NZ626024B2 - Macrostructure forming surfactants useful as spray drift control agents in pesticide spraying applications - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an aqueous agrochemical spray solution comprising at least one agrochemical active and at least one surfactant, wherein said spray solution comprises a dispersed phase comprising dispersed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 microns, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from 0.001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said nitrogen containing surfactant comprises a compound selected from the group defined in the specification, and wherein said aqueous agrochemical spray solution is capable of reducing the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns during spraying by at least 20% compared to the same aqueous spray solution without the presence of the said surfactant. The disclosure also relates to a method of reducing spray drift using said solution. oncentration of said dispersed particles is from 0.001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said nitrogen containing surfactant comprises a compound selected from the group defined in the specification, and wherein said aqueous agrochemical spray solution is capable of reducing the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns during spraying by at least 20% compared to the same aqueous spray solution without the presence of the said surfactant. The disclosure also relates to a method of reducing spray drift using said solution.

Description

tructure forming surfactants useful as spray drift control agents in pesticide spraying applications Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a surfactant composition and a method capable of forming a dispersion system with macrostructures in s environment resulting in reduced number of fine droplets in mist during ng agricultural pesticide solutions when the size of the sed particles is between 1 — 100 um and the concentration of the dispersed particles is between 0.001 — 5 wt%. NZ 723294 is a divisional from the present application. The description of the present invention and the invention ofNZ 723294 is retained herein for claiity and completeness.

Background of the Invention The drift of spray from pesticide applications can expose people, wildlife, and the environment to pesticide es that can cause health and environmental effects and property damage. Spray drift can prevent a substantial portion of the pesticide from reaching its ed target, requiring more of the pesticide to e adequate coverage of the target.

In practice, two chemical approaches have been used to reduce the amount of drifting of small droplets during spraying of an aqueous pesticide solution.

In the first approach, high molecular weight water soluble rs such as a guar gum, xanthan gum, polyacrylamides, polyethylene oxide, and other ethylenically unsaturated monomers are employed as drift l agents in the agricultural application. It has been lly accepted that polymers which give optimum spray drift control are either non—ionic (e.g., acrylamide homopolymer) or have relatively low anionic content (e. g. 5 to 30 wt. %) and also have vely high intrinsic viscosity, for instance above 6 dl/g. Guar gum is one of the most widely used drift control agent in the current world market. It is believed that the rs produce an enhanced extensional viscosity during spraying which is the main reason for the improved drift control over spraying water. Unfortunately, these polymers have various drawbacks. One drawback is that their solutions tend to Show rsible lose of their y due to the fact that high molecular weight polymers undergo mechanical degradation of the polymer chain. Another drawback is that it takes a long time for the high molecular weight polymers to evenly disperse or dissolve in s liquids which may lead to many large and undissolved particles that could plug the spraying nozzle. Still another drawback of polymers as drift control agents is that the polymers are difficult to build into a high salt premix pesticide formulation without gelling or phase separation. In addition, the polymer drift control agents perform mainly one task — to control drift of small droplets during spraying.

In the second approach, a crop oil concentrate (COC) is employed which contains an emulsifier and a hydrophobic substance such as a mineral oil or a methyl ester. COC can forms oil-in—water (o/w) ons upon dilution in water which can reduce the fine droplets during spraying, hence for its application as a drift control agent. r, CDC is not recommended if the agrochemical formulation is a herbicide and contains a water soluble salts as the active ingredients such as isopropylamine salt of glyphosate because COC may reduce the efficacy of the active ient.

Spray pattern plays an important role in small ts drifting. When water is sprayed, many small liquid droplets form a mist which easily drifts away with wind. When an aqueous spraying solution containing a drift control agent such as guar gum is sprayed, the sprayed pattern is modified so that the number of small droplets is much d. Reduction of the number of small droplets increases the size of the droplets when the spray volume remains the same. In fact, the size increase in a typical spraying solution containing guar gum as the drift control agent is often too much so’that there are a lot of coarse droplets which tend to bounce off the plant leave and be wasted. Over the years, researchers have discovered that the optimum spray n has a droplet size distribution between 100 — 400 um.

It is the object of the claimed invention to provide a surfactant composition and a method capable of forming a dispersion system with macrostructures in aqueous environment resulting in reduced number of fine droplets in mist during spraying agricultural pesticide solutions, n the size of the sed particles is between 1 — 100 um and the concentration of the dispersed particles is between 0.001 — 5 wt%, or to at least provide the public with a useful .

Summary of the Invention In one aspect, there is provided an aqueous agrochemical spray solution comprising at least one agrochemical active and at least one nitrogen containing surfactant, wherein said spray solution comprises a sed phase comprising sed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 microns, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is [followed by page 2a] from 0.001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said nitrogen containing surfactant ses a compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) a di-alkyl di-methyl quaternary surfactant with a counterion of chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, carbonate, or bicarbonate, wherein the alkyl group is 2, saturated or non- saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (ii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine n the alkyl group is C 12-C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine oxide or alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine betaine wherein the alkyl group is 2, saturated or non~saturated, linear or ed alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iv) an alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate wherein the alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate is a product derived from alkyl fatty acid and diethylenetriamine followed by ethoxylation, and wherein the alkyl group is Cl2-C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized n of the oil; (v) an alkyl oxylated with 2E0 methyl chloride nary surfactant, wherein the alkyl group is Cl6—C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, , tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the ized version of the oil; (Vi) a tertiary amine surfactant of the formula: R1 R3 wherein R1 represents a straight or branched chain (Cu—C22) alkyl and R2 and R3 independently [followed by page 2b] represent a straight or branched chain (C1-C22) alkyl; (vii) a tertiary amine oxide surfactant of the formula: R4\ i /R6 wherein R4 is a straight or branched chain (Clo-C22) alkyl or an alkyletherpropyl, and R5 and R6 independently are ht or branched chain (C1-C2?) alkyl or lates or propoxylates of the formula: I’m/i C2H4OihH 37:}C2H3(CH3)OtH wherein n is an integer from 1 to 20; (viii) an alkoxylated amineoxide derived from alkoxylated alkylamine, wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, ted or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; and (ix) an alkoxylated amide.

In a further aspect, there is provided a method of reducing the spray drift of an aqueous agrochemical spray solution upon ng with a spraying apparatus, which ses adding at least one nitrogen containing tant to said aqueous agrochemical spray solution in an amount effective to form a dispersed phase comprising dispersed particles which have an e particle size between 1 to 100 microns, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from 0.001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said s spray solution is capable of reducing the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns during spraying by at least 20% compared to the same aqueous spray solution Without the presence of the said [followed by page 20] surfactant, and n said nitrogen containing surfactant comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) a di-alkyl hyl quaternary surfactant with a counterion of chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, carbonate, or bicarbonate, wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, saturated or non- saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (ii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine oxide or alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine betaine wherein the alkyl group is 2, saturated or non—saturated, linear or branched alkyl group d from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the ized n of the oil (iv) an alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate wherein the alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate is a product derived from alkyl fatty acid and diethylenetriamine ed by ethoxylation, and wherein the alkyl group is C12—C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized n of the oil (V) an alkyl di—ethoxylated with 2130 methyl chloride quaternary surfactant, wherein the alkyl group is C16—C22, saturated or non—saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (Vi) a ry amine surfactant of the a: R1 R3 wherein R1 represents a straight or branched chain (Cu—C22) alkyl and R2 and R3 independently [followed by page 2d] represent a straight or branched chain (C1-C22) alkyl; (vii) a ry amine oxide surfactant of the formula: R4\ I /R6 wherein R4 is a straight or branched chain (Clo-C22) alkyl or an alkyletherpropyl, and RS and R6 ndently are ht or branched chain (Cl—ng) alkyl or ethoxylates or propoxylates of the formula: 14C2H4OEH gACZHfiCHQO n H wherein n is an integer from 1 to 20; (viii) an alkoxylated amineoxide d from alkoxylated alkylamine, wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; and (ix) an an lated amide.

In a further aspect, there is provided a use of a en containing surfactant in an aqueous agrochemical spray solution comprising at least one agrochemical active in an amount effective to form a dispersed phase comprising dispersed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 s, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from 0.001 to 5 wt%, to provide an aqueous spray solution that has a reduced volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns during spraying of at least 20% compared to the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns in the same aqueous spray solution without said surfactant, and wherein said nitrogen containing surfactant comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of: [followed by page 2e] (i) a di-alkyl di-methyl nary surfactant with a counterion of chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, carbonate, or bicarbonate, wherein the alkyl group is C12—C22, saturated or non- saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (ii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine wherein the alkyl group is C12—C22, saturated or non—saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, , corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine oxide or alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine e wherein the alkyl group is ClZ—C22, saturated or non—saturated, linear or ed alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iv) an alkyl amidoamine late wherein the alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate is a product derived from alkyl fatty acid and diethylenetriamine followed by lation, and wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, saturated or turated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the ized version of the oil; (v) an alkyl di—ethoxylated with 2E0 methyl chloride quaternary surfactant, wherein the alkyl group is Cl6—C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized n of the oil; (vi) a tertiary amine surfactant of the formula: R1 R3 wherein R1 represents a straight or branched chain (Cu-C22) alkyl and R2 and R3 independently represent a straight or branched chain (Cl-sz) alkyl; [followed by page 2f] (vii) a tertiary amine oxide surfactant of the formula: R4\ I /R6 wherein R4 is a straight or branched chain (Clo—C22) alkyl or an alkyletherpropyl, and R5 and R6 independently are straight or branched chain (Cl-sz) alkyl or ethoxylates or propoxylates of the formula: 214C2H4OLEH E,{C2H3(CH3)O n H wherein n is an r from 1 to 20; (viii) an alkoxylated amineoxide derived from alkoxylated alkylamine, wherein the alkyl group is 2, ted or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, , tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; and (ix) an alkoxylated amide.

The present ion relates to a surfactant composition and a method capable of g a dispersion system with macrostructures in aqueous environment resulting in reduced number of fine droplets in mist during spraying agricultural pesticide solutions, wherein the size of the dispersed particles is between 1 -— 100 um and the concentration of the dispersed particles is between 0.001 — 5 wt%. [followed by page 3] The present invention also relates to an agrochemical formulation sing an active ingredient and at least one surfactant, wherein the said agrochemical formulation is capable of forming a aqueous agrochemical spray solution containing a dispersed phase sing dispersed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 microns, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from about 0,001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said aqueous spray on is e of reducing the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 s during spraying by at least 20% compared to the same aqueous spray solution without the presence of the said surfactant.

The present invention fiarther relates to an aqueous agrochemical spray solution comprising at least one emical active and at least one surfactant, wherein said spray on comprises a dispersed phase sing dispersed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 microns, n the concentration of said dispersed particles is from about 0.001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said s agrochemical spray solution is capable of ng the volume ofthe fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns during spraying by at least 20% compared to the same aqueous spray solution without the presence of the said surfactant.

