JP2008502643A - Chemical composition - Google Patents

Abstract

  A hydratable granule composition comprising an agrochemical active substance, in particular a low use amount active substance, and a particulate basic inorganic salt, provided that a 1% aqueous solution of the composition has a pH of at least 8.0. A hydratable granule composition prepared by extruding a pre-mix in the form of a free-flowing powder without forming a paste provides improved bioavailability of the active substance. The present invention is particularly useful for improving the delivery of active agents from compositions having mixed active agents and low concentrations of sulfonamide active agents.

Description

  The present invention relates to a novel agrochemical composition and use thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising an agrochemical active substance and a basic inorganic salt that efficiently delivers the active compound to a substrate to be treated.

  Compositions containing bioactive compounds typically require delivery of the active agent to the substrate to be treated, such as a crop. Such delivery often occurs in an aqueous environment, for example, by dispersing the composition in which the active agent is formulated in water, optionally dissolving it, and applying the resulting solution or dispersion to a substrate. In active agent delivery, the composition is typically dispersed in an aqueous medium and, when dissolved, begins to dissolve, so that the rate and extent of dispersion and dissolution is responsible for the active agent on the substrate to be treated. Full delivery can be affected. The active substance can also be applied to or near the substrate in the solid state and then mixed with the aqueous solution. Thus, the solid pesticide composition is applied to the plant or growing site to be treated, and water is added to the pesticide in this case to dissolve and / or disperse the pesticide in situ.

  If the dissolution or dispersion of the composition is incomplete, the entire amount of active substance in the composition cannot be delivered to the target substrate. Thus, the amount of active agent to be delivered can be less than the intended amount and can lead to uncertainty about the actual amount of active agent that reaches the substrate in a bioavailable manner. Thus, a higher amount of use may be necessary to achieve a certain effect, but the actual amount delivered remains uncertain, product use may be inadequate, adversely affected, and more It costs a lot of money. The active substance is typically the most expensive component in the composition. Also, the dose uncertainty to reach a given target substrate can leave the remaining undelivered active substance close to its application, thus leading to environmental damage or undesirable localized concentrations.

  Once formulated, the agrochemical composition should appropriately retain the appropriate chemical and physical stability for a reasonable amount of time so that the product can be stored and dispensed without degradation to the contents. It is.

  International Publication No. WO01 / 13721 pamphlet contains a low use amount of an agrochemical active substance present in an amount of less than 50% by weight of the composition and a dispersant, suitably a nonionic or anionic surfactant A water dispersible agrochemical composition is disclosed. The composition of International Publication No. WO01 / 13721 shows good delivery properties and provides adequate stability compared to conventional known compositions.

  However, providing further improved delivery of the active agent and thus bioavailability without compromising product stability to alleviate or avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, particularly when the composition or active agent is in an aqueous medium. It is still desirable if not fully dissolved or dispersed. In addition to the product components, the process of combining the components can have a significant impact on the delivery of the active agent.

  The present inventors have now shown that the improved delivery properties of agrochemical compositions, especially hydratable granules, produced by an extrusion process, can be modified with a basic inorganic salt such that the composition provides a basic solution when dissolved. It has been found that it can be ensured by inclusion in combination with an agrochemical active substance and by avoiding the formation of pastes before the ingredients are extruded to form granules. We have also found that such granules exhibit acceptable stability. The inventors have further observed that improved delivery is observed for compositions containing low concentrations of pesticidal active substances or active substance combinations and that a higher percentage of active substance is dissolved in a shorter time after dissolution than previously known. Has been found to be deliverable.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the invention, a premix in the form of a free-flowing powder containing an agrochemical active substance, a basic inorganic salt and optionally a dispersant is formed without forming a paste. (Provided that at least one of the components of the premix is a liquid) and extruding the premix to form granules, and optionally drying the granules, a pesticidally active substance and a basic inorganic carbonate Method for producing a granular composition comprising a salt and optionally a dispersant, wherein a 1% aqueous solution of the composition has a pH of at least 8.0 when subjected to CIPAC test MT75.3 Is provided.

