BR112019013301B1 - COMPOSITION, METHOD FOR PREPARING A COMPOSITION AND USE OF THE COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing such compositions and using such compositions for controlling unwanted vegetation.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing such compositions and using such compositions for controlling unwanted vegetation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] In crop protection, it is desired to increase the specific activity of an active compound and the reliability of the effect. When controlling unwanted vegetation, it is especially desired that the crop protection product controls harmful plants effectively, but at the same time is compatible with the useful plants in question. A broad spectrum of activity is also desired, enabling simultaneous control of different harmful plants. Often, this cannot be achieved using a single active compound as an herbicide. Furthermore, cases of herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming increasingly common. These biotypes survive the application of herbicides at doses that normally provide effective control of the species. Herbicide resistance is often avoided by combining different herbicide active agents.

[003] In practice, the combination of different herbicidal active compounds, however, can represent a great challenge, since many active compounds are not compatible with each other, especially in liquid product formulations, such as solutions, suspensions or emulsions. Liquid formulations, however, are a desired product form as they have several advantages compared to solid forms such as powders, dusts or granules, e.g. no dust development, improved wetting properties and generally , better ability to be measured in exact doses. Furthermore, active compounds that are not solid cannot be easily incorporated into solid formulations.

[004] If the active compounds are not compatible with each other in liquid formulations, this may become manifest, for example, in the formation of sediment, agglomeration, crystallization and/or syneresis (deposition of liquid formulation constituents). In other cases, phytotoxicity in cultivated vegetables can be enhanced by combining two or more active compounds in a liquid formulation.

[005] One can try to solve this problem by separately formulating different active substances, but this is, firstly, disadvantageous for marketing reasons and, secondly, it can only shift the incompatibility problem to the tank mix. . The formation of sediments and the like in the tank can still be more problematic than in the commercial formulation. Furthermore, certain incompatibility issues, such as enhanced phytotoxicity caused by combining two or more active compounds, especially if one active compound can dissolve the other active compound and increase its potency, are generally not resolved through a separate formulation.

[006] Cinmethylin is a selective, pre-emergence systemic herbicide, useful for controlling annual grasses, for example, in rice. It is desired to combine this herbicide with several other herbicides, for example, to increase its spectrum of activity and/or prevent the formation of resistance.

[007] As the present Depositors have discovered, however, the combination of cinmethylin with several other herbicides can present major disadvantages. For example, the combination of cinmethylline with quinmerac in a suspoemulsion (cinmethylline is an oily liquid and therefore generally supplied as an emulsion concentrate (EC), while quinmerac is a non-water-soluble solid and therefore , normally formulated as a suspension concentrate (SC), a combination of the two formulations, therefore being a suspoemulsion) leads to strong crystal growth of the quinmerac particles and Ostwald ripening after storage. The problem with Ostwald ripening also occurs when cinmethylline is combined with flufenacet or diflufenican in a suspoemulsion or emulsion concentrate. The combination of cinmethylline with picolinaphene in an emulsion concentrate (both active compounds are normally formulated as EC) leads to a severe increase in phytotoxicity in cultivated vegetables.

[008] Publication WO 1994/13139 describes microcapsules containing a pesticide core and a polyurea, polyamide, polysulfonamide, polyester, polycarbonate or polyurethane shell. Inter alia, microcapsules comprising cinmethylline and a shell produced from polyureas obtained through the reaction of hexamethylene diamine and PAPI® 2027 (a polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate from Dow Chemical) are described. Combination with other herbicides is not described. The aqueous phase used in the capsule preparation method of this reference contains a specific emulsifier which is a water-soluble random copolymer or terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone. Such vinylpyrrolidone co/terpolymers are quite expensive, which is naturally economically disadvantageous for mass products, such as pesticide formulations, and their ecological compatibility is quite inferior. The quaternary copolymers used are preferably still classified as aquatoxic.

[009] Publication WO 2015/165834 refers to a process for producing microcapsules with a core of a non-water-soluble material comprising a pesticide. Inter alia, the preparation of microcapsules comprising cinmethyllin is described, the shell of which is produced from polyureas obtained through the reaction of Bayhydur® XP 2547 (an anionic water-dispersible polyisocyanate based on hexamethylene diisocyanate), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate and a polyethyleneimine .

[010] The object of the present invention was to provide a composition containing cinmethylin and at least one additional herbicide that did not present the disadvantages described above. At the same time, the release profile must still enable a good initial biological activity of the composition, that is, the composition must release the active compounds at a sufficiently high rate.

[011] It was also desired to provide a composition that could dispense with the use/presence of vinylpyrrolidone co- or terpolymer emulsifiers, as used in publication WO 1994/13139, but still contained cinmethylline in high concentrations.

[012] It was surprisingly discovered that a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin, and further contains at least one additional herbicide (the additional herbicide naturally not being in the microparticles) solves the above problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[013] In a first aspect, the present invention, therefore, refers to a composition comprising: (a) microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; and (b) at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin.

[014] As previously mentioned, at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin is not present in the microparticles.

[015] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing the composition of the present invention, which comprises providing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin, and mixing the latter with at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin. In particular, the method comprises polymerizing one or more monomers or curing a prepolymer or precondensate in the presence of cinmethylin and mixing with at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin.

[016] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the composition of the present invention to control unwanted vegetation, and to a method for controlling unwanted vegetation that comprises treating the soil in which the unwanted vegetation is located. growing and/or unwanted vegetation and/or cultivated vegetables to be protected from unwanted vegetation and/or in their environment with the composition of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[017] The organic portions mentioned below are the collective terms for the individual listings of the individual members of the group. The prefix Cn-Cm, in each case, indicates the possible number of carbon atoms in the group.

[018] The term "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to straight or branched chain saturated aliphatic radicals containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl (sec-butyl), 2-methylpropyl (isobutyl), 1,1-dimethylethyl (tert-butyl), n-pentyl, 1 - methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3- methylpentyl, 4 -methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1 ,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, heptyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, 2-propyleptyl and their structural isomers.

[019] The term "C1-C24 alkyl" refers to straight or branched chain saturated aliphatic radicals containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms. Examples are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl (sec-butyl), 2-methylpropyl (isobutyl), 1,1-dimethylethyl (tert-butyl), n-pentyl, 1 - methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3- methylpentyl, 4 -methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1 ,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, heptyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, 2-propyleptyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl , tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, henicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, tetracosyl and their structural isomers.

[020] The C1-C4 alkanols are methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol and tert-butanol.

[021] C2-C4 alkanediols are alkanes containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms and carrying two OH groups that are not linked to the same carbon atom. Examples are ethylene glycol (ethane-1,2-diol), propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol), propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,2-diol, butane-1,3- diol, butane-1,4-diol and butane-2,3-diol. C2-C5 alkanediols are alkanes containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms and carrying two OH groups that are not bonded to the same carbon atom. Examples are those mentioned for C2-C4 alkanediols and, additionally, pentane-1,5-diol.

[022] C3-C8 alkanetriols are alkanes containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms and carrying three OH groups that are all linked to different carbon atoms. Examples are glycerol (1,2,3-propanetriol), 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,3- or 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,3-heptanotriol and 1,2, 3- octanetriol.

[023] C10-C22 fatty acids are aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated monocarboxylic acids containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms (the carboxylic group is included in this count, in which the carbon chain is mainly linear. Examples of fatty acids Saturated C10-C22 are decanoic acid (capric acid), undecanoic acid, lauric acid, tridecanoic acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, heptadecanoic acid, stearic acid, nonadecanoic acid, arachidic acid, heneicosanoic acid and behenic acid. examples of unsaturated C10-C22 fatty acids refer to myristoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, erucic acid, linoleic acid, α- and y-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid.

[024] Microparticles are particles with a particle size below 1 mm.

[025] Preferably, the average particle size d50 of the microparticles is from 0.05 to 100 μm, more preferably from 0.05 to 20 μm, in particular from 0.05 to 12 μm and specifically from 0.05 to 10 μm.

[026] In microparticles, cinmethylin is surrounded or embedded in a polymeric material. The polymeric material may form a regular or irregular shell surrounding the cinmethylline or may form a polymer matrix in which the cinmethylline is embedded. The cinmethylline may be completely or only partially surrounded or embedded in the polymeric material. In particular, the polymeric material will completely surround the cinmethyllin, therefore forming a barrier between this substance and the surrounding medium, therefore separating the cinmethyllin from at least one other herbicide or in the composition of the present invention, if this is a physical mixture of the microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin, or in the tank mix, if the composition of the present invention is not a physical mixture of the microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin and these must be mixed little before application, or at the application site, if the microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin are applied separately (but naturally, in relation to time and location).

[027] In a special embodiment, the microparticles are microcapsules. Microcapsules are the spherical objects that consist of a core and shell, that is, a wall material that surrounds the core. In the microcapsules of the present invention, the core contains cinmethylin. The shell comprises a polymeric material. Microcapsules generally have a particle size in the range from 0.1 to 1,000 μm, preferably from 0.5 to 100 μm, more preferably from 1 to 20 μm, in particular , from 2 to 12 μm, and specifically, from 5 to 10 μm.

[028] In another special embodiment, the microparticles are the matrix particles, that is, the amorphous particles that contain the cinmethylline embedded in a polymer matrix. Such matrix particles often have very small particle sizes, for example from 50 nm to 1 μm, preferably from 50 to 500 nm, in particular from 50 to 300 nm, and specifically the from 100 to 200 nm. Although often on the nanometer scale, they are termed "microparticles" at present.

[029] The microparticles can also take a mixed form, that is, it can be a mixture of microcapsules and matrix particles.

[030] Unless otherwise specified, the particle sizes given above and below are the average particle diameters or average particle sizes, also designated herein by the d50 value. The value of d50 is defined as the value that is above the diameters of 50% by weight of the particles and below the diameters of 50% by weight of the particles. The d50 value can be calculated from the particle size distribution of the microparticles. The particle size distribution of the microparticles (i.e., diameters) can be determined, for example, by conventional methods such as dynamic or static light scattering of an aqueous dispersion of the microparticle composition, for example, at 25 °C and a concentration in the range from 0.1 to 1% by weight. At present, the d50 value is determined in accordance with ISO 13320, Particle Size Analysis - Laser Diffraction Methods, December 1, 2009.

[031] In some cases below, d90 value or d10 value is provided. The d90 value needs to be understood as the value that is not exceeded across the diameters of at least 90% by weight of the microparticles, and the d10 value as the value of the diameters that at least 10% by weight of the microparticles exceed. The d90 and d10 values, as well as the d50 value, can be calculated from the particle size distribution of the microparticles. Further details are provided above.

[032] Preferably, the microparticles are microcapsules.

[033] Under the terms of the present invention, "composition" is not restricted to a physical mixture (co-formulation) containing the microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylline, but refers to any form of preparation of the microparticles and, at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin, the use of which is in relation to time and place. In one embodiment of the present invention, the term "composition" refers to a physical mixture of the microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin. In another embodiment of the present invention, the term "composition" refers to the microparticles of at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin to be separately formulated, but in such a manner that they can be applied to the soil in which unwanted vegetation is growing and/or unwanted vegetation and/or cultivated vegetables to be protected from unwanted vegetation and/or in their environment in a temporal relationship, that is, simultaneously or subsequently, subsequent application that has a time interval that allows a combined action of the two components .

[034] An example for a composition in which the microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin are separately formulated is a combined packaging. In a combination package, two or more components of the combination packaging are separately packaged, i.e. not pre-formulated together. As such, combination packaging includes one or more separate containers, such as jars, cans, bottles, pouches, bags or containers, each container containing a separate component for an agrochemical composition. An example is a two-component combination packaging (two-component set). In this case, the advantages of the composition of the present invention become manifest in tank mixing, if the microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin are mixed shortly before application, or at the application site, if they are applied separately (but naturally, in relation to time and place).

[035] The term "in relation to time" means that the time interval between the separate application of the two or more herbicides (cinmethylin and at least one other herbicide) is such that the active compound applied first is still present at the application site when the second is applied. This time interval, in general, is from a few seconds to a few days, for example, from 1 to 7 days or from 1 to 24 h or from 1 to 12 h.

[036] Preferably, however, the composition of the present invention is a physical mixture (coformulation) containing both microparticles and at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin.

[037] The common name cinmethyllin as used herein refers to the racemic mixture (±)-2-exo-(2-methylbenzyloxy)-1-methyl-4-isopropyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (also called "exo(±) isomers", CAS RN 87818-31-3) - to any of its individual enantiomers or any non-racemic mixture thereof. The racemic mixture contains equal parts of the two enantiomers (+)-2-exo-(2-methylbenzyloxy)-1-methyl-4-isopropyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (also called “exo-(+)- isomer", CAS RN 87818-61-9) and (-)-2-exo-(2-methylbenzyloxy)-1-methyl-4-isopropyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (also designated as the “exo -(-)- isomer", CAS RN 87819-60-1). The exo(±) isomers, the exo(+) isomer and the exo(-) isomer, including their preparation and herbicidal properties, are described in patent EP 0,081,893 A2 (see Examples 29, 34, 35 and 62). Other methods for preparing these compounds are described in US patent 4,487,945 (see embodiments 46 and 48). The racemic mixture (a)-2-exo(2-methylbenzyloxy)-1-methyl-4-isopropyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane is also described in The Pesticide Manual, 14th edition, Publisher: CDS Tomlin, British Crop Production Council, 2006, entry 157, pages 195-196 with its IUPAC name (1RS,2SR,4SR)-1,4- epoxy-p-ment-2-yl 2-methylbenzyl ether and its chemical names exo(± )-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-2-[(2-methylphenyl)methoxy]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Cinmethylline is a poorly water-soluble liquid (0.063 g • L- 1 at 20 °C), but soluble in organic solvents. It has a boiling point of 312 °C (Pesticide Science, 1987, 21, n. 2, 143-153).

