SK278212B6 - Herbicidal agent on herbicide base of trimethylsulfonium-n- -phosphonomethyl glycine and manufacturing process thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Solid, in principle non-hygroscopic herbicide agent is created by a perfect mixture of a trimethylsulfonium-N- -phosphonomethylglycine herbicide and a surface-active substance which is solid at ambient temperature, chosen from the group of alkyleneoxides copolymers of a general formula R-(CH2CH2O)m(H3C- -CH-CH2O)n-R', wherein every R and R' symbols represent independently hydrogen or the group of the formula R''C(O)O-, R''O-, R''C(O)N-, R''N< or N¾, wherein every one from free bonds is joined as R or R', and R'' represents alkyl group which contains 8 to 30 carbon atoms or alkylphenyl group, of which alkyl residuum contains 8 to 30 carbon atoms and/or their mixture, m means number of value from 20 to 200, n means number of value from 0 to 10 and m+n has value equal and/or higher then 25, in a weight ratio of trimethylsulfonium-N- -phosphonomethylglycine : surface-active substance in a range of values from 10:1 to 1:10. This agent is manufactured so, that the initial mixture, which contains trimethylsulfonium-N- -phosphonomethylglycine herbicide, a solvent and the melted surface-active substance is prepared, then from that initial mixture at temperature higher than the melting point of used surface-active substance the solvent is removed under formation of the terminal mixture and the final mixture is cooled to temperature lower than the melting point of the surface-active substance.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a herbicidal composition based on the trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine herbicide and to a process for its preparation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of phytoactive compounds containing a group of formula A are known,

O = C-CH ₂ -N-CH ₂ -P = O (A), which are designated N-phosphonomethyl-N-carboxymethyl compounds or compounds of the PMCM type and are described in more detail below. Phytoactive ¹¹ , as used in the description of the present invention, is meant to be effective as plant growth regulators, herbicides, defoliants and the like. Illustrative examples of patent publications in which these PMCM compounds and their uses are described are:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,675, Irani, July 15, 1969, entitled: Aminophosphonate Herbicides (Aminophosphonate Herbicides);

U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,762, Hamm, Jan. 19, 1971, entitled Increasing Carbohydrate Deposition in Plants with Aminophosphonates (Aminophosphonates);

U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,531, Franz, Sep. 20, 1983, entitled Salts of N-Phosphonomethylglycine;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,407, Franz, Feb. 25, 1975, entitled Carboxyalkyl Esters of N-Phosphonomethylglycine;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,513, Prill, Feb. 20, 1979, entitled Sodium Sesquiglyphosate (Sodium Sesquiglyphosate);

U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,765, Large, Feb. 16, 1982, entitled Trialkylsulphonium Salts of N-Phosphonomethylglycine (Trialkylsulphonium Salts of N-Phosphonomethylglycine);

U.S. Pat. 4,481,026, Prisbilla, Nov. 6, 1984, entitled Aluminum N-Phosphonomethylglycine and It with Use As A Herbicide (N-phosphonomethylglycine aluminum salt and its use as a herbicide);

U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,676, Bakel, Aug. 9, 1983, entitled N-Phosphonomethylglycine Derivatives (N-phosphonomethylglycine derivatives); and

International Application WO 84/03607, Chevron Research Company, Sep. 27, 1984 entitled Glyphosphate-Type Herbicidal Compositions (Glyphosphate Type Herbicides).

Most of these patents also include a description of the methods used to prepare these compounds. Further descriptions of the preparation methods are contained in the following patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,846, Irani et al. November 29, 1966, entitled Process for Preparing Organic Phosphonic Acids;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,250, Bakel, March 26, 1985, entitled Process for Producing N-Phosphonomethylglycine, and

U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,724, Felix, Dec. 11, 1984, entitled Process for Preparation of N-Phosphonomethylglycine Salts.

PMCM compounds, especially water-soluble PMCM salts, are difficult to obtain in solid form. Sometimes they are difficult to crystallize and difficult to isolate from aqueous solutions. Sometimes they form a vitreous, non-crystalline solid that rapidly converts to a wet cake in air.

