CA2151426A1 - Stable glycol and/or water-based formulations which are compatible with cottonseed oil for protecting cotton against pests - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a compatible, stable formulation or tank mix for the treatment of cotton comprising an active ingredient which is effective in protecting cotton against pests and which is dispersed in a glycol and/or water, cottonseed oil and lecithin.

Description

Mo4077 STABLE GLYCOL AND/OR WATER-BASED
FORMULATIONS WHICH ARE COMPATIBLE WITH
COTTONSEED OIL FOR PROTECTING COTTON AGAINST PESTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to stable glycol and/or water-based formulations which are compatible with cottonseed oil (CSO) when mixed in cottonseed oil. These forrnulations are useful for protecting cotton against pests.
Such formulations are made by dispersing an active ingredient in one or more solvents. The formulation may then be tank mixed and applied to crops. The term "tank mixed" means blending (or diluting) the pesticide in a liquid diluent or solvent in a tank which may be mounted on a tractor or aircrarl designed for that purpose. The pesticide is then sprayed through nozles onto the foliage. Liquid diluents or solvents useful in tank mixing include glycols and water.
One of the problems encountered with the known liquid pesticide formulations is compatibility. Compatibility is a particular concern where one of the materials to be mixed in the tank is an oil such as cottonseed oil. Cottonseed oil is used in the southern region of the United States instead of water because it reduces drift, it does not evaporate as quickly as water and it does not drain off the foliage as rapidly as water. Shortly after the formulation is dispersed (e.g., is tank mixed), it tends to separate into distinct phases. It is, therefore, necessary to maintain the dispersion under constant agitation or to redisperse the formulation very shortly before use in order to ensure that the active ingredient is uniformly dispersed. Lack of uniformity will result in uneven application of the active ingredient and inconsistent levels of protection.
ksl/AN4077 2i51~26 Neither the constant agitation nor redispersion within a few minutes of use, is desirable from a practical point of view. Constant agitation requires the use of expensive equipment in the field.
Redispersion within a few minutes of use results in interruption of the 5 treatment process, particularly in inclement weather.
It would, therefore, be advantageous to have a glycol and/or water-based formulation which could be mixed in cottonseed oil without settling out or showing signs of phase separation and which did not require constant agitation or redispersion within a few minutes of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a glycol and/or water-based stable composition which is compatible with cottonseed oil when mixed (e.g., tank mixed) which is useful for treating cotton plants.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a stable 15 glycol and/or water-based composition which is compatible with a cottonseed oil mixture that is useful for protecting cotton plants against pests.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a liquid composition for protecting cotton plants against pests which does not 20 require agitation or redispersion of the active ingredient within a few minutes of use.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a process for treating cotton plants in which a glycol and/or water-based compatible, stable composition which is tank mixed in cottonseed oil is 25 used.
These and other objects which will be apparent to those skilled in the art are accomplished by combining an active ingredient which is effective against the target pest, a glycol and/or water, cottonseed oil and lecithin. In one embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient, glycol Mo-4077 2~51q26 and/or water and lecithin are first combined and then added to the cottonseed oil, preferably as a tank mix. In this embodiment, the lecithin is generally used in an amount of from about 1 to about 3%, based on the weight of the active ingredient. In another embodiment of the 5 invention, the lecithin and cottonseed oil are combined. A mixture of the active ingredient and glycol and/or water is then added to the lecithin/cottonseed oil. In this embodiment, the ledthin is generally used in an amount of from about 4 to about 6 fluid ounces for every three gallons of cottonseed oil, based on volume. These formulations may 10 then be applied to the plants to be treated by, for example, spraying.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to glycol and/or water-based stable pesticidal solutions which are compatible with cottonseed oil and are particularly useful in treating plants such as cotton. A key feature of the 15 present invention is the use of lecithin as a compatibilizer in glycol and/or water-based pesticidal formulations (in-can) or as a tank mix additive when cottonseed oil is used. If the lecithin is omitted, incompatibility and phase separation occur when a glycol and/or water-based formulation is added to the cottonseed oil or mix (e.g., tank mix) containing cottonseed 20 oil. This incompatibility and phase separation could result in uneven application of the active ingredient and inconsistent levels of protection.
Ledthin in any of its commercially available forms may be used in the formulations or tank mixes of the present invention. Lecithin is generally included in the pesticide formulation in an amount of at least 25 0.5% by weight, preferably from about 1% to about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.
Any material or active ingredient which is effective against the target pest and which is dispersible in water and/or glycol may be used in the formulations of the present invention. Examples of a suitable Mo~077 215142~

active ingredient include: sulproros; cyfluthrin; S,S,S-tributyltrithio-phosphate; metribuzin; and azinphos-methyl.
The amount of active ingredient included in the formulation will, of course, be dependent upon the particular active ingredient. The 5 concentrations at which a particular active ingredient is effective are known and generally disclosed in the label for that product. Generally, the active ingredient is used in an amount sufficient to produce a formulation having a concentration of active ingredient of at least one pound of active ingredient for each gallon of formulation (0.45 kilograms), 10 preferably from about two pounds of active ingredient per gallon of formulation to about 6 pounds of active ingredient per gallon of formulation (about 0.9 kilograms to about 2.7 kilograms), most preferably about eight pounds of active ingredient per gallon of formulation (3.6 kilograms).
Any glycol which will disperse the active ingredient may be used as the solvent or dispersant in the formulations of the present invention.
Examples of suitable glycols include: propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is preferred.
If a glycol is used as the only solvent, it is generally used in an 20 amount of at least 5% by weight, preferably from about 10% to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.
Water may also be used as a solvent for the active ingredient. If water is the only solvent used, it is generally used in an amount of at least 5% by weight, preferably from about 10% to about 60% by weight, 25 based on the total weight of the formulation.
If water and a glycol are both used as solvents for the active ingredient, the water is generally used in an amount of from about 5% to about 30% by weight, based on the total weight and the glycol is used in Mo-4077 21~1426 an amount of from about 5% to about 30% by weight, based on the total weight.
Cottonseed oil in any of its commercialiy available forms may be used in the formulations of the present invention. Cottonseed oil is 5 generally included in the tank mix in an amount of at least one gallon per acre (3.8 liters), preferably from about three gallons to about five gallons per acre (11.4 to 19 liters).
Other additives which may optionally be included in the formulations of the present invention include: deodorants, adjuvants, 10 fertilizers, and other pesticides. These additives, if included, are generally used in an amount within the ranges recommended by the manufacturer.
The materials used to produce tank mixes in accordance with the present invention may be combined in any manner which results in a 15 homogeneous dispersion. It is preferred, however, that the active ingredient be dispersed in the glycol and/or water prior to the addition of the lecithin and cottonseed oil.
The tank mixes of the present invention may then be applied directly to the plants to be treated, e.g., by spraying or they may be 20 further diluted to the desired strength prior to application. Any of the known techniques for applying liquid pesticide formulations may be used to apply the formulations of the present invention. The amount of formulation used will generally range from about one pint per acre to about one gallon per acre (0.5 to 3.8 liters), although any amount which 25 will be effective in controlling the target insect is suitable.
Having thus desuibed our invention, the following examples are given as being illustrative thereof. All parts and percentages given in these examples are parts by weight and percentages by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

Mo-4077 21~1426 -EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1:
711.76 grams of metribuzin were dissolved in 5455.01 grams of S,S,S-tributyltrithiophosphate. 238.57 grams of a phosphate ester into 5 which commercially availa~le phosphate ester, 79.23 grams of methyl salicylate and 1465.43 grams of propylene glycol were then added. The resultant mixture was then blended until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. To this mixture was then added unbleached soybean lecithin, water, cottonseed oil (CSO), soybean oil (SBO) and/or Val oil (VLO [a 10 cottonseed oil containing 7% emulsifier]) in the amount indicated in Table 1. In each of the samples described in Table 1, 1 pint of the pesticide mixture was mixed with 3 gallons of CSO, SBO, VLO or water (as indicated in Table 1) and the specified amount of lecithin were combined, blended and evaluated at 1, 2 and 24 hours for compatibility, 15 phase separation and/or creaming at room temperature. The results of this evaluation are reported in Table 1.

Sample A B C D E F
Pesticide Mixture 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt.
Lecithin -- 4 ozs. 1% 1% -- --CSO 3 gal. 3 gal. 3 gal. -- -- --Water -- -- -- 3 gal. --SBO -- -- -- -- 3 gal. --VLO -- -- -- -- 3 gal.
Phase seParation 1 hour incompatible no no no no no 2 hours incompatible no no no slight slight 24 hours incompatible no no no slight slight Mo-4077 ~151~26 EXAMPLE 2:
5.63 grams of cyfluthrin were heated to 80C and then added to 2777.88 grams of sulprofos. This mixture was then stirred until all of the cyfluthrin had dissolved. A 2% solution of xanthan gum was made and 5 added with agitation to a mixture of 16.02 grams of a commercially available nonyl phenol, 1.98 grams of a commercially available bactericide, 13.99 grams of propylene glycol and 82.5 grams of distilled water until a homogeneous mixture was obtained.
One pint of this homogeneous mixture was then combined with 3 10 gallons of CSO, Water, SBO or VLO and the indicated amount of lecithin, blended and evaluated at 1, 2 and 24 hours for compatibility, phase separation and/or creaming at room temperature. The amounts of material used and the results of the evaluation are reported in Table 2.

Sample A B C D E F G
Am't Pesticide 1 pt. 1 pt. 1pt. 1pt. 1 pt. 1 pt.1 pt.
Mixture Lecithin -- 4 oz. 1% -- 1% -- --CSO 3 gal. 3gal. 3 gal. -- -- --Water - -- -- 3 gal. 3 gal. -- --SBO -- -- -- -- -- 3 gal. --VLO -- -- -- -- 3 gal.
Phase SeParation 1 hour no no no no no nc~ no 2 hours 2mm trace no 2mm2 2mm2 nc~ no 24 hours no gel no -- -- nc~ 6mm3 ~ Not compatible 2 2 mm-cream 30 3 6 mm-bottom separation Mo-4077 21~1426 EXAMPLE 3:
5781.0 grams of S,S,S-tributyltrithiophosphate were combined with 238.5 grams of a commercially available phosphate ester, 63.5 grams of methyl salicylate and 1867.0 grams of propylene glycol and mixed until 5 uniform. Lecithin, CSO, Water, SBO and/or VLO were then added to 1 pint of this pesticide mixture in the amount(s) indicated in Table 3. The resulting mixture was then blended to form a homogeneous mixture. The homogeneous mixture was then evaluated for compatibility, phase separation and/or creaming at room temperature. The results of this 10 evaluation are reported in Table 3.

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M~4077 ~151426 EXAMPLE 4:
263.3 grams of azinphos-methyl, 40.0 grams of the sodium lignosulfonate, 5.6 grams of disodium phosphate, 117.6 grams of the xanthan gum, 120 grams of glycerin and 251.1 grams of distilled water 5 were combined and mixed to form a homogeneous insecticide mixture.
Lecithin, CS0, Water, SBO and/or VL0 were then added to 1 pint samples of this pesticide mixture in the amounts indicated in Table 4 and mixed to form a homogeneous mixture. This homogeneous mixture was then evaluated for compatibility, phase separation and/or creaming at 10 room temperature. The results of this evaluation are reported in Table 4.

Sample A B C D E F
Pesticide Mixture 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt.
Lecithin -- 4 oz. 1% -- -- --CS0 3 gal. 3 gal. - -- --Water - -- --3 gal. -- --SB0 -- -- --3 gal. -VL0 -- -- -- -- -- 3 gal.
Phase seParation 1 hour nc~ nc~ nc4 no nc~ no 2 hours nc~ nc~ nc4 no nc~ no 24 hours nc~ nc~ nc4 2mm3 nc~ no ~ Not compatible 3 Bottom separation 4 Thick in sandmill Mo-4077 , 1 EXAMPLE 5:
169 grams of azinphos-methyl, 23 grams of the hydrated silica, 4.5 grams of amorphous silica, 9.0 grams of the sodium lignosulfonate, 1.0 gram of the sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, 9.0 grams of 5 Barden clay and 284.5 grams of propylene glycol were combined and mixed to form a homogeneous mixture. Lecithin, CS0, water, SBO
and/or VL0 were then added in the amounts indicated in Table 5 and the resultant mixture was stirred until a homogeneous mixture was obtained.
The resultant mixture was then evaluated for compatibility, phase 10 separation and/or creaming at room temperature. The results of this evaluation are reported in Table 5.

Sample A B C D E F
Pesticide Mixture 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt. 1 pt.
Lecithin -- 4 oz. 1% 1% -- --CS0 3 gal. 3 gal. 3 gal. -- --Water -- -- -- 3 gal. -- --SB0 -- -- -- -- 3 gal. --VL0 -- -- -- -- 3 gal.
Phase seParation 1 hour nc~ no no no no no 2 hours nc~ no no 2mm3 no no 24 hours nc~ no no 2mm3 no no ~ Not compatible 3 Bottom separation Mo-4077 ~15142~
-Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of 5 the invention except as it may be limited by the claims.

Mo4077

Claims (12)

1. A compatible, stable formulation or tank mix for the treatment of cotton comprising:
a) an active ingredient which is effective in protecting cotton against pests and which is dispersed in a glycol and/or water, b) cottonseed oil and c) lecithin.

2. The formulation or tank mix of Claim 1 in which the active ingredient a) is dispersed in a glycol.

3. The formulation or tank mix of Claim 2 in which the glycol is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol.

4. The formulation or tank mix of Claim 1 in which the lecithin is used in an amount of from about 1 to about 3% by weight, based on the weight of active ingredient.

5. The formulation or tank mix of Claim 1 in which the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of sulprofos, cyfluthrin, S,S,S-tributyltrithiophosphate, metribuzin, and azinphos-methyl.

6. The formulation or tank mix of Claim 1 in which the active ingredient is azinphos-methyl.

7. The formulation or tank mix of Claim 1 in which the active ingredient is sulprofos.

8. A process for treating cotton plants comprising applying an effective amount of the formulation or tank mix of Claim 7 to cotton plants.

9. A process for treating cotton plants comprising applying an effective amount of the formulation or tank mix of Claim 6 to cotton plants.

10. A process for treating cotton plants comprising applying an effective amount of the formulation or tank mix of Claim 1 to cotton plants.

11. The process of Claim 10 in which the formulation or tank mix is applied in an amount of from about one pint to about one gallon per acre.

12. The process of Claim 10 in which the formulation or tank mix is applied by spraying with aerial or ground equipment.