[038] At least one herbicide other than cinmethylin is usually a herbicide that, when formulated together with cinmethylin as such, would lead to a formulation with the disadvantages described above.

[039] Preferably, at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin is selected from the group consisting of: (b1) herbicides from the group of lipid biosynthesis inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group that consists of: - ACC herbicides selected from the group consisting of aloxidim, aloxidim-sodium, butroxydim, clethodim, clodinafop, clodinafop-propargyl, cycloxidim, cyhalofop, cialofop-butyl, diclofop, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-P, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-P, haloxypop-P-methyl, metamifop, pinoxaden, profoxidim, propaquizafop, quizalofop, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-tefuryl, quizalofop-P, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, sethoxydim, tepraloxidim, tralkoxydim, 4- (4'-chloro-4-cyclopropyl-2'-fluoro[1 ,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2H-pyran-3(6H)-one (CAS 1312337-72-6); 4-(2',4'-dichloro-4-cyclopropyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2H-pyran-3(6H) -one (CAS 1312337-45-3); 4-(4'-chloro-4-ethyl-2'-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2H-pyran-3( 6H)-one (CAS 1033757-93-5); 4-(2',4'-dichloro-4-ethyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2H-pyran-3,5-(4H, 6H )-dione (CAS 1312340-84-3); 5-(acetyloxy)-4-(4'-chloro-4-cyclopropyl-2'-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-2H-pyran-3-one (CAS 1312337-48-6); 5-(acetyloxy)-4-(2',4'-dichloro-4-cyclopropyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-Il)-3,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl -2H-pyran-3-one; 5-(acetyloxy)-4-(4'-chloro-4-ethyl-2'-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-2H-pyran-3-one (CAS 1312340-82-1); 5-(acetyloxy)-4-(2',4'-dichloro-4-ethyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- 2H-pyran-3-one (CAS 1033760-55-2); carbonic acid methyl ester 4-(4'-chloro-4-cyclopropyl-2'-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-5,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-5-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl (CAS 1312337-51-1); carbonic acid methyl ester 4-(2',4'-dichloro-4-cyclopropyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-5,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl -5-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl; carbonic acid methyl ester 4-(4'-chloro-4-ethyl-2'-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-5,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-5-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl (CAS 1312340-83-2); carbonic acid methyl ester 4-(2',4'-dichloro-4-ethyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-5,6-dihydro-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- 5-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl (CAS 1033760-58-5); and - non-ACC herbicides selected from the group consisting of benfuresate, butylate, cycloate, dalapon, dimepiperate, EPTC, esprocarb, etofumesate, flupropanate, molinate, orbencarb, pebulate, prosulfocarb, TCA, tiobencarb, thiocarbazil, triallate and vernolate; - b2) herbicides from the group of ALS inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: -ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cynosulfuron, cyclosulfamurone, etametsulfuron, etametsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methylsodium, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron ron-methylsodium, iofensulfuron, iofensulfuron-sodium, mesosulfuron , metazosulfuron, metsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamurone, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, propyrisulfuron, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, rimsulfuron, sulfometurone, sulfometuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron, thifen ssulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron, tribenurone, tribenuron - methyl, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl and tritosulfuron, - imidazolinones selected from the group consisting of imazametabenz, imazametabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquine and imazethapyr, - triazolopyrimidine and sulfonanilide herbicides selected from the group consisting of cloransulam, cloransulam-methyl, di-closulam, flumetsulam, florasulam, metosulam, penoxisulam, pyrimisulfan and piroxsulam, - pyrimidinylbenzoates selected from the group consisting of bispiribac, bispiribac-sodium, pyribenzoxim, piriftalid, piriminobac, piriminobac-methyl , pyrithiobac, pyrithiobac-sodium, 4-[[[2-[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]phenyl]methyl]amino]-benzoic acid-ester ester (CAS 420138-41-6 ), 4-[[[2-[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]phenyl]methyl]amino]benzoic acid propyl ester (CAS 420138-40-5), N-(4-bromophenyl )-2- [(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]benzenemethanamine (CAS 420138-01-8), - sulfonylaminocarbonyl-triazolinone herbicides selected from the group consisting of flucarbazone, flucarbazon-sodium, propoxycarbazone, propoxycarbazon-sodium, thiencarbazone and thiencarbazon-methyl and triafamone; - b3) herbicides from the group of photosynthesis inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - amicarbazone, - photosystem II inhibitors selected from the group consisting of triazine herbicides, in turn selected from the group consisting of chlorotriazine, triazinones, triazindiones, methylthiotriazines and pyridazinones, in turn selected from the group consisting of ametrine, atrazine, chloridazone, cyanazine, desmethrin, dimethethrin, hexazinone, metribuzin, promethone, promethrin, propazine, simazine, simethrin, terbumetone, terbuthylazine, terbutrin and triethazine, - arylurea herbicides selected from the group consisting of chlorobromurone, chlortolurone, chloroxurone, dimefurone, diuron, fluometurone, isoproturone, isourone, linurone, metamitrone, metabenzthiazurone, metobenzuron, methoxurone, monolinuron, neburone, sidurone, tebuthiurone and thiadiazurone, - phenyl carbamates selected from the group consisting of desmedipham, carbutilat, fenmedifam and phenmedifam-ethyl, - nitrile herbicides selected from the group consisting of bromophenoxim, bromoxynil and its salts and esters, and ioxynyl and its salts and esters, - uracils selected from the group consisting of bromacil, lenacil and terbacil, - bentazone and sodium bentazone, pyridate, pyridafol, pentanochlor and propanyl, and - photosystem inhibitors I selected from the group consisting of diquat, diquat-dibromide, paraquat, paraquat-dichloride and paraquat-dimethylsulfate; (b4) herbicides from the group of protoporphyrinogen-IX oxidase inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - acifluorfen, acifluorfen-sodium, azafenidine, bencarbazone, benzfendizone, bifenox, butafenacil, carfentrazone, carfentrazone -ethyl, clomethoxyfen, cinidon-ethyl, fluazolate, flufenpyr, flufenpyr-ethyl, flumiclorac, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen, fluoroglycophen-ethyl, fluthiacet, fluthiacet-methyl, falesafen, halosafen, lactofen, oxadiaclay, oxadiazone, oxadiazone, oxyfluorfen , pentoxazone, profluazole, pyraclonil, pyraflufen, pyraflufen-ethyl, saflufenacil, sulfentrazone, aclonifen, thiafenacyl, trifludimoxazine, [3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(1-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-2,4- ethyl dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-3-yl)phenoxy]-2-pyridyloxy]acetate (CAS 353292-31-6; S- 3100), N-ethyl-3-(2,6- dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-carboxamide (CAS 452098-92-9), N-tetrahydrofurfuryl-3-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H -pyrazol-1-carboxamide (CAS 915396-43-9), N-ethyl-3-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-carboxamide (CAS 452099- 05-7), N-tetrahydrofurfuryl-3-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-carboxamide (CAS 452100-03-7), 3-[7- fluoro-3-oxo-4-(prop-2-ynyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-6-yl]-1,5-dimethyl-6-thioxo-[1, 3,5]triazinan- 2,4-dione (CAS 451484-50-7), 2-(2,2,7-trifluoro-3-oxo-4-prop-2-ynyl-3,4-dihydro- 2H -benzo[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoindol-1,3-dione 9cas 1300118-960), 1-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-3-(2,2, 1-Methyl 7-trifluoro-3-oxo-4-prop-2-ynyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-1H-pyrimidin-2,4-dione (CAS 1304113-05-0), (E)-4-[2-chloro-5-[4-chloro-5-(difluoromethoxy)-1H-methyl-pyrazol-3-yl]-4-fluoro-phenoxy] - Methyl 3-methoxy-but-2-enoate (CAS 948893-00-3) and 3-[7-chloro-5-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-4-yl]-1-methyl -6-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2,4-dione (CAS 212754-02-4); (b5) herbicides from the group of bleaching herbicides, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - PDS inhibitors selected from the group consisting of beflubutamide, diflufenican, fluridone, flurochloridone, flurtamon, norflurazone, picolinaphene and 4-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyrimidine (CAS 180608-33-7), - HPPD inhibitors selected from the group consisting of benzobicyclone, benzofenap, biciclopyrone, clomazone, phenquinotrione, isoxaflutol , mesotrione, oxotrione (CAS 1486617-21-3), pyrrasulfotol, pyrazolinate, pyrazoxifene, sulcotrione, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, tolpinate and topramezone; - aclonifen, amitrol flumeturone and 2-chloro-3-methylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide; - b6) herbicides from the group of EPSP synthase inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - glyphosate, glyphosate-isopropylammonium, glycosate-potassium and glyphosate-trimesium (sulfosate); - b7) herbicides from the group of glutamine synthase inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - bilanaphos (bialaphos), sodium bilanaphos, glufosinate, P-glufosinate and ammonium glufosinate; - b8) herbicide from the DHP synthase inhibitor group selected from the group consisting of: - asulam; - b9) herbicides from the group of mitosis inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - compounds of group K1 selected from the group consisting of dinitroanilines, in turn selected from the group consisting of benfluralin, butralin, dinitramine, ethalfluralin, fluchloralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine and trifluralin, - phosphoramidates selected from the group consisting of amiprophos, amiprophos-methyl and butamiphos, - benzoic acid herbicides selected from the group consisting of chlorthal and chlorthal-dimethyl, - pyridines selected from the group consisting of dithiopyr and thiazopyr, benzamides selected from the group consisting of propyzamide and tebutam; - group K2 compounds selected from the group consisting of carbetamide, chlorpropamle, flamprop, flamprop-isopropyl, flamprop-methyl, flamprop-M-isopropyl, flomprop-M-methyl and propamine; (b10) herbicides from the group of VLCFA inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - chloroacetamides selected from the group consisting of acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, dimethachlor, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P , metazachlor, metolachlor, metolachlor-S, methoxamide, pretilachlor, propachlor, propisochlor and butylchlor, - oxyacetanilides selected from the group consisting of flufenacet and mefenacet, - acetanilides selected from the group consisting of diphenamide, naproanilide, napropamide and napropamid -M, - tetrazolinone fentrazamide herbicide; and - other herbicides selected from the group consisting of anilophos compounds, cafenstrol, fenoxasulfone, ipfencarbazone, piperphos, pyroxasulfone and isoxazoline of Formulas II.1, II.2, II.3, II.4, II.5, II. 6, II.7, II.8 and II.9 (b11) herbicides from the group of cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - chlorthiamide, diclobenil, flupoxam, indaziflam, isoxaben, triaziflam and 1-cyclohexyl-5-pentafluorophenyloxy- 14-[1,2,4,6]thiatriazin-3-ylamine (CAS 175899-01-1); (b12) herbicides from the group of uncoupling herbicides, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - dinoseb, dinoterb and DNOC and their salts; - b13) herbicides from the group of auxin herbicides, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - 2,4-D and its salts and esters such as claciphos, 2,4-DB and the its salts and esters, aminocyclopyraclor and its salts and esters, aminopyralid and its salts, such as aminopyralid-dimethylammonium, aminopyralid-tris(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium and its esters, benazoline, benazolin-ethyl, chlorambene and their salts and esters, clomeprop, clopyralid and its salts and esters, dicamba and its salts and esters, dichlorprop and its salts and esters, dichlorprop-P and its salts and esters, flopyrauxifene, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr-butomethyl, fluroxypyr-meptyl, halauxifen and its salts and esters (CAS 943832-60-8); MCPA and its salts and esters, MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB and its salts and esters, mecoprop and its salts and esters, mecoprop-P and its salts and esters, picloram and its salts and esters, quinclorac, quinmerac, TBA (2,3 ,6) and its salts and esters; triclopyr and its salts and esters, triclopyr and its salts and esters, 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-fluoropyridine-2-carboxylic acid, 4-amino Benzyl -3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-fluoropyridine-2-carboxylate (CAS 1390661-72-9) and 4-amino-3-chloro-5- acid fluoro-6-(7-fluoro-1H-indol-6-yl)picolinic acid; - b14) herbicides from the group of auxin transport inhibitors, which in turn are selected from the group consisting of: - diflufenzopyr, diflufenzopyr-sodium, naptalam and naptalam-sodium; and - b15) other herbicides selected from the group consisting of: - bromobutide, chlorflurenol, chlorflurenol-methyl, cumilurone, cyclopyrimorate (CAS 499223-49-3) and its salts and esters, dalapon, dazomet, diphenzoquat, diphenzoquat-methylsulfate , dimetipine, DSMA, dimrone, endotal and its salts, etobenzanid, flurenol, flurenol-butyl, flurprimidol, fosamine, fosamine-ammonium, indanophane, maleic hydrazide, mefluidide, metam, methiozoline (CAS 403640-27-7), azide methyl, methyl bromide, methyl dimrone, methyl iodide, MSMA, oleic acid, oxaziclomephone, pelargonic acid, pyributicarb, quinoclamine and tridiphane.