  The present invention is particularly useful for enhancing the delivery of pesticidal active substances in hydratable granule compositions.

  The present invention provides, in the second aspect, a composition containing an agrochemical active substance, such that a 1% aqueous solution of the composition has a pH of at least 8.0 when subjected to CIPAC test MT75.3. And the composition is prepared by extruding a premix containing an agrochemical active substance, the salt and optionally a dispersant (provided that the paste before extruding) Provides a method for increasing the rate and extent of dissolution of an agrochemical active substance in an aqueous medium.

  The composition of the second aspect of the present invention forms a premix in the form of a free-flowing powder containing an agrochemical active substance, a basic inorganic salt, and optionally a dispersing agent without forming a paste. (However, at least one of the components of the premix is a liquid), it is suitable to produce it by a process consisting of extruding the premix to form granules and optionally drying the granules.

  The invention provides, in a third aspect, an agrochemical composition for increasing the proportion of active substance in a composition that dissolves when mixed with an aqueous solution, thereby increasing the delivery of the active substance to the plant or habitat to be treated. It is suitable to use a basic inorganic salt in a product, wherein the agrochemical active substance contains the basic inorganic salt and is produced without forming a paste before extrusion by an extrusion method. There is provided the use of a basic inorganic salt in an agrochemical composition.

  The increase in the rate and extent of dissolution of the composition according to the second aspect of the present invention or the level of solubility of the active substance according to the third aspect of the present invention is such that the comparative composition replaces the inorganic basic salt. Contains inert fillers typically used in agrochemical formulations, such as starch, lactose, porcelain and kaolin, and the filler is 8% when a 1% aqueous solution of the comparative composition is subjected to CIPAC test MT75.3. Under the same conditions of a comparative composition having the same ingredients as described above at the same concentration as the composition of the present invention and prepared in the same manner, except that it has a lower pH. Should be compared to the rate and extent of dissolution at

  By blending a basic inorganic salt into the composition so that a 1% solution of the composition provides a pH of at least 8, preferably at least 8.5, especially at least 9, and before extrusion By avoiding the formation, the rate and extent of dissolution of the active substance in an aqueous solution can be increased, thus providing excellent bioavailability of the active substance.

  The present invention is particularly applicable to low-use pesticidal active substances, such as bensulfuron methyl, which can often show insufficient solubility or dispersibility in water under the conditions of use. As used herein, the term “low usage” refers to an agrochemical active substance that is typically applied in an amount of less than 100 g / ha, and the term “high usage” is typically Represents an agrochemical active substance applied in an amount exceeding 1000 g / ha.

  Suitable low-use pesticide active substances include abamectin, azoxystrobin, bensulfuron methyl, carfentrazone ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinnosulfuron, clodinahop, clopyralid, λ-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, diflufenican, emamectin benzoate Acid, fibronyl, flurtamone, imazametabenz methyl, imazapyr, imazetapill, imadacloprid, metsulfuron methyl, milbectin, nicosulfuron, primsulfuron methyl, rimsulfuron, sulfomethuron methyl, thifensulfuron methyl, tribenuron methyl And triflusulfuron methyl. Preferably, the low-use active substance consists of sulfonylureas such as bensulfuron methyl and chlorsulfuron.

  The amount of pesticidal active substance is appropriately selected according to the specific compound to be used and the intended application. In the case of low use amounts of active substance, the concentrated composition can be used for high application rates, for example of at least 60 g / ha, which composition is suitably at least 10%, preferably at least 50% of active substance, specially Contains 50 to 70% active substance. Where lower application rates are required, for example less than 50 g / ha, the composition is suitably at least less than 10% active substance, preferably less than 7% active substance, especially 1 Contains -7% active substance. The composition contains the active substance in a concentration that provides a concentration of the active substance that provides a beneficial effect in the treatment of the plant or the place to be treated when mixed with a liquid carrier, such as water.

  Compositions prepared in accordance with the present invention dissolve rapidly in an aqueous environment and have a higher proportion in solution than compositions having the same amount of active material but inert fillers instead of basic inorganic salts. A solution of the active substance having is formed. This property enhances the effectiveness of the active substance by improving the delivery of the active substance to the plant or place to be treated. This increased bioavailability means that the effect of the reactants can be obtained using a lesser amount of the desired active substance. In the case of pesticides, this provides an environmental advantage with lower usage to achieve the desired effect.

  A practical advantage provided by the present invention is that a lower amount of active agent can be included in the composition to dissolve in a higher proportion and still provide delivery of a predetermined amount of active agent. Also, a lower amount of active agent can be used in the composition than can be conventionally used to achieve a predetermined delivery amount of the active agent, reducing the risk that some of the active agent will not dissolve in the liquid carrier. Thus, the risk of high local concentration of the active substance may be reduced by insufficient dissolution in an aqueous environment. It can reduce the penetration of high local concentrations of active substances into crops, especially into the roots of plants, possibly leading to crop damage.

  Another advantage is that a small amount of active ingredient provides increased flexibility in formulating the composition compared to conventional compositions using large amounts of active agent. Thus, the formulation may contain the desired second active ingredient or other substance in the composition in order to provide the optimal effect or balance of properties.

  Suitably the basic inorganic salt is an alkali metal salt, such as a sodium salt and a potassium salt. The anion of said salt is at least when a 1% aqueous solution of the composition is tested according to CIPAC test MT75.3 when the salt is formulated with a selected active agent to provide a bioactive composition. It can be any anion, provided it has a pH of 8. In a preferred embodiment, the basic inorganic salt is from an alkali metal carbonate, phosphate, bicarbonate, hydrogen phosphate, trimetaphosphate, hexametaphosphate, polyphosphate, tripolyphosphate and pyrophosphate. Become. Potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate are particularly preferred. The basic inorganic salt may be finely divided to the desired particle size, for example 1-20μ if desired, and may suitably impart improved solubility to the composition.

  The basic inorganic salt is suitably present in at least 1%, preferably at least 3%, said salt being present in an amount not exceeding 40%, preferably not exceeding 30%.

  It has been found that the use of anhydrous salts in the composition provides excellent solubility, but does not cause an unacceptable reduction in the chemical or physical stability of the composition. Suitably, the present invention contains an anhydrous basic inorganic salt, preferably an anhydrous sodium salt, such as anhydrous sodium carbonate. A basic inorganic salt will be considered anhydrous if it does not contain water or does not exceed 2% by weight if water is present.

  Examples of particularly preferred combinations of an active pesticide and a basic inorganic salt include a combination of bensulfuron methyl and sodium carbonate and a combination of chlorsulfuron and sodium carbonate. Suitably the sodium carbonate is anhydrous.

  For known compositions containing less than 10% active substance, the amount of active substance dissolved after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. is typically less than 65% as a percentage of the amount of active substance in the composition Or even less than 50%.

  Suitably for compositions made according to the present invention containing the active substance in an amount up to 10% by weight of the composition, at least 70%, desirably 80% and preferably at least 90% in the composition. Active substance dissolves in water after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. Preferably at least 60% or more suitably at least 70% of the active substance dissolves after 5 minutes. Optimally, the percentage of active substance that dissolves after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. for compositions prepared according to the present invention is at least 30% and desirably at least 45% greater than the percentage of active substance dissolved in the comparative composition.

  In known agrochemical compositions, the amount of active substance that dissolves after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. is typically less than 20% as a percentage of the active substance in the composition, typically for compositions containing at least 50% active substance or Even less than 15%. Suitably for compositions containing more than 10% active substance, preferably more than 50%, suitably at least 25% of the active substance in the composition, desirably at least 40%, preferably at least 75%. % Dissolved after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. Preferably at least 40% dissolves after 5 minutes. Optimally, the proportion of active substance that dissolves after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. for a composition prepared according to the invention is at least 100%, desirably at least 200% greater than the proportion that dissolves in the comparative composition.

  The dissolution of the composition can be tested by the method listed in the examples under the heading "Solubility Data".

  Preferably, the weight ratio of total pesticidal active substance to basic inorganic salt in the composition is 10: 1 or less, desirably 6: 1 or less. Preferably, the weight ratio of total pesticidal active substance to basic inorganic salt in the composition is at least 1: 3, desirably at least 1: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio is 1-12: 2, more preferably 1-6: 1. Optimally, the total amount of active substance is less than the amount of basic inorganic salt, most preferably 4 to 1: 1 for compositions having less than 10% total active substance. For compositions having more than 10% total active material, it is desirable that the total amount of active material and basic inorganic salt be 4 to 2: 1. By way of example, a composition having 5% total active substance optimally has an inorganic basic salt in an amount of about 1-5%, and a composition having a total active substance amount of 60% is optimal. Has an inorganic basic salt present in an amount of 15-30% by weight of the composition.

  The compositions produced according to the invention result in less phytotoxicity than the conventional compositions of said active substances against the individual components used in small quantities and a wide range of pests and diseases.

  In a preferred embodiment, the composition contains a second active substance. In a preferred embodiment, the second active substance is a high usage amount active substance. Suitable high-use active substances include atrazine, benomyl, bentazone, bifenox, bromoxynil, captan, carbendazim, chloridazone, chlorothalonil, chlortolulone, cyhexatin, simoxinyl, α-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dimethomorph, diuron, ethofoseate, glyphosate, Examples include imazametabenzmethyl, imazapyr, imazetapir, isoproturon, linuron, mancozeb, manzeb, maneb, metamitron, methiocarb, metribuzin, oxyfluorfen, fenmedifam, propanil, propyzamide, simazine, and thiram. The high usage amount active substance is preferably composed of propanyl or isoproturon.

  Examples of particularly preferred combinations of high-use active pesticides, low-use active pesticides and basic inorganic salts include the combination of bensulfuron methyl, propanyl and sodium carbonate and the combination of chlorsulfuron, isoproturon and sodium carbonate. . Sodium carbonate is preferably anhydrous.

  Suitably the high usage active pesticide is present in an amount of at least 30%, more preferably at least 50%, optimally at least 65%, for example 75% by weight of the composition.

  Suitably the composition is a dry free-flowing, dust-free and fast-dissolving granular composition.

  The second active agent may be added to the premix along with the first active agent, or both active agents may be added sequentially if desired.

  Suitably the composition contains a dispersing agent to facilitate rapid dispersion and dissolution of the active agent upon dilution of the composition and subsequent application. Suitably the weight ratio of dispersant to active ingredient in the composition is 0.1 to 10: 1, preferably 0.4 to 6: 1, for example about 4: 1 and about 5: 1. .

  In a preferred embodiment, the dispersant comprises a surfactant, with nonionic surfactants and especially anionic surfactants being preferred. Examples of suitable dispersants include lignosulfonic acid alkali metal salts, preferably sodium salts, naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensates, tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphates, aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, ethylene oxide / Examples include propylene oxide (EO-PO) block copolymers, "comb-shaped" graft copolymers, and polyvinyl alcohol-vinyl acetate copolymers. If desired, other dispersants known in the art may be used.

  The dispersant suitably has a zeta potential of about 0 mV for nonionic surfactants and suitably has a zeta potential greater than −30 mV for anionic surfactants. For ionic surfactants, it is appropriate to have a zeta potential greater than +30 mV.

  In addition to the dispersant, other ingredients such as wetting agents may be present in the composition. Suitable wetting agents include alkali metal salts, preferably sodium salts of alkylaryl sulfonic acids, alkylaryl sulfosuccinic acids and alkyl sulfuric acids.

  If desired, other wetting agents and other excipients known to those skilled in the art, such as disintegrants such as: bentonite, modified starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone; stabilizers such as citric acid, polyethylene glycol and butylated hydroxytoluene And fillers such as starch, lactose, porcelain, sucrose and kaolin; and flow aids may be used. The composition preferably contains a filler, such as lactose and porcelain mixture that can facilitate extrusion of the components of the composition to form a lactose useful for solubility and granules.

  The composition of the present invention is preferably prepared by the method described in EP 1161145. The contents of this specification are incorporated herein by reference. The method comprises forming a paste of a free-flowing powder, preferably in the form of a homogeneous powder, containing the active substance, a basic inorganic salt, optionally a dispersant, and other ingredients. Suitably prepared and extruding the resulting premix in an extruder, for example a low-pressure extruder, preferably without forming a paste, to form granules (which may optionally be dried). is there. In some cases, a premix containing other ingredients, for example a second active ingredient, may be mixed with the active substance and the basic inorganic salt to form an extrusion mixture. It is appropriate to have a liquid component present, and a liquid dispersant may be included if no additional liquid component is required, but another liquid component may be included if desired. If water has been added to the premix, it may be removed by drying.

  Suitable equipment for the compounding process (es) include low shear, high intensity compounders such as Lodige Ploughshare mixers, ribbon mixers, Y-cone mixers, double cone mixers or trough compounders. Thereby forming a free-flowing powder. The mixture is fed directly or indirectly to a suitable low pressure extruder as described in WO 96/26828, thereby pushing the premix through the sieve opening.

  In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the mixture and the extruder settings are such that paste formation is avoided prior to extrusion and the material being processed is a free-flowing particulate material while forming the premix. . In particular, it is optimal that the material does not form a paste before extrusion. However, since the composition may contain one or more liquid components, the composition may be wet provided that it is free-flowing and granular during processing. Or it may be dried. In such a situation, the paste can be regarded as a mass of material, for example an agglomerate, which contains a sufficient amount of liquid or the granular material to be processed is moldable or deformable. And can be considered to be aggregates at a temperature such that they form agglomerates that are not free-flowing. That is, the paste does not disintegrate into finer grains when shearing force is applied, for example, by rubbing between fingers, but rather remains an agglomerated mass, and the shear stress forms or deforms the agglomerate. Act on.

  If desired, the components of the composition can be obtained first, all in sequence, all together or some of them in sequence and the other components together, for example in a blender to obtain a uniform mixture. The mixture is then mixed so that a fine powder (premix) is obtained, which is suitable to have an average particle size of 0.5 to 20 microns, more preferably 0.5 to 5 microns. Through a suitable grinding device such as an air mill or pin mill or an air-swept impact mill. The powder thus obtained is suitably agglomerated and uniform dust-free granules are obtained, preferably by the method described in EP 1161145. This preferred method involves the extrusion of a wet powder, in this case in the form of a free-flowing homogeneous powder in a low-temperature, low-pressure extruder, for example as described in EP-A-812256.

  If present, low and high use pesticides may be mixed with other formulation ingredients, such as dispersants, in the formation of the dry premix, or the premix may be added to the milled premix May be prepared using a pesticide and other one. This alternative approach is preferred when the high-use pesticide is propanil (which is suitable for incorporation into a dry premix) and then the low-use pesticide is added to the premix and before granulation. Blended with it.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating a plant by applying a herbicidally effective amount of a composition produced in accordance with the present invention to the plant or plant growth location.

  The present invention makes it possible to use the composition in a lower usage, i.e. in an amount less than known compositions per unit area, in order to achieve a certain effect. The agrochemical active substance may be applied to the plant or plant growth place at a use amount less than 75%, more preferably less than 50% of the use amount conventionally used for active substances in commercial compositions. Is appropriate.

  In a preferred embodiment, a composition comprising a sulfonylurea based low active substance, for example bensulfuron methyl, is optimally used at a usage of less than 50 g / ha, in particular at a usage of less than 30 g / ha. Is applied using less than 20 g / ha. Typically, a commercial composition containing a bensulfuron methyl composition in an amount greater than 50% by weight may be used at a dosage of 60 g / ha or more. In another preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention contains, in addition to a sulfonylurea-based active substance such as bensulfuron, a high use amount of a second active substance consisting of propanil, the second active substance being from 7000 g / ha. In small amounts, preferably less than 5000 g / ha, in particular less than 3200 g / ha.

  If the plant is a weed, the treatment is such as to control or eradicate the weed. Generally, the composition of the present invention is applied to a plant or a place where the composition is mixed using a liquid carrier, typically water, and the composition before mixing. If desired, the composition may be mixed with a liquid carrier to form a concentrate suitable for subsequent mixing with the liquid carrier. It is within the scope of the present invention to apply the composition to the plant or its growing location, particularly in the form of a solid or concentrate, when moisture is present in the vicinity of the plant by spontaneous sedimentation.

  For use, the composition is suitably diluted in water in an amount of 10 to 500 mg / liter, preferably 20 to 300 mg / liter. The dilution is suitably selected depending on the composition used, the stage of growth of the plant to be treated and other factors known to those skilled in the art.

  The present invention provides a method for producing a composition, wherein reduced amounts of active ingredient (s) suitable for dilution in water are added to weeds in amounts less than those normally recommended for such active ingredients. The present invention relates to a method for treating plants by application, for example, a method for controlling or eradicating weeds. The present invention also makes it possible to avoid the subsequent application of the active ingredient and thus to reduce the amount of pesticide used.

  The following examples illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner.

Examples 1-8 and Comparative Examples A-C
A series of compositions prepared in accordance with the present invention having the formulation listed in Table 1 are mixed with pre-milled active material and GALORYL DT505, i.e., naphthalene sulfonic acid, until homogeneous, then Gem-T It was prepared by air milling using an air mill. Sodium carbonate and filler were added to this premix and mixed until uniform in a high speed mixer. 12% by weight of distilled water based on the mixture was added with mixing. The wet premix, which was a free-flowing powder, was fed to a basket extruder through a 1 mm sieve as described in EP 812256. A compression-solidified extrudate was obtained, and the resulting granule was dried at 60 ° C. for 8 minutes. No paste was formed before extrusion. The resulting dried granules were then sieved through a 2 mm sieve and a 500 micron sieve.

  Analysis determination (measurement) was performed using a Hewlett Packard 1050 HPLC machine. HPL method LC29 was used for the analysis. An analytical standard purchased from QMx was used as a control substance.

  Example 3 with half the amount of lactose and half the amount of clay filler was extruded more easily than Examples 1 and 2.

組成物に種々の物理特性を、下記の方法を使用して確認し、得られた結果を以下の表２に示す。 Table 1

Various physical properties of the composition were confirmed using the following method and the results obtained are shown in Table 2 below.

0.5 g of the suspended product (weighed to the fourth decimal place) was added to 100 ml of tap water at 20 ° C. up to the 100 ml mark of a 100 ml graduated cylinder. The top of the cylinder was placed on the cylinder and then inverted 180 degrees and returned 30 times around the center of the cylinder. The reversal rate was one reversal per second. If not all of the product was dispersed after 30 reversals, further reversal was performed in 5 groups until all of the products were dispersed or 60 reversals were completed.