The present invention also relates to a method of reducing the spray drift of an aqueous agrochemical spray solution upon spraying with a spraying apparatus, which comprises adding at least one surfactant to said aqueous agrochemical spray solution in an amount effective to form dispersed phase comprising dispersed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 microns, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from about 0.001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said aqueous spray solution is capable of reducing the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 s during spraying by at least 20% ed to the same aqueous spray solution t the presence of the said tant.

Detailed Description ofthe Invention One embodiment ofthe present invention relates to a ready to spray agrochemical formulation, wherein said agrochemical formulation is a dispersion comprising a pesticide, a surfactant, and water capable of reducing drift during ng.

Another embodiment ofthe present invention relates to a concentrated agrochemical formulation comprising a pesticide and a surfactant, wherein said concentrated agrochemical WO 98220 formulation is capable of forming a dispersion when diluted in water, wherein said dispersion is e ofreducing drift during spraying. The concentrated agrochemical formulation can be a solid formulation, a clear liquid formulation, or a stable turbid liquid formulation.

Still r embodiment of the present ion relates to a surfactant capable of forming a dispersion when added into a spray tank to form the ready to spray aqueous agro chemical formulation, wherein said dispersion is capable of reducing drift during spraying. cally, in the above mentioned embodiments the said dispersion is characterized in having a dispersed particle size from l — 100 um and a tration of the dispersed particles from about 0.001% to 5 wt%, in another embodiment from about 0.001% to 0.1%, still in another embodiment from about 0.01% to 1%, and yet still in another embodiment from 1% to 3%, and wherein said formulation is capable of reducing the volume ofthe fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 run during ng the said dispersion by at least 20%. In one embodiment, the said dispersion is characterized in having a dispersed particle size from 2 — 20 um (in another embodiment, 20-60 pm) and a concentration of the dispersed particles from 0.001 to 5 wt%, in another embodiment from about 0.001 to 0.1%, still in another ment from about 0.01 to 1%, and yet still in another embodiment from 1 to 3%, and n said formulation is capable of reducing the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 pm during spraying the said dispersion by at least 20%. In another embodiment, the said dispersion is characterized in having a dispersed particle size from 5 — 10 um (in yet another embodiment, 4-40 mm) and a concentration ofthe dispersed particles from 0.001 to 5 wt%, in another embodiment from about 0.001 to 0.1 wt%, still in r embodiment fi‘om about 0.01 to 1 wt%, and yet still in another embodiment from 1 to 3 wt%, and wherein said formulation is capable cing the volume ofthe fine drOplets in mist whose size is less than 150 pm during spraying the said dispersion by at least 20%. The said at least 20% reduction in volume ofthe fine droplets in mist during spraying is ed by having the said surfactant in the formulation.

The preferred dispersion system is substantially free of crop oils used in COC.

The dispersed particles in the dispersion system are lly vesicles 0r liposomes. The dispersed particles may trap additives, if present, in it. However, preferably it is substantially free of crOp oils used in COC. The size distribution ofthe dispersed les, throughout the context, is an average number and can be bimodal or multimodal. We discovered that both the size and amount of dispersed particles are important in spray drift control. That is the presence of W0 201 3/098220 dispersed particles is necessary for the dispersion system to exhibit good anti-drift ty and the concentration of dispersed particles plays an important role in determining the fine droplets amount during spraying. If there are too many dispersed particles, there is little or no reduction in spray drift. If there are too few dispersed particles, lly indicated by the clarity of the on, the anti-drift performance is also not good. Only when the number and size of dispersed particles are properly balanced spray drift reduction is significant. lly, spray solutions meeting the above ia are characterized by the ce of haziness.

Throughout the context, the surfactant means a single surfactant, a blend of surfactants, or a surfactant composition comprising a surfactant, a polymer such as guar gum or a cellulosic derived r, diluents such as water or glycols, or other additives. An added benefit is that certain surfactants can provide additional adjuvancy to the pesticide system.

Surfactants employable in this regard include, but are not limited to cationic or quaternary surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, anionic tants, and all known surfactants in the industry including silicone surfactants, polymeric surfactants, and fluoral surfactants. Not all surfactants in each ry are suitable and even with a suitable surfactant, it has to meet the criteria. Non-limiting examples ofuseful surfactant according to the present invention are: di-tallow dimethyl quaternary surfactants, preferably di-tallow dimethyl chloride, Cl6-C22 amine ethoxylate with 2130 and its oxide and betaine, Cl6-C22 amine cthoxylatc quaternary with 2 E0, C 12-C22 dimothylaminopropyl amine and its oxide and betaine, ClZ-C18 dimethyl amine oxide, ClZ-C18 dimethyl betaine, and C12-C18 amidoamine ethoxylate derived from DETA (diethylenetriamine) and its oxide and betaine; preferably the arbon chains are d from coco, tallow, soy, corn, castor, coconut, palm, canola, lard, , or tall oil fatty acid mentioned usly.

In one embodiment, the surfactant is a nitrogen containing surfactant. The nitrogen containing surfactant may be di-alkyl di—rnethyl quaternary surfactant with a counterion of chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, carbonate, or bicarbonate; an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine; an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine oxide or alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine betaine; an alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate wherein the alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate is a product derived from alkyl fatty acid and diethylenetriamine ed by ethoxylation; an alkyl di-ethoxylated with 2E0 methyl chloride quaternary 2012/076535 surfactant. The alkyl group in the above-mentioned nitrogen containing surfactant is C 12-C22 (in one embodiment, C16-C22), saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the ized version ofthe oil.

The nitrogen containing surfactant may also be a tertiary amine surfactant ofthe formula: wherein R1 represents a straight or branched chain (Cm-(322) alkyl and R2 and R3 independently represent a straight or branched chain (C1—C3) alkyl. r, the nitrogen containing surfactant may also be a tertiary amine oxide surfactant ofthe formula: R4 I R6 l 0 ' wherein R4 is a straight or branched chain (Cm-C22) alkyl or an alkyletherpropyl, and R5 and R6 independently are ht or branched chain (Cl-ng) alkyl or ethoxylates or propoxylates of the formula: Zea/{CZH‘iOiBH 24C2H3(CH3)0 n H wherein n is an r from 1 to 20. In one embodiment, the tertiary amine oxide is coco yl amineoxide.

Furthermore, the nitrogen containing surfactant may be an alkoxylated amineoxide derived from alkoxylated alkylamine, wherein the alkyl group is C l2—C22, saturated or non- ted, linear or ed alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version ofthe oil. In one embodiment, the alkoxylated amineoxide is an ethoxylated alkyl amineoxide with two ethoxylation units (2130).

The nitrogen containing surfactant may also be an alkoxylated amide. The alkoxylated amide may be a reaction product of fatty acid with diethanolamine. r, the alkoxylated amide may be ethoxylated with 2 — 20 ethoxylation units.

Alternatively, the lated amide may be a reaction product of fatty acid with monoethanolamine, which may also be ethoxylated with 2 — 20 ethoxylation units.

Because ofthe ce of a dispersed particle phase, the spray solution lly has a haze or turbidity in it. In other words, a clear spray solution will generally not have good drift control property. Correlating the haziness with good drift control is a very helpful and important tool. This discovery provides a convenient tool for farmers to judge r the drift control agents they have added to the spray tank work or not because they can simply look at the spray solution appearance and know the result without doing complicated experiment. This discovery is also important for a ator who is deveIOping drift control formulations. The presence of ss in a spray solution is a necessary condition for a good drift control.

The 00mpositions ofthe invention can be prepared in the manner known to the skilled artisan, including but not limited to in-can and tank mix and application ofthe final formulation may be pre- or post-emergence. Post-emergence application results in particular advantages.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical formulation is a herbicide formulation having improved drift control comprising the tant drift control agent in accordance with the ion. Examples of suitable herbicides e, but are not limited to: acctochlor, acifluorfcn, aclonifcn, alachlor, amctryn, amidosulfuron, aminopyralid, amitrole, anilofos, asularn, atrazine, azafenidin, azimsulfuron, benazolin, benfluralin, bensulfuron-methyl, one, bifenox, binalafos, bispyribac—sodium, bromacil, bromoxynil, lor, butroxidim, cafenstrole, amide, carfentrazone-ethyl, chloridazon, Chlorimuron— ethyl, chlorobromuron, chlorotoluron, chlorsulfuron, cinidon-ethyl, cinosulfuron, clethodim, Clomazone, Clopyralid, Cloransulam-methyl, Clorsulfuron, Cyanazine, Cycloate, Cyclosulfamuron, Cycloxydim, Dalapon, Desmedipham, Dicarnba, Dichlobenil, Dichlormid, Diclosulam, Diflufenioan, Dimefuron, peate, achlor, Dimethenamid, , Diuron, Esprocarb, Ethalfluralin, Ethametsulfuron-methyl, Ethofumesate, Ethoxysulfuron, Fentrazamide, Flazasulfuron, Florasulam, Fluchloralin, Flufenacet, Flumetsulam, Flumioxazin, Fluometuron, Flupyrsulfuron-methyl, Flurochloridone, Fluroxypyr, Flurtamone, Fomesafen, Foramsulfuron, Glyphosate, Glufosinate, Hexazinone, Irnazamethabenz-m, Imazamox, mazapic, W0 201 3/098220 PCT/EPZO1 2/076535 Iinazapyr, Iinazaquin, Imazethapyr, Imazosulfiiron, Iodosulfuron, onynil, Isoproturon, Isoxaben, Isoxaflutole, Lactofen, Lenacil, Linuron, Mefenacet, Mesosulfuron-Methyl, Mesotrione, Metamitron, Metazachlor, Methabenzthiazuron, Metobromuron, Metolachlor, Metosulam, Metoxuron, Metribuzin, Metsulfuron—methyl, Molinate, MSMA, Napropamide, Nicosulfuron, Norflurazon, Oryzalin, Oxadiargyl, Oxadiazon, Oxasulfuron, Oxyfluorfen, Paraquat, Pendimethalin, Phenmedipham, Picloram, Pretilachlor, Profoxydim, Prometryn, Propanil, Propisochlor, Propoxycarbazone, Propyzamide, Prosulfocarb, Prosulfuron, Pyraflufen-ethyl, sulfuron, Pyridate, Pyrithiobac, Quinclorac, Quinmerac, Rimsulfuron, Sethoxydim, Simazine, S-Metolachlor, ricne, Sulfentrazone, Sulfosulfiiron, Tebuthiuron, Tepraloxydim, Terbuthylazine, Terbutryn, Thifensulfiiron—methyl, Thiobencarb, xydim, late, Triasulfiaron, uron-methyl, Triclopyr, Trifloxysulfuron, Trifluralin, Triflusulfuron—methyl, Tritosulfuron, and mixtures and combinations thereof. Preferred herbicides are Acetochlor, Atrazine, a, Glufosinate, Paraquat, and mixtures and combinations thereof. More preferred herbicides are sate, Atrazine, Dicamba, and Glufosinate and mixtures and combinations thereof. The most preferred herbicides are salts of glyphosate and inate-ammonium. When the herbicide is an acid, it can be used in the acid form, though it is preferred that the herbicide be in the salt form selected from at least one of the group ofan amine, lithium, sodium, ammonium or potassium. It shall be pointed out that when a pesticide s in the text as a l name without specifying the counterions, it means both its acid form and salt form throughout the context.

In another embodiment, the agrochemical ation is a ide formulation having improved drift control comprising the surfactant drift control agent in accordance with the invention. Examples of suitable fungicides include, but are not limited to: Acibenzolar-S-methyl, rph, amisulbrom, anilazine, azaconazole, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, benodanil, benomyl, benthiavalicarb, binapacryl, biphenyl, anol, blasticidin—S, boscalid, bromuconazole, bupirimate, captafol, captan, carbendaziin, carboxin, carpropamid, chloroneb, chlorothalonil, linate, copper, cyazofamid, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dichlofluanid, diclocymet, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb, difenoconazole, diflumetorim, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dimoxystrobin, diniconazole, p, dithianon, dodemorph, , phos, enestrobin, onazole, etaconazole, ethaboxam, ethirimol, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenarimcl, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin acetate, fentin de, fentin hydroxide, , ferimzone, am, fludioxonil, flumorph, fluopicolide, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fosetyl-Al, fthalide, fuberidazole, xyl, furametpyr, guazatine, hexaconazole, hymexazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, rb, ipconazole, iprobenfos (IBP), iprodione, iprovalicarb, isoprothiolane, isotianil, mycin, kresoxim—methyl, laminarin, mancozeb, mandipropamid, maneb, material of biological, mepanipyrim, mepronil, meptyldinocap, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metconazole, methasulfocarb, metiram, metominostrobin, metrafenone, mineral oils, organic oils, myclobutanil, naftifine, nuarimol, octhilinone, ofurace, origin, orysastrobin, oxadixyl, oxolinic acid, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, oxytetracycline, pefi1razoate,penconazole, uron, penthiopyrad, phophorous acid and, picoxystro bin, lin, polyoxin, potassium bicarbonate, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin, pyrazophos, pyribencarb, pyributicarb, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, quintozene (PCNB), salts, silthiofam, nazole, spiroxamine, streptomycin, r, nazole, teclofthalam, ene (TCNB), terbinafine, tetraconazole, ndazole, thifluzamide, thiophanate, anate-methyl, thiram, tiadinil, tolclofosmethyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, izole, triforine, triticonazole, validamycin, valiphenal, Vinclozolin, zineb, ziram, and zoxamide, and mixtures and 2O combinations thereof Still another embodiment of the present invention is an insecticide formulation having improved drift control comprising the surfactant drift l agent in accordance with the invention. Examples of suitable insecticides include, but are not limited to: kerosene or borax, botanicals or natural organic nds (nicotine, pyrethrin, strychnine and rotenone), chorinated hydrocarbon (DDT, lindane, chlordane), phosphates (malathion and diazinon), carbamates (carbaiyl and propoxur), fumigants (naphthalene) and benzene (mothballs), synthetic pyrethroids, and es and combinations thereof.

Yet still another embodiment ofthe present invention is a mixture of any herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide selected form the above groups having improved drift control comprising the surfactant drifi control agent in accordance with the invention.

The above listings of specific surfactants and pesticides are not intended to be inclusive of all possibilities.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

We used Sympatec Helos-R series laser diffraction system to e the drOplets distribution during spraying (Spray condition: 40 psi, Teejet 8002 vs. nozzle) Samples description: Table l. The chemicals discussed in the current patent Description Silwet‘fi‘ L-77 kyleneoxide Modified Heptameth ltrisiloxane LLDDMA 50% ac. 2,4-D dimethylamine salt, a ide Di—tallow dimethyl chloride quaternary surfactant, 75% in isoprOpyl ® 2HT—75 IPA alcohol Di-tallow dimethyl chloride quaternary tant, 75% in propylene Arquad® 2HT-75 PG - lycol Ethomeen® T/12 Ethoxylated tallowamine-2EO Etho c uad® C/12 Ethox rlated cocoamine-ZEO meth l chloride uaterna surfactant Ethoquad® E/12 Ethoxylated erucylamine-ZEO methyl de quaternary surfactant Armeen® APA T Tallow dimethylamidopropylamine Ethomeen® T/20 Ethoxylated tallowamine-l OEO Aromox® C/12 Cocoaminc oxide with 2 E0 (30%? active) DR—ZOO Hydrox prep lmodified guar um Example 1: Effect of the size of dispersed particles on anti—drift performance.

Pure water produces a lot of fine droplets during spraying (usually 47 ~ 50 % vol. with size < 150 um) which is prone to drift. Adding 0.2% Silwet® L-77 to water formed a hazy sion and this dispersion was able to reduce the fine droplets to ~24% (a ~50% reduction in fines). This system is considered to have good anti-drift property. However, after homogenizing, the same hazy sample turn clear and the percent fine droplets produced while spraying the clear sample went back up to 47% (about the same level as water). (See the following table).

Table 2. The impact of vesicle size on the spray drift prOperty of Silwet L-77 solution Vesicle Dynamic Spray Drift Treatment ance size surface tension (vol. % < 150 PCT/EPZO] 2/076535 ——_—— ——_—— 0.2% Silwet® L-77 Stirred Hazy/turbid Large Low -24 0.2% sawed) Stirred then L-77 homo enized Clear Small —-Lower 47 In this case, the volume percents ofthe dispersed Silwet® L—77 les (vesicles) in the stirred only sample and the homogenized sample remained the same e the concentrations ofL-77 were the same. The result that a homogenized 0.2% L-77 (clear with small les) produced as high amount of fines as water while a stirred only 0.2% L-77 (hazy with large les) produced ~ 50% less fine droplets during spraying suggests that the particles size in a dispersion plays a key role in determining the fine droplets amount during spraying. The result points out that the spray solution with an anti-drift agent should be properly agitated so as not reduce the particle size too much.

Example 2: Effect of the tration of dispersed Silwet L-77 les on anti-drift performance.

The good rift property of a hazy 0.2% Silwet L-77 could also be lost by adding small amount of certain additives. We observed that the large vesicles present in the stirred only sample of 0.2% Silwet® L-77 (example 1) disappeared (system became clear) after adding small amount (0.05%) 2,4-D DMA ae or many other additives. ln this case, adding 2,4—D DMA is believed to modify the microstructure of the dispersed particles so as to decrease the amount of the dispersed les to such a low concentration that the system became clear. The good anti- drifi property of a hazy ® L-77 system lose its anti-drift property when it became clear after adding 2,4-D DMA. The clear L-77 system produced a lot of fines droplets as water did during spraying. Many alcohol ethoxylates with a few ethylene oxide units behaved similarly to Silwet® L—77. We believe the dispersion of alcohol ethoxylates was also a vesicle or me dispersion. It is showed in this example that the presence of dispersed droplets (in vesicle or liposome form) is necessary for this dispersion system to exhibit good anti-drift property and the concentration of particles plays an important role in determining the fine droplets amount during spraying.

PCT/EP201 2/076535 This example trates that general conclusions about the anti-drift property of a surfactant cannot be drawn. An anti-drift agent such as alcohol ethoxylates can loss their anti-drift property in real ide formulations due to the disappearance of the dispersed macrostructure or the turbidity.

Exam 1e 3: Effect of the concentration of dis ersed uaternarv surfactant articles on anti—drift performance in DI water alone.

Various samples varying in concentration of Arquad® 2HT ned by drying Arquad® 2HT~75 IPA) in DI water were sprayed. The following table showed the impact of Arquad® 2HT concentrations on the % volume of droplets whose size was less than 150 um. Details are shown in the following table.

Table 3: The impact ofArquad® 2HT quaternary surfactant concentrations on the % volume of ts whose size was less than 150 um Percent reduction in Arquad® 2HT volume of fine droplets < quaternary % vol. (<150 150 pm when compared surfactant Appearance 2150/um mm) to water —00%—-_—20_0% 050% T_urbid_urbid=::—'-=_22" 0.25% 0.06% 738 28 39 0.03% Slightly turbid 41 0.02% Slightly turbid 36 0.01% Slightly 222 29 turbid 36 0 ) Clear 162 46 0 The turbidity in the dispersion was caused by the presence of the vesicle or liposome ofArquad 2HT. The results showed that, even at a low concentration of 0.01 % Arquadf“ 2HT, the system was turbid and the spray drift control was very good with a reduction of about 36% ofthe fine droplets. The drift control y was pretty nt between studied concentration range between 0.01 and 1% Arquad® 2HT. No sed elongated Viscosity, which was deemed to be PCT]EP201 2/076535 necessary as sed in literature, was apparent in this system. We also measured the size of the sed particles by a particle size analyzer based on laser diffraction techniques. The result showed that the patterns of the particle size distribution for this system were r at ent concentration. The distribution mainly had two nominal peaks, one peaked at about 20 um (much bigger peak) and the other at 200 um in size.

Exam le 4: Effect of the concentration of dis ersed articles Ar uad® 2HT on anti-drift performance.

A milky sample, 5.0% ae 2.4—1) DMA + 5.0% ai Arquad® 2HT-75 PG, was d with water. The fine droplets amount during spraying went through a minimum corresponding to the haziness rance) of the sample. The result is shown in the following table.

Table 4. Effect of the concentration of dispersed particles (Arquad® 2HT) and solution appearance on anti—drift performance of a 2,4-D herbicide system. wt% ai of Arquad® 2HT-75PG Spray Drift vol. Comment Milky Too many particles. Poor anti- Still too many particles. Poor Good antidrifi mance 0625 Good anti—drift performance 0.3125 Good antidrift performance 0.15625 : est anti-drift performance 0-078125 Good antidrifi performance Number ofparticles getting a little lower and the system starts to loss anti-drift 0.0390625 slightly hazy 33 performance Number ofparticles getting very slightly even lower and the system lose 0.0195 hazy 37 good anti-drift mance This example showed that Arquad® 2HT is useful as an anti-drift agent for a pesticide (cg, 2,4-D DMA).

The dispersion is a dispersion of di-tallow dimethyl quaternary tant in 2,4-D DMA spray solution. We believe the dispersed particles are in the form of vesicles or liposomes.

This result shows again that the amount ofvesicles is important in spray drift control. If the number of vesicles is too many, there is no reduction is spray drift. If the number ofvesicles is too little indicated by the clarity ofthe solution, the rift performance is also not good.

Only when the number ofvesicles is in the right place, the spray drift reduction is significant. e 5: Di—tallow dimethyl quaternary surfactant (Arquad 2HT-75 IPA) can produce ~50% reduction in fine drOplets (< 150 um, compare sample 1, 6, and 15) in the following table.

Table 5. The fine droplet volume (less than 150 um) and its appearance in ent spray solution Ethoxylated tallow Di-tallow dimethyl Spray amine-10130 wt% nary Solution surfactant wt% Appearance active —-_-— _-—-_ 27.69 .0 v: 0.5 30.91 h—l as 02 27.55 28.54 _. o 9.10 \1to 0.7 29.36 31-43 0-2 32-95 1-2 3867 m—54-81 -—-—-- ———-— ’1‘: The appearance of freshly made #12 sample was Turbid and the spray data showed only 32.95 % of the spray droplet was under 150 micron. However, it turned clear when the sample was stored at room temperature overnight. The spray data showed the volume of spray droplet under 150 micron was same as 2,4-D DMA alone.

The microstructures (vesicles) were ed under the light-microscopic only for the samples showing a good drifting control property. Figure l is the microstructure ed for sample #1 in table 5.

The size of the marked particles shown in Figure l ranged from ~ 45 to ~ 2. The very small particles couldn’t be measured accurately with the light—microscope.

The data can also be plotted in a phase diagram format (Figure 2).

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCTfEP2012/076535 In the phase diagram, the region below the phase boundary curve was clear. In this region, there was no reduction in fine droplets compared to water. At composition 20:70:10, the initial sample was hazy and the % fine droplet was 33%. r, after overnight, the sample tum clear and the % fine droplet became 50% (i.e., no reduction in fine droplets vs. water). In the region above the phase boundary, the samples were hazy due to the presence of vesicles. However, not all compositions in this hazy region possess the y to reduce fine droplets (e.g., SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RU LE 26) 2012/076535 composition 4025255). The best fine droplet ion region was found to be around composition 60:10:30.

One of the components used in this example, en® T/20, is an alkylamine ethoxylate which is a common nt for glyphosate which is the most popular tank mix herbicide. As it is shown in the phase diagram, Ethomeen T/ZO itself doesn’t have drift control property in this system. In fact, Ethomeen T/20 can disrupt the formation of the macrostructure such as vesicle or liposome produced by many drift control surfactant systems, rendering the surfactant useless in controlling the drift. The result showed in this example demonstrates that Arquad ZHT is capable of controlling the drift even in the presence of alkylamine ethoxylate.

The presence of glyphosate in this example didn’t affect the spray drift result very much.

The drift reduction was only affected by the surfactant tration and composition It is again showed that the presence of dispersed droplets (in vesicle or liposome form), or the presence of haziness, is necessary for this system to exhibit good anti-drift property.

Exam 1e 6: The effect of Ar and 2 HT on the drift otential of 2 4-D DMA and Roundu ® Weather Max svstems Table 6. The effect of Arquad 2 HT on the drift potential of 2,4—D DMA and Roundup® Weather Max systems V01. % ion of appearance fine droplets < l50 mm from water It is showed that the presence of dispersed dr0p1ets (in vesicle or liposome form) is necessary for this sion system to exhibit good anti-drift property, however, the concentration ofthe surfactant was also critical for optimize the drift ion property.

Exam 1e 7: Effect of various surfactants and surfactant blends on dro let size durin spraving 1% 2:4-D DMA svstem Table 7. Individual Surfactants Effect on Spray Droplet size Distribution (0.025% surfactant in 1% ac. 2,4-D DMA) V01. % Reduction (urn) 150 um from water None clear 163.21 -5 1.0% a.e. 0.025% ai. 1.0% a.e. 0.025% a.i. 1.0% a c 0.025% a.i. 1.0% a.e. 0.025% a.i.

The data showed that individual surfactant alone was not able to reduce the amount of fine droplets in 1% ac. 2,4-D DMA because the spray ons were clear (no dispersed particles).

Table 8. Effect of Surfactant Blend on Particle Size bution (0.025% surfactants in 1% ac. 2,4—D DMA) Vol. % Reduction of fine Ratio droplets < 150 pm from (surfl :suer) All samples except #lwere a little hazy..

This example shows that the combination of surfactant is critical to achieve good drift control.

PCTIEP201 2/076535 Example 8: The amount offine droplets during spraying of a d latex product (Primal® AC261 high gloss latex paint, studied concentration range 0.2% - 2.0%) was studied. The data in this example shows that the amount ofpermanent spheres (latex particles) or presence of solid particles does not contribute to reduction of fine droplets in a spray solution. That is, it further demonstrated that the presence ofnon-permanent dispersed droplets such as vesicle (or liposome) is necessary for a dispersion system to exhibit good rifi property.

Table 9. The concentration effect of Primal AC261 on the fine deduction of the spray solutions.

Spray on concentration Mean ofthe droplet (um) % Reduction of fine droplets of Primal® AC261 < 150 pm (vol. %) from 2.0% 148.71 The data demonstrate that the necessary conditions for a spray solution to have significant fine droplets (< 150 micron) number reduction are (1) the spray must s some turbidity, and (2) the turbidity must come from a non-permanent sed phase comprising a surfactant in water.

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:

1. An aqueous emical spray solution comprising at least one agrochemical active and at least one nitrogen containing surfactant, wherein said spray solution comprises a dispersed phase comprising dispersed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 s, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from 0.001 to 5 wt%, and wherein said nitrogen containing surfactant ses a compound selected from the group ting of: (i) a di—alkyl di-methyl quaternary surfactant with a counterion of chloride, bromide, 10 methylsulfate, ate, or bicarbonate, wherein the alkyl group is Cl2—C22, saturated or non- saturated, linear or branched alkyl group d from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (ii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, saturated or non—saturated, linear or ed alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, 15 castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine oxide or alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine betaine wherein the alkyl group is 2, saturated or turated, linear or branched alkyl group d from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; 20 (iv) an alkyl mine ethoxylate wherein the alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate is a product derived from alkyl fatty acid and diethylenetriamine followed by ethoxylation, and wherein the alkyl group is ClZ-CZZ, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; 25 (v) an alkyl di—ethoxylated with 2E0 methyl chloride quaternary surfactant, wherein the alkyl group is C16—C22, saturated or non—saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (vi) a tertiary amine surfactant of the formula: R1 R3 wherein R1 represents a straight or branched chain (Cu-C22) alkyl and R2 and R3 independently represent a straight or ed chain (Ci-€22) alkyl; and (Vii) an alkoxylated amide.

2. The aqueous agrochemical spray solution of claim 1, wherein the alkyl group of any one of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) is C16-C22.

3. The aqueous agrochemical spray solution of claim 1, wherein the alkoxylated amide of 10 (Vii) is a reaction t of fatty acid with diethanolamine or monoethanolamine, or is ethoxylated with 2 to 20 ethoxylation units.

4. An aqueous agrochemical spray solution of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said at least one nitrogen containing tant is capable of reducing the volume of the fine droplets in mist 15 whose size is less than 150 microns during spraying by at least 20% compared to the same s spray solution without the presence of the said nitrogen containing surfactant.

5. An aqueous agrochemical spray solution of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aqueous agrochemical spray solution is hazy.

6. An aqueous agrochemical spray solution of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the agrochemical active is a herbicide formulation.

7. An aqueous agrochemical spray solution of claim 6, wherein the ide ation 25 comprises a salt of sate, a salt of 2,4-D, a salt of dicamba, a salt of glufosinate, or a combination and/or mixture thereof.

8. A method of reducing the spray drift of an aqueous agrochemical spray solution upon spraying with a spraying apparatus, which comprises adding at least one nitrogen containing surfactant to said aqueous agrochemical spray solution in an amount ive to form a dispersed phase comprising dispersed particles which have an average le size between 1 to 100 microns, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from 0.001 to 5 Wt%, and wherein said aqueous spray on is capable of ng the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns during spraying by at least 20% compared to the same aqueous spray solution without the presence of the said surfactant, and wherein said nitrogen containing surfactant comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of: 10 (i) a di—alkyl di-methyl quaternary surfactant with a counterion of chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, carbonate, or bicarbonate, n the alkyl group is C12—C22, saturated or non- saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (ii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine wherein the alkyl group is ClZ—C22, saturated or 15 non—saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iii) an alkyl ylamidopropylamine oxide or alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine betaine wherein the alkyl group is (312—022, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, com, lard, peanut or tall, including the 20 epoxydized version of the oil (iv) an alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate wherein the alkyl amidoamine late is a product derived from alkyl fatty acid and diethylenetriamine ed by ethoxylation, and wherein the alkyl group is 2, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group d from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including 25 the epoxydized version of the oil (v) an alkyl di-ethoxylated with 2E0 methyl chloride quaternary surfactant, n the alkyl group is Cl6—C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; 30 (vi) a tertiary amine tant of the formula: wherein R1 represents a straight or branched chain 2) alkyl and R2 and R3 independently represent a straight or branched chain (Cl-sz) alkyl; and (Vii) an alkoxylated amide.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the alkyl group of any one of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) is C16— C22.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the alkoxylated amide of (vii) is a reaction product of 10 fatty acid with diethanolamine or monoethanolamine, or is ethoxylated with 2 to 20 ethoxylation units.

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the agrochemical spray solution is a herbicide formulation.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the herbicide formulation comprises a salt of glyphosate, a salt of 2,4—D, a salt of dicamba, a salt of glufosinate, or a combination and/or mixture thereof. 20

13. Use of a nitrogen ning surfactant in an aqueous agrochemical spray solution comprising at least one agrochemical active in an amount effective to form a dispersed phase comprising sed particles which have an average particle size between 1 to 100 microns, wherein the concentration of said dispersed particles is from 0.001 to 5 wt%, to provide an aqueous spray solution that has a reduced volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less 25 than 150 microns during spraying of at least 20% compared to the volume of the fine droplets in mist whose size is less than 150 microns in the same s spray solution without said surfactant, and wherein said nitrogen containing surfactant comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) a di—alkyl hyl quaternary surfactant with a counterion of chloride, bromide, sulfate, carbonate, or bicarbonate, wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, saturated or non- saturated, linear or ed alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (ii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine wherein the alkyl group is C12—C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized n of the oil; (iii) an alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine oxide or alkyl dimethylamidopropylamine betaine wherein the alkyl group is C12—C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl 10 group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (iv) an alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate wherein the alkyl amidoamine ethoxylate is a product derived from alkyl fatty acid and diethylenetriamine followed by ethoxylation, and wherein the alkyl group is C12-C22, saturated or non-saturated, linear or branched alkyl group 15 derived from oil of coco, soy, coconut, palm, castor, tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version of the oil; (v) an alkyl di-ethoxylated with 2130 methyl chloride nary surfactant, wherein the alkyl group is C16—C22, saturated or non—saturated, linear or ed alkyl group derived from oil of coco, soy, palm, , tallow, corn, lard, peanut or tall, including the epoxydized version 20 of the oil; (vi) a tertiary amine surfactant of the formula: R1 R3 n R1 represents a straight or branched chain 2) alkyl and R2 and R3 independently represent a straight or branched chain (Cl-sz) alkyl; and 25 (vii) an alkoxylated amide.

14. The use of claim 13, wherein the alkyl group of any one of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) is C16- C22.

15. The use of claim 13, n the alkoxylated amide of (vii) is a reaction product of fatty acid with diethanolamine or monoethanolamine, or is ethoxylated with 2 to 20 ethoxylation units.

16. The aqueous agrochernical spray solution of claim 1, ntially as herein described with reference to any one of the Examples and/or