WO1993022914A1

WO1993022914A1 - Polyfunctional bicarbonate-containing agrochemical compositions

Info

Publication number: WO1993022914A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/002594
Authority: WO
Inventors: M. Stephen Lajoie; Amy L. Joseph; Keith A. Jones; Anthony E. Winston
Original assignee: Church & Dwight Company, Inc.
Priority date: 1992-05-12
Filing date: 1993-03-25
Publication date: 1993-11-25
Also published as: AU3815993A

Abstract

This invention provides a dry pulverulent composition which is comprised of (1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient such as sodium, potassium or ammonium bicarbonate or mixtures thereof; and (2) an agrochemical ingredient such as a herbicide which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles. The agrochemical ingredient can be a mixture of two or more biologically active organic compounds. The adsorbed agrochemical ingredient also can be in a blend with a water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymer ingredient, and the blend of ingredients can function as a slow-release medium in the presence of moisture.

Description

POLYFUNCTIONAL BICARBONATE-CONTAINING AGROCHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fine chemical sales for agricultural purposes in the United States totalled about 13 billion dollars in 1990. The United States market for organic pesticide intermediates is about 986 million dollars per year, which include chemicals such as nitrites, amines, carboxylic acids, anilines, organophosphorus compounds, mercaptans, phenols, benzenes, alkane/alkenes, pyridines, alcohols and aldehydes.

Agricultural pesticide sales at the producer level in the United States in 1990 were about 5.5 billion dollars. Pesticide sales represent an important segment of the agrochemical industry in the United States and in other world markets, mainly for fungicide, herbicide and insecticide applications. The control of phytopathogenic fungi is of great economic importance since fungal growth on plants or on parts of plants inhibits production of foliage, fruit or seed, and the overall quality of a cultivated crop. There is also a serious worldwide problem of mold growth in food materials, such as grains, animal feeds, animal feed ingredients, and hay. This problem is most serious in tropical zones of both the eastern and western hemispheres, where sustained high humidities cause excessive moisture to be absorbed in such products. Because of the vast economic ramifications of fungal propagation in agricultural and horticultural cultivations, a broad spectrum of fungicidal and fungistatic products have been developed for general and specific applications. With respect to herbicide developments, weed control is essential in the cultivation of important agricultural crops such as corn, peanuts and cotton, and in the cultivation of many horticultural species. Also, the presence of weeds on non-cropped areas can be a fire hazard, or can result in undesirable drifting of sand or snow, or can cause discomfort to persons with allergies. Control of weeds is particularly beneficial when it permits the selective control of such plants without concurrent injury to desirable crops or vegetation. Chemical herbicides are classified according to the type of activity they possess. A given compound may have more than one type of activity depending upon its mode of application and the rate at which it is applied. In addition, herbicides are usually classified as selective or non-selective pre-emergents or post-emergents.

The most effective pre-emergence herbicide is one which is selective in its nature. If the designated compound can kill the seed and germinated seedlings of undesirable plants without harm to the seed and germinated seedlings of the crop, there will not be any problem of overpenetration of the soil by the herbicide. Post-emergence herbicides are applied after the crop and weeds have attained substantial height. In general, if a compound is found to have post-emergence activity it will not be selective. Some herbicides are effective through contact, and others are taken up from the soil by root systems. Herbicide types include defoliants, desiccants, eradicants, systemics and selective herbicides, and related plant growth regulants.

With respect to insecticide developments, a wide variety of ornamental and agricultural plants are susceptible to infestation by insects and arachnids. The pests inflict damage by consuming foliage and roots, withdrawing juices from the plants, secreting toxins, and infecting with diseases.

Field crops which require protection from pests include such valuable crops as soybeans, corn, peanuts, cotton, alfalfa and tobacco. In addition, vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, sugar-beets, carrots, and the like, and nuts, ornamentals, apples, peaches, peas, citrus fruit and grape also require protection from the ravages of such pests.