[040] Most preferably, at least one herbicide other than cinmethyllin is selected from the group consisting of quinmerac, picolinaphene, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, imazamox, diflufenican, flufenacet, pendimethalin, pyroxasulfone, sulfonylureas selected from the group which consists of amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfurone, bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cynosulfuron, cyclosulfamurone, etamethsulfuron, etamethsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, flupirsulfuron-methyl-sodium, were sulfuron, halosulfuron, halosulfuron - methyl, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, iofensulfuron, iofensulfuron-sodium, mesosulfuron, metazosulfuron, metsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamurone, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, propyrisulfuron urone, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl , rimsulfuron, ssulfometurone, ssulfometuron-methyl, ssulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron, tribenuron, tribenuron-methyl, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl and tritosulfuron and aminopyralid and their salts.

[041] Even more preferably, at least one herbicide other than cinmethyllin is selected from the group consisting of quinmerac, picolinaphene, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, diflufenican, flufenacet and pendimethalin and, in particular, from the group that consists of quinmerac, picolinafen, diflufenican and flufenacet. Specifically, at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin is selected from the group consisting of quinmerac and picolinaphene.

[042] Therefore, in a special embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; and quinmerac.

[043] In another special embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; and picolinafen.

[044] In another special embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; and diflufenican.

[045] In another special embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; and flufenacet.

[046] In the composition of the present invention, cinmethylin and at least one different herbicide are present in a proportion by total weight, preferably from 100:1 to 1:100, in particular, from 50: 1 to 1:50, and specifically, from 10:1 to 1:10. The term "in general" means that the weight ratio refers to the weight of all herbicides other than cinmethylline, if more than one is used.

[047] As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, the microparticles are microcapsules.

[048] The microcapsules comprise a shell and a core, where the core contains cinmethylin. The core may also comprise a solvent. If this is the case, cinmethylline may be present in the nucleus in dissolved form or as an emulsion.

[049] The term "solvent" is a liquid substance that dissolves a solute (a chemically different liquid, solid or gas), resulting in a solution. In the present context, the term "solvent", however, is not restricted to a compound or medium that dissolves cinmethylline in the proper sense: This compound or medium, in general, may be more of a dispersion medium, and therefore the "solution" can be an emulsion or a solution in the proper sense (the latter being a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances, in which the solute particles cannot be seen with the naked eye and which does not diffuse light).

[050] Any solvent, if present in the core, is preferably selected from water-immiscible organic solvents, water, water-miscible organic solvents and mixtures thereof.

[051] The solvent, if present, is preferably a water-immiscible organic solvent. Water-immiscible organic solvents in this context are solvents with a solubility in water at 20 °C of a maximum of 20 g/L, preferably a maximum of 5 g/L and in particular a maximum of 0.5 g/L. Suitable examples of water-immiscible organic solvents are: - a hydrocarbon solvent, such as an aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbon (for example, toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives, point mineral oil fractions medium to high boiling point (kerosene, diesel oil, coal tar oils)); - a vegetable oil, such as corn oil, rapeseed oil; - a fatty acid ester, such as the C1-C10 alkyl ester of a C10-C22 fatty acid; - methyl or ethyl esters of vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil methyl ester or corn oil methyl ester; - partially saponified fats or oils; or - rosins or rosin oils.

[052] Mixtures of the water-immiscible organic solvents mentioned above are also possible. The water-immiscible organic solvent is usually commercially available, such as hydrocarbons under the trade names Solvesso® 200, Aromatic® 200 or Caromax® 28. Aromatic hydrocarbons can be used as depleted grades of naphthalene. Water-immiscible organic solvents are preferably hydrocarbons, in particular aromatic hydrocarbons.

[053] Often, the water-immiscible organic solvent, if present, has a boiling point above 100 °C, preferably above 150 °C, and especially above 180 °C.

[054] If a water-immiscible organic solvent is present in the core of the microcapsule, it will preferably be comprised in an amount of up to 10% by weight, more preferably up to 5% by weight, and in particular, up to 1% by weight. in relation to the total weight of the nucleus.

[055] Preferably, the core of the microcapsule comprises less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.5% by weight and, in particular, less than 0.1% by weight of the water-immiscible organic solvent relative to to the total weight of the nucleus.

[056] Specifically, the core of the microcapsule is free from water-immiscible organic solvent.

[057] Additionally or alternatively, the core of the microcapsules may comprise water, water-miscible organic solvents or mixtures thereof. Water-miscible organic solvents, in this context, are solvents with a solubility in water at 20 °C greater than 20 g/L. Examples of miscible organic solvents are C1-C3 alkanols, for example methanol, ethanol, propanol or isopropanol, polyols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol or glycerin, cyclic ethers such as dioxanes and tetrahydrofuran, acetone, dimethylsulfoxide, amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, benzoylactate, lactams such as N-butylpyrrolidone and N-formylpyrrolidone, N-formylmorpholine and propylenecarbonate.

[058] If water or a water-miscible organic solvent is present in the core of the microcapsule, this will preferably be comprised in an amount of up to 10% by weight, preferably up to 5% by weight, and in particular, up to 1% by weight in relation to the total weight of the core.

[059] Preferably, the core of the microcapsule comprises less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.5% by weight and, in particular, less than 0.1% by weight of water and the organic solvent miscible in water in relation to the total weight of the nucleus.

[060] Specifically, the core of the microcapsule is free of water and water-miscible organic solvent.

[061] If a mixture of one or more water-immiscible organic solvents, water and/or one or more water-miscible organic solvents is present in the core of the microcapsule, these will preferably be comprised in a total amount of up to 10% in weight, more preferably up to 5% by weight, and in particular up to 1% by weight in relation to the total weight of the core.

[062] Preferably, the core of the microcapsule comprises less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.5% by weight and, in particular, less than 0.1% by weight of water-immiscible organic solvent, solvent water-miscible organic matter and water in relation to the total weight of the nucleus.

[063] Specifically, the core of the microcapsule is free of organic solvents immiscible with water, organic solvents miscible with water and water.

[064] The core, optionally, may contain auxiliaries, such as organic modified polysiloxanes, such as Break Thru S 240®; alcohol alkoxylates, such as Atplus® 245, Atplus® MBA 1303, Plurafac® LF 300 and Lutensol® ON 30; EO/PO block polymers, poloxamers, for example Pluronic® RPE 2035 and Genapol® B; alcohol ethoxylates, such as Lutensol® XP 80; and dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium, such as Leophen® RA. If such auxiliaries are present in the microcapsule core, they will preferably be comprised in a total amount of up to 5% by weight, and in particular, up to 1% by weight relative to the total weight of the core.

[065] Preferably, the core of the microcapsule comprises at least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight and, in particular, at least 99% by weight of cinmethylin relative to the total weight from the core.

[066] The microparticles comprise a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin. The polymeric material can be any material that is normally used as a wall-forming or matrix-forming material for microparticles. The polymeric material is normally not water-soluble, that is, its solubility is less than 1 g/L at 25 °C and 1 bar. Preferably, the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyureas, polyurethanes, poly(meth)acrylates, aminoplasts, polystyrenes, polyamides, polysulfonamides, polyesters and polycarbonates.

[067] In the case of microcapsules, the polymeric material is the essential part of the shell (also called wall) that surrounds the core that comprises cinmethylin. In the case of matrix particles, the polymeric material is the essential part of the polymer matrix, in which the cinmethylline is embedded. The polymeric materials suitable for the shell and matrix are mainly the same and are therefore for both forms preferably selected from the group consisting of polyureas, polyurethanes, poly(meth)acrylates, aminoplasts, polystyrenes, polyamides, polysulfonamides , polyesters and polycarbonates.

[068] Polyurea materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polyisocyanate and a polyamine. "Polyisocyanates" contain two or more isocyanate groups. Polyisocyanates containing two isocyanate groups are also called diisocyanates. "Polyamines" contain two or more amino groups. Polyamines containing two amino groups are also called diamines.

[069] Polyurethane materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polyisocyanate and a polyol. "Polyols" contain two or more hydroxyl groups. Polyols containing two hydroxyl groups are also called diols.

[070] Poly(meth)acrylate materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as acrylic and/or methacrylic acid esters, in general, the C1-C24 alkyl esters, acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and optionally also maleic acid and/or other olefinically unsaturated monomers.

[071] Aminoplast materials, in general, are prepared through a polycondensation process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, in general, carbonyl compounds and compounds containing NH groups, and specifically melamine and formaldehyde, or, more frequently, by curing a prepolymer or precondensate of these monomers.

[072] Polystyrene materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of styrene or substituted styrenes and optionally also other olefinically unsaturated monomers.

[073] Polyamide materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polyacid and a polyamine or lactams. "Polyacids" contain two or more carboxyl groups. Polyacids containing two carboxyl groups are also called diacids.

[074] Polysulfonamide materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polysulfonic acid and a polyamine. "Polysulfonic acids" contain two or more sulfonic acid groups. Polysulfonic acids containing two sulfonic acid groups are also called disulfonic acids.

[075] Polyester materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polyacid and a polyol, or lactones.

[076] Polycarbonate materials, in general, are prepared through a polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polycarbonate and a polyol.

[077] Among the polymeric materials mentioned above, preference is given to polyureas, poly(meth) acrylates and aminoplasts. For the preparation of microcapsules, greater preference is given to polyureas. For the preparation of matrix particles, greater preference is given to poly(meth)acrylates and aminoplasts and, in particular, poly(meth)acrylates.

[078] Polyurea is a known material for microparticles and, in particular, a known shell material for microcapsules. In general, polyurea is formed through the reaction of a polyisocyanate, that is, a compound that has at least two isocyanate groups, with a polyamine, that is, a compound that has at least two amino groups and more precisely one compound having at least two primary and/or secondary amino groups, preferably having two primary amino groups, to form a polyurea wall material. In one embodiment, at least one diisocyanate and at least the diamine having two primary amino groups are used. In another embodiment, the polyisocyanate or polyamine or both have more than two reactive groups -NCO- or NH-, respectively. In another embodiment, polyurea can be formed through contact of polyisocyanate with water. In this case, first of all, a carbamic acid is formed, which immediately decomposes into the corresponding amine and CO2. This amine further reacts with the polyisocyanate to form a polyurea. Furthermore, polyurea can be obtained from a reaction of polyisocyanate with polyamine and water. Preferably, the polyurea shell contains a polyisocyanate and a polyamine in polycondensed form. Suitable polyisocyanates are known, for example, from US patent 2010/0,248,963 A1, paragraphs [0135] to [0158]. Suitable polyamines are known, for example, from US patent 2010/0,248,963 A1, paragraphs [0159] to [0169].

[079] Polyisocyanates can be used individually or as mixtures of two or more polyisocyanates. Suitable polyisocyanates, for example, are aliphatic isocyanates or aromatic isocyanates. These isocyanates may be present as monomeric or oligomeric isocyanates. The NCO content can be determined according to ASTM D 5155-96 A.

[080] The term "aliphatic isocyanates", as used herein, also includes cycloaliphatic isocyanates. Examples of suitable aliphatic diisocyanates include tetramethylene diisocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), dodecyl diisocyanate, 1,4-diisocyanate-4-methylpentane, 2-butyl-2-ethylpentamethylene diisocyanate, 2-diisocyanate, 2,4- or 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexamethylene, lysine alkyl ester diisocyanate, where alkyl means C1C10 alkyl, as well as cycloaliphatic isocyanates, such as isophoronodiisocyanate (IPDI), 1,4-bisisocyanatocyclohexane, bis-(4-isocyanato-cyclohexyl)methane, 2-isocyanatopropylcyclohexyl isocyanate, 3(4)-isocyanatomethyl-1-methylcyclohexyl isocyanate, 2,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexyl) diisocyanate and 1, 4-Methylcyclohexane 3-diisocyanate (H-TDI). An example of aliphatic triisocyanates is 4-isocyanatomethyl-1,8-octamethylene diisocyanate.

[081] The term "aromatic isocyanates", as used herein, also includes araliphatic isocyanates, in which at least one of the isocyanate groups is not linked to the aromatic ring, but to an alkyl group linked in turn to the aromatic ring . Suitable aromatic isocyanates include toluene diisocyanates (TDI), such as 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (2,6-TDI) or mixtures thereof (TDI). : a mixture of 2, 4- and 2,6-isomers), triisocyanatotoluene, diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate (MDI), 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (2,4'-MDI), 4-triisocyanate ,4',4''-triphenylmethane, 2,4,4'-diphenyl ether triisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-diphenyl diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethoxy-4 diisocyanate, 4'-diphenyl, 1,3- and 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, diphenyl diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate or tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate.

[082] Also suitable are oligoisocyanates or polyisocyanates that can be prepared from the above-mentioned diisocyanates or polyisocyanates or mixtures thereof by linking through structures of urethane, allophanate, urea, biuret, uretdione, amide, isocyanurate, carbodiimide, uretonimine , oxadiazinetrione or iminooxadiazinedione. Examples are tetramethylene diisocyanate trimer (i.e., the respective isocyanurate), hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer (i.e., the respective isocyanurate), isophorone diisocyanate trimer (i.e., the respective isocyanurate), polyphenyl isocyanate of polymethylene, mixtures of monomeric diphenylmethane diisocyanates and oligomeric diphenylmethane diisocyanates and mixtures of various oligomeric diphenylmethane diisocyanates, optionally also with monomeric diphenylmethane diisocyanates (polymeric MDI). Oligomeric or polymeric isocyanates have an average functionality which is generally in the range from 2.0 to 4.0, preferably from 2.1 to 3.2, and more preferably from 2.3 to 3.0. Typically, these oligomeric isocyanates have a viscosity (determined according to DIN 53018; 25) in the range from 20 to 1,000 mPas, preferably from 80 to 500 mPas and especially from 150 to 320 mPas. . These oligomeric isocyanates are commercially available, for example, from BASF SE under the trade names Lupranat® M5, Lupranat® M10, Lupranat® M20, Lupranat® M50, Lupranat® M70, Lupranat® M200, Lupranat® M103 or under the trade name Basonat A270.

