OA18592A - Use of aclonifen and certain aclonifen containing herbicide combinations in tuberous root crop plants. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention primarily relates to the use of aclonifen, specific herbicide combinations containing aclonifen, or compositions comprising aclonifen or a specific herbicide combination containing aclonifen for controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants, preferably in cassava. The present invention also relates to the use of aclonifen, specific herbicide combinations containing aclonifen, or compositions comprising aclonifen or a specific herbicide combination containing aclonifen as plant growth regulators for tuberous root crop plants, preferably as plant growth regulators for cassava. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding method of controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants and to a corresponding method of regulating plant growth of tuberous root crop plants.

Description

The présent invention primarily relates to the use of aclonifen, spécifie herbicide combinations containing aclonifen, or compositions comprising aclonifen or a spécifie herbicide combination containingaclonifen for controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants, preferably in cassava. The présent invention also 5 relates to the use of aclonifen, spécifie herbicide combinations containing aclonifen, or compositions comprising aclonifen or a spécifie herbicide combination containing aclonifen as plant growth regulators for tuberous root crop plants, preferably as plant growth regulators for cassava. Furthermore, the présent invention relates to a corresponding method of controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plantsand to a corresponding method of regulatïng plant growth of tuberous root crop plants.

Cassava (Manihot escitlenta Crantz) is a major source of carbohydrate for several hundred million people, mainly in Africa and to some extent in Asîa and Latin America. In Africa, yields of cassava are generally comparatively low, which to a large extent is due to effects of weed compétition or to uncontrolled or unsufliciently controlled weed growth. Hoe-weeding still is a common practice among cassava farmers.

The Proceedîngs of the 1 Ith ISRTC-AB, Kinshasa, Démocratie Republic Congo, 4-8 October2010, pages 15 269-275 report on the évaluation of commercial!y available herbicides for weed control in cassava. The treatments there comprised pre-emergent herbicides employing such as chloroacetanilide, prometryn or Smetolachlor.

In the Crop recommendation #17 of the Ministry of Agriculture of Barbados the following herbicides for weed control in cassava are mentioned: paraquat (optionally mixed with diquat), glyphosate, sulfosate, 20 pendîmethalin, metolachlor, fluazifop-butyl, sethoxydim or propaquizafop.

CN102428919A teaches a postemergence cassava field herbicide with mesotrion as an active component

CN 103392724A suggests the use of a temary herbicide composition as cassava field herbicide with the active components of halosulfuron, oxyfluorfen and an amide herbicide selected from the group of butachlor, propisochlor and metolachlor.

GB 1,028,976 discloses a process for the treatment of plants with storage organs, for example cassava, sweet potato or yam, which comprises spraying the plants with a substituted benzoic acid herbicide în a spécifie time fram before harvest There, herbicides like (optionally further substituted) dî-, tri- or tetrachlorobenzoic acids are preferred.

African Crop Science Journal 1994,519-530 reports on weeds and their control in cassava. There, mainly the 30 following herbicides were tested: metobromuron, fluometuron, prometryn (optionally in combination with ametryne), terbutryn, paraquat and diuron.

-2Planata Daninha, 2010,28(4), 807-816 describes the application of different herbicdes on weeds in cassa va. Inter alia the effects of herbicides like diuron, metribuzin, isoxaflutole, atrazine, ametryn, and several combinations comprising said herbicides are reported therein on two cassava varieties grown in the state of Paranâ, Brazîl.

In their application, herbicidal crop protection agents (herbicides) known to date for controlling h arm fui plants or unwanted végétation in tuberous root crop plants hâve some dîsadvantages, be Ît (a) that they hâve no or else insufficient herbicidal activity against spécifie harmfuî plants, (b) that the spectrum of harmfuî plants which can be controlled with the herbicides is not broad enough, and/or (c) that the selectîvîty of herbicides in and the compatibility with tuberous root crop plants is too low, thereby causing unwanted 10 damage and/or unwanted reduced harvest yîeîds of the tuberous root crops.

Overall, the herbicidal activity (above aspects (a) and (b)) and/or the selectîvîty / compatibility (aboveaspect (c)) of the herbicides used so far in tuberous root crop plants still allow improvement.

For the reasons mentîoned above, there still is a need for alternative, highly active herbicides or herbicidal compositions for the sélective application for controlling harmfuî plants or unwanted végétation in tuberous 15 root crop plants.

Surprisîngly, it has now been found that aclonifen, spécifie herbicide combinations containing aclonifen. or compositions comprising aclonifen or a spécifie herbicide combination containing aclonifen exhîbit the desired herbicidal activity and are able to selectively control harmfuî plants or unwanted végétation in tuberous root crop plants.

The présent invention primarily relates to the use of aclonifen or a composition comprising (i) aclonifen

- for controlling harmfuî plants in tuberous root crop plants, and/or

- as plant growth regutators in tuberous root crop plants.

The présent invention also relates to the use of a combination of herbicides (herbicide combination) or of a 25 composition comprising a combination of herbicides (herbicide combination)

- for controlling harmfuî plants in tuberous root crop plants, and/or as plant growth rcgulators în tuberous root crop plants.

wherein said combination of herbicides comprises or consists of (i) aclonifen and (ii) isoxaflutole.

-3The présent invention further releates to the use of a composition as defined herein in the context of the présent invention which additionally comprises one or more further components selected from the group consisting of formulation auxiliaries, additives customary in crop protection, and further agrochemically active compounds (i.e. agrochemically active compounds different from aclonifen or different from components (î) and (ii) as defined above, i.e, agrochemically active compounds other than (i) acloni fen and (ii) isoxaflutole).

In a preferred embodiment ofthe présent invention, aclonifen is the only herbicide used. Thus, in apreferred embodiment ofthe présent invention, aclonifen is the only herbicide présent in a composition used tn the context ofthe présent invention, i.e. no further herbicîdal active ingrédient is présent in said composition.

In another preferred embodiment ofthe présent invention, aclonifen is the only agrochemically active compound used. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the présent invention, aclonifen îs the only agrochemically active compound présent in a composition used in the contextofthe présent invention, i.e. no further agrochemically active compound is présent in said composition.

When a combination of herbicides used in the context of the présent invention consists of herbicides (i) 15 aclonifen and (ii) isoxaflutole, this means that in such a case the combination of herbicides used in the context of the présent invention or the composition comprising saïd combination of herbicides used in the context of the présent invention does not contain any further (i.e. no additional) herbicîdal active ingrédient, and preferably does not contain any further agrochemically active compound.

In this context, the term “further herbicîdal active ingrédient” and “further agrochemically active compound” 20 refers to the herbicides and agrochemically active compounds (pesticides), respectîvely, listed in The

Pesticide Manual, 16th édition, The British Crop Protection Councll and the Royal Soc. ofChemistry, 2012 other than aclonifen or other than aclonifen and isoxaflutole.

Aclonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the 25 présent invention not only exhibit an excellent herbicîdal activity in controllîng harmful plants or unwanted végétation in tuberous root crop plants, but also show compatibility with tuberous root crop plants, i.e. said herbicides do not cause signifîcant damage and/or unwanted reduced harvest yields ofthe tuberous root crops.

it has been further found that the selectivity of the herbicides used in the prior art can be improved. 30 Aclonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention allow good to excellent (total) weed control at an agronomically ULceptable level ofdamage of the tuberous root crop plants. Further, the type of damage observed with aclonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising

*4the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention is less harmful and/or less severe compared to many herbicides used in the prior art, and the tuberous root crop plants afîected largely or fuily recover from said type of damage.

Further, aclonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention can be used as plant growth regulators for tuberous root crop plants, preferably as plant growth regulators for cassava, thereby increasing harvest yïelds tuberous root crop plants (in particular the weight ofthe tuberous root) and/or increasing the plant growth ofthe tuberous root crop plants (in particular the growth of the leaves of the tuberous root crop plants), in each case in comparison to tuberous root crop 10 plants not treated with herbicides (untreated control).