Insects which are difficult to control include those which inhabit the soil and cause destruction of the root systems of valuable agricultural crops. Corn rootworms are the larvae of several beetle species of the genus Diabrotica. The adult beetles lay their eggs in the soil of a maturing corn crop. The eggs lay dormant in the soil until the following spring, then they hatch in response to favorable soil temperatures and the larvae feed on the roots of young corn plants causing reduction in yield.

A broad scope of insecticide compounds have been developed to combat insects which are harmful to agricultural and horticultural plants. Illustrative of insecticide compositions are those described in United States Patent Numbers 3,217,037;

3,506,698; 3,576,834; 3,636,111; 3,755,364; 3,875,232; 4,028,413; 4,128,581; 4,415,743; 4,640,927; 4,804,653; 4,839,349; 5,010,068; 5,087,456; 5,087,456; 5,096,928, and references cited therein.

Of particular interest with respect to the present invention embodiments are pesticide compositions which contain one or more inorganic bicarbonate or carbonate compounds. It is known that bicarbonate and carbonate compounds exhibit biocidal properties for agricultural purposes.

Phytopathology, 48., 169 (1931) by R. H. Marloth describes studies involving the physiology of fungi. The reference reports studies which demonstrate that sodium and potassium bicarbonate and carbonate salts are toxic to fungi such as Penicillu italicum and Penicillum diqitalum. Japanese patent 56043207 describes a biocidal composition containing sodium bicarbonate and a polyglycerol fatty acid ester. The biocide controls Penicillum diσitatum on oranges, Sphaerotheca fuli enea on cucumbers, Piricularia oryzae on rice, and mosaic virus on tomatoes. Japanese patent 57062208 describes horticultural fungicides in which the addition of sodium bicarbonate to polyoxin or thiophanatemethyl increases the fungicidal activity of the organic biocide against botrvtis cinerea on cucumbers.

There remains a continuing need for the development of new and more effective agrochemical compositions which possess preventive, curative and systemic biological activity for the protection of cultivated plants, with a minimum of phytotoxic side effects.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an agricultural composition which is a combination of inorganic and organic compounds exhibiting pesticidal properties.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dry particulate composition which is a combination of ingredients which include a bicarbonate-containing inorganic ingredient which enhances the biocidal activity of a pesticide ingredient.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the accompanying description and examples. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One or more objects of the present invention are accomplished by the provision of a dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising (1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; and (2) an agrochemical ingredient which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles. The inorganic salt particles can be in the form of a fine dusting powder with an average particle diameter less than about 0.5 micron, and can range up to granular size particles for compositions which are being utilized for application such as soil treatment.

A typical dry pulverulent composition has an average particle size diameter in the range between about 10-200 microns.

The inorganic salt ingredient is selected from compounds which include sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, lithium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate. In a further embodiment, the inorganic salt ingredient can include an additional compound selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium carbonate and ammonium carbonate. Illustrative of inorganic salt ingredients in a formulation are sodium, potassium, lithium or ammonium bicarbonate; or mixtures such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate; sodium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate; potassium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate; sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate; sodium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate; potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate; and the like.

Multiple inorganic salt compounds can be utilized in a broad range of molar quantities relative to each other. The molar quantity of a carbonate salt compound normally is determined by pH control considerations when aqueous formulations are prepared. The content of a carbonate salt compound can be varied to control the pH at a desired level in the range of 7.5-12. Aqueous pesticidal formulations of the present invention tend to have a higher biocidal activity at higher pH values.

The present invention also contemplates a pulverulent formulation which is a dry blend of at least two compositions as defined above. In an invention pulverulent composition, the agrochemical ingredient is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles. The adsorbed phase will be in the form of solid or oil microspecks when the content of agrochemical ingredient is low relative to the available surface area of the inorganic salt ingredient. At a higher content of agrochemical ingredient, the adsorbed phase can be in the form of a continuous or non- continuous film. The content of adsorbed agrochemical ingredient normally will vary in the range between about 0.005-20 weight percent, based on the weight of inorganic salt ingredient. The agrochemical ingredient can be incorporated in an invention composition in combination with an organic film-forming agent, such as polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, mannitol, sorbitol, guar gum, alginic acid, and the like.

