<div class="application article clearfix" id="description">
<p class="printTableText" lang="en">New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £42249 <br><br>
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PATENTS FORM NO. 5 <br><br>
Fee No. 4: $260.00 <br><br>
PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION <br><br>
After Provisional No: 242249 Dated: 6th April 1992 <br><br>
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HERBICEDAL TREATMENT OF PLANTS <br><br>
I Robert Vincent Thompson, a New Zealand citizen of 34 Cedar <br><br>
Terrace, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: <br><br>
:_M 'S.: '1 *' <br><br>
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HERBICIDAL TREATMENT OF PLANTS TECHNICAL FIELD <br><br>
This invention relates to improvements in the herbicidal treatment of plants. More specifically, this invention proposes a method of herbicidal 5 treatment of plants whereby unwanted plants and grasses may be terminated using a compound or substance which has a blocking type action that is either non-toxic or has a low level of toxicity to animals and humans. <br><br>
BACKGROUND ART <br><br>
10 A wide range of chemicals are used to control pests and weeds in the agricultural industry. Their aim is to prevent either insects or animals from destroying crops or to prevent weeds and unwanted plants competing with the desired crop. <br><br>
At present, there are two main classes of herbicidal chemicals, those which 15 have a "contact" action upon plants, and those which have a "systemic" action upon plants. Some herbicides have both a contact and systemic action on plants. Other herbicides are also available, for example soil sterilants. <br><br>
Herbicides may either be selective or non-selective. Selective herbicides, for 20 example "Treflan" (trifluralin), may be utilised for the selective destruction of certain types of grass. Non-selective herbicides such as "Roundup" (glycophosphate) may be used as a general herbicide for destroying or controlling many different types of plants and grasses. <br><br>
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A wide number of herbicides and plant hormones have been developed over the years. In the early days inorganic compounds such as sodium chlorate and sodium arsenite and various borate compounds were used. There were also developed other organic herbicides such as N-phenyl-5 carbamate, "Randox", and other chlorinated phenoxy compounds. In addition, industrial waste products were quite common. Later on, the hormone type weed killers 2,4-D (2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid) and 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichloro-phenoxyacetic acid) were developed, and have become quite common. More complicated organic weed killers and proprietary 10 chemicals such as "Network" or "Roundup" (both glyphosphates) have also been developed. <br><br>
In many cases herbicides have deleterious effects, for example, they may poison the desired crops, affect other plants or animals, and/or poison the soil. Most chemical herbicides are dangerous to mankind and are therefore 15 dangerous when accidentally inhalated and/or absorbed into human and animal tissue. <br><br>
Because of the widespread concern of the deleterious side effects of currently available herbicides, and the problems associated with absorption and ingestion into other living matter, there is also much concern as to the 20 long-term use of these complex and highly dangerous chemicals, especially when they enter into the food chain. <br><br>
There has been developed recently a relatively non-toxic herbicide which has fatty acids as its main constituents. This herbicide has a smothering effect on plants, however it is not effective in killing perennial weeds. The 25 herbicide also tends to be effective only against the leaves of a plant, and does not have any significant effect upon the root systems of plants. A <br><br>
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further disadvantage is that the fatty acids are not readily carried or emulsified within an appropriate carrier fluid or solvent, which lessens its overall effectiveness due to its inability to permeate into or be transported to or into the plant cells. <br><br>
5 It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. <br><br>
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensying description which is given by way of example only. <br><br>
10 DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION <br><br>
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a herbicide composition comprising a blocking agent within a suitable solvent or carrier. <br><br>
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a 15 composition for use as a plant herbicide comprising a blocking agent capable of effecting plant mechanisms such as plasmolysis, osmolysis, delamination, dissolution and/or dehydration of a plant, in conjunction with a solvent therefore. <br><br>