The présent invention preferably relates to the use ofaclonifen. thecombination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention, wherein the tuberous root crop plants are selected from the group consisting of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Afanîhotesculenta), and 15 yam (plant species in the genus Dioscorea). more preferably wherein the tuberous root crop plant is cassava (Manihot esculenta).

The herbicides (i) and optionally (ii) used in the context of the présent invention are known per se. and described inter alia in The Pesticide Manual, 16th édition, The British Crop Protection Council and the Royal Soc. of Chemistry, 2012 and the Iiterature cited therein. The herbicides (î) and (iî) used in the context 20 of the présent invention are described in more detail hereinbelow.

The herbicides (i) and (ii), the combinations comprising the herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein and used in the context of the présent invention and also certain compositions comprising the herbicides (i) and (ii) or the herbicide combinations used in the context ofthe présent invention as such are known. The herbicides (i) and (ii), the herbicide combinations used in the context ofthe présent invention and also certain compositions 25 comprising the herbicide combinations used in the context of the présent invention are commercially avai labié.

Tuberous roots (also cailed root tubers) are perennating organs. thickened roots that store nutrients over periods when the plant cannot actively grow, thus permitting survtval from one year to the next.

Tubers should not be confused with tuberous roots. Tubers are modified shoots, whereas tuberous roots are 30 modified roots.

A tuberous root ii a modified latéral root, enlarged to function as a storage organ. The enlarged area ofthe root-tuber, or storage root, can be produced at the end or middle ofa root or involve the entire root. It is thus

-5different în origin but similar in function and appearance to a stem tuber. Examples of plants with notable tuberous roots include the sweet potato, cassava, yam and dahlia.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), also called manioc, yuca, balinghoy or kamoteng kahoy (in the Philippines), tabolchu (in Northeast India), mogo (in Africa), mandioca, tapioca-root, kappa (predominantly 5 in India) and manioc root, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical régions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. Cassava, when dried to a powdery (or pearly) extract, is called tapioca: its fermented, flaky version is named garri.

Cassava is the third largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maîze. Cassava is a 10 major staple food in the developing world, providing a basïc diet for over half a billion people. It is one ofthe most drought-tolerant crops, capable ofgrowing on marginal soils. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, whïle Thailand is the largest exporting country of dried cassava.

Cassava grows poorly in weedy fields and consequently produces fewer and smaller storage roots.

Yam is the common name for some plant species in the genus Dioscorea (family Dioscoreaceae) that form 15 edible tubers. These are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumptïon oftheir starchy tubers in Africa, Asïa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Oceania. There are many cultivars ofyam. Although some varîeties of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) an also called yam in parts ofthe United S ta tes and Canada, it is not part ofthe family Dioscoreaceae.

Yarns are monocotyledons, related to lilies and grasses. Native to Africa and Asia, yam tubers vary in sîze 20 from that ofa small potato to over 60 kilograms. There are over 600 varietîes of yarns and 95 percent ofthese crops are grown in Africa.

According to the présent invention the expression composition includes compositions comprising a herbicide combination comprising the herbicides (1) and (ii) as defined herein, and can be used in various acceptable or agronomically typîcal forms and formulations, for example in a single ready-mix form.

The herbicides (i) and (ii) used in the herbicide combinations used in the context ofthe présent invention and the compositions comprising the herbicide combinations used in the context ofthe présent invention may be a combined spray mixture composed from separate formulations of the single active compounds, such as a tank-mix, or said composition can be a combined use of the single active ingrédients when applied in a sequential manner. i.e. one after the other within a reasonably short period, such as a few hours (and 30 preferably less than 24 hours).

Ί he herbicides (ï) and (ii) used in the herbicide combinations used in the context of the présent invention include ail (stereo)isomers and their mixtures.

-6If, ïn the context of this description, the short form ofthe common name ofan active compound is used, this includes in each case ail customary dérivatives, such as the esters and salts, and isomers, in particular the commercially available form or forms. If the common name dénotés an ester or sait, this in each case also comprises ail other customary dérivatives, such as other esters and salts, the free acids and neutral compounds, and isomers, in particularoptical isomers, in particular thecommercially available form or forms.

The given chemical compound names dénoté at least one of the compounds embraced by the common name, frequently a preferred compound.

The salts of compounds used in the context of the présent invention may be used in the form of the respective alkali métal salts, alkaline earth salts or ammonium salts, preferably in the form ofthe respective al kali métal 10 salts, more preferably in the form ofthe respective sodium or potassium salts, most preferably in the form of the respective sodium salts.

Aclonifen (lUPAC-Name: 2-chloro-6-nitro-3-phenoxyaniline, CAS Reg. No. 74070-46-5) is known and described for example in EP 007 482 AI or US 4394,159.

Isoxaflutole (lUPAC-Name: 5-cyclopropyl-l ,2-oxazol-4-ylX<i,a.a-trifluoro-2-mesyl-p-tolyl)methanone, CAS 15 Reg. No. 141112-29-0) is described for example in EP 0 527 036 Al.

In accordance with the présent invention, the herbicide combinations as defined herein or the composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention comprise a herbicïdal effective amount of aclonifen or of said herbicide combination and may comprise further components, for example agrochemically active compounds of a different type and/or 20 formulation auxiliaires and/or additives customary in crop protection, orthey may beemployed together with these.

In accordance with the présent invention, the herbicide combinations as defined herein or the composition comprising a herbicide combination as defined herein may be applied as a split application over time. Another possibility is the application of the individual herbicides (i) and (ii) or the herbicide combinations in 25 a plurality of portions (sequential application), for example after prc-emergence applications, followed by post-emergence applications or after early post-emergence applications, followed by applications at medium or late post-emergence.

Preferred ïs the simultaneous or nearly simultaneous application ofthe combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein. In the latter context, a nearly simultaneous application of the herbicides (i) and (ii) as 30 defined herein means that the herbicide (i) aclonifen and the herbicide (ii) isoxaflutole are both applied within hours, preferably within 12 hours, more preferably within 6 hours. even more preferably within 3 hours.

-7In a particularly preferred embodiment, the herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein are used together, i.e. at the same time. Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment, a composition comprising the herbicides (i) and (fl) as defined herein is used.

In a preferred embodiment, adonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ü) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention are only used once per season. It was found that one application per season of aclonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ü) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ü)) used in accordance with the présent invention is sufficient to achieve the effects described in the context of the présent invention, in 10 particular regarding herbicidal activity (above aspects (a) and (b)) and/orthe selectivity/ compatibîlity (above aspect (c)).

In a preferred embodiment, adonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention is applied once, twîce orthree timesper Gregorian calendar year, Le. in 15 one application, in two applications or in three applications per year according to the Gregorian calendar.

In a preferred embodiment, aclonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention is applied one time per Gregorian calendaryear. Le. in one application per year according to the Gregorian calendar.

In a preferred embodiment, aclonifen, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) used in accordance with the présent invention or a composition (preferably comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii)) used in accordance with the présent invention is applied one time in about 12 months, i.e. in one application in about 12 months.

The effects observed when using the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein or a composition 25 comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein allow a more potent herbicidal action, the control of hitherto uncontrolable species (activity gaps), an extended application period and/or a reduced number of required individual applications and - as a resuit for the user - more advantageous weed control Systems both from an economical and ecological point of view.

As already mentioned above, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein or a composition 30 comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein may be used in pre-emergence applications and/or in post-emergence applications.

Preferaby, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein or a composition comprising the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein are used in pre-emergence applications.

-8Preferably, in the herbicide combinations used in accordance with the présent invention and in the composition comprising a herbicide combination used in accordance with the présent invention the total amount by weight of constituent (i), i.e. aclonifen, is used in a higher amount than constituent (ii) isoxaflutole.

Thus, in the herbicide combinations used in accordance with the présent invention and in the composition comprising a herbicide combination used in accordance with the présent invention the ratio by weight of the total amountof(ï)aclonifen to the total amount of(ii)isoxaflutole preferably is>l,greaterthan I : l.more preferably >2, i.e. greater than 2 :1, even more preferably >3, i.e. greater than 3:1.

In the herbicide combinations used in accordance with the présent invention and or in the composition 10 comprising a herbicide combination used in accordance with the présent invention the ratio by weight ofthe total amount of(i) aclonifen to the total amount of (H) isoxaflutole preferably is in the range of from 2 :1 to 15:1, more preferably in the range of from 3 : I to 12 : I.

In the herbicide combinations used in accordance with the présent invention and or in the composition comprising a herbicide combination used in accordance with the présent invention the ratio by weight ofthe 15 total amount of (i) aclonifen to the total amount of (ii) isoxaflutole particularly preferably is in the range of from 4 :1 to 12 :1, and most preferably in the range of from 5 :1 to 8 :1.

The preferred application rates [indicated as g a.î./ha, i.e. grams of active ingrédient per hectare] ofthe herbicides (i) aclonifen and optionally (ii) isoxaflutole used in the context ofthe présent invention asdefined herein are as follows:

If aclonifen is the only herbicidal active ingrédient, or the only agrochemically active compound compound used în the context of the présent invention, aclonifen is preferably applied at a rate în the range of 100 to 3000 g a.iTha, more preferably at a rate in the range of 200 to 2500 g a.iTha, particularly preferably at a rate in the range of400 to2000 g a.iAa. and most preferably at a rate in the range of500 to 1800 g a.Î7ha.

If a combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein or a composition comprising the combination of 25 herbicides (i) and (îî) is used in the context of the présent invention, the preferred amounts of (i) aclonifen and (ii) isoxaflutole are the following:

(i) aclonifen is preferably applied at a rate in the range of 100 to 1000 g a.iJha. more preferably at a rate tn the range of200 to 900 g a.i7ha, particularly preferably at a rate ïn the range of400 to 800 g a.i/ha,and most preferably at a rate in the range of 500 to 700 g aJVha, and (îi) isoxaflutole is preferably applied at a rate in the range of 10 to 250 g a.i./ha, more preferably at a rate in the range of25 to200g auTha., particularly preferably at a rate in the range of 40 to 150 ga.i./ha, and most preferably at a rate ïn the range of 50 to 125 g a.i./ha.

The combination of herbicides (i) and (ti) as defined herein more preferably applied in the more preferred rates as defined above (as defined after the term “more preferably”), and particularly preferably applied in the particularly preferred rates as defined above (as defined after the term “particularly preferably”).

Furthermore, the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined herein can be used together with other 5 agrochemically active compounds, for example from the group ofthe safeners, fongicides, insecticides, other herbicides and other plant growth regulators, or with formulation auxiliaries and additives customary in crop protection. Additives are, for example, fertilizers and colorants. Preference is in each case given to the application rates or the application rate ranges mentioned above foraclonifen and isoxaflutole, respectively, and to the ratios by weight mentioned above for aclonifen and isoxaflutole.

The most important and most noxious weed species in cassava fields in Colombia reported are (African Crop Science Journal 1994, 519-530): Pteridium aquiiinum L. Kuhn, Imperata cylindrica L. Beauv., Melinis ninutiflora Beauv., Sida acuta Burm F., Cyperus rotundus L., Commelina diffusa Burm F. sub-species diffuse J.K. Morton, Agératum conyzoides L. and Portulaca oleraceae L., Cyperus rotundus L (purple nutsedge), Rottboeliia exaltata (Lour) Clayton (Raoul grass). Sorghum halepense L. Pers (Johnson grass) and Ipomoea 15 sp. (moming glory).

In Nigeria, broad-leaved species were the most frequent weeds in ail areas, averaging 71-78% of ail the species recorded. Only 17-19% of the weed species présent were grasses and 4-7% were sedges. Five weed species, namely, Agératum conyzoides L., Altementhera sessilis L. R, Br. ex Roth, Mimosa invisa Mart, Digitaria horicontalis Willd, and Panicum maximum Jacq occurred in the entire area surveyed.

In south western Nigeria it was observed that annual weeds, especially broad-leaved weeds, were the most common in cassava, and the prévalent species were Euphorbia hirta L. and Talinum triangulate Willd.

African Crop Science Journal 1994, Vol. 2. No.4, pp. 519-530 summarizes the ten most common weed species in cassava fields in Umuahia, southem Nigeria:

Agératum conyzoide, Calopogonium mucunoides, Altementhera sessilis, Boreiria ocymoides, Commelina erecta, Chromolaena odorata. Mimosa invisa. Commelina benghalansis, Tridaxprocumbens, Brachiaria delfexa, Platostoma africanum, Digitaria adscendens, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus.

Further relevant weed species occurring in cassava fields in Nigeria are (grasses, sedges and broadleaf weeds): Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetumpolystachion, Mariscus altemifolius, Euphorbia 30 heterophylla, Talinum triangulare.

A relevant parasîtic weed species occurring in cassava fields (for exemple in Nigeria) is Cuscuta australis.

-10Aclonifen, the combination of herbicides as defined herein or the composition according to the présent invention as defined herein hâve an outstanding herbicidai activity against a broad spectrum ofeconomically important harmfu! monocotyledonous and dicotyiedonous harmfui plants in tuberous root crop plants, particularly in cassava.

In the context of the présent invention “controlling” dénotés a signifîcant réduction of the growth of the harmfui plant(s) in comparison to the untreated harmfui plants. Preferably, the growth ofthe harmfui plant(s) is essentially diminished (60-79%), more preferably the growth of the harmfui plant(s) is largely or fully suppressed (80-100%), and în particular the growth ofthe harmfui plant(s) is almost fully or fully suppressed (90-100%).

Preferably, the présent invention relates to the use ofaclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, wherein one, several or ail harmfui plants are selected from the group of weed specîes consisting of Agératum spp., Calopogonium spp., Altemanthera spp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp.. Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachïaria spp., Platostoma spp., Digitaria spp.,

Synedrella spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., Imperata spp., Cynodon spp., Pennisetum spp., Mariscus spp.,

Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp., Melinis spp., Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., Ipomea spp., Dactyloctenlum spp., Spigelia spp., Boerhaavia spp., Aspiliaspp., Aneilima spp., Hyparrhenia spp., Andropogon spp., Paspalum spp., Rhynchelytrum spp., Eleusine spp., Setaria spp., Triumfetta spp., Stachytarpheta spp., Desmodium spp., Gomphrena spp., Tephrosia spp., Acanthospermum 20 spp., Hyptis spp., Cenchrus spp., Urena spp., Vemonia spp., Cleome spp., Crotalaria spp., Kyllinga spp.,

Corchorus spp., Ipomoea spp., Mitracarpus spp., Melanthera spp., Centrosema spp., Emilia spp., Croton spp., Phyllanthus spp., Passiflora spp., Axonopus spp., Oldenlandia spp., Schwenckia spp., Acalypha spp., Solenostemon spp., Celosia spp., Indigofera spp., Heterotis spp., Acmellaspp., Leucaena spp., Boerhavia spp., Spermacoce spp., Oplïsmenus spp., and Fimbristylis spp..

In a preferred aspect, the présent invention relates to the use aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined ïn the context of the présent invention, wherein one, several or ail harmfui plants are selected from the group of weed species consisting of Agératum spp., Calopogonium spp., Altemanthera spp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp.. Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachïaria spp., Platostoma spp.,

Digitaria spp., Synedrella spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., Imperata spp., Cynodon spp., Pennisetum spp., Mariscus spp., Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp., Melinis spp.. Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., Ipomea spp., Dactyloctenîum spp., Spigelia spp., Boerhaavia spp., Aspilia spp., Aneilima spp., Hyparrhenia spp., Andropogon spp., Paspalum spp., Rhynchelytrum spp., Eleusine spp., Setaria spp., TriumieLia spp., Siachytarphela spp., Desmodium spp., Gomphrena spp., Tephrosia spp.,

Acanthospermum spp., Hyptis spp., Cenchrus spp., Urena spp., Vemonia spp., and Cleome spp..

- Il Particularly, aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context ofthe présent invention, are used to control one, several or ail harmful plants selected from the group of weed species consisting of Agératum spp., Calopogonium spp., Altemanthcra spp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp., Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachiaria spp., Platostoma spp., Digitaria spp., Synedrella spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., lmperata spp., Cynodon spp., Pcnnisetum spp., Mariscus spp., Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp., Melinis spp,, Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., lpomea spp., Dactyloctenium spp., Spigelîa spp., Boerhaavia spp., Desmodîum spp., Gomphrena spp., Tephrosia spp., Acanthospermum spp., Hyptis spp., Cenchrus spp., Urena spp., Vemonia spp., and Cleome spp..

More particularly, aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, are used to control one, several or ail harmful plants selected from the group of weed species consisting of Agératum spp., Calopogonium spp., Altemanthcra spp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp., Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachiaria spp., Platostoma spp., Digitaria spp., Synedrella 15 spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., lmperata spp., Cynodon spp., Pennîsetum spp., Mariscus spp., Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp., Melinis spp.. Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., lpomea spp., Dactyloctenium spp., Spîgelia spp., and Boerhaavia spp..

Specifically, examples may be mentioned of some représentatives of the monocotyledonous and dîcotyledonous weed flora which can be controlled by the combinations according to the présent invention.

In a more spécifie aspect, the présent invention relates to the use of aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context ofthe présent invention, wherein one, several or ail harmful plants are selected from the group consisting οΐ Agératum conyzoides, Calopogonium mucunoides, Alternantherasessüis, Boreiria ocymoides, Commelina erecta, Chromolaena odorata, Afimosa invisa. Commelina benghalensis, Tridax 25 procumbens, Brachiaria delfexa. Platostoma africanum, Digitaria adscendens, Digitaria horixontalis, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, lmperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum polystachlon, Pennisetum purpureum, Pennîsetum violaceum, Afariscus altemifolius, Euphorbia heterophylla, Euphorbia hirta, Talinum triangulare, Pteridium aquilinum, Melinis ninutiflora, Sida acuta. Sida rhombifolia, Commelina diffusa, Portulaca oleraceae, Rottboellia exaltata, 30 Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Sorghum halepense, lpomea triloba, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiara lata,

Spîgelia anthemia, Boerhaavia erecta, Aspilia africana, Aneilima beniniense, Hyparrhenla involucrate, Andropogon gayanus, Paspalum conjugatum, Paspalum orbiculatum, Rhynchelytrum repens, Eleusine indica, Setaria barbota. Setaria megaphylla, Triumfetta cordifolta, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Desmodium seorpiurus, Gomphrena celosioides, Tephrosia bractcolata, Acanthospei mttm hispidum, llyptis sttaveolens,

Cenchrus biflorus, Urena lobata, Vernonia ambigua, Cleome viscosa, Cuscuta australis, Corchorus olitorius, Afitracarpus villosus, Afelanthera scandens, Centrosema pubescens, Emilia cocclnea, Croton

-12hirtus, Phyllanthus amarus, Corchorus trilocularis, Passiflora foetida, Ipomoea involucrate, Axonopus compressus, Oldenlandia corymbosa, Acalypha ciliata, Schwenckia americana, Solenostemon monostachyus, Celosia trigyna, Indigofera hirsute, Heterotis rotundifolia, Acmella brachyglossa, Leucaena leucocephala, Boerhavia diffusa, Spermacoce ocymoides, Oplismenus burmannii, Fimbristylis littoralis.

Cyperus iris, and Kyllinga erecta.

In a more preferred aspect, the présent invention relates to the use of aclonifen, the combination of herbicides as defined herein or a composition comprising aclonifen or a combination of herbicides as defined herein, wherein one, several or al! harmful plants are selected from the group consisting of Agératum conycoides, Calopogonium mucunoides, Alternanthera sessilis, Boreiria ocymoides, Commelina erecta, Chromolaena 10 odorata, Mimosa invisa, Commelina benghalensis, Tridax procumbens, Brachiaria delfexa, Platostoma africanum, Digitaria adscendens, Digitaria horizantalis, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, ïmperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum polystachion, Pennisetum purpureum, Pennisetum violaceum, Mariscus alterni/blius, Euphorbia heterophylla, Euphorbia hirta, Talinum trîangulare, Pteridium aquilinum, Melinis ninutîflora, Sida acuta. Sida rhombifolia, Commelina 15 diffusa, Portulaca oleraceae, Rottboellia exaltata, Rottboelliacochinchinensis, Sorghum halepense, Ipomea triloba, Ipomoea mauritiana, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiara lata, Spigelia anthemia, Boerhaavia erecta, Aspilia africana, Aneilima beniniense, Hyparrhenia involucrate, Andropogon gayanus, Paspalum conjugatum, Paspalum orbiculatum, Rhynchelytrum repens, Eleusine indica, Setaria barba ta, Setaria megaphylla, Triumfetta cordifolia, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Desmodium scorpiurus, Gomphrena 20 celosioides, Tephrosia bracteolata, Acanthospermum hispidum, Hyptissuaveolens. Cenchrus biflorus, Urena loba ta, Fernonia ambigua, Cleome viscosa, and Cuscuta australis.

Particularly, aclonifen. a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention ora composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, are used to control one, several or ali harmful plants selected from the group consisting of Agératum conyzoides, 25 Calopogonium mucunoides, Alternanthera sessilis, Boreiria ocymoides, Commelina erecta, Chromolaena odorata, Mimosa invisa, Commelina benghalensis, Tridax procumbens, Brachiaria delfexa, Platostoma africanum, Digitaria adscendens, Digitaria horicontalis, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, ïmperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetumpolystachion, Mariscus altemifolius, Euphorbiaheterophylla, Euphorbiahirta, Talinum trîangulare, Pteridiumaquilinum,Melinis 3 0 ninutîflora. Sida acuta, Commelina diffusa, Portulaca oleraceae, Rottboellia exaltata, Sorghum halepense,

Ipomea triloba, Ipomoea mauritiana, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiara lata, Spigelia anthemia, Boerhaavia erecta, Desmodium scorpiurus, Gomphrena celosioides, Tephrosia bracteolata. Acanthospermum hispidum. Hyptissuaveolens, Cenchrus biflorus, Urena lobata. Femoniaambigua, Cleome viscosa, and Cuscuta australis.

More particularly, aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent

-13invention, are used to control one, several or ail harmful plants selected from the group consisting of Agératum conyzoides, Calopogonium mucunoides, Alternanthera sessilis, Boreiria ocymoides, Commelina erecta, Chromolaena odorata, Mimosa invisa, Commelina benghalensis, Tridax procumbens, Brachiaria delfexa, Platostoma africanum, Digitaria adscendens, Digitaria horizontalis, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum polystachion, Mariscus altemifolius, Euphorbia heterophylla, Euphorbia hirta, Talinum triangulare,

Pteridium aquilinum, Melinis ninutiflora, Sida acuta, Commelina diffusa, Portulaca oleraceae, Rottboellia exaltata, Sorghum halepense, Ipomea triloba, Ipomoea mauritiana, Daclyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiara lata, Spigelia anthemia, Boerhaavia erecta and Cuscuta atistralis.

If aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, is applied to the soil surface before germination, then the weed seedlings are either prevented completely from emerging, or the weeds grow until they hâve reached the cotylédon stage but then their growth stops, and, eventually, after three to four weeks hâve elapsed. they die completely.

If aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, is applied postemergence to the green parts of the plants, growth likewise stops drastîcally a very short time after the treatment and the weed plants remain at the growth stage of the point of time of application, or they die completely after a certain time, so that in this mannercompétition by the weeds, which is harmful to the crop 20 plants, is eliminated at a very early point in time and in a sustained manner.

The use of aclonifen. a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, is characterized by a rapidly commencing and long-lasting herbicidal action.

In particular when aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a 25 composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, are employed application rates may be reduced. a broader spectrum of broad-leaved weeds and grass weeds maybe controlled, the herbicidal action may take place more rapidly, the duration of action may be longer, the harmful plants may be controlled better while using only one, or few, applications, and the application period which is possible to be extended.

The abovementioned properties and advantages are ofbenefit for weed control practicetokeep agricultural crops free from undesired competing plants and thus to safeguard and/or increase the yields from the qualitative and quantitative point of view. These novel combinations markedly exceed the technlcal state of the art with a view to the properties described.

-14While the aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, hâve an outstanding herbicidal activity against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds, the crop plants are damaged only to a minor extent, ifat ail.

Moreover, some ofthe compositions according to the présent invention hâve outstanding growth-regulatory properties on the crop plants. They engage in the plants’ metabolism in a regulatory manner and can thus be employed for provoking dîrected effects on plant constituents and to facîlitate harvestîng such as for example by triggering desiccation and stunted growth. Moreover, they are also suitable for the general control and inhibition of undesired végétative growth without simultaneously destroying the plants. An inhibition of 10 végétative growth is very important in a large number of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous crops since yield iosses as a resuit of iodging can thus be reduced, or prevented completely.

Owîng to their herbicidal and plant-growth-regulatory properties, the compositions according to the présent invention can be employed for controlling harmfui plants in genetîcally modified crop plants or crop plants obtained by mutation/selectîon. These crop plants are distinguished as a ru le by particular, advantageous 15 properties, such as résistances to herbicidal compositions or résistances to plant diseases or causative agents of plant diseases such as particular însects or microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria or viruses. Other particular properties relate, for example, to the harvested material with regard to quantity, quality, storability, composition and spécifie constituents. Thus, for example, transgenic plants are known whose starch content is increased or whose starch quality is altered, or those where the harvested material has a different fatty acid 20 composition.

The tuberous root crop plants can also hâve been genetîcally modified or been obtained by mutation sélection. For example, WO 97/44473 Al relates to transforming and producîng cassava plant (protoplasts). WO 92/05259 Al descîbes transgenic plants having modified carbohydrate content, interalia cassava plants.

The présent invention also relates to a method of controlling undesired végétation (e.g. harmfui plants) in 25 tuberous root crop plants, which comprises applyîng aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined in the context of the présent invention, for example by the pre-emergence method, by the post-emergence method or by the pre-emergence and the post-emergence method, to the plants, for example harmfui plants, parts of these plants, plant seeds or the area where the plants grow, for example the area under cultivation.

Thus, in a further aspect, the présent invention relates to a method for

- controlling undesired plant growth, and/or

-15control I ing harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants, and/or

- régulât in g plant growth in tuberous root crop plants, comprising the step of applyîng aclonifen, a combination of herbicides used according to the présent 5 invention or a composition used according to the présent invention, each as as defined hereinabove, onto the tuberous root crop plants, parts of tuberous root crop plants, seeds of tuberous root crop plants, the area where the tuberous root crop plants grow or the area where the tuberous root crop plants are întended to grow.

Preferably, in a method according to the présent invention as defined above, the tuberous root crop plants are selected from the group consisting of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Kfanihot esadenta), and yam 10 (plant specîes in the genus Dioscorea), more preferably the tuberous root crop plant is cassava (Manihot esculenta).

In another aspect, the présent invention relates to a method according to the présent invention as defined above, wherein one, several, or ail harmful plants as mentioned above are controlled.

In another aspect, the présent invention relates to a method according to the présent invention as defined 15 abov, wherein the tuberous root crop plants hâve been genetically modified, preferably said tuberous root crop plants are transgenic plants or obtained by mutation/selection.

As already mentioned above, the herbicide combinations as defined in the context of the présent invention can not only be used as mixed formulations, if appropriate together with further agrochemically active compounds, additives and/or customary formulation auxîliaries, which are then applied in the customary 20 manner as a dilution with water, but also as so-called tank mixes by jointly diluting the separately formulated, or partially separately formulated, components with water.

The herbicide combinations as defined in the context of the présent invention and the compositions comprising a herbicide combination as defined in the context of the présent invention can be formulated in various ways, depending on the prevailing biological and/or chemical-physical parameters. The following are 25 examples of general possibilities for formulations: wettable powders (WP), water-soluble concentrâtes, emulsifiable concentrâtes (EC), aqueous solutions (SL), émulsions (EW) such as oil-in-water and water-in-oil émulsions, sprayable solutions or émulsions, suspension concentrâtes (SC), oil dispersions (OD), oil- or water-based dispersions, suspoemulsîons, dusts (DP), seed-dressing materials, granules forsoil application or for broadcastîng, or water-dispersible granules (WG), ULV formulations, microcapsules or waxes.

The individual formulation types arc Lnoun in prïncïple and are described fer cxample, in: WinnacKerKüchler, Chemische Technologie, Volume 7, C. Hauser Verlag Munich, 4¹¹¹ Edition, 1986; van Valkenburg,

-16PestîcideFormulations,Marcel DekkerN.Y., 1973; K.Martens, Spray Drying Handbook,3rdEd. 1979, G. Goodwin Ltd. London.

The formulation auxiliaries required, such as inert materials, surfactants, solvents and other additives are also known and are described, for example, în Watkïns, Handbook of Insecticide Dust Diluentsand Carriers, 5 2nd Ed., Darland Books, Caldwell N .J.; H.v. Olphen, Introduction to Clay Colloid Chemistry; 2nd Ed., J.

Wiley & Sons, N.Y. Marsden, Solvents Guide, 2nd Ed., Interscience, N.Y. 1950; McCutcheon's, Détergents and Emulsifiers Annual, MC Publ. Corp., Ridgewood NJ.; Sisley and Wood, Encyclopedia of Surface Active Agents, Chem. Publ. Co. Inc., N.Y. 1964; Schûnfeldt, GrenzflÎichenaktive Âthylenoxidaddukte [Surface-active ethylene oxide adducts], Wiss. Verlagsgesellschaft, Stuttgart 1976, 10 Winnacker-Küchler, Chemische Technologie, Volume 7, C. Hauser Verlag Munich, 4^Λ Edition 1986.

Based on these formulations, combinations with other agrochemically active substances, such as other herbicides not belongïng to constituents (i) and (ii) as defined in the context of the présent invention, fiingicides or insecticides, and with safeners, fertilizers and/or growth regulators, may also be prepared, for example in the form of a readymix or a tank mix.

Wettable powders (sprayable powders) are products which are uniformly dispersible in water and which, besides the active compound, also comprise ionic or nonionîc surfactants (wetters, dispersants), for example polyoxethylated alkylphenols, polyethoxylated fatty alcohols or fatty amines, alkanesulfonates or alkylbenzenesulfonates, sodium lignosulfonate, sodium 2,2’-dinaphthylmethane-6,6’-disulfonate, sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate or else sodium oleoylmethyltauride, in addition to a diluent or inert material.

Emulsifiable concentrâtes are prepared by dissolving the active compound in an organic solvent, for example butanol, cyclohexanone, dimethylformamide, xylene or else higher-boiling aromatics or hydrocarbons with addition of one or more ionic or nonionîc surfactants (emulsifiers). Examples of emulsifiers which may be used are: calcium salts of alkylarylsulfonic acids, such as calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, or nonionîc emulsifiers such as fatty acid polyglycol esters, alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, propylene oxide/ethylene oxide condensâtes, alkyl polyethers, sorbîtan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters or polyoxethylene sorbitol esters.