The agrochemical ingredient can consist of one or more biologically active organic compounds. Biologically active organic compounds are illustrated by fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers, and the like. An agrochemical fungicide ingredient can be selected from a wide variety of organic compounds or mixtures which are known and used in agriculture and horticulture applications, such as those listed in Agricultural Chemicals, Book IV, Fungicides, 1989 Revision (W. T. Thomson, Thomson Publications, Fresno, California 93791) .

The general categories of fungicidal- active compounds include anilides, dithiocarbamates, halogenated derivatives, heterocyclic nitrogen derivatives, organometallic derivatives, and the like. Illustrative of fungicidal compounds are carbendazim, benomyl, thiophanate-methyl, thiabendazole, fuberidazole, dichlofluanid, cymoxanil, oxadixyl, metalaxyl, furalaxyl, benalaxyl, fenarimol, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin, penconazole, myclobutanil, pyrazophos, ethirimol, ditalimfos, trider orph, triforine, nuarimol, triazbutyl, guazatine, propiconazole, prochloraz, flutriafol, chlortriafol, triadimefon, triadimenol, dichlobutrazol, fenpropi orph, fenpropidin, chlorozolinate, fenfuram, carboxin, oxycarboxin, methfuroxam, dodemorph, blasticidin S, kasugamycin, edifenphos, kitazin P, cycloheximide, phthalide, probenazole, isoprothiolane, tricyclazole, pyroquilan, chlorbenzthiazone, neoasozin, polyoxin D, validamycin A, repronil, flutolanil, pencycuron, diclomezine, phenazin oxide, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, techlofthalam, bupirimate, etaconazole, cypofuram, biloxazol,dimethirimol, fenapanil, pyroxyfur, polyram, maneb, mancozeb, captafol, chlorothalonil, anilazine, thiram, captan, folpet, zineb, propineb, binapactryl, nitrothalisopropyl, dodine, dithianon, fentin hydroxide, fentin acetate, tecnazene, quintozene, dichloran, and the like.

An agrochemical herbicide ingredient can be selected from a wide variety of inorganic chemical structures known and used in pest control applications. Amide herbicides are exemplified by commercial products such as Lasso and Dual, which are effective for pre-emergent or pre-planting applications. Arsenical herbicides include cacodylic acid and the salts of monomethylarsinic acid and di ethylarsinic acid. Cacodylic acid is a defoliating or desiccating contact herbicide. Arsinic acid salts have lower contact toxicity and act through absorption.

Carbamate and thiocarbamate herbicides include Belanal, Betanex, Sutan, Eptam, and similar trademark products. These herbicides usually are applied to the soil and are taken up through the root systems.

Carboxylic acid herbicides are illustrated by commercial products such as Banvel, Garlon and 2,4-D. Various of these herbicides can be applied to the soil or to foliage, and are effective against broad leaf weeds.

Dinitroaniline herbicides include Balan and Treflan commercial products, which are applied to the soil to inhibit root growth and shoot growth, and exhibit low translocation. Heterocyclic nitrogen-containing herbicides are illustrated by Aatrex, Basagran, Sencor and Velpar, which are applied to the soil for pre-emergent control. Organophosphate compounds are useful as plant growth regulators and herbicides. This type of organic biocide structure is illustrated by Bensulide and Betasan. Urea herbicides are nonselective and usually are soil applied. Urea-type commercial products include Lorox and Tupersan.

Quaternary herbicides include commercial products such as Avenge, Diquat and Paraquat, which have utility as contact foliars.

Other commercially available herbicides include Atrazine, Bentazon, Bromacil, Casoron, Chloroamben, Delapon, Diuron, Fluometuron, Glphosate, Linuron, Picloram, Trifluralin, and the like.

The types of weeds which are controlled by herbicide agrochemicals include barnyard grass, green foxtail, wild oats, nightshade, velvetleaf, annual morningglor , yellow nutsedge, pigweed, downy brome, and the like.

An agrochemical insecticide ingredient can be selected from a wide variety of organic chemical structures, such as those listed in Agricultural Chemicals, Book I, Insecticides, 1989 Revision (W. T. Thomson, Thomson Publications, Fresno, California 93791) .

The general categories of insecticidal- active organic compounds include chlorinated hydrocarbon derivatives, phosphorated derivatives, pyrethroids, acylureas, and the like.

The chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides usually act as stomach and contact poisons affecting the nervous system. They are persistent in the environment and tend to accumulate in animal fatty tissue, as exemplified by DDT and chlordane.

The organic phosphates generally are contact and/or stomach poisons. They are less persistent in the environment than the chlorinated hydrocarbons. They are toxic since they generally are cholinesterase inhibitors, which interfere with nerve impulse transmission. Most of these compounds are characterized by relatively low LD₅₀ values, although the value for malathion is 1400. Parathion is one of the best known organic phosphate systemic insecticides, and is considered a dangerous material to handle. The carbamates are similar in action to the organic phosphate insecticides. These insecticides usually are not magnified in the food chain, and are characterized by rapid breakdown. The synthetic pyrethroids react well with synergists and exhibit relatively low mammalian toxicity. Generally they break down rapidly and leave little residue.

Illustrative of other insecticidal compounds are chlorfluazuron, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos methyl, bromophos, diazinon, malathion, trichlorfon, dimethoate, phorate, lindane, toxaphene, diflubenuron, metho yl, propoxur, carbaryl, cyhexatin, cypermethrin, permethrin, fenvalerate, dicofol, tetradifon, propargite, and the like.

An agrochemical plant growth regulator ingredient can be selected from the types of organic chemical structures which are known to exhibit phytohormone activity, such as 3-indolealkanoic acids, deterpenoid acids, cytokinins, chloro- substituted phenoxyacetic acids, naphthaleneacetic acids, and the like.

A plant growth regulator ingredient typically is incorporated in a quantity between about 0.001-5 weight percent, based on the weight of inorganic salt ingredient.

An invention plant growth regulating composition preferably has a content of an organic plant growth stimulant ingredient such as a surfactant. Plant growth regulator compounds include abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, 3-indoleacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-naphthylacetic acid, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, phenyl indole-3-thiolobutyrate, kinetin, zeatin, 6-benzylaminopurine, and the like.

An agrochemical fertilizer ingredient can be selected from nitrogen-containing and phosphorus- containing organic compounds such as urea, melamine, hexamine, benzoquanamine, dicyanodiamide, ammeline, cyanuric acid, melamine nitrate, triethyl phosphite, and the like.

In another embodiment this invention provides a dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising

(1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; (2) an agrochemical ingredient which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles; and (3) a surfactant ingredient.

The surfactant ingredient is a cationic, anionic or nonionic organic compound or a mixture thereof, and the content of the surfactant is in the range between about 1-20 weight percent, based on the weight of water-insoluble ingredients.

Suitable surfactants include cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; sodium lauryl sulfate; sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; ammonium lignosulfonate; condensation products of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols, amines or alkylphenols; partial esters of fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides; and the like.

In another embodiment this invention provides a dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising (1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; (2) an agrochemical ingredient which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles; and (3) a compatibility enhancing ingredient selected from water-soluble organic compounds which are in solid form at a temperature below about 10^βC. The content of compatibility enhancing ingredient can be in the range between about 0.5-20 weight percent, based on the weight of ingredients.

The term "water-soluble" as employed herein refers to an organic compound which has a solubility of at least about one gram per 100 grams of water at 25°C.

Suitable compatibility enhancing organic compounds include acetamide, acetylurea, alanine, aminoquanidine, aminopyridine, arabinose, citrate salt, cyclohexanol, dihydroxyacetone, dihydroxybenzene, dimethylurