said sprayable mix or formulation by spray-application in the field. 17. A method according to claim 16 for the preparation of a sprayable mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 18. A method for the preparation of a sprayable mix .or formulation of a mixture of plant or insect controlling agents which are normally sludge-forming, ready for spray application in the field, which sprayable mix or formulation is free or substantially free of sludge formation, said method comprising the steps of: charging a spray mixing tank equipped with an agitator and pump, with clean water or other such Y Lc._- 58 vehicle to one-third to one-half full capacity of the mixing tank, pre-mixing one part of one of the incompatible agents with three parts of the adjuvant component of the invention; adding the resultant pre-mix to the mixing tank and mixing thoroughly; and adding the other of the incompatible agents, together with the remaining water or other such vehicle to the mixing tank, while maintaining adequate agitation, so as to prepare the sprayable mix or formulation for prompt use thereafter, said adjuvant component comprising: a triacylglycerols-based vegetable oil or blend of :i.L5 triacylglycerols-based vegetable oils in an amount within the range of 80% to 95%, preferably 85%, by weight of said component, together with any one of: a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 5% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of said component; or a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/ antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 3% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10%, by weight of said component; or 59 a nonionic ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactants, identifiable as an ethoxylated alcohol(s) or ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s) surfactant(s), in an amount within the range of 10% to 15%, preferably 12%, by weight of said component, together with a nonionic, ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent, or blend of nonionic, ethylene oxide esters of fatty acids, emulsifiers/antistatic agents, identifiable as ethoxylated fatty acid(s) emulsifier(s)/antistatic agent(s), in an amount within the range of 1% to preferably 3s, by weight of said component, the aggregate of and or and or and constituting 100% by weight of the adjuvant component subject to the optional inclusion therein of incidental additive substance(s) in amount(s) achieving a useful purpose in preparing said sprayable mix or formulation, or for applying said sprayable mix or formulation by spray- application in the field. 19. A method according to claim 18 for the preparation of a sprayable mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 20. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 19 25 substantially with reference to the field use preparations as described herein. 21. A sprayable mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 15 when produced by the method according to any one of claims 16, 17 and 60 4e C 'J *0 a S. 4e** 22. A sprayable mix or formulation as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 15 when produced by the method according to any one of claims 18 to 23. A sprayable mix or formulation as claimed in claim 7 substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Examples 1 to 12. 24. A method of controlling or destroying or repelling unwanted plants or insects, which comprises spraying the locus of said plants or insects with a sprayable mix or formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 15 and 21 to 23. A method of controlling or destroying weeds, which comprises spraying the locus of said weeds with a herbicidal sprayable mix or formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 15 and 21 to 23. DATED this 25th day of October, 1994 MONSANTO AUSTRALIA LIMITED, By its Patent Attorneys, E. F. WELLINGTON CO., S. Wellingto S, Wellingto/) 6o e eee A/RR/ZEL/61 ~41 ABSTRACT The invention provides spray-assisting/spray compatability- assisting, adjuvant compositions in concentrate-form, suitable for preparing sprayable mixes of plant or insect controlling formulations, comprising a triacyglycerols- based vegetable oil(s) together with: a nonionic, ethylene oxide condensate of alcohols or fatty alcohols, surfactant(s); and/or (ii) a nonionic ethylene oxide ester of fatty acids, emulsifier/antistatic agent(s). The concentrate-form adjuvant compositions of the present invention avoid the comparatively larger amounts of surfactants commonly used in preparing sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or insect controlling agents, and are suitable for preparing sprayable mixes of incompatible formulations of plant or insect controlling agents which present a problem with respect to sludge formation that causes blockage of the spray-nozzles of spraying equipment, when field-use sprayable mixes are prepared from incompatible formulations of such agents. The invention also provides sprayable mixes or formulations of plant or .2p insect controlling agent(s) containing the concentrate- form adjuvant compositions, besides the use of such sprayable mixes or formulations in controlling or destroying or repelling unwanted plants or insects. S 0*