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a 20 method for the herbicidal treatment of plants comprising the administration of a composition including a blocking agent capable of inducing one or more potential blocking mechanisms, including plasmolysis, osmolysis, delamination, dissolution and dehydration to plant tissue. <br><br>
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The invention proposes a method of herbicidal treatment of plants whereby unwanted plants and grasses may be terminated using a herbicidal compound which has a blocking type action that is either non-toxic or has an extremely low level of toxicity to animals. The herbicidal compound 5 preferably comprises a blocking agent (to be defined later herein), dispersed in a suitable solvent or carrier fluid to enable the herbicidal or blocking agents such as common fats and lipids to permeate into or be transported to the plant cells. <br><br>
The herbicidal or blocking agents generally act to block the transport of 10 liquid in the stem of plants. One common fault is to prevent the normal process of nutrient migration to the leaf for the synthesis of glucose by photosynthesis or other water-salt transport. The migration of the blocking agent, and in some cases the solvent, to or into the plant cells can also cause complex metabolic changes, some already known, that result in herbicidal 15 action on the cells. The application of a herbicide according to the present invention either stop the production and/or transportation of sugars and other food from leaves to other parts of the plant via the phloem, or in stopping the conduction of water and salts from the root system from the xylem, or a combination of both. <br><br>
20 It is well established that the hydraulic forces causing the transport of liquid through the capillaries (phloem and xylem) are large and that evaporation from leaf during the transpiration operation also provides a driving force for liquid movement through the stem of the plant. The combination of potential blocking mechanisms, and other mechanisms such as plasmolysis, 25 osmolysis, delamination, dissolution, dehydration, and the like to the xylem tissue and the phloem tissue, as well as possibly the cambium and other cell layers, are ideal methods to prevent continued growth of the <br><br>
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plant and thereby kill it with application of only non-dangerous or relatively non-toxic compounds. <br><br>
Initial Experimental Work <br><br>
In this specification, the term "blocking agent" shall be understood to 5 describe an agent which has the effect of preventing or hindering the production and/or transportation or sugars and other foods or liquids from leaves to other parts of the plant via the phloem, and/or an agent which prevents the conduction o,f water and salt from the root system from the xylem, or a combination of both. The term "blocking agent" also includes 10 agents which cause or have an effect on plant mechanisms such as plasmolysis, osmolysis, delamination, dissolution, and dehydration. <br><br>
Most embodiments of the present invention shall make use of lipids as the blocking agent. While the lighter oils and fats may be more convenient to use due to increased miscibility or solubility with a carrier, fats and waxes of 15 higher molecular weight may sometimes provide a more lasting or effective blocking agent. While some heavier waxes may be difficult to dissolve in a suitable solvent carrier, more soluble waxes may be used in many embodiments of the present invention. Typically a lipid suitable for use in the present invention will be characterised in that it is substantially 20 hydrophobic (to resist in the predominantly aqueous processes within the plant) and that it will be soluble in a suitable non-aqueous solvent. <br><br>
Many embodiments of the present invention will make use of naturally occurring fats. Most fats contain a high proportion of triglycerides and other esters of the fatty acids. The use of such esters and other derivatives, either 25 in the form of a fat, oil, wax or specific compound, overcomes part of the previous problems associated with the use of fatty acids in herbicidal <br><br>
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compositions. Many of the ester derivatives present in many natural fats have an acid portion typically in the Qo-20 range. Typically, the esters of these compounds (which is generally with a glycerol) are relatively mobile within the plant enabling its transport within the plant so that it may act as 5 a blocking agent. However useful compounds of other molecular weights and degrees of mobility may also be used within the present invention, though the time taken for herbicidal action may vary. <br><br>
Tallow is another useful lipid comprising a high percentage of glyceride esters of Q4-18 acids, among other components. <br><br>
10 The use of lipids as blocking agents in the present invention, may use naturally occurring substances such as tallows, animals fats, vegetable oils and so forth. However it is envisaged that such naturally occurring substances also contain a variety of other components which, while they may provide some blocking action, may not be as effective as other 15 components. Consequently it is envisaged that some embodiments of the present invention will be based on synthetic mixtures or derived fractions from natural substances. It is though that the hydrophobic and lipophilic portions of lipids (such as many esters) are likely to be most effective as a blocking agent and some embodiments may comprise predominantly these 20 constituents. <br><br>
These components may also be useful as a means for transporting other components such as fatty acids, which can also exhibit some blocking capability though have in the past been limited in their use because of an apparent transport problem. The use of the fatty acids may be desirable, or 25 required in some instances, with the slightly more hydrophilic -COOH portion being attracted to some plant cells. The formation of a micellar type coating about a plant cell undoubtedly provides a blocking action. While <br><br>
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fatty acids and other organic acids may be useful, research has illustrated that blocking action can be obtained in their absence (for instance see the use of petroleum jelly, below). <br><br>
In early work common animal fats were dispersed either in kerosene or 5 mineral turpentine to transport the dispersed fat into the vascular tissue and cells of plant sub-layer. Plants such as nutgrass, kikuyu, creeping oxalis, clover, and the like were killed in a very short period. Other solvents used included pine and cooking oils, which were potentially less harmful to animals. Other fatty products such as butter and heavy cooking oils as well 10 as margarine were also tried as blocking agents with various carrier liquids. In addition "Vaseline", a petrochemcial compound, was also found to block the cells and hold the solvent in the plant stem and therefore kill the weeds. It was also established that the applications worked better on hot days, indicating that the pumping effect caused by the transpiration action 15 in the leaves also increased the rate at which these processes occurred. It was also found that the addition of certain compounds, such as wood ash would increase the plasmolysis effect caused by the concentration differential across the cell wall and subsequent loss of water from the cell. <br><br>
Hence, simple fatty and waxy substances dissolved or dispersed in a suitable 20 solvent were seen to be transported into the vascular tissue of plants thereby blocking and killing the plant cells and preventing liquid transportation. In some cases the fatty material was found to have been transported to the base of the cell thereby preventing root action where water and salts from the soil are absorbed and conducted up the stem to the 25 shoots. <br><br>
Having regard to the above initial experimental work, it has been found that the blocking agent(s) referred to previously may preferably be fats or <br><br>
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fatty compounds, as these are particularly effective as blocking agents. Any type of fat or fatty compounds may be utilised, and in any required or desired combination thereof. It is found that common lard or animal fats are particularly useful as blocking agents. <br><br>
5 The blocking agents may preferably be dispersed within a suitable carrier fluid or solvent. Preferably, the blocking agents and solvents or carrier fluid may be emulsified. Any suitable solvents may be utilised. <br><br>
Factors (all of which may or may not be present) which make a potential solvent attractive for use are low molecular weight, low viscosity, a 10 dissolving action upon plant tissues or cells, non-toxicity, and the ability to produce an adequate emulsion, solution or suspension with the blocking agent. Solvents which are found to be particularly effective are pine oil, cooking oils of low viscosity, and pinus mugo pumillio. Oils used are commonly animal or plant derived though mineral oils could also be used 15 (though some biodegradability may be desirable for solvents used). Solvents such as mineral turpentine or kerosene may also be utilised, however they have a higher toxicity, increased flammability and are therefore less desirable. <br><br>
Water may also be added to the carrier fluid or solvent. A main advantage 20 of doing so is so that the resulting herbicide is less flamable than without the addition of water. However, only small amounts of water should be added otherwise the overall effectiveness of the herbicide is reduced. The use of non-flammable chlorinated solvents could also be effective but may be considered less environmentally sound. However some of those 25 solvents are also good lipid solvents. <br><br>
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Any other additives may also be. utilised as required or desired to increase plasmolysis, osmolysis, delamination, dissolution, dehydration, and other such actions to increase the rate and extent of effectiveness of the blocking agent and solvent. <br><br>
5 A wide range of fats and waxy materials have been used at various concentrations and in various solvents, and applied to selected grasses and weeds. Any solvents could be used and fatty material can even be dispersed in water as a stable emulsion so that simple systems can be used to destroy normal plant life action. In some cases the solvents used have been found 10 to extract compounds from tar seal, bitumen roadways and sidewalks to prevent completely the regrowth of the plant. <br><br>
A preferred method of accelerating the herbicidal action is either to cut the lethal material from the stem at or near ground level, or to apply the herbicide directly to the base of the stem of a plant or grass. <br><br>
15 In operation, the stem and leaves of the grass or weeds protruding above the ground are cut and the blocking herbicide emulsion applied to the open stem or directly to the base. The ingress into the plant of the fatty material dispersed in the solvent, by diffusion and capillary action as well as the subsequent asmotic effects, causes the fatty substances to be transported into 20 the phloem or xylem and other cells, thereby precipitating or blocking and preventing the normal expiration of the cell and possibly also plasmolysis, osmolosis, cellular delamination, blocking and self-choking of the tissue actions. <br><br>
The present herbicide and treatment method provides an effective 25 alternative for replacing conventional dangerous, toxic, complex hormonal and complex herbicidal chemicals from being used, particularly in public <br><br>
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parks, private grounds, footpaths, driveways, home gardens and lawns where it is possible that domestic animals, children and other living organisms can come in contact with the chemicals or treated plants. <br><br>
The examples as outlined above do not preclude the use of other organic or 5 inorganic substances being added to accelerate the plasmolysis effects or increase the rate of which the fatty substances block the vascular tissue and other cells. For example, organic additives such as wood ash or blood and bone extract may be utilised. Inorganic additives increasing ion concentrations, such as sulphate of ammonia, urea, sulphate of potash, 10 and/or nitrates and sulphates of other cations. Sodium chloride may also be effective. These additives appear to have the effect of causing a higher concentration of nutrient ions, which result in an overly strong plasmolysis effect which ultimately kills the plant's cells. <br><br>
Trials over a long period have shown that these additional substances are 15 easy to use, are relatively non-toxic and provide a sensible alternative to the use of dangerous complicated and potentially troublesome herbicides. <br><br>
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <br><br>
The following examples illustrate the more effective embodiments developed by the inventor. It is noted that different plant matter will 20 respond differently to different formulations, and thus some trial and experimentation by the user to determine the most effective formula will be required. However the following examples cover a range of different situations and plant types, and will be a useful guide in formulating the most effective preparation. <br><br>
25 In most cases the lipid of choice, as a blocking agent, is a fat. For convenience, an animal fat has been used, which is readily available at low <br><br>
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cost. Other fats, waxes and oils could also be used though for simplicity of description, the word fat has been used herein. Tallow can also be readily substituted for the fat in the following examples. <br><br>
The solvents listed in the following examples comprise predominantly oils 5 but other lipophilic solvents may also be used. Esters of C10-20 acids with Q. <br><br>
4 alcohols are generally suitable in many instances. <br><br>
1. Mix: 1 measure animal fat, 1 measure vegetable (cooking) oil. Trials have found this mixture to be particularly effective in killing kikuyu and nut grass. Roots and all leaf material were killed in 1 week of hot <br><br>
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2. Mix: 2 measures fat, 1 measure pine oil. Trials have found this mixture to be particularly effective in killing kikuyu and nut grass, clover, creeping oxalis, paspalum, and similar roots. Roots and all leaf material were killed in 1 week of hot summer weather. <br><br>
15 3. Mix: 1 measure fat, 1 measure fine cooking oil, 2/2 measure tea tree (New Zealand Manuka) oil. Current results indicate this mixture is useful as a general herbicide for action against all types of plant and grass material. <br><br>
4. Mix: 2 measures fat, 1 measure pine oil, 1/2 measure leptospermum <br><br>
20 wood ash. Current results indicate this mixture is useful as a general herbicide for action against all types of plant and grass material. <br><br>
5. Mix: 2 measures fat, 1 measure pine oil, and 1 measure water and 1/4 measure coconut oil. Current results indicate this mixture is useful as a general herbicide for action against all types of plant and grass <br><br>
25 material. <br><br>
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