  The cylinder was left as it was for 30 minutes. After this time, 10 ml of the dispersion was removed from the 50 ml mark on the cylinder pipette, pre-weighed and placed in a dry evaporation basin. The water was evaporated using a water bath. When all the water had evaporated, the basin was further dried by microwave heating at medium power for 3 minutes. The basin was then cooled to room temperature and weighed again.

Suspension was calculated using the following formula:
% Suspension = (residue weight / g-Y ^* ) × 100
Product weight / g
Y ^* = mass of residue from 10 ml of tap water at the number of measurements

Combined wet sieve residue test for 75 μm and 150 μm sieves Weighed product 5 g (weighed to 4 decimal places) was added to a 250 ml beaker containing 100 ml of tap water. The product was agitated by hand until the suspension was homogeneous or up to 5 minutes.

  75 μm sieve and 150 μm sieve were pre-moistened under tap water. A 150 μm sieve was placed on the 75 μm sieve, the suspension was poured onto both sieves, and the residue was washed for a maximum of 2 minutes with flowing tap water at a flow rate of 3 liters per minute. The beaker was thoroughly washed to ensure that the entire contents were transferred to the sieve.

  The sieves were separated and the residue on each sieve was transferred to a pre-dried and pre-weighed evaporative basin using deionized water in a wash bottle. Water was evaporated using a water bath. When all the water had evaporated, the basin was further dried by microwave heating at medium power for 3 minutes. The basin was then cooled to room temperature and weighed again.

The 150 μm wet sieve residue was calculated using the following formula:
% Residue = (residue weight / g) × 100
Product weight / g

The 75 μm wet sieve residue was calculated using the following formula:
% Residue = (residue weight / g + 150 μm sieve residue weight / g) × 100
Product weight / g

100 ml of dispersible tap water was poured into a 100 ml graduated cylinder. 1.0 g of product was quickly added and the top of the cylinder was placed on the cylinder before being inverted 180 degrees and returned about 10 times around the axis through the center of the cylinder. If all of the product was not dispersed after 10 reversals, the reversal was continued in 5 lots until all of the products were dispersed or 60 reversals were reached.
Dispersibility evaluation star system:
^* -Very little or no granule fragments / specs
^** -There are few granule pieces / specs
^*** -Lot / Spec of small piece
^*** -Less than 5 granules not dispersed
^******** -more than 5 granules not dispersed

Table 2

Examples 3 and 8 were subjected to a stability test in which the composition was stored in a sealed container at a specified temperature for 2 weeks. The obtained results are shown in Table 3.
Table 3

  These results demonstrate that the composition was maintained at a level that could tolerate its stability for 2 weeks.

Solubility Data The solubility of the composition of the present invention was tested. Three known compositions were also tested for comparison. The three comparative compositions were as follows:
Comparative Example A:
LONDAX 60-A commercial bensulfuron methyl product with 60% bensulfuron methyl available from DuPont.

Comparative Example B:

Comparative Example C:

  Comparative Examples B and C were prepared in the same manner as the compositions of the present invention.

  The solubility test was performed in a 1 liter jacketed vessel cooled to 5 ° C. with a cooler (propane-1,2-diol / water) and stirred at maximum speed using a magnetic stirrer. One liter of CIPAC D water was weighed into the jacketed vessel and stirred until thermal equilibrium was reached. The pH of the water was measured and recorded (6.5 for CIPAC D water). The composition to be tested was then added under continued stirring and time measurement was started with a stopwatch. After 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes, 2 ml aliquots were taken using a syringe and immediately filtered through Whatman GF / A filter paper and the filtrate was analyzed for dissolved bensulfuron methyl.

Results The results of the solubility test are shown in Tables 4-6.

Table 4

Table 5

Another solubility test was performed on the wet premix (which was the formulation prior to extrusion) that was used to prepare the composition of Example 8. The results are shown below.
Table 6

Table 7 below shows the change in pH of each test solution after 60 minutes of solubility testing.
Table 7

Claims (25)

  Without forming a paste, a premix in the form of a free-flowing powder containing an agrochemical active substance, a basic inorganic salt and optionally a dispersant is formed, provided that at least one of the components of the premix Containing a pesticide active substance, a basic inorganic carbonate, and optionally a dispersing agent, consisting of extruding the premix to form granules and optionally drying the granules. Wherein a 1% aqueous solution of the composition has a pH of at least 8.0 when subjected to CIPAC test MT75.3.   The method of claim 1, wherein the basic inorganic salt in the composition is such that a 1% solution of the composition provides a pH of at least 8.5.    The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the active substance comprises a low use amount of an agrochemical active substance.   The method according to claim 3, wherein the low use amount of the pesticidal active substance is a sulfonylurea.   The method according to claim 4, wherein the low use amount of the pesticidal active substance is selected from bensulfuron methyl and chlorsulfuron.    6. A process according to any one of claims 3 to 5, containing at least 50% by weight of active substance.   The method of claim 6, wherein at least 25% of the active substance in the composition dissolves after 15 minutes at 5 ° C.   The method of claim 7, wherein at least 40% of the active substance in the composition dissolves after 5 minutes at 5 ° C.   6. A process according to any one of claims 3 to 5 containing less than 7% by weight of active substance.   The method according to claim 9, wherein at least 70% of the active substance in the composition is soluble in water after 15 minutes at 5 ° C.   11. A method according to claim 10, wherein at least 70% of the active substance in the composition dissolves after 5 minutes at 5 [deg.] C.   The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic inorganic carbonate comprises an alkali metal salt.   The method according to claim 12, wherein the alkali metal salt comprises sodium carbonate.   The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic inorganic carbonate is an anhydride.   The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pesticidal active substance is selected from bensulfuron methyl and chlorsulfuron, and the basic inorganic salt is sodium carbonate.   The process according to claim 15, wherein the active substance consists of i) bensulfuron methyl and propanil or ii) chlorsulfuron and isoproturon.   The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of total pesticidal active substance to basic inorganic salt in the composition is less than 10: 1 and at least 1: 3.   The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dispersant selected from nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants.   19. The method of claim 18, selected from nonionic surfactants having a zeta potential of about 0 mV and anionic surfactants having a zeta potential greater than -30 mV.   A composition containing an agrochemical active substance is formulated using a basic inorganic salt such that a 1% aqueous solution of the composition has a pH of at least 8.0 when subjected to CIPAC test MT75.3, In an aqueous medium comprising producing the composition by extruding a premix containing the active substance, the salt and optionally a dispersant (provided that no paste is formed prior to extrusion). To increase the rate and extent of dissolution of agrochemical active substances.   20. A method according to any one of the preceding claims for increasing the proportion of active substance in the composition which dissolves when mixed with an aqueous solution, thereby increasing the delivery of the active substance to the plant or habitat to be treated. Of basic inorganic salts in agrochemical compositions.   The composition contains the active substance in an amount of up to 10% by weight of the composition and at least 70% of the active substance in the composition dissolves in CIPAC D water after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. The use according to claim 21.   The composition contains the active substance in an amount exceeding 10% by weight of the composition and at least 25% of the active substance in the composition dissolves in CIPAC D water after 15 minutes at 5 ° C. The use according to claim 21.   A composition obtainable by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the composition contains an active substance in an amount of up to 10% by weight of the composition, and 5 The proportion of active substance which dissolves after 15 minutes at 0 ° C. is at least 30%, which is greater than the proportion of active substance which dissolves in a comparative composition in which said salt is replaced by an inert filler. A composition obtainable by the method according to any one of the above.   20. A composition obtainable by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the composition contains the active substance in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the composition, and 5 The percentage of active substance that dissolves after 15 minutes at 0 ° C. is at least 100% and is greater than the percentage of active substance that dissolves in a comparative composition in which the salt is replaced with an inert filler. A composition obtainable by the method according to any one of the above.