On the market, formulations containing PMCM compounds are generally not sold in solid form, but in the form of aqueous solutions. These solutions typically contain only about 50% of the PMCM compound. As a result, there are considerable losses in the storage, transport and disposal of packaging.

In aqueous media, PMCM compounds are typically acidic and have chelating properties. Iron and aluminum tend to inactivate the activity of these compounds. They can react with unprotected or galvanized steel to form hydrogen gas which can form a highly flammable gas mixture. When this mixture is ignited, it can catch fire or explode, which can cause serious personal injury. Aqueous solutions of these compounds are therefore usually stored and transported in plastic or steel packaging with a special liner.

It would be highly desirable to package and sell PMCM compounds in solid form, as this would achieve significant savings in packaging storage, transport and disposal and avoid problems associated with PMCM compound solutions.

Representative patents which generally refer to wettable powders containing PMCM compounds include U.S. Pat. These patents generally disclose wettable powders comprising a PMCM compound, an inert solid extender, and one or more surfactants. A disadvantage of these wettable powders is that the solid extender reduces the amount of active ingredients that can be transported in a package of a certain size. A further disadvantage is that many phytoactive compounds that should be present in these powders, especially PMCM salts, are hygroscopic or moisturizing. Care should be taken when packaging, storing and using such wettable powders. When the end-user decides to use only part of the powder contained in one package, extensive precautions must be taken to ensure stability of the residue.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that according to the invention it is possible to obtain phytoactive compositions in solid form which are substantially non-hydroscopic or non-moist, although based on a single PMCM compound, i. j. trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a herbicidal composition based on the trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine herbicide and adjuvants which is solid and substantially non-hygroscopic and comprises a perfect mixture of the above herbicide and a surfactant which is solid at ambient temperature selected from the group alkylene oxide copolymers of the formula I,

R - (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _m . (CHCH ₂ O) _n - R '( _j -) i

ch ₃

Wherein each of R and R 'is a radical independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups of the formula

RCO-, R10-, RCN-, RN <or N <, n n

Wherein each of the free bonds is attached as R or R 'and R is an alkyl group containing 8 to 30 carbon atoms or an alkylphenyl group having an alkyl residue of 8 to 30 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof, m is a number ranging from 20 to 200, n is a number ranging from 0 to 10 and m + n has a value equal to or greater than 25, in weight ratio trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine; a surfactant ranging from 10: 1 to 1: 10.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a solid, substantially non-hydroscopic, herbicidal composition which comprises:

(a) prepare an initial mixture containing the trimethylsulphonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine herbicide, the solvent and the molten surfactant as defined above;

(b) removing the solvent from the initial mixture at a temperature above the melting point of the surfactant used to form the final mixture; and

c) cooling the resulting mixture to a temperature below the melting point of the surfactant used.

The term solid as used in this specification means a physical state in which the device has a certain shape and volume and in which it resists deformation. The solid may be formulated into any suitable particle such as pellets, flakes, granules or powder. At the application site, i.e. j. in the field, the solid composition may then be dissolved in a suitable diluent, usually and preferably in water, and the resulting solution may be applied to the plants to which the phytoactivity of the composition is to be directed.

Examples of residues R include sorbitan, aliphatic residues derived from coconut, tallow, soybean, castor oil, oleyl, palmityl, stearyl, lauryl, nonylphenoxy, dinonylphenoxy, octylphenoxy and dioctylphenoxy.

Preferred nonionic surfactants for use in the compositions of the invention include Pluronic series surfactants such as Pluronic F-38 (block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide with a molecular weight of 4,700), Pluronic F-68 (block copolymer 8,400), Pluronic F-77 (block copolymer) ethylene oxide and propylene oxide with a molecular weight of 6,600, Pluronic F-87 (block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide with a molecular weight of 7,700), Pluronic F-88 (block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide with a molecular weight of 11,400), Pluronic F-108 (block) copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (molecular weight 14,600) and Pluronic F-127 (block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide with molecular weight 12,600). Pluronic surfactants are commercially available (BASF).