Dusts are obtained by grinding the active compound with finely divided solid materials, for example talc, natural clays such as kaolin, bentonîte and pyrophyllite, or diatomaceous earth.

Suspension concentrâtes (SC) can be water- or oil-based. They can be prepared, for example, by wet grinding 30 by means of commercially available bead mills and, if appropriate, addition of further surfactants as they hâve already been mentioned for example above în the case of the other formulation types.

-17Emulsions, for example oil-in-water émulsions (EW), can be prepared for example by means of stirrers, colloid mills and/or static mixers using aqueous organic solvents and, if appropriate, further surfactants as hâve already been mentioned for example above in the case of the other formulation types.

Granules can be prepared either by spray îng the active compound ontoadsorptive.granulated inert material or by applying active compound concentrâtes to the surface of carriers such as sand, kaolinîtes or granulated inert material with the aid of binders, for example polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate or else minerai oils. Suitable active compounds may also be granulated in the manner conventionally used for the production of fertilîzer granules, if desired in a mixture with fertilizers. As a rule, water-dispersiblegranules are prepared by customary processes such as spray drying, fluidized-bed granulation, disk granulation, mixing with high10 speed mixers and extrusion without solid inert material. Regardtngthe production ofdisk granules, fluidizedbed granules, extruder granules and spray granules, see, for example, the methods in Spray-Drying Handbook 3rd ed. 1979, G. Goodwin Ltd., London; J.E. Browning, Agglomération, Chemical and Engineering 1967, page 147 et seq; Perrés Chemical EngineePs Handbook, 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York 1973, pp. 8-57.

As regards further details on the formulation ofcrop protection products, see, for example, G.C. Klîngmam, Weed Control as a Science, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961, pages 81 -96 and J.D. Freyer, S. A. Evans, Weed Control Handbook, 5th Ed., Blackwell Scientïfic Publications, Oxford, 1968, pages 101-103.

As a rule, the agrochemïcal formulations comprise i to 95% by weight, of active compounds, the following concentrations being customary, dependîng on the type of formulation:

The active compound concentration in wettable powders is, forexample, approximately 10 to 95% by weight, the remainder to 100% by weight being composed of customary formulation constîtuents. In the case of emulsîfiable concentrâtes, the active compound concentration may amount to, for example, 5 to 80% by weight. Formulations in the form of dusts comprise, fn most cases, 5 to 20% by weight ofactive compound, sprayable solutions approximately 0.2 to 25% by weight ofactive compound. In the case of granules such as dîspersible granules, the active compound content dépends partly on whetherthe active compound is présent in liquid or solid form and on which granulation auxiliaries and Allers are being used. As a rule, the content amounts to between 10 and 90% by weight in the case ofthe water-dispersible granules.

In addition, the abovementioned active compound formulations may comprise, if appropriate, the conventional adhesives, wetters, dispersants, emulsifiers, preservatives, antifreeze agents, solvents, fillers, colorants, carriers, antifoams, évaporation inhibitors, pH regulators or vîscosîty regulators.

The herbicidal action ofthe herbicide combinations according to the présent invention can be improved, for cxample, by surfactantprefciably by wetters fiom thegioup ofllic fatty alcoliol poljglyco! ethers. The fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers préférable contain 10-18 carbon atoms in the fatty alcohol radical and 2-20 ethylene oxide units in the polyglycol ether moiety. The fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers can be nonionic or

-18îonîc, for example in the form of fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers sulfates, which can be used, for example, as alkali métal salts (e.g. sodium salts or potassium salts) or ammonium salts, but also as alkaline earth métal salts such as magnésium salts, such as sodium Cu/Cu-fatty alcohol diglycol ether sulfate (Genapol* LRO,

Clariant): see, for example, EP-A-0476555, EP-A-0048436, EP-A-O33615I or US-A-4,400,196 and also

Proc. EWRS Symp. Factors Affecting Herbicidal Activity and Selectivity, 227 - 232 (1988). Nonionic fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers are, for example, (Cio-Cu>, preferably (C|o-Cu)-fatty alkohol polyglycol ethers containing 2 - 20, preferably 3-15, ethylene oxide units (e.g. isotridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether), for example from the Genapol® sériés, such as Genapol* X-030, Genapol* X-060, Genapol* X-080 or Genapol* X-150 (all from Clariant GmbH).

The présent invention furthermore embraces the combination of herbicides (i) and (ii) as defined above with the wetting agents mentioned above from the group of the fatty alcohol polyglycolethers which preferably contain 10-18 carbon atoms In the fatty alcohol radical and 2-20 ethylene oxide units in the polyglycol ether moiety and which can be présent in nonionic or ionic form (for example as fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates). Préférence is giventoCii/Cu-fatty alcohol diglycol ether sulfate sodium (Genapol* LRO, Clariant);

and isotridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 3-15 ethylene oxide units, for example from the Genapol* X sériés, such as Genapol* X-030, Genapol* X-060, Genapol® X-080 or Genapol* X-150 (all from Clariant GmbH). It ïs furthermore known that fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers such as nonionic or ionic fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers (for example fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates) are also suitable for use as pénétrants and activity enhancers for a number of other herbicides, inter alia also for herbicides from the group of the 20 imidazolînones (see, for example, EP-A-0502014).

Moreover, it is known that fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers such as nonionic or ionic fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers (for example fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates) are also suitable as pénétrants and synergists for a number of other herbicides, inter alia also herbicides from the group ofthe imidazolînones; (see, for example, EP-A-0502014).

The herbicidal effect of the herbicide combinations according to the présent invention can also be increased using vegetable oils. The term vegetable oils is to be understood as meaning oils from oil-plant species, such as soya oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oïl, coconut oil, palm oil, safïïower oil or castor oil, in particular rapeseed oil, and their transestérification products, for example alkyl esters, such as rapeseed oil methyl ester or rapeseed oil ethyl ester.

The vegetable oils are preferably esters of Cio-Cjz-, preferably Cn-Cîo-fatty acids. The Cio-Cîî-fatty acid esters are, for example, esters of unsaturated or saturated Cio-Cw-fatty acids, in particular those with an even number of carbon atoms, for example erucic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid and, in particular, Cis-fatty acids such as stearic acid, oleic acid, linnleic acid or 1 inolenic acid.

-19Preferred Ci-Cîo-alkyl-Cio-Cîj-fatty acid esters are the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl and dodecyl esters. Preferred glycol- and glycerol-Cio-Ca-fatty acid esters are the untform or mixed glycol esters and glycerol esters ofCio-C:;-fatty acids, in particular those fatty acids which hâve an even number of carbon atoms, for example erucic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid and. in particular, Cig-fatty acids such as stearic 5 acid, oleic acid, linolîc acid or lînolenic acid.

The vegetable oils can be présent in the herbictdal compositions according to the présent invention for example in the form of commercially available oil-containing formulation additives, in particular those based on rapeseed oïl such as Hasten® (Victorian Chemical Company, Australie, hereinbelow termed Hasten, main constituent; rapeseed otl ethyl ester), Actîrob®B (Novance, France, hereinbelow termed ActirobB, main 10 constituent: rapeseed oil methyl ester), Rako-Binol® (Bayer AG, Germany, termed Rako-Binol hereinbelow, main constituent: rapeseed oil), Renol* (Stefes, Germany, termed Rend hereinbelow, vegetable oil constituent: rapeseed oil methyl ester), or Stefes Mero® (Stefes, Germany, hereinbelow termed Mero, main constituent; rapeseed otl methyl ester).

In a further embodiment, the présent invention embraces the combination of a herbicide combination as 15 defined Ïn the context of the présent invention with the vegetable oils mentioned above. Thus, in a further embodiment, the présent invention embraces the use of compositions comprising a herbicide combination as defined in the context of the présent invention comprising the vegetable oils mentioned above, such as rapeseed oil, preferably in the form of commercially available oil-containing formulation additives, in particular those based on rapeseed oil such as Hasten* (Victorian Chemical Company, Austral ia, hereinbelow 20 termed Hasten, main constituent: rapeseed oil ethyl ester), Actirob*B (Novance, France, hereinbelow termed

ActirobB, main constituent: rapeseed oil methyl ester), Rako-Binol® (Bayer AG, Germany, termed RakoBinol hereinbelow, main constituent: rapeseed oil), Renol* (Stefes. Germany, termed Renol hereinbelow, vegetable oil constituent: rapeseed oïl methyl ester), or Stefes Mero® (Stefes, Germany, hereinbelow termed Mero, main constituent: rapeseed oil methyl ester).

For use, the formulations, which are présent in commercially available form, are optionally diluted in the customary manner, for example using water in the case of wettable powders, emulsifîable concentrâtes, dispersions and water-dispersible granules. Préparations in the form of dusts, soil granules, granules for broadeasting and sprayable solutions are usually not diluted further with other inert substances prior to use.

The active compounds can be applied to the plants, parts of the plants, seeds of the plants or the area under 30 cultivation (soil of a field), preferably to the green plants and parts of the plants and, if appropriate, addittonally to the soil of the field.

A composition comprising a herbicide combination used in the context of the présent invention has the advantage of being easier to apply, and the quantifies ofthe components are advantageously already presented

-20in the correct ratio to each other. Moreover, the adjuvants in the formulation can be matched optimally to each other.

F.xamnles

1, Products used

The following commercially avaîlabie herbicides and herbicide combinations were tested (ail products avaîlabie from Bayer CropScience):

Product PI contained 600 g/L of aclonifen

Product P2 contained 500 g/L of aclonifen and 75 g/L of isoxaflutole

2, Btological Trials

Trials were conducted on cassava plants on Research Farms în Nigeria.

Table 1 shows the respective total weed control ratings for products PI and P2 tested in pre-emergence 6 weeks after treatment. In each case, the total weed control takes into account the control of broad-leaved specîes, grasses and sedges.

Inter alia controlling of the following weeds was assessed: Acalypha ciliate, Celosia irigyna, Corchorus 15 trilocularis, Indigofera hirsute, Oldenlandia corymbosa, Euphorbia heterophylla, Phyllanthus amarus,

Afitracarpus villosus, Spigelia anthemia, Tridaxprocumbens, Talinum trianguiare, Triumfetta cordtfolia, Acmella brachyglossa, Passiflora foetida, Spermacoce ocymoides, Leucaena leucocephala, Centrosema pubescens, Brachiaria deflexa, Panicum maximum, Emilia coccinea, Croton hirtus, Ipomoea involucrate, Chromolaena odorata, Calopogonium mucunoldes, Mimosa invisa, Aspilia africana, Cyperus rotundus, 20 Afariscusalternifolius, Solenostemon monostachyus, Heterotis rotundifolia, Oplismenus burmannii, Setaria barbata, and Paspalum scrobiculatum.

Inter alia very good to excellent efficacy in controlling of the following weeds was observed: Acalypha ciliate, Centrosema pubescens, Solenostemon monostachyus, Heterotis rotundifolia, Setaria barbata, Corchorus olitorius Corchorus trilocularis, Urena lobata, Acanthospermum hispidum, Mitracarpus villosus, 25 Euphorbia heterophylla, Commetina benghalensis, Gomphrena celosioides. Tephrosia bracteolata, Setaria barbata, Digitaria horizontalis, Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Eleusine indica, Cenchrus biflorus, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus iris, Cleome viscosa, Euphorbia heterophylla, Euphorbia hirta, Phyllanthus amarus, Afelanthera scandens, Schwenckia Americana, Aspilia africana, and Tephrosia brateolata.

Table 2 shows the plant growth regulatîng effects of products PI and P2 (herbicide compositions used in accordance with the présent invention) on cassava crop plants after harvest relative to hoe-weeded cassava

-21 crop plants (as reference). The plant growth regulating efTects were measured as the respective fresh root cassava yields, tn each case as perecentage tn comparison to the fresh root cassava yield of hoe-weeded cassava crop plants as reference (defined as 100%).

Table I : Ratirtgs oftotal weed control tn plots treated pre-emergence6 weeksaftertreatmentwith product PI 5 and P2, respectivcly

Product	Amount of Product applied	Total Weed Control in %
PI	2.5 L/ha	72
P2	1.0 L/ha	78

Table 2: Plant growth regulating efTects of products PI and P2, respectively, on tuberous root crop plants indicated as fresh root yield

Product or treatment	Amount of Product applied	Yield of fresh root yield in comparison to hoe-weeding
PI	1.5 L/ha	130%
P2	1.0 L/ha	141%
Hoe-weeding (Reference)		100%

In further field trials in several different locations in Nigeria, the following efTects were observed.

In the field trials, product P2 showed no négative impact on cassava population, no négative impact on cassava vigorous growth and no négative impact on cassava plant height above the ground.

Plots in the field treated with product P2 provided up 82 days control of grasses and broad leaves with a total weed control efficacy of 75 - 100%, depending on the location and the weeds présent in the respective location.

Product P2 showed good (80—90%) to excellent (90-100%) control ofAgératum conysoides, Calopogonium mitctutoklet, Centrosemaptibesceiis, Chromoleana nlorafti, Corchonn trieulori.n, De^nioditint xcorpiritx, Phyllanthux amarus, Solanum sp, Spermacoce ocymoides, and Spigelia anthelmia.

-22Product P2 provided good to excellent control of the major weeds at different locations. In particular Acalypha ciiiata, Agératum conyzoides, Boerhavia erecta, Brachiaria deflexa, Commelina bengalensis, Cyperus rotundus, Digitarla horizontalis, Euphobia heterophylla, Fimbristylis sp, Rottboellia cochinchînensis, Tridax procumbens, and Vernonia ambigua.

Passiflora foetida and Ipomoea mauritiana were the most difiicult weeds to control at some locations, Product P2 provided > 90% control of these two difficult to control weeds, în particular with good land préparation before crop planting.

Claims (15)

1. Use of aclonifen or a composition comprising (i) aclonifen

- for controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants, and/or

5 - as plant growth regulators in tuberous root crop plants.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein a combination of herbicides or a composition comprising a combination of herbicides is used

- for controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants,

10 and/or

- as plant growth regulators in tuberous root crop plants, wherein said combination of herbicides comprises or consists of (i) aclonifen and (ii) isoxaflutole.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein aclonifen is applied at a rate in the range of 100 to 3000 g

15 aJ/ha.

4. Use according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein in the herbicide combination or in the composition comprising the herbicide combination the ratio by weight of the total amount of (i) aclonifen to the total amount of(ii) isoxaflutole is in the range of from 2: 1 to 15 :1, preferably in the range of from

20 3 : 1 to 12 : 1.

5. Use according to any one of daims 1 to 4, wherein a composition is employed which additionally comprises one or more further components selected from the group consisting of formulation auxilianes, additives customary in crop protection, and further agrochemically active compounds.

6. Use according to any one of daims ! to 5, wherein the tuberous root crop plants are selected from the group consisting of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and yam (plant species in the genus Dioscorea), preferably the tuberous root crop plant is cassava (Manihot esculenta).

7. Use according to any one of daims I to 6, wherein one, several or ail harmful plants are selected from the group of weed species consisting of Agératum spp., Calopogonium spp., Altemantheraspp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp., Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachiaria spp., Platostoma spp., Digitaria spp., Synedrella spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., Imperata spp.,

10 Cynodon spp., Pennisetum spp., Mariscus spp., Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp.,

Melinîs spp., Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., Ipomea spp., Dactyloctenîum spp., Spigelia spp., Boerhaavia spp., Aspilia spp., Aneilima spp., HyparThenia spp., Andropogon spp., Paspalum spp., Rhynchelytrum spp., Eleusine spp., Setaria spp., Triumfetta spp., Stachytarpheta spp., Desmodium spp., Gomphrena spp., Tephrosia spp., Acanthospermum spp., 15 Hyptis spp., Cenchrus spp., Urena spp., Vemonia spp., Cleome spp., Crotalaria spp., Kyllinga spp.,

Corchorus spp., Ipomoea spp., Mitracarpus spp., Melanthera spp., Centrosema spp., Emilia spp., Croton spp., Phyllanthus spp.. Passiflore spp., Axonopus spp., Oldenlandia spp., Schwenckia spp., Acalypha spp., Solenostemon spp., Celosia spp., Indigofera spp., Heterotis spp., Acmella spp., Leucaena spp., Boerhavia spp., Spermacoce spp., Oplismenus spp., and Fimbristylis spp..

8. Use according to any one of daims 1 to 7, wherein one, several or ail harmful plants are selected from the group of weed species consisting of Agératum spp., Calopogonium spp., Altemanthera spp., Boreiria spp., Commelina spp., Chromolaena spp.. Mimosa spp., Tridax spp., Brachiaria spp., Platostoma spp., Digitaria spp., Synedrella spp., Panicum spp., Cyperus spp., Imperata spp.,

25 Cynodon spp., Pennisetum spp., Mariscus spp., Euphorbia spp., Talinum spp., Pteridium spp.,

Melinîs spp.. Sida spp., Portulaca spp., Rottboellia spp., Sorghum spp., Ipomea spp., Dactyloctenîum spp., Spigelia spp., Boerhaavia spp., Aspilia spp., Aneilima spp., Hyparrhenîa spp., Andropogon spp., Paspalum spp,, Rhynchelytrum spp., Eleusine spp., Setaria spp., Triumfetta spp., Stachytarpheta spp., Desmodium spp., Gomphrena spp., Tephrosia spp., Acanthospermum spp., 30 Hyptis spp., Cenchrus spp., Urena spp., Vemonia spp., and Cleome spp..

9. Use accoiding to any one of dainia I to S, wlicrdi) one, several oi ail harmful plante arc selected from the group consisting of Agératum conyzoides, Calopogonium mucunoides. Altemanthera sessilis, Boreiria ocymoides. Commelina erecta, Chromolaena odorata, Afimosa Invisa, Commelina

-25benghalensis, Tridaxprocumbens, Brachiariadelfexa, Platostoma africanum, Digitaria adscendens, Digitaria horizontalis, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum polystachion, Pennisetum purpureum. Penniselum violaceum, Mariscus altemifolius, Euphorbia heterophyUa, Euphorbia hirta, Talinum triangulare, Pteridium aquilinum, Melinis ninutiflora, Sida acuta. Sida rhombifolia, Commelina diffusa, Portulaca oleraceae, Rottboellia exaltata, Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Sorghum halepense, Ipomea triloba, Ipomoea mauritiana, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiara lata, Spigelia anthemia, Boerhaavia erecta, Aspilia africana, Aneilima beniniense, Hyparrhenia involucrate, Andropogongayanus, Paspalum conjugatum, Paspalum orbiculatum, Rhynchelytrum repens, Eleusine indica, Setaria barbota, Setaria megaphylla, Triumfetta cordifolia, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Desmodium scorpiurus, Gomphrena celosioides, Tephrosia bracteolata, Acanthospermum hispidum, Hyptis suaveolens, Cenchrus biflorus, Urena lobata, Vernonia ambigua. Cleome viscosa, Cuscutaaustralis, Corchorus olitorius, Mitracarpus villosus,Melanthera scandens, Centrosemapubescens, Emilia coccinea, Croton hirtus, Phyllanthus amarus, Corchorus trilocularis, Passiflora foetida, Ipomoea involucrate, Axonopus compressas, Oldenlandîa corymbosa, Acalypha ciliata, Schwenckia americana, Solenostemon monostachyus, Celosia trigyna, Indigofera hirsute, Heterotis rotundifolia, Acmella brachyglossa, Leucaena leucocephala, Boerhavia diffusa, Spermacoce ocymoides, Oplismenus burmannii, Fimbristylis littoralis, Cyperus iris, and Kyllinga erecta.

10. Use according to any one of daims 1 to 9, wherein one, scveral or ail harmful plants are selected from the group consisting of Agératum conyzoides, Calopogonium mucunoides, Altemanthera sessilis, Boreiria ocymoides, Commelina erecta, Chromolaena odorata. Mimosa invisa, Commelina benghalensis, Tridaxprocumbens, Brachiariadelfexa, Platostomaafricanum, Digitaria adscendens, 25 Digitaria horisontalis, Synedrella nodiflora, Panicum maximum, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus, Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Penniselum polystachion, Penniselum purpureum, Penniselum violaceum, Mariscus altemifolius, Euphorbia heterophyUa, Euphorbia hirta. Talinum triangulare, Pleridium aquilinum, Melinis ninutiflora, Sida acuta, Sida rhombifolia, Commelina diffusa, Portulaca oleraceae, Rottboellia exaltata, Rottboelliacochinchinensis, Sorghum 30 halepense, Ipomea triloba, Ipomoea mauritiana, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiara lata,

Spigelia anthemia, Boerhaavia erecta, Aspilia africana, Aneilima beniniense, Hyparrhenia involucrate, Andropogongayanus, Paspalum conjugatum, Paspalum orbiculatum, Rhynchelytrum repens, Eleusine indica, Setaria barbota, Setaria megaphylla, Triumfetta cordifolia, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Desmodium scorpiurus, Gomphrena celosioides, Tephrosia bracteolata, 35 Acanthospcrnium hispidum, Hyptis suaveolens, Cenchrus biflorus, Urena lobata, Veritoitia ambigua, Cleome viscosa, and Cuscuta australis.

11. Method for

- controlling undesired plant growth, and/or

5 - controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants, and/or

- regulating plant growth in tuberous root crop plants, comprising the step of applyîng aclonîfen, a combination of herbicides or a composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 onto the tuberous root crop plants, parts of tuberous root crop plants, seeds 10 of tuberous root crop plants, the area where the tuberous root crop plants grow or the area where the tuberous root crop plants are intended to grow.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the tuberous root crop plants are selected from the group consisting of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and yam (plant species in

15 the genus Dioscorea).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the tuberous root crop plant is cassava (Manihot esculenta).

20

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein one, several, or ail harmful plants as defined in any one of claims 7 to 10 are controlled.

15. The method according to any one ofclaims 11 to 14, wherein the tuberous root crop plants have been genetïcally modifled, preferably said tuberous root crop plants are transgenic plants or obtained by 25 mutation/selection.

-21Use of aclonifen and certain aclonifen containing herbicide combinations ln tuberous root crop plants

Abstract

The présent invention primarily relates to the use of aclonifen, spécifie herbicide combinations containing aclonifen, or compositions comprising aclonifen or a spécifie herbicide combination containing aclonifen for controlling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants, preferably in cassava. The présent invention also relates to the use of aclonifen, spécifie herbicide combinations containing aclonifen, or compositions comprising aclonifen ora spécifie herbicide combination containing aclonifen as plant growth regulators for tuberous root crop plants, preferably as plant growth regulators for cassava. Furthermore, the présent invention relates to a correspondîng method ofcontrolling harmful plants in tuberous root crop plants and to a corresponding method of regulating plant growth of tuberous root crop plants.

Use of aclonifen and certain aclonifen containing herbicide combinations in tuberous root crop plants