[083] Mixtures of the diisocyanates or polyisocyanates mentioned above with the oligoisocyanates or polyisocyanates are also suitable.

[084] It is also possible to use masked (blocked) diisocyanates. In blocked or masked diisocyanates or polyisocyanates, the isocyanate groups are reversibly reacted to form another functional group which, under suitable conditions, can be converted back to the isocyanate group. Preferably, the isocyanate group reacts with an alcohol, preferably a monoalcohol, to form a urethane group. Alcohol, in general, is simply eliminated during the reaction of the blocked di- or polyisocyanate with the polyamine. Blocking the isocyanate groups reduces the very high reactivity of the isocyanates and enables the controlled reaction with the polyamine and therefore the controlled construction of polyureas.

[085] Diisocyanate adducts with polyhydric alcohols are also suitable, such as ethylene glycol, glycerol and trimethylolpropane, obtained by adding, per mole of polyhydric alcohol, a number of moles of diisocyanate corresponding to the number of hydroxyl groups of the respective alcohol and their mixtures with the diisocyanates mentioned above. In this way, several diisocyanate molecules are linked through urethane groups to polyhydric alcohol to form high molecular weight polyisocyanates. An especially suitable product of this type, DESMODUR® L (Bayer Corp., Pittsburgh), can be prepared by reacting three moles of toluene diisocyanate with one mole of 2-ethylglycerol (1,1-bismethylolpropane). Other suitable products are obtained by adding hexamethylene diisocyanate or isophorone diisocyanate with ethylene glycol or glycerol.

[086] The polyisocyanates, preferably, are the aliphatic diisocyanates mentioned above, in particular, hexamethylene diisocyanate or isophorone diisocyanate, additional diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanates and oligomeric isocyanates, in particular, the trimers (isocyanurates) of the aliphatic diisocyanates mentioned above. Specifically, hexamethylene diisocyanate or its trimer and, very specifically, hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer is used.

[087] Suitable polyamines within the scope of the present invention will be understood to mean, in general, those compounds that contain two and more amino groups in the molecule, these amino groups that can be linked to the aliphatic or aromatic moieties.

[088] The term "aliphatic polyamines", as used herein, includes cycloaliphatic amines. Examples of suitable aliphatic polyamines are the α,w-diamines of Formula H2N-(CH2)p-NH2, where p is an integer from 2 to 6. Examples of such diamines are ethylene diamine, propylene -1,3-diamine, tetramethylene diamine, pentamethylene diamine and hexamethylene diamine. A diamine is preferably hexamethylene diamine. Other suitable aliphatic polyamines are polyethylenimines of Formula H2N-(CH2-CH2-NH)qH, where q is an integer from 2 to 20, preferably 3 to 5. Representative examples of such polyethylenimines are triamine diethylene, triethylene tetramine, tetraethylene pentamine and pentaethylene hexamine. Other suitable aliphatic polyamines are dioxaalkane-α,w-diamines, such as 4,9-dioxadodecane-1,12-diamine of Formula H2N-(CH2)3O-(CH2)4O-(CH2)3-NH2. Other suitable aliphatic polyamines are amines carrying 3 aminoalkyl groups. Examples are tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, tris(2-aminopropyl)amine, tris(3-aminopropyl)amine, tris(2-aminobutyl)amine, tris(3-aminobutyl)amine, tris(4-aminobutyl) amine, tris(5-aminopentyl)amine and tris(6-aminohexyl)amine. Other suitable aliphatic polyamines are cycloaliphatic diamines, such as isophorone diamine, diaminodicyclohexylmethane or bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane.

[089] Examples of suitable aromatic polyamines are: 1,3-phenylene diamine, 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, 1, 3,5-triaminobenzene, 2,4,6-triaminotoluene, 1,3,6-triaminonaphthalene, 2,4,4'-triaminodiphenyl ether, 3,4,5-triamino-1,2,4-triazole and 1 ,4,5,8-tetraamine-anthraquinone.

[090] Polyamines that are insoluble or insufficiently water-soluble can be used as their hydrochloride salts.

[091] Polyamines can be used individually or as mixtures of two or more polyamines. Preferred polyamines are aliphatic diamines, in particular the α,w-diamines mentioned above. Specifically, hexamethylene diamine is used.

[092] The relative amount of each complementary wall-forming component will vary with their equivalent weights. In general, approximate stoichiometric amounts are preferred, while an excess of a component, especially an excess of polyisocyanate, may be employed. The total amount of wall-forming components approximately corresponds to the total amount of polymeric wall-forming materials.

[093] Microcapsules containing a polyurea shell are preferably prepared through an interfacial polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polyisocyanate and a polyamine. Interfacial polymerization is normally carried out in an aqueous oil-in-water emulsion or suspension of the core material containing at least a part of the polymer wall-forming material dissolved therein. During polymerization, the polymer segregates from the core material to the boundary surface between the core material and water, therefore forming the wall of the microcapsule. In this way, an aqueous suspension of the microcapsule material is obtained. Further details are provided below in context with the method of the present invention.

[094] Poly(meth) acrylate is also a known material for microparticles, in the form of microcapsules or matrix particles, for example, from publications WO 2008/071649, EP 0.457.154 or DE 10.2007.055.813. Typically, poly(meth)acrylate comprises the C1-C24 alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and/or maleic acid in polymerized form. Most preferably, the poly(meth)acrylate comprises methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid. The poly(meth) acrylate may also comprise, in polymerized form, one or more difunctional or polyfunctional monomers. Poly(meth)acrylate may also comprise other monomers.

[095] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "acrylate" and "methacrylate" refer to esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, respectively. The term "poly(meth) acrylate" refers to acrylate polymers, methacrylate polymers, mixtures of acrylate polymers and methacrylate polymers, and copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates. The polymers, in addition, may comprise other ethylenically unsaturated monomers in polymerized form.

[096] Most preferably, the poly(meth) acrylate polymer is synthesized from: - from 30 to 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers, of one or more monomers (monomers I) selected from of the group consisting of C1-C24 alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and maleic acid, - from 10 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers, of one or plus bifunctional or polyfunctional monomers (monomers II), and - from 0 to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers, of one or more other monomers (monomers III).

[097] The poly(meth) acrylate of the capsule wall, in general, comprises at least 30%, in a preferably at least 40%, in an especially preferably at least 50%, more especially at least 60%, with a very special preference at least 70%, and also up to 100%, preferably not more than 90%, more especially not more than 85%, and with special preference not greater than 80% by weight of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of C1-C24 alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and maleic acid (monomers I), in copolymerized form, based on the total weight of the monomers.

[098] Furthermore, the poly(meth)acrylate of the capsule wall preferably comprises at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, even more preferably at least 20% and also , in general, not more than 70%, preferably not more than 60%, and with special preference, not more than 50%, by weight, of one or more difunctional or polyfunctional monomers (monomers II), in copolymerized form, based on the total weight of the monomers. In another preferred embodiment, the poly(meth)acrylate of the capsule wall preferably comprises at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, and also, in general, not more than 50%, of greater preference, not exceeding 40% by weight, of one or more polyfunctional monomers (monomers II), in copolymerized form, based on the total weight of the monomers.

[099] Additionally, the poly(meth) acrylate may comprise up to 40%, preferably up to 30%, more especially up to 20%, by weight, of other monomers III, in copolymerized form. Preferably, however, the capsule wall is synthesized only from group I and II monomers.

[100] Suitable monomers I are C1C24 alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid and also C3- and C4- unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and also maleic acid. Suitable monomers I are isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl acrylates and the corresponding methacrylates, and also, with particular preference, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and n-butyl acrylates and the corresponding methacrylates. In general, methacrylates and methacrylic acid are preferred.

[101] According to a preferred embodiment, the walls of the microcapsule comprise from 25% to 75% by weight of maleic acid, methacrylic acid and/or acrylic acid, more especially methacrylic acid, based on the total amount of monomers I, in copolymerized form.

[102] Suitable monomers II are difunctional or polyfunctional monomers. The term “difunctional or polyfunctional monomers” means compounds that have at least two unconjugated ethylenic double unions. Mainly contemplated are divinyl monomers and polyvinyl monomers. They cause cross-linking of the capsule wall during polymerization. In another preferred embodiment, suitable monomers II are polyfunctional monomers.

[103] Suitable divinyl monomers are divinylbenzene and divinylcyclohexane. The divinyl monomers are preferably the diesters of diols with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and also the diallyl and divinyl ethers of these diols. Mention may be made, by way of example, of ethanediol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethylacrylate, metalylmethacrylamide, allyl acrylate and allyl methacrylate. Particular preference is given to propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, pentanediol and hexanediol diacrylates and the corresponding methacrylates.

[104] Polyvinyl monomers are preferably polyesters of polyols with acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, and also the polyallyl and polyvinyl ethers of these polyols, trivinylbenzene and trivinylcyclohexane. Special preference is given to trimethylolpropane triacrylate and trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triallyl ether, pentaerythritol tetraallyl ether, pentaerythritol triacrylate and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, and also to their technical mixtures.

[105] The contemplated monomers III are monomers other than monomers I and II, such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinylpyridine and styrene or α-methylstyrene. Special preference is given to itaconic acid, vinylphosphonic acid, maleic anhydride, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and methacrylate, acrylamid-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, methacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile, methacrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-methylolacrylamide, N-methylolmethacrylamide, dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and methacrylate of diethylaminoethyl.

[106] Aminoplast polymers, which are also called amino resins, amino condensation resins or starch resins, are also a known material for microparticles, in the form of microcapsules or in matrix particles. Aminoplasts are the products of polycondensation of one or more aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal, glyoxal or glutaraldehyde, with one or more amino compounds usually having at least two primary amino groups, such as urea, thiourea, melamine, which can be totally or partially etherified, cyanoguanamine (= dicyandiamide) and benzoguanamine. Examples of aminoplastic polymers are polycondensates of melamine and formaldehyde (melamine-formaldehyde resins or MF resins), including resins derived from fully or partially etherified melamine-formaldehyde condensates, urea-formaldehyde resins (UF resins), thiourea resins -formaldehyde (TUF resins), polycondensates of melamine, urea and formaldehyde (MUF resins), including resins derived from fully or partially etherified melamine-urea-formaldehyde condensates, polycondensates of melamine, thiourea and formaldehyde (MTUF resins, including resins derived from fully or partially etherified formaldehyde-melamine-thiourea condensates, urea-glutaraldehyde resins, benzoguanamine-formaldehyde polycondensates, dicyandiamide formaldehyde polycondensates and urea-glyoxal polycondensates.Aminoplastic polymers suitable for microencapsulation are known and can be found, inter alia, in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd edition, volume 2, pages 440-469, the prior art cited in the introductory part, publications US 4,918,317, EP 26,914, EP 218,887, EP 319,337, EP 383,337, EP 415,273, DE 19,833,347, DE 19,835,114 and WO 2001/51197.

[107] In UF and TUF resins, the molar proportions of urea or thiourea to formaldehyde, in general, are in the range from 1:0.8 to 1:4, in particular from 1:1.5 to 1: 4, especially from 1:2 to 1:3.5. If glutaraldehyde is used instead of formaldehyde, the molar ratios of urea or thiourea to glutaraldehyde in particular may be in the range from 1:1.2 to 1:3, especially in the range from 1:1. .5 to 1:2.5.

[108] In MF and MUF resins, the molar ratios of melamine to formaldehyde are generally in the range from 1:1.5 to 1:10, in particular from 1:3 to 1:8, preferably , from 1:4 to 1:6.

[109] In MUF and MTUF resins, the molar proportions of melamine + urea or thiourea to formaldehyde, in general, are in the range from 1:0.8 to 1:9, in particular from 1:2 to 1: 8, preferably 1:3 to 1:6. The molar ratio of urea or thiourea to melamine may be in the range from 50:1 to 1:100 and in particular from 30:1 to 1:30.

[110] In the preparation of the aminoplastic resins mentioned above, precondensates can be used in the form of etherified precondensates of amino and aldehyde compounds. In these etherified precondensates, the methylol groups formed through the reaction of the amino groups with formaldehyde with an alkanol or an alkandiol, in particular with a C1C4 alkanol, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol or n-butanol, in special methanol , or a C2-C4 alkandiol, such as ethylene glycol. The degree of etherification of these resins can be adjusted by the molar ratio of amino groups to alkanol which is normally in the range from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably in the range from 2:1 to 1:5.

[111] The aminoplastic polymer material, which surrounds or embeds the core, is preferably selected from the group consisting of melamine-formaldehyde resins, including melamine-formaldehyde resins derived from melamine-formaldehyde condensates wholly or partially etherified, and urea-formaldehyde resins and mixtures thereof. Especially, the aminoplast polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the core is a melamine-formaldehyde resin, especially a melamine-formaldehyde resin which is derived from fully or partially etherified melamine-formaldehyde condensates, which may contain small amounts, e.g. example, from 1 to 20 mol%, based on melamine, of urea.

[112] As mentioned previously, for the preparation of microcapsules, special preference is given to polyureas. Suitable polyureas are described above. Among these, preference is given to polyureas prepared from: - at least one polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of aliphatic diisocyanates mentioned above, aromatic diisocyanates, oligomeric isocyanates, in particular, the trimers (isocyanurates) of the aliphatic diisocyanates mentioned above, and mixtures thereof; and - at least one polyamine selected from the group consisting of aliphatic diamines mentioned above and mixtures thereof.

[113] Greater preference is given to polyureas prepared from: - at least one polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate; 4,4'- diphenylmethane diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanates, oligomeric isocyanates, in particular, the trimers (isocyanurates) of the aliphatic diisocyanates mentioned above, and mixtures thereof; and - at least one polyamine selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned α,w-diamines.

[114] In particular, polyureas are prepared from - at least one polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of hexamethylene diisocyanate, its trimer and mixtures thereof, and - hexamethylene diamine.

[115] In microcapsules, the weight ratio of cinmethylin and the polymeric material comprised in the shell is preferably from 1:1 to 80:1, more preferably from 4:1 to 40:1, in particular, from 8:1 to 25:1.

[116] Since the shell often essentially consists of polymeric material, that is, to at least 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the shell, expressed alternatively, the weight ratio of cinmethylline and the shell It is preferably from 1:1 to 80:1, preferably from 4:1 to 40:1, in particular from 8:1 to 25:1.

[117] In the matrix particles, the weight ratio of cinmethylline and the polymeric material forming the polymer matrix is preferably from 10:1 to 1:10, more preferably from 5:1 to 1:5 and in particular, from 3:1 to 1:4.

[118] Whether microcapsules, or rather matrix particles, are formed depends a.i. on the polymerization conditions under which the monomers on which the polymeric material is based are reacted. The required conditions are known to those skilled in the art. For example, a typical process for obtaining core/shell microcapsules is the above-mentioned interfacial polymerization process in an oil-in-water emulsion or aqueous suspension, wherein the core material contained therein, at least a part of the core material Polymer wall formation is used as starting material. As mentioned, during polymerization, the polymer segregates from the core material to the boundary surface between the core material and water, therefore, forming the wall of the microcapsule. Matrix particles, for example, are obtained when applying a miniemulsion polymerization process utilizing high shear forces and sufficient amounts of emulsifiers to finely disperse the starting materials (i.e., the compound to be embedded - at present, cinmethylin - and monomers to form the polymer matrix) in an aqueous medium. This process is especially suitable for obtaining matrix particles with a poly(meth)acrylate matrix.

[119] The composition of the present invention contains the microparticles in an amount, preferably, from 10 to 70% by weight, more preferably, from 20 to 60% by weight, even more preferably, from 30 to 50% by weight, in particular from 35 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[120] The composition of the present invention contains cinmethylline in an amount, preferably, from 10 to 70% by weight, more preferably, from 20 to 60% by weight, even more preferably, from 30 to 50% by weight, and in particular from 35 to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[121] The composition of the present invention is preferably a liquid composition at 20 °C. Most preferably, the composition is an aqueous dispersion. In aqueous dispersion, water or an aqueous medium is normally the continuous phase, while microparticles and also at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin, if the latter is not soluble in the continuous phase, form the dispersed phase.

[122] The "aqueous medium" comprises an aqueous solvent and optionally the compounds dissolved therein, for example, surfactants as mentioned below or other conventional formulation additives, such as thickeners or biocides; see also below. The aqueous solvent in the aqueous medium is water or a mixture of water with a water-miscible organic solvent, such as C1-C4 alkanols, for example, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, 2- butanol, isobutanol or tert-butanol, C2-C5 alkanediols and C3-C8 alkanethriols, which are preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, glycerol and 1 ,4-butanediol. If the aqueous solvent is a mixture of water and the water-miscible organic solvent mentioned above, the weight ratio of water to the water-miscible organic solvent in the aqueous solvent is preferably in the range from 99:1 to 1 :1; most preferably in the range of 50:1 to 3:1; and even more preferably, in the range of 20:1 to 4:1. Expressed differently, the amount of organic solvent can be from 1 to 50% by weight, preferably from 2 to 25% by weight, and more preferably from 5 to 20% by weight. based on the total weight of the aqueous solvent. In a special embodiment, the aqueous solvent essentially consists of water, which means that water makes up at least 96% by weight, preferably at least 98% by weight of the aqueous solvent.

[123] The aqueous dispersion preferably comprises at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, and in particular at least 35% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the dispersal.

[124] In particular, the composition of the present invention is a suspension concentrate.

[125] The composition of the present invention may comprise at least one additional auxiliary. Suitable auxiliaries, for example, are: surfactants, additional dispersants, for example inorganic dispersants, emulsifiers, wetting agents, other adjuvants, inorganic salts, solubilizers, penetration enhancers, protective colloids, adhesion agents, thickeners, humectants , antifoams, antifreeze agents, stabilizers, antimicrobial agents, pigments, colorants, buffers. Among these, preference is given to surfactants, additional dispersants, wetting agents, thickeners, antifoams, antifreeze agents, antimicrobial agents and buffers.

[126] Suitable surfactants are surfactant compounds, such as anionic, cationic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants, block polymers, polyelectrolytes and mixtures thereof. Such surfactants can be used as an emulsifier, dispersant, solubilizer, humectant, penetration enhancer, protective colloid or adjuvant. Examples of surfactants are listed in McCutcheon's, Volume 1: Emulsifiers & Detergents, McCutcheon's Directories, Glen Rock, USA, 2008 (International Ed. or North American Ed.).

[127] In a special embodiment, the composition of the present invention does not contain any vinylpyrrolidone co- or terpolymer emulsifier / dispersant / surfactant and especially does not contain the vinylpyrrolidone co- or terpolymer emulsifiers used in publication WO 1994/213139.

[128] The composition may comprise a sulfonate dispersant selected from lignosulfonate condensate, naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the sulfonate dispersant is selected from lignosulfonate or mixtures of lignosulfonate condensate and naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde. In particular, the sulfonate dispersant is lignosulfonate.

[129] Lignosulfonates are known and are defined, for example, in Roempp's Dictionary of Chemistry, 9th Edition, volume 3, Georg-Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, New York 1990, page 2,511. Lignosulfonates that are suitable are salts of alkali and/or alkaline earth metals and/or ammonium salts, for example ammonium, sodium, potassium salts, calcium or magnesium salts of lignosulfonic acid. Preferably, sodium, potassium and/or calcium salts are used. Naturally, the term “lignosulfonates” also covers mixed salts of different ions, such as potassium/sodium lignosulfonate, potassium/calcium lignosulfonate and the like, in particular sodium/calcium lignosulfonate. The molecular weight of the lignosulfonate can vary from 500 to 200,000 Da. Preferably, the lignosulfonate has a molecular weight of 700 to 50,000 Da, preferably from 900 to 20,000 Da, and in particular, from 1,000 to 10,000 Da, specifically 1,000 to 5,000 Da. Lignosulfonate is generally water soluble (e.g. at 20°C), for example at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, and in particular at least 20% by weight.

[130] Naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates are the oligomers obtained through the reaction (e.g., polycondensation) of naphthalene sulfonate and formaldehyde. Naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates generally have a molecular mass of 300 to 10,000 Da, preferably from 500 to 5,000 Da, and in particular from 500 to 2,500 Da. The naphthalene group optionally may be replaced by a linear or branched C1-C8 alkyl. Naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates are normally water soluble (e.g. at 20°C), e.g. at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, and in particular at least 20 % by weight. Suitable naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates are alkali metal salts and/or alkaline earth metal salts and/or ammonium salts, for example the ammonium, sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium salts of lignosulfonic acid. . Preferably sodium, potassium or calcium salts are used, sodium, potassium and/or calcium salts are most especially preferred.

[131] The composition may comprise from 0.05 to 15% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.3 to 3% by weight and , in particular, from 0.5 to 2.0% by weight of the sulfonate dispersant (for example, lignosulfonate).

[132] Suitable non-ionic surfactants are alkoxylate surfactants, N-substituted fatty acid amides, amine oxides, esters, sugar-based surfactants, polymeric surfactants and mixtures thereof. Examples of alkoxylate surfactants are compounds such as alcohols, alkylphenols, amines, amides, arylphenols, fatty acids or fatty acid esters that have been alkoxylated with 1 to 50 equivalents. Ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide can be used for alkoxylation, preferably ethylene oxide. Examples of N-substituted fatty acid amides are fatty acid glucamides or fatty acid alkanolamides. Examples of esters are fatty acid esters, glycerol esters or monoglycerides. Examples of sugar-based surfactants are sorbitans, ethoxylated sorbitans, sucrose and glucose esters or alkylpolyglucosides. Examples of polymeric surfactants are homo- or copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, vinylalcohols or vinylacetate.

[133] Examples of suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary surfactants, for example, quaternary ammonium compounds with one or two hydrophobic groups, or salts of long-chain primary amines. Suitable amphoteric surfactants are alkyl betaines and imidazolines. Suitable block polymers are block polymers of the A-B or A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, or of the A-B-C type comprising alkanol, polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide. Suitable polyelectrolytes are polyacids or polybases. Examples of polyacids are the alkaline salts of polyacrylic acid. Examples of polybases are polyvinylamines or polyethylenamines.

[134] Other suitable adjuvants are compounds that have negligible herbicidal activity or even no pesticidal activity, and that enhance the biological performance of compound I with the target. Examples are surfactants, mineral or vegetable oils, and other auxiliaries. Other examples are listed by Knowles, Adjuvants and additives, Agrow Reports DS256, T&F Informa UK, 2006, chapter 5.

[135] Other dispersants, for example, are inorganic dispersants. Suitable inorganic dispersants, also called anti-caking agents, are useful to prevent the agglutination of microparticles and, for example, are silica (such as, for example, Sipernat® 22 from Degussa), alumina, calcium carbonate and the like, among which silica is preferred. The concentration of inorganic dispersants in the composition of the present invention will generally not exceed 2% by weight based on the total weight of the final suspension and, if present, is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 2% by weight. , in particular, from 0.02 to 1.5% by weight and especially, from 0.1 to 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[136] Suitable inorganic salts are water-soluble and, for example, are selected from alkali metal sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, mono- and dihydrogen phosphates, alkali metal sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, mono- and dihydrogen phosphates, alkali metal chlorides and nitrates earthy soil and magnesium sulfate. Examples include lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, lithium sulfate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium monohydrogen phosphate, potassium monohydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate sodium, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate, calcium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium monohydrogen phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and the like. Preferred inorganic salts are sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, ammonium sulfate and magnesium sulfate with ammonium sulfate and magnesium sulfate being especially preferred.

[137] The composition may contain the water-soluble inorganic salt in an amount from 1 to 200 g/L, preferably from 2 to 150 g/L and especially from 10 to 130 g/L. The water solubility of the salt means the solubility in water of at least 50 g/L, in particular at least 100 g/L or even at least 200 g/L at 20 °C.

[138] In another embodiment, the composition does not contain or contains less than 10 g/L, in particular, less than 1 g/L of the water-soluble inorganic salt.

[139] Protective colloids, for example, are polyvinyl alcohols, starch, cellulose derivatives or copolymers containing vinylpyrrolidone.

[140] Suitable thickeners are those compounds that affect the flow behavior of the composition of the present invention, especially if it is an aqueous dispersion, for example, a suspension concentrate, and can assist in stabilizing the aqueous suspension of the microparticles against the agglomerate . Mention may be made in this regard, for example, of commercial thickeners based on polysaccharides, such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose (Klucel® grades), xanthan gum (commercially available, for example, as Kelzan grades from Kelco or Rhodopol from Rhodia), synthetic polymers such as acrylic acid polymers (Carbopol® grades), polyvinyl alcohol (e.g. Mowiol® and Poval® grades from Kuraray), polyvinylpyrrolones, polycarboxylates, polyethers or isocyanate-linked polyethers, silicic acid or phyllosilicates, such as montmorillonite and bentonites, which can be hydrophobized (commercially available as Attaclay® and Attaflow® grades from BASF SE; or as Veegum® and Van Gel® grades from RT Vanderbilt). In the context of the present invention, xanthan gum is a preferred thickener. The concentration of thickeners in the aqueous suspension will generally not exceed 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous suspension, and is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 2% by weight, in particular, from from 0.02 to 1.5% by weight and especially from 0.1 to 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous suspension or the final formulation, respectively.

[141] Suitable antimicrobial agents (preservatives) to prevent microbial deterioration of the compositions of the present invention include formaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzoic acid alkyl esters, sodium benzoate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol), o-phenylphenol, isothiazolinones, such as benzisothiazolinone or alkylisothiazolinones, for example, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolinone, pentachlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. Commercially available preservatives that are based on isothiazolinones, for example, are marketed under the trademarks Proxel® (Arch Chemical), Acticide® MBS (Thor Chemie) and Kathon® MK (Rohm & Haas).

[142] Suitable antifreeze agents are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, urea and glycerin.

[143] Suitable antifoaming agents for the compositions according to the present invention, for example, are silicones, especially silicone emulsions (such as, for example, SRE-PFL Silicone from Wacker or Rhodorsil® from Bluestar Silicones) , polysiloxanes and modified polysiloxanes including polysiloxane block polymers such as FoamStar® SI and FoamStar® ST products from BASF SE, long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid salts, organofluorinated compounds and mixtures thereof.

[144] Suitable pigments and colorants (for example, in red, blue or green) are low water solubility pigments and water-soluble dyes. Examples are inorganic dyes (e.g. iron oxide, titanium oxide, iron hexacyanoferrate) and organic dyes (e.g. alizarin, azo and phthalocyanine dyes).

[145] If appropriate, the composition according to the present invention, especially if it is an aqueous dispersion, may comprise buffers for regulating the pH. Examples of buffers are alkali metal salts of weak inorganic or organic acids such as, for example, phosphoric acid, boric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid and succinic acid.

[146] Suitable tackifiers or binders are polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylacetates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylates, biological or synthetic waxes and cellulose ethers.

[147] The composition generally comprises the auxiliaries in a total amount of at most 15% by weight, preferably at most 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[148] The composition of the present invention can be prepared by providing microparticles containing cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin and mixing these microparticles with the additional herbicide(s).

[149] Microparticles containing mainly cinmethylin can be prepared using any method known in the art for preparing microparticles. In particular, microparticles are prepared by polymerizing the monomers from which the polymeric material, i.e. the polymeric shell (in the case of microcapsules) or the polymer matrix (in the case of matrix particles) is to be formed, or polymerize or cure a prepolymer or precondensate from which the polymeric material, i.e. the polymeric shell (in the case of microcapsules) or polymer matrix (in the case of matrix particles), is to be formed, in the presence of cinmethylline.

[150] Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for preparing the composition of the present invention, which comprises the polymerization of one or more monomers from which the polymeric material comprised in the microparticles, that is, in the shell (in the case of microcapsules) or polymer matrix (in the case of matrix particles) must be formed or cured a prepolymer or precondensate from which the polymeric material comprised in the microparticles, i.e. in the shell (in the case of microcapsules) ) or polymer matrix (in the case of matrix particles) must be formed, in the presence of cinmethylin, and mixing the resulting cinmethylin-containing microparticles with at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin.

[151] The formation of microparticles through polymerization of suitable monomers in the presence of the core or embedded material, at present, cinmethylline, mainly is known. The optimal method depends on the desired polymeric material and particle form (e.g., core/shell capsule or matrix particle).

[152] Suitable and preferred monomers for forming various shell or matrix materials have been previously described above. Prepolymers or precondensates, in general, are used to prepare an aminoplastic shell or matrix. Suitable aminoplastic prepolymers are described above and below.

[153] For the preparation of a composition that is an aqueous dispersion, for example, a suspension concentrate, the polymerization of the monomers or prepolymer is often carried out in the presence of cinmethylline and also water.

[154] As previously explained above, microcapsules containing a polyurea shell are preferably prepared through an interfacial polymerization process of a suitable polymer wall-forming material, such as a polyisocyanate and a polyamine. Interfacial polymerization is normally carried out in an aqueous oil-in-water emulsion or suspension of the core material containing at least a part of the polymer wall-forming material dissolved therein. During polymerization, the polymer segregates from the core material to the boundary surface between the core material and water, therefore forming the wall of the microcapsule. In this way, an aqueous suspension of the microcapsule material is obtained.

[155] Polyisocyanates react quickly with water, producing carbamic acid which, due to its instability, decomposes into the corresponding amine and CO2. If this reaction is not desired, and the polyisocyanate is intended to react essentially only with the polyamine, it is advisable to avoid any essential contact of the polyisocyanate with water. For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment, cinmethylline and polyisocyanate are first mixed. Preferably, cinmethylline is used in excess, the weight ratio of cinmethylline to polyisocyanate preferably being from 2:1 to 160:1, preferably from 4:1 to 80:1, in special, from 8:1 to 50:1, for example, from 15:1 to 25:1. In this mixture, the polyisocyanate is sufficiently protected from hydrolysis. If desired, the mixture may also contain one or more organic solvents, suitable organic solvents that are not miscible with water. Suitable water-immiscible organic solvents are described above.

[156] The resulting mixture is then mixed with water and optionally also with one or more of the auxiliaries described above. Mixing with water generally includes a high speed or high speed mixing step, which can be carried out with any high speed or high shear mixer known in the art. Suitable mixing devices in particular include high shear mixers such as the Ultra-Turrax apparatus, static mixers, e.g. systems containing mixing nozzles, ball agitator mills, colloidal mills, cone mills and other homogenizers. The Ultra Turrax has a suitably fast rotation speed, such as at least 5,000 rpm, preferably at least 7,000 rpm, and in particular at least 10,000 rpm.

[157] This is preferably followed by mixing with the polyamine. Preferably, the polyamine is added to the aqueous mixture as such or dissolved or dispersed in water.

[158] The reaction temperature is not very critical and can vary, for example, from 15 to 90 °C, in particular, from 20 to 90 °C. If the monomers are less reactive, elevated reaction temperatures are convenient, such as 30 to 90 °C or 50 to 80 °C.

[159] If desired, one or more of the auxiliaries described above can be added during the reaction or after its completion.

[160] Finally, at least one additional herbicide other than cinmethylin is added. If desired, one or more of the auxiliaries described above may be added together with at least one additional herbicide or after its addition.

[161] Compositions containing microcapsules in which the shell material is a polyurethane can be prepared in a similar way, in which a polyol is naturally added instead of a diamine.

[162] Microcapsules with a poly(meth) acrylate shell are generally obtained through in situ polymerization. An oil-in-water emulsion is prepared from the monomers, cinmethylline and suitably also a protective colloid. The polymerization of the monomers is then triggered by the addition of a free radical initiator and, optionally, also by heating and, if appropriate, controlled by a further increase in temperature. The resulting polymers form the capsule wall that surrounds the core substance. This general principle is described, for example, in publication WO 2008/071649 or DE-A-10 139 171.

[163] Microcapsules with a polystyrene shell can be prepared in a similar way.

[164] Microcapsules with aminoplastic shells are preferably prepared by polymerizing or curing an aminoplast prepolymer (pre-condensed) in the presence of cinmethylline. Suitable precondensates include melamine and formaldehyde precondensates, including fully or partially etherified melamine-formaldehyde precondensates, urea-formaldehyde precondensates, thiourea-formaldehyde precondensates, melamine precondensates , urea and formaldehyde (MUF resins), including mixtures of fully or partially etherified melamine-formaldehyde precondensates and urea-formaldehyde precondensates, urea and glutaraldehyde precondensates, benzoguanamine and formaldehyde precondensates, mixtures of dicyandiamide and formaldehyde and urea-glyoxal polycondensates. Aminoplastic precondensates suitable for microencapsulation are known and can be found, inter alia, in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd edition, volume 2, pages 440-469, the prior art cited in the introductory part, U.S. patents 4,918,317, EP 26,914, EP 218,887, EP 319,337, EP 383,337, EP 415,273, DE 19,833,347, DE 19,835,114 and WO 2001/51197. Suitable precondensates are commercially available, for example, Cymel types, such as but not limited to Cymel® 303, 327, 328 or 385 (etherified melamine formaldehyde resins from Cytec), Maprenal® types, such as but not limited to Maprenal® MF 900w/95, MF 915/75IB, MF 920/75WA, MF 921w/85WA, (etherified melamine and formaldehyde resins from Ineos), Kauramin types from BASF SE, such as but not limited to Kauramin 783 , Kauramin 792 or Kauramin 753 (melamine and formaldehyde resins), Kauramin 620 or Kauramin® 621 (melamine and urea formaldehyde resins), Kaurit® types from BASF SE, such as but not limited to Kaurit® 210, 216, 217 or 220 (urea formaldehyde resins), Luracoll® types such as Luracoll® SD (formaldehyde melamine resins), Luwipal® types such as but not limited to Luwipal® 063, Luwipal® 069 (etherified formaldehyde melamine resins) , or Plastopal® types such as but not limited to Plastopal® BTM, Plastopal® BTW (etherified urea-formaldehyde resins). Precondensates can be used in the form of etherified precondensates of amino and aldehyde compounds. In these etherified precondensates, the methylol groups formed through the reaction of amino groups with formaldehyde with an alkanol or an alkandiol, in particular, with a C1-C4 alkanol, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol or n-butanol , in particular, methanol, or a C2-C4 alkandiol, such as ethylene glycol. The degree of etherification of these resins can be adjusted by the molar ratio of amino groups to alkanol which is normally in the range from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably in the range from 2:1 to 1:5.

[165] The precondensates are preferably selected from the group consisting of melamine-formaldehyde resins, including fully or partially etherified melamine-formaldehyde precondensates, and urea-formaldehyde precondensates and their mixtures. Especially, the precondensate is a fully or partially etherified melamine-formaldehyde condensate, which may contain small amounts, for example, from 1 to 20 mol%, based on melamine, of urea.

[166] For the preparation of microcapsules with an aminoplast shell, in general, an aqueous dispersion containing cinmethylline and the precondensate is prepared. Preferably, suitable mixing devices, such as agitators or in-line mixers, are used in order to achieve a uniform distribution of the precondensate in the aqueous dispersion. It may be beneficial to add the precondensate, preferably in the form of a solution, to an aqueous cinmethylline dispersion with stirring. Preferably, the addition of the precondensate is carried out under conditions where the polycondensation reaction is slow or does not occur, for example, where the pH of the aqueous suspension is at least pH 6, for example, in the range of pH 6. at pH 10, or when the temperature does not exceed 30 °C or both.

[167] Polycondensation of the aminoplastic precondensate can be carried out or initiated in a well-known manner, for example, by heating the aqueous dispersion to a certain reaction temperature, at a pH, at which polycondensation occurs at the reaction temperature. During polycondensation, the aminoplastic precondensate is converted into a non-water-soluble aminoplastic resin, which precipitates from the aqueous phase and, preferably, deposits on the surface of the cinmethylline droplets. It is possible to achieve efficient encapsulation even with small amounts of aminoplastic precondensate.

[168] Preferably, aminoplast polycondensation is carried out at a pH lower than pH 6, in particular, at a pH of at most pH 5, for example, in the range from pH 0 to 6, more especially, in the range from pH 1 to 5 or in the range from pH 2 to 4.

[169] The pH of the aqueous suspension is normally adjusted by adding suitable amounts of an organic or inorganic acid, such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, a carboxylic acid including alkanoic acids, alkandioic acids or hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid or critical acid and alkyl or arylsulfonic acids, such as methanesulfonic acid or toluenesulfonic acid. It is preferable if at least a portion, in particular most of the acid, is present in the aqueous suspension before the aqueous suspension is heated to the reaction temperature.

[170] Preferably, the polycondensation of the aminoplastic precondensate is carried out at elevated temperature, in particular at a temperature of at least 30 °C, in particular at least 40 °C or at least 50 °C , for example, at a temperature in the range from 30°C to 100°C, in particular in the range from 40°C to 95°C or in the range from 50°C to 90°C. It may be possible to initiate aminoplast polycondensation at a comparatively low temperature, for example, a temperature in the range from 30°C to 65°C or from 35°C to 60°C, and then complete the reaction. of polycondensation at a higher temperature of, for example, 50 °C to 100 °C or 60 °C to 90 °C. The time to complete polycondensation may vary, depending on the reactivity of the precondensate, the temperature and pH of the aqueous suspension and may take from 1 h to 24 h, in particular, from 2 to 12 h. Preferably, the polycondensation reaction is at least partially carried out at temperatures of at least 50 °C, in particular at least 60 °C, for example for 1 to 8 h at a temperature in the range from 50 °C to 100 °C, in particular, from 60 °C to 90 °C.

[171] The aqueous suspension of microparticles obtained in this way can be neutralized by adding a base.

[172] Matrix particles, in general, are obtainable through a miniemulsion polymerization process using high shear forces and sufficient amounts of emulsifiers to finely disperse the starting materials (i.e., the compound to be embedded - in the present, cinmethylin - and monomers to form the polymer matrix) in an aqueous medium. This method is especially suitable for preparing matrix particles with a poly(meth)acrylate matrix. Preferably, the monomers (see the above definition of suitable monomers and preferably; for example, an acrylate, methacrylate, aryl acid and/or methacrylic acid and optionally other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as maleic acid), cinmethylin, water, at least one emulsifier and optionally also a protective colloid is mixed, then subjected to high shear forces using high force dispersion devices such as, for example, an ultrasonic sounding equipment or a high pressure homogenizer to obtain a miniemulsion. The addition of a free radical initiator initiates the polymerization reaction, which can be carried out at a temperature of 20 to 90 °C.

[173] In a similar way, matrix particles can be obtained with a polystyrene matrix or an aminoplast matrix, in which in the latter case, a free radical initiator is naturally not used, the polymerization being triggered, for example, through by reducing the pH and/or through heating.

[174] Compositions containing microcapsules or matrix particles of polymeric materials other than those explicitly described above can be prepared in an analogous manner or by processes known to those skilled in the art.

[175] The microparticle formation reaction mixture can be used as such for the additional mixing step with the additional herbicide, optionally after a purification step such as filtration to remove possible agglomerates, or the microparticles can be, in first isolated and then mixed with additional herbicide, optionally after resuspending them in a desired medium such as water or an aqueous medium. Isolation of the microparticles can be carried out by known means, such as filtration or centrifugation, or the aqueous suspension can be spray-dried, granulated or lyophilized.

[176] The present invention also relates to the use of the composition of the present invention for controlling unwanted vegetation and to a method for controlling unwanted vegetation comprising treating soil in which unwanted vegetation is growing and/or unwanted vegetation and/or vegetables grown to be protected from unwanted vegetation and/or in their environment with the composition of the present invention.

[177] The composition of the present invention is suitable for controlling a large number of unwanted vegetation (noxious plants), including monocotyledonous weeds and dicotyledonous weeds.

[178] In one embodiment, unwanted vegetation is selected from monocotyledonous weed species. Preferably, unwanted vegetation is selected from the Poaceae family. Most preferably, unwanted vegetation is selected from the tribes Aveneae, Bromeae, Paniceae and Poaceae. In one embodiment, unwanted vegetation is selected from the Aveneae tribe. In another embodiment, unwanted vegetation is selected from the Bromeae tribe. In yet another embodiment, unwanted vegetation is selected from the Paniceae tribe. In yet another embodiment, unwanted vegetation is selected from the Poeae tribe.

[179] In particular, the composition of the present invention can be used for the control of annual weeds, such as grasses (weeds) including, but not limited to, Aegilops genera such as Aegilops cylindrical (AEGCY, united herb); Agropiron, such as Agropiron repens (AGRRE, common straw grass); Alopecurus, such as Alopecurus myosuroides (ALOMY, black grass) or Alopecurus aequalis (ALOAE, foxtail grass); Apera such as Apera spicaventi (APESV, silky wind grass); Avena, such as Avena fatua (AVEFA, wild oat) or Avena sterilis subsp. Esterilis (AVEST, sterilized oats); Brachiaria such as Brachiaria plantaginea (BRAPL, Alexander grass) or Brachiaria decumbens (BRADC, Surinam grass); Bromus, such as Bromus inermis (BROIN, clayless brome), Bromus sterilis (BROST, sterile bromegrad), Bromus tectorum (BROTE, cheatgrass), Bromus arvensis (BROAV, field brome grass), Bromus secalinus (BROSE, rye brome grass ) or Bromus hordeacus (BROMO, lopg grass); Cenchrus, such as Cenchrus echinatus (CCHEC, Mossman River grass); Cynodon, such as Cynodon dactylon (CYNDA, Bermuda grass); Digitaria such as Digitaria ciliary (DIGAD, southern crabgrass), Digitaria sanguinalis (DIGSA, hairy crabgrass), Digitaria insularis (TRCIN, bittergrass), or Digitaria ischaemum (DIGIS, smooth crabgrass); Echinochloa, such as Echinochloa colonum (ECHCO, chaffless barnyardgrass), Echinochloa crusgalli (ECCHG, common grass), Echinochloa cruspavonis (ECHCV, gulf cockspur grass), Echinochloa oryzoides (ECHOR, early barnyardgrass), or Echinochloa phyllogogon (ECHPH, late barnyardgrass) ); Eleusina, as Eleusine indicates (ELEIN, Indian goose); Ischaemum such as Ischaemum rugusom (ISCRU, muraina grass); Leptochloa such as Leptochloa chinensis (LEFCH, Chinese meadow), Leptochloa fascicularis (LEFFA, salt meadow), Leptochloa filiformis (LEFPC, line meadow), Leptochloa mucronata (LEFFI, red meadow), Leptochloa panicoides (LEFPA, meadow) Leptochloa scabra (LEFSC) or Leptochloa virgata (LEFVI, tropical meadow); Lolium such as Lolium multiflorum (LOLMU, Italian ryegrass), Lolium perenne (LOLPE, English ryegrass) or Lolium rigidum (LOLRI, annual rye); Panicum, such as Panicum capillare (PANCA, panicgrass), Panicum dichotomiflorum (PANDI, smooth witch grass), Panicum laevifolium (PANLF, sweet panicgrass) or Panicum miliaceum (PANMI, common millet); Phalaris such as Phalaris minor (PHAMI, lesser grass), Phalaris paradoxa (PHAPA, paradoxa grass), Phalaris canariensis (PHACA, canary grass) or Phalaris brachystachys (PHABR, short-spiked canary grass); Poa such as Poa annua (POAAN, annual blue grass), Poa pratensis (POAPR, Kentucky blue grass) or Poa trivialis (POATR, rough grass); Rottboellia such as Rottboellia exaltata (ROOEX, Guinea grass); Setaria auch such as Setaria faberi (SETFA, giant foxtail grass), Setaria glauca (PESGL, pearl millet), Setaria italic (SETIT, Italian millet), Setaria pumila (SETPU, yellow foxtail), Setaria verticillata (SETVE , bristle foxtail) or Setaria viridis (SETVI, green foxtail grass); and Sorghum, such as Sorghum halepense (SORHA, Johnson grass).

[180] The composition of the present invention are also suitable for controlling a large number of dicotyledonous weeds, in particular, broad-leaved weeds which include, but not limited to, Polygonum species such as Polygonum convolvus (POLCO , wild buckwheat), amaranth species such as Amaranthus albus (AMAAL, tailed peanut), Amaranthus blitoides (AMABL, mat amaranth), Amaranthus hybridus (AMACH, green peanut), Amaranthus palmeri (AMAPA, Palmer amaranth), Amaranthus powellii (AMAPO, Powell amaranth), Amaranthus retroflexus (AMARE, red root), Amaranthus tuberculatus (AMATU, rough-fruited amaranth), Amaranthus rudis (AMATA, tall amaranth) or Amaranthus viridis (AMAVI, slender amaranth), species of Chenopodium, such as the album Chenopodium (CHEAL, common lambsquarters), Chenopodium ficifolium (CHEFI, reed goose), Chenopodium polyspermum (CHEPO, multiple-seeded goose) or Chenopodium hybridum (CHEHY, maple leaf goose), Sida species such as Sida spinosa L. (SIDSP, prickly sida), Ambrosia species such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia (AMBEL, common ragweed), Acanthospermum species, Anthemis species such as Anthemis arvensis (ANTAR, field chamomile), Atriplex species, Cirsium species, of Convolvulus, Conyza species such as Conyza bonariensis (ERIBO, buvia peluda) or Conyza canadensis (ERICA, Canada), Cassia species, Commelina species, Datura species, Euphorbia species, geranium species such as Geranium dissectum (GERDI , cut-leaved geranium), Geranium pusillium (GERPU, small-flowered geranium) or Geranium rotundifolium (GERRT, round-leaved cranesbill), species of Galinsoga, species of Ipomoea, such as Ipomoea hederacea (IPOHE, morning glory), species of Lamium , Malva species, Matricaria species such as Matricaria chamomilla (MATCH, wild chamomile), Matricaria discoidea (MATMT, pineapple herb) or Matricaria odorless (MATIN, false chamomile), Sysimbrium species, Solanum species, Xanthium species, of Veronica, Viola species, Stellaria species such as Stellaria media (STEME, common peanut), Abutilon theophrasti (ABUTH, velvet leaf), Hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata Cory, SEBEX, Colorado river hemp), Anoda cristata (ANVCR, cotton), Bidens pilosa (BIDPI, common blackjack), centaurea species such as Centaurea cyanus (CENCY, corn flower), Galeopsis tetrait (common GAETE hemp nettle), Galium aparine (GALAP, cultivators or goose grass), Galium spurium (GALSP , false growers), Galium tricornutum (GALTC, corn growers), Helianthus annuus (HELAN, common sunflower), Desmodium tortuosum (DEDTO, giant beggar grass), Kochia scoparia (KCHSC, cypress), Mercurialis annua (MERAN, annual mercury) , Myosotis arvensis (MYOAR, field forget-me-not), Papaver rhoeas (PAPRH, common poppy), Salsola kali (SASKA, prickly glasswort), Sonchus arvensis (SONAR, corn sowthistle), Tagetes minuta (TAGMI, Mexican marigold), Richardia brasiliensis (RCHBR, Brazil pusley), cruciferous herbs such as Raphanus raphanistrum (RAPRA, wild radish), Sinapis alba (SINAL, white mustard), Sinapis arvensis (SINAR, wild mustard), Thlaspi arvense (THLAR, fanweed), Descurainia Sophia (DESSO, flixweed), capsella bursa-pastoris (CAPBP, shepherd's purse), Sisymbrium species such as Sisymbrium officinale (SSYOF, hedge mustard) or Sisymbrium orientale (SSYOR, oriental mustard), Brassica kaber (SINAR wild mustard).

[181] The compositions of the present invention are also suitable for controlling a large number of annual and perennial weeds, including sedge species such as purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) , hime-kugu (Cyperus brevifolius H), weed (Cyperus microiria Steud), rice flatsedge (Cyperus ria L.) and the like.

[182] Preferably, the use and method of the present invention serves to control at least one of the following species of unwanted plants: Abutilon theophrasti, Alopercurus myosuroides, Amaranthus retroflexus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Apera spica-venti, Bidens pilosa , Brachiaria Deflexo, Plantaginea Brachiaria, Capsella Bursa-Pastoris, Chenopodium Album, Chenopodium Album, Commenline Benghalensis, Digitaria Sanguinales, Echinocloa Crus-Galli, Eleusine Indicates, Eryochloa Villosa, Erigeran Canadensis, Lamium amplexicaule, Lamium Purpureum, Lamium Purpureum, EDUCORA MATRICARY, PANICUM DICHOTOMIFLORUN, Pharbitis purpurea, Poa annua, Polygonum convolvulus, Raphanus raphanistrum Setaria lutescens, Setaria faberi, Setaria verticillata, Setaria viridis, Solanum nigrum, Sorghum halepense, Stellaria media, Veronica persica.

[183] More preferably, the use and method of the present invention serves to control at least one of the following species of unwanted plants: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum.

[184] Among the above unwanted vegetables, Alopecurus myosuroides is especially difficult to control, especially in cereal and rapeseed crops. Surprisingly, the composition of the present invention, especially the composition containing picolinaphene as an additional herbicide, proved to be very effective against Alopecurus myosuroides. Therefore, in particular embodiment, the use and method of the present invention serve to control Alopecurus myosuroides.

[185] Examples of suitable cultivated vegetables that should be protected from unwanted vegetation are cereals, for example wheat (including spelt, einkorn, emmer, kamut, durum and triticale), rye, barley, oats, maize, millet , sorghum, teff, fonio, or rice; beetroot, for example sugar beetroot or fodder beetroot; pome fruits, stone fruits and soft fruits, for example, apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants; legumes, for example, beans, lentils, peas, lucerne or soybeans; oilseed vegetables, for example, rapeseed, mustard, olives, sunflower, coconut, cocoa, castor oil, palm oil, peanut or soybean; cucurbits, for example, pumpkins/strawberries, cucumbers or melons; vegetable fibers, for example, cotton, linen, hemp or jute; citrus fruits, for example, oranges, lemons, grapefruit or tangerines; vegetables, for example, spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbage, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin/strawberry or peppers; laurel vegetables, for example, avocados, cinnamon or camphor; energy crops and industrial raw material crops, for example, corn, soybeans, wheat, rapeseed, sugar cane and palm oil; the corn; tobacco; nuts; the coffee; tea; bananas; vineyards (table grapes and wine grapes); hops; lawn, for example, peat; fennel (Stevia rebaudania); rubber plants and forest plants, for example, flowers, shrubs, deciduous and coniferous trees, and propagation material, for example, seeds and growing material produced from these plants.

[186] Preferably, cultivated vegetables that must be protected from unwanted vegetation are selected from the group consisting of cereals and rapeseed, in particular, from wheat, rye, barley, rice, maize, millet, sorghum, teff , fonio, oats and rapeseed.

[187] Therefore, preferably, the use and method of the present invention serves to control unwanted vegetation in cereal crops and/or rapeseed crops; in particular, in crops of wheat, rye, barley, rice, corn, millet, sorghum, teff, fonio, oats and/or rapeseed.

[188] In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and picolinaphene for the control of at least one of the following species of unwanted plants: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum; and in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and picolinaphene for the control of at least one of the following unwanted plant species: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum in cereal crops and/or rapeseed; and, in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides in cereal and/or rapeseed crops.

[189] In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and quinmerac for the control of at least one of the following species of unwanted plants: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum; and in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and quinmerac for the control of at least one of the following unwanted plant species: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum in cereal crops and/or rapeseed; and, in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides in cereal and/or rapeseed crops.

[190] In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and flufenacet for the control of at least one of the following species of unwanted plants: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum; and in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and flufenacet for the control of at least one of the following unwanted plant species: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum in cereal and/or rapeseed crops; and, in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides in cereal and/or rapeseed crops.

[191] In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and diflufenican for the control of at least one of the following species of unwanted plants: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum; and in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a composition containing microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; in particular, microcapsules comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material surrounding the cinmethylin; and diflufenican for the control of at least one of the following unwanted plant species: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum in cereal crops and/or rapeseed; and, in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides in cereal and/or rapeseed crops.

[192] The term “cultured plants” also includes those plants that have been modified through the methods of reproduction, mutagenesis or methods, including agricultural biotechnological products that are on the market or in the process of being developed. Genetically modified plants are plants in which the genetic material has been modified in a way that does not occur under natural conditions, through hybridization, mutations or natural recombination (i.e. the recombination of genetic material). At present, as a rule, one or more genes will be integrated into the genetic material of a plant to enhance the properties of the plant. Such recombinant modifications also comprise post-translational modifications of proteins, oligo- or polypeptides, for example, by means of glycosylation or polymer linkage, such as, for example, prenylated or farnesylated residues or PEG residues.

[193] The composition of the present invention is useful for combating unwanted vegetation. For this purpose, the composition may be applied as such or preferably, it is applied after dilution with water. Preferably, for various end-user application purposes, a so-called aqueous spray liquor is prepared by diluting the compositions of the present invention with water, for example, tap water. Spray liquors may also comprise additional constituents in dissolved, emulsified or suspended form, for example fertilizers, active substances from other groups of herbicidal or growth-regulating active substances, other active substances, for example active substances for control of animal pests or phytopathogenic fungi. or bacteria, in addition mineral salts that are used to alleviate nutritional and trace element deficiencies, and non-phytotoxic oils or oily concentrates. These agents can be mixed with the compositions according to the present invention in a weight ratio of 1:100 to 100:1, preferably 1:10 to 10:1. As a rule, these constituents are added to the spray mixture before, during or after dilution of the compositions according to the present invention. The composition according to the present invention is normally applied from a pre-dosing device, a backpack sprayer, a spray tank, a spray plane or an irrigation system. Typically, 20 to 2000 liters, preferably 50 to 400 liters, of ready-to-use spray liquor are applied per hectare of useful agricultural area.

[194] The composition of the present invention can be applied via the pre-emergence or post-emergence method. If one of the active compounds is less well tolerated by certain crop plants, application techniques may be employed in which the herbicidal compositions are sprayed, with the aid of the spray apparatus, in such a way that the leaves of sensitive crop vegetables do not come into contact with them, while the active substances reach the leaves of unwanted vegetables growing underneath, or the surface of the bare soil (post-direct, bed).

[195] Various types of oils, wetting agents, adjuvants, fertilizers, or micronutrients and other pesticides (for example, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators, protective agents) can be added to the compositions as a premix or, if necessary, suitable, not until immediately before use (tank mix). These agents can be mixed with the compositions according to the present invention in a weight ratio of 1:100 to 100:1, preferably 1:10 to 10:1.

[196] The composition of the present invention, in general, is applied in quantities such that the amounts of cinmethylin applied are, depending on the type of effect desired, from 0.001 to 2 kg per ha, preferably, from 0.005 to 2 kg per ha, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.9 kg per ha, in particular from 0.05 to 0.6 kg per ha.

[197] The present invention has several advantages. The composition is stable during long-term storage, even over a wide temperature range. Especially the formation of sediment, agglomeration, crystallization and syneresis as observed with the compositions containing the "discovered" cinmethylin which is not comprised in microparticles and the additional herbicides do not occur. Furthermore, phytotoxicity is not increased. At the same time, the herbicidal activity of the composition is high.

[198] The present invention is further illustrated by the following Examples.

EXAMPLES

[199] In the examples, cinmethylline refers to the racemic mixture (±)-2-exo-(2-methylbenzyloxy)-1-methyl-4-isopropyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane.

A. SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES 1. PREPARATION OF COMPOSITION CONTAINING QUINMERAC 1.1 PREPARATION OF MICROCAPSULES

[200] An aqueous phase was prepared by mixing 50 g of 1,2-propylene glycol (as antifreeze), 12 g of Reax® 88B (sodium salt of a low molecular weight chemically modified kraft lignin polymer solubilized by five sulfonate groups ; a dispersant from MeadWestvaco Corporation) and 6 g of Wettol® NT1 (a wetting agent from BASF) with 400 g of water under stirring at room temperature.

[201] An oily phase was prepared by mixing 450 g of cinmethylline and 20.45 g of Basonat® HW 100 (hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer; from BASF).

[202] The oil phase was poured into the water phase. The mixture was homogenized by first mixing with an Ultraturrax for 60 s, then at 14,000 rpm for 15 s, then mixing with a Viskojet at 200 rpm. 5.36 g of hexamethylene diamine was added at a rate of 15 mL/min. The mixture was stirred at 250 rpm for 2 h at room temperature, then 1.5 g of Rhodopol® G (a xanthan gum thickener from Rhodia) and 2 g of Acticide® MBS (a bactericide from Thor GmbH), dispersed in 10% water was added and stirring continued for an additional hour at 280 rpm. Acetic acid was added under stirring at 350 rpm until reaching pH 7-8. Then 2 g of Wacker-Silicon SRE-PFL (a Wacker defoamer) was quickly added. Finally water was added to provide 1L of suspension. The mixture obtained was filtered through a 150 sieve.

1.2 PREPARATION OF QUINMERAC PREMIX

[203] A mixture of 36 g of Pluronic® PE 10500 (a dispersant; EO/PO block copolymer; from BASF) and 53.3 g of 1,2-propylene glycol were dissolved in 400 g of water. Then, successively 12 g of Wettol® D1 (a dispersant), 600 g of quinmerac and 1.36 g of Wacker-Silicon SRE-PFL were added and the resulting mixture was ground in a Bachofen Dyno® mill with glass beads. 0.75 to 1.00 mm until 80% of particles are below 2 μm. 2.14 g of Acticide® MBS and 1.61 g of Rhodopol® G were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. Then, 3.18 g of Wacker-Silicon SRE-PFL was quickly added. Finally water was added to provide 1 L of suspension. The mixture obtained was filtered through a 150 sieve.

1.3 PREPARATION OF COMPOSITION CONTAINING MICROCAPSULES OF CINMETHYLINE AND QUINMERAC

[204] 581 g of the composition obtained in Example 1.1 and 510 g of the composition obtained in Example 1.2 were mixed. The resulting composition contained 250 g/L cinmethylin and 250 g/L quinmerac.

2. PREPARATION OF COMPOSITION CONTAINING PICOLINAPHEN 2.1 PREPARATION OF PICOLINAFEN PREMIX

[205] A mixture of 83.4 g of Morwet® D425 (a dispersant; a sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate; from AkzoNobel), 51.24 g of Ethylan® NS 500 K (non-ionic surfactant; butyl ether polyalkoxylated; from AkzoNobel) and 220.8 g of 1,2-propylene glycol were dissolved in 450 mL of water. Then, successively 540 g of picolinaphene and 2.43 g of Wacker-Silicon SRE-PFL were added and the resulting mixture was ground in a Bachofen Dyno® mill with 0.75 to 1.00 mm glass beads until 80 % of particles were below 2 μm. 5.67 g of Wacker-Silicon SRE-PFL was quickly added. Finally water was added to provide 1 L of emulsion. The mixture obtained was filtered through a 150 sieve.

2.2 PREPARATION OF A COMPOSITION CONTAINING MICROCAPSULES OF ClNMETHYLINE AND PlCHOLINAPHENE

[206] The composition obtained in Example 1.1 and the composition obtained in Example 2.1 were mixed, then the additional bactericide (final concentration: 2.06 g/L) and thickener (final concentration: 1.55 g/L) were added. The resulting composition contained 400 g/L cinmethylline and 40 g/L picolinaphene.

B. USE OF EXAMPLES B.1 CRYSTAL GROWTH

[207] A part of the composition of Example 1.3 was kept at 40 °C for 2 weeks, and another part at 54 °C, also for 2 weeks. The average particle size of the suspended particles was determined directly after preparation of the composition of Example 1.3 and after storage. Mean particle size was determined by static light diffraction with a Malvern Mastersizer 2000. Particle size and particle size distribution remained unchanged after 2 weeks of storage at 40 °C and 54 °C; i.a. No particle growth of the quinmerac particles was observed.

[208] As a comparison, a suspoemulsion was prepared from an emulsion concentrate (EC) of cinmethylin (i.e., cinmethylin not present in microcapsules) and a suspension concentrate (SC) of quinmerac. The suspoemulsion contained the active compounds in the same concentration as the composition of Example 1.3 (i.e., 250 g/L of cinmethylline and 250 g/L of quinmerac) and also the following components: Wacker-Silicon SRE-PFL (4 g/L ), 1,2-propylene glycol (65 g/L), Acticide® MBS (2 g/L), Pluronic® PE 10500 (15 g/L), Rhodopol® G (1.5 g/L), Soprophor BSU (15 g/L; adjuvant), Wettol® D1 (5 g/L), Wettol® EM 1 (25 g/L, emulsifier), Wettol® EM 31 (10 g/L, emulsifier), Solvesso® 200 ND ( 39.5 g/L; diluent) and water ad 1 L). One part of this suspoemulsion was kept at 40 °C for 2 weeks and the other part at 54 °C, also for 2 weeks. Strong crystal growth of quinmerac particles was observed, reflected in an increase in the d90 value from originally 5 μm to 12 μm after the two weeks of storage.

B.2 HERBICIDAL ACTIVITY AND PHYTOTOXICITY

[209] The effect of the herbicidal composition of cinmethylin and picolinaphene as a mixed formulation of a capsule suspension (cinmethylin CS) and a suspension concentrate (picolinaphene SC), prepared according to Synthesis Example 2.2 (termed below ZC), on the growth of both unwanted and cultivated vegetables was tested in the following field experiments and compared with the active compounds as applied alone (soil application) or applied as a mixture in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate containing cinmethylline in unencapsulated form and picolinaphene .

[210] Winter wheat was sown on different soils ranging from sandy soil to clayey soil containing 2.1 to 5.5% organic matter.

[211] For post-emergence treatment, the plants were first grown to the 2-leaf stage (BBCH 12). Herein, herbicidal compositions have been suspended or emulsified in water as a delivery medium and sprayed using finely distributed nozzles.

[212] Cinmethylline was used in soil application as an emulsion concentrate with an active ingredient concentration of 750 g/L.

[213] Picolinaphene was used in soil application as a commercial formulation of extruded granules WG) with an active ingredient concentration of 75% (Sniper S®).

[214] The mixture of cinmethylline and picolinaphene as an emulsifiable concentrate was prepared from cinmethylline as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and picolinaphene as a water-dispersible granule (WG), with an active ingredient concentration of 500 g/L and 50 g/L, respectively.

[215] The mixture of cinmethylline and picolinaphene as a mixed formulation of a capsule suspension (CS cinmethylline) and a suspension concentrate (SC picolinaphene) was prepared according to Synthesis Example 2.2 with a concentration of 400 g /L and 40 g/L, respectively.

[216] Herbicidal activity for individual herbicidal compositions (soil and mixture applications) was evaluated 31 days after treatment (DAT).

[217] Assessment of damage to winter wheat and unwanted weeds caused by the tested compositions was carried out using a scale of 0 to 100%, compared to untreated control vegetables. At present, 0 means no damage and 100 means complete destruction of the plants.

[218] The vegetables used in the greenhouse experiments belonged to the following species:

[219] Table 1 below refers to herbicidal activity and phytotoxicity in field trials of individual active ingredients and combinations applied at different rates and proportions, in post-emergence application at 31 days after treatment (DAT). TABLE 1 PART 1: SOIL APPLICATIONS PART 2: COMBINED APPLICATIONS *ZC: mixed formulation of a capsule suspension (CS) of cinmethylline and a suspension concentrate (SC) of picolinaphene, according to Example 2.2.

[220] As can be seen, the mixture of cinmethylin and picolinafne as an emulsifiable concentrate, containing cinmethylin in unencapsulated form, presents significant phytotoxicity. In contrast, the mixed formulation of a cinmethylin (CS) capsule suspension and a picolinaphene (SC) suspension concentrate, prepared according to Synthesis Example 2.2, shows almost no phytotoxicity, while maintaining grass and broadleaf weeds.

Claims (13)

1. COMPOSITION, characterized by comprising: (a) microparticles comprising cinmethylin and a polymeric material that surrounds or embeds the cinmethylin; and (b) at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin that is selected from the group consisting of quinmerac, picolinafen and diflufenican; (c) that the at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin is not present in the microparticles; wherein the microparticles are microcapsules comprising a shell and a core, wherein the core comprises cinmethylline and the shell comprises polyurea obtainable by polyaddition reaction of at least one aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanate and at least one aliphatic polyamine; wherein the polyisocyanate is selected from the group consisting of hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophoronodiisocyanate, diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanates, and oligomeric isocyanates; and wherein the polyamine is an α,w-diamine of Formula H2N-(CH2)p-NH2, wherein p is an integer from 2 to 6; wherein the composition contains the microparticles in an amount of 30 to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 2. COMPOSITION, according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin is selected from the group consisting of quinmerac and picolinaphene. 3. COMPOSITION, according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that cinmethylin and the at least one herbicide other than the same are present in a weight ratio of 100:1 to 1:100, preferably 50:1 to 1 :50, more preferably 10:1 to 1:10. 4. COMPOSITION, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the microcapsules, the proportion by weight of cinmethylline and the polymeric material comprised in the shell is from 1:1 to 80:1, preferably from 4:1 to 40:1, more preferably 8:1 to 25:1. 5. COMPOSITION, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the average particle size d50 of the microparticles, determined in accordance with ISO 13320, Particle Size Analysis - Laser Diffraction Methods, December 1, 2009, be from 0.05 to 100 μm, preferably from 0.05 to 20 μm, more preferably from 0.05 to 12 μm and, most preferably, from 0.05 to 10 μm. 6. COMPOSITION, according to claim 5, characterized by the average particle size d50, determined in accordance with ISO 13320, Particle Size Analysis - Laser Diffraction Methods, December 1, 2009, being 0. 5 to 100 μm, preferably 1 to 20 μm, more preferably 2 to 12 μm, and most preferably 5 to 10 μm. 7. COMPOSITION, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it contains microparticles in an amount of 30 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 8. COMPOSITION, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is an aqueous dispersion, preferably a suspension concentrate. 9. COMPOSITION, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by further comprising at least one surfactant, additional dispersing agent, emulsifier, wetting agent, additional adjuvant, solubilizer, penetration enhancer, protective colloid, adhesion agent, thickener, humectant, antifoam, antifreeze agent, stabilizer, antimicrobial agent, pigment, colorant, buffer, tackifier and/or binder. 10. METHOD FOR PREPARING A COMPOSITION, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises polymerizing one or more monomers or curing a prepolymer or precondensate in the presence of cinmethylline and mixing with o at least one herbicide other than cinmethylin. 11. USE OF THE COMPOSITION, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is for the control of unwanted vegetation. 12. USE, according to claim 11, characterized in that it is for the control of at least one of the following species of unwanted plants: Alopecurus myosuroides, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lamium amplexicaule, Matricaria inodora and/or Raphanus raphanistrum; and in particular, for the control of Alopecurus myosuroides. 13. USE, according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that it is for the control of unwanted vegetation in cereal crops and/or rapeseed crops; preferably, in crops of wheat, rye, barley, rice, corn, millet, sorghum, teff, fonio, oats and/or rapeseed.