The advantage of using a non-ionic surfactant in the method and compositions of the invention is that they are generally relatively inexpensive, readily available, low-irritating or non-irritating substances, which often have low toxicity to mammals and, as a rule, little or no foaming under vacuum. .

Other surfactants, such as cationic, anionic or amphoteric surfactants, may also be used. However, these substances can cause foaming. They may also be more toxic to mammals.

These other surfactants include Emcol

CC-57 (cationic), Arquard C-50 (cationic), Etomeen

18/12 (cationic), Etomeen 18/15 (cationic), Etomeen

18/60 (cationic), Etomeen T / 60 (cationic), Alkaphos

K-380 (anionic) and Witconate AOK (anionic).

It is also possible, if desired, to use a mixture of different nonionic surfactants or nonionic surfactants together with cationic, anionic or amphoteric surfactants.

The following surfactants have proven to be useful in the methods and compositions of the invention:

Table 1

Surfactant Manufacturer Structure / Type Melting point * C

Trycol NP-20 Emery nonylphenol ethoxylate (20 EO) 34 Trycol LAL-23 EAERE lauryl alcohol ethoxylate (23 EO) 40 Trycol OAL-23 Emery oleyl alcohol ethoxylate (23 OE) 47 Pluronic F-B8 BASF block EO, PO copolymer, m. h. 11400 54 Industrol MS-40 BASF polyethylene glycol and stearic acid nonoester (40 EO), m. h. 1750 48 iconol DMP-150 BASF Dinonylphenol ethoxylate 150 PE, m. h. 6900 55 Pluronic F-127 BASF block EO, PO copolymer, m. h. 12600 56 Pluronic F-108 BASF block EO, PO copolymer, n. h, 14600 Plurofac A-39 BASF linear alcohol ethoxylate, n. h. 2670 56 Alkasurf S-40 Alkaril stearic acid ethoxylate (40 EO) 46 Alkasurf TA-50 Alkaril tallow fatty alcohol ethoxylate (50 EO) 47 Alkasurf 0P-40 Alkaril octylphenol ethoxylate (40 PE) 48 Alkasurf LAD-23 Alkaril fatty alcohol ethoxylate (23 oe) 47 T-DET Hp-1 ThouipsonHayward block EO, PO copolymer (35 EO, 25 PM) 28 T-DET N-100 ThompsonHayvard nonylphenol ethoxylate (1000 BO) 50 StaLey APG 91-3 (fixed forai) A.E. Staley alkylpolyglycoside

EO = ethylene oxide residue

PO = propylene oxide residue

m. h. = molecular weight

Some at ambient temperature solid surfactants foam.

Unwanted foaming can occur both in the initial preparation of the composition, especially when the solvent is removed under vacuum, as well as in mixing the final product with the diluent made by the user at the site of application. Therefore, some embodiments of the invention include an antifoam agent. The anti-foam agent may be added at any time prior to solvent removal.

Representative examples of suitable antifoam agents include agents such as Silcolapse 5008 (silicone based antifoam) and Anti-foam Emulsion Q-94 (SWS Silicones Corp.).

In addition to the PMCM compound, surfactant and antifoam agents, the composition may also contain other conventional ingredients such as desiccants, heat stabilizers, ultraviolet absorbents, dispersants, wetting agents and other agriculturally acceptable substances. Representative drying agents include Microcel E, Aerosil 200 and Hi-Sil ^(R) 233. Representative heat stabilizers include phenylenediamines, phenazine and butylated hydroxytoluene. Representative ultraviolet absorbents include Tinuvin 770, Tinuvin P and dinitroanilines.

The ratio of PMCM compound to surfactant varies widely. Since it is known that the choice of a particular surfactant may affect the phytoactivity of the PMCM compounds used according to the invention, the desired activity of the solid composition should be taken into account when selecting the particular surfactant. The surfactant can be used in any amount as long as the products are completely dissolved or readily dispersed in the diluent prior to application. In view of the cost, the smallest amount of surfactant should be used which still allows the effect of the invention to be achieved, i.e. with which a solid product is obtained which is not substantially hygroscopic. The weight ratio of the PMCM compound to the surfactant is typically in the range of about 10: 1 to about 1: 10. The preferred ratio is from about 4: 1 to about 1: 2. The most preferred ratio is from about 2: 1 to about 1: 1.

Representative examples of the compositions of the present invention include the following. Unless otherwise stated, amounts of the substances are given in% by weight.

69.3% trimethylsulfone salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine 30.7% F-108 (temperature 57 ° C)

100% total

69.3% N-phosphonomethylglycine isopropylammonium salt

30.7% Tetronic 909 (melting point 59 ° C)

100% total

69.3% N-phosphonomethylglycine isopropylammonium salt

30.7% Pluronic 108 (melting point 57 ° C)

100% total

The solid compositions of the invention are characterized in that the PMCM compound forms a homogeneous mixture with a surfactant. Initially, the PMCM compound is dispersed in a surfactant matrix. This homogeneous dispersion is believed to prevent PMCM compounds from absorbing moisture.

The compositions of the invention may be prepared by any suitable method. In a preferred procedure, however, a mixture containing PMCM compound and solvent is first prepared. Preferably, the PMCM compound is dissolved in a solvent. In other embodiments, the PMCM compound is dispersed in a solvent.

In some process variants, the mixture is prepared such that the PMCM compound is formed in situ. For example, according to this variant, N-phosphonomethylglycine can be reacted with the desired base in the presence of water to form an aqueous solution containing the PMCM compound. Solutions of the isopropylammonium salt of N-phosphonomethyl glycine can also be advantageously prepared in this way.

The choice of the solvent used in the process of the invention is not critical, but the solvent must nevertheless meet certain requirements. The solvent must be capable of dissolving or dispersing the desired PMCM compound at the temperature used to form the initial mixture without adversely affecting the phytoactivity of the PMCM compound. The higher the solubility or dispersibility of the PMCM compound in the solvent, the less solvent can be used and the easier the subsequent removal of the solvent.

The boiling point of the solvent under normal pressure is preferably higher than the melting point of the particular surfactant selected. Most importantly, however, the solvent must be removed at a temperature above the melting point of the surfactant. Consequently, if the normal boiling point of the solvent is lower than the melting point of the surfactant, the solvent must be removed at elevated pressure. Preferred solvents include water and polar organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and acetone. Most preferred is water.

The third component of the initial composition is a surfactant. The surfactant may be added to the solvent by conventional technology before or after the addition of the PMCM compound. The surfactant is preferably added in the molten state, although in some embodiments of the methods of the invention the surfactant is first dissolved or dispersed in the solvent and then the temperature is raised above the melting point of the surfactant. The use of the melted surfactant in the preparation of the initial mixture allows mixing and may contribute to reducing the amount of solvent required. In those cases where the melted surfactant itself is capable of dissolving or dispersing the desired PMCM compound, they may be used in place of the solvent.

In order to melt the surfactant, or to keep it in the molten state, the lower limit of the temperature of the initial mixture is the melting point of the surfactant. The upper limit is the temperature at which a particular PMCM compound, surfactant or other additive decomposes. When trialkylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycines are used as PMCM compounds, it is generally carried out at a temperature of from 30 to 110 ° C.

The solvent is then removed from the initial mixture. Any solvent removal technology can be used as long as the working temperature is below the decomposition temperature and above the melting point of the surfactant. Suitable technologies include heating and evacuation and combinations thereof. For example, the final mixture can be simply heated to a temperature sufficient to evaporate the solvent.

The temperature at which the solvent evaporates is a function of its boiling point, absolute pressure, and composition of the mixture. When a reduced pressure is used, the solvent can be removed at lower temperatures. A preferred apparatus for removing the solvent under reduced pressure is an industrial type film evaporator. Since the product residence time in the device is very short, the decomposition that might otherwise occur is minimized.

In the process according to the invention, the removal is most preferably carried out under atmospheric conditions, since in this case it is not necessary to use any special device or special technologies to maintain the vacuum and to remove the resulting solid composition from such a device.

As the solvent is removed at a temperature above the melting point of the surfactant, the surfactant concentration in the mixture increases and a viscous end mixture is formed. After cooling, the final mixture solidified immediately. It is not necessary to remove all of the solvent from the final mixture, it is sufficient to remove enough solvent so that the final mixture solidifies upon cooling. Preferably substantially all of the solvent is removed.

The resulting solid composition may then be formulated into suitable particles such as pellets, flakes, granules or powder. This treatment is carried out by conventional procedures. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the size of the resulting particles will affect the ease of dissolution or dispersion of the end product in the diluent at the site of application. The ease of dissolution or dispersion usually increases as the particle size decreases. In contrast, the ease of handling the end product increases with increasing particle size. The more soluble or dispersible the solid composition is, the larger the particles can be used. In a preferred embodiment, the end product is processed into particles having a particle size range of from about 4 to about 15 microns in diameter to granules with about 8 to 30 mesh diameters or flakes.

The following examples illustrate the preparation of the compositions of the invention by the methods set forth herein. All percentages are by weight unless clearly indicated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

12.5 g of TETRONIC ® 908 surfactant (block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, m.p. 25,000), melting at 70 ° C, are dissolved in a 200 ml round bottom flask at 70 ° C in a Buchi Rotavapor laboratory rotary evaporator. 42.5 g of a 58% aqueous solution of trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine is slowly added to the molten surfactant at ambient temperature while maintaining the elevated temperature. The mixture is slowly heated to 95 ° C under an absolute pressure of 665 Pa under vacuum and the flask is rotated at medium speed to control boiling. After 0.5 hours, substantially all the water was removed and the mixture was allowed to solidify by cooling to room temperature. The solid is removed from the flask with a spatula and crushed under a nitrogen mortar into a powder pan. The powder sample left in the open cup does not melt in absorbed moisture.

Example 2

The composition was prepared according to the method of Example I except that 12.5 g of IGEPAL DM970 surfactant (dinonylphenol ethoxylate, 150 EO, GAF Corp.) was used. A solid is obtained which does not melt in the absorbed moisture by standing in the open air.

Example 3

According to Example I, a composition is prepared except that 15 g ICONOL DNP 150 (dinonylphenol ethoxylate, 150 EO, MW 6 900) is used as a surfactant, m.p. 55 ° C, and 1 g of Hi-Sil ^{w is added.} (PPG sublimed silica), 2 drops of antifoam additive (Silocolapse 5008). Evaporation is carried out at 100 ° C for 0.5 hour at an absolute pressure of 133 Pa. A solid is obtained which does not melt in the free air in the absorbed moisture.

Example 4

The composition was prepared as in Example I, except that 15 g of PLURONIC ^w F-108 (block EO, PO copolymer, MW 14,600) was used as a surfactant, m.p. 56 ° C and the evaporation was carried out 0.5 hours at 95 ° C and 1.3 kPa. The viscous paste obtained solidifies upon cooling to room temperature. It does not dissipate in absorbed moisture while standing in the air.

Example 5

The composition was prepared as described in Example 4 except that a mixture of two surfactants (10 g PLURONIC ^w 17R8 (block EO, PO copolymer, MW 7000) and 5 g TRYCOL ^W 5946, which is an ethoxylated alkylphenol surfactant, was used. from Emery). Evaporation is carried out at 100 ° C for 15 minutes, the absolute pressure at the end of the evaporation being 665 Pa. The viscous paste obtained solidifies upon cooling to room temperature. It does not dissipate in absorbed moisture while standing in the air.

Example 6

By the method of Example I, the formulation was prepared except 15 g PLURONIC ^(R) F-108 (block EO, PO copolymer, MW 14,600, mp 56 ° C, 1 g Hi-Sil ^{(R)) were used. )} (sublimated silica from PPG) and evaporation is carried out for 0.5 hour at 100 ° C, the absolute pressure at the end of the evaporation being 665 Pa. The product obtained solidifies rapidly upon cooling and does not dissolve in the absorbed moisture while standing in air.

Example 7

The composition was prepared as described in Example I, except that 25 g of PLUROFAC A-39 (linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, MW 2,670, from BASF) was used as the surfactant, m.p. 56 ° C and evaporated. is carried out for 0.5 hour at 100 ° C under absolute pressure at the end of the evaporation of 133 Pa. The viscous liquid obtained solidifies upon cooling to room temperature. When standing in air, the product does not melt in absorbed moisture.

Example 8

12.5 g of IGEPAL ^w DM 970 surfactant (150 EO) dinonylphenol from GAF Corp. are melted in a 200 ml round bottom flask at 70 ° C in a Buchi Rotavapor laboratory rotary evaporator. To the melted surfactant is added 47.8 g of an aqueous solution of isopropylamino-N-phosphonomethylglycine (Rodeo from Mansanto) at a concentration of 53% by weight and the mixture is maintained at ambient temperature. Then the mixture is slowly heated to 95 ° C under vacuum (absolute pressure of 665 Pa). The boiling in the flask is controlled by rotating the flask at medium speed. After 0.5 hours, substantially all the water was removed and the mixture was allowed to solidify by cooling to room temperature. The solid was removed from the flask with a spatula and crushed under a nitrogen mortar into a powder pan. The powder sample left in the open cup does not melt in absorbed moisture.

Example 9

The composition is prepared as described in Example 8 except that 12.5 g of PLURONIC 17 R8 surfactant (blocked copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide mh 7000 from BASF, Wy-5 andotte) are used and the evaporation is carried out with 0.5 g. hours at an absolute pressure of 665 Pa. The resulting solid does not dissolve in the absorbed moisture.

Example 10

Twelve additional powders are prepared. All solids are crushed to water-soluble powders. The powders are prepared as follows:

a) Five different surfactants (15 g for each powder are mixed with 1 g of Hi-Sil ^(R) (sublimed silica from BASF) and 42.5 g of a 58% aqueous solution of trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine to process the mixtures as in Example 6. The surfactants used are shown in Table II.

Table II

Powder Business

Manufacturer Temperature Medium Viscosity Composition

No. mark mp molecular at 77‘C rc) hnotnosť (®Pa.a) 1 Pluronic® F-108 BASF 57 14 600 2BC0 block BO, PO kolopynér 2 Tetronic ^ 9Q9 BASF 59 30 OCO 8200 block EO, PO copolymer 3 Pluracol ^ £ 8000 BASF «1 7 500 polyetyLér.glykal 4 PluroíacWA-39 BASF 56 2 600 125 linear alcohol ethoxylate 5 lconol ^ ^R ^ BNP-150 BASF 55 6 900 - ethoxylate

dinonylfenolu

(b) In addition, six powders are prepared using combinations of two Incol DNP-150 surfactants with a melting point of 55 ° C and Trycol 6954 (15EO) nonylphenol ethoxylate) with a melting point of 54 ° C at three different concentrations: 15, 20 and 25 g which are mixed with 42.5 g of a 58% (w / w) trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine solution, as in Example 6. In all cases, dry powders are obtained.

Example 11

As described in Example I, the composition was prepared except that 300 g of PLURONIC F-88 (block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide mh 11 400 from BASF) was used as a surfactant, 574 g of a 58% aqueous solution. trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine, 10 drops of Silcolapse 5008, mixed in a 2 L round bottom flask. The solid obtained does not dissolve in the absorbed moisture.

These active agents according to the invention obtain efficacy after dissolution or dispersion in a suitable diluent, preferably in water, and applied at the desired site by spraying or other conventional means. Conventional auxiliaries such as wetting agents, penetrating agents, spray improvers and thickeners, carriers, extenders and conditioning agents, such as dispersants, may be added to the final solution or dispersion.

The herbicidal activity of the compositions of the invention is illustrated by the following examples. Efficacy is evaluated by comparing the extent of weed control in test vessels treated with PMCM compositions of the invention and in similar control vessels. The soil used in these tests is clayey soil from Livermore (California).

The soil is treated with the addition of fertilizer 17-17-17 (the numbers indicate the weight content of N - P ₂ O ₅ - K ₂ O) in an amount of 50 ppm by weight, based on the soil and the soil fungicide Captan ^(R) .

The treated soil is placed in a 15 cm diameter and 12.7 cm depth plastic drainpipe with drainage holes. The testos are planted with hake sorghum, cut-leaved marsh orchid and chess tuber. The weed plants used have the following scientific names:

scientific name

A. Halle sorghum

B. Marsh marsh orchid

C. Chess

Sarghum halepense Cynodon dactylone Cyperus rotundus

The seed material is used in an amount such that several seedlings are produced in each pot. After planting, the pots were placed in a greenhouse where the temperature was maintained at 21-30 ° C. Water is fed to the pots every day by sprinkling.

About 35 days after seeding, seedlings are sprayed with various PMCM compositions based on trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine. The composition of the funds is shown in Table III. Compositions 2 to 13 are solid compositions made in accordance with the invention. Each formulation was dissolved in 400 mL of water. 40 ml aliquots of these solutions are used for the spray strengths listed in Table III.

Approximately 28 days after spraying, the degree of weed control was evaluated and recorded as a percentage control compared to that of plants of the same species, of the same age, to which no spraying was applied. The classification includes values from 0 to 100%, where 0 means no effect on plant growth compared to untreated control plants and 100 means full killing of weed plants.

The results are shown in Table III.

SK 278212 Β6

Table III

Means Navážka Treatment intensity (kg / ha) Percent Suppression (9J Halle sorghum Cynodon dactylon sedge 1. Herbicide 3.84 0.28 65 65 - Ethaquod 12 1.54 0.58 97 99 55 1.12 - - 93 2. Herbicide 3.84 0,2B 40 15 Pluronic F-108 2.30 0.56 B5 55 45 1.12 - - 93 3. Herbicide 3.84 0.28 25 10 - Tetronic 909 2.30 0.56 80 45 40 1.12 - - 85 4. Herbicide 3, B4 0.28 10 15 - Pluracol EBOOO 2.30 0.56 75 50 35 1.12 - - 80 5. Herbicide 3.84 0,2B 15 25 - Plurafac A-39 2.30 0.56 80 60 25 6. Herbicide 3.84 0,2B 15 15 - Iconol DNP-150 2.30 0.56 70 60 25 1.12 - - 75 7. Herbicide 3.84 0.28 35 20 - Trycol 6954 2.30 0.56 80 70 25 9. Herbicide 3.84 0.28 35 20 Iconol DNP-15C 1 2.66 0.56 75 70 35 1.12 - - 85 9. Herbicide 3.84 0.28 25 35 leanol DNP-15C 1 3.07 0.56 75 70 45 1.12 - - 80 10.Herbicíd 3.64 0.28 25 35 Iconol DNP-15C 13, B4 0.56 75 70 50 1.12 - - 80 11.Herbicíd 3.84 0.28 35 35 - Iconol DNP-15C 1 3,84 0.56 85 80 35 1.12 - 75 12.Herbicíd 3.84 0.28 40 35 Plurafac A-39 3.07 0.56 85 75 35 1.12 - - 68 13.Herbicíd 3.84 0.28 55 40 - Plurafac A-39 3.84 0.56 95 98 35 1.12 - 93 inspection 0 0 0 0 {Untreated) 0 0 0 0

Claims (2)

PATENT CLAIMS A herbicide composition based on the trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine herbicide and auxiliary agents, characterized in that it is solid and substantially non-hygroscopic and comprises a perfect mixture of the above herbicide and a surfactant which is solid at ambient temperature selected from the group of alkylene oxide copolymers _CH3 formula I wherein each of R and R is independently selected from H and a group of formula RCO-, R0-, RCN-, RN <or N <, Wherein each of the free bonds is attached as R or R 'and R is an alkyl group containing 8 to 30 carbon atoms or an alkylphenyl group having an alkyl residue of 8 to 30 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof, m is a number ranging from 20 to 200, n is a number ranging from 0 to 10 and m + n has a value equal to or greater than 25, in a weight ratio of trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine: surfactant ranging from 10: 1 to 1: 10. A process for the preparation of a herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: (a) prepare an initial mixture comprising trimethylsulfonium-N-phosphonomethylglycine herbicide, a solvent and a molten surfactant as defined in claim 1; (b) removing the solvent from the initial mixture at a temperature above the melting point of the surfactant used to form the final mixture; and c) cooling the resulting mixture to a temperature below the melting point of the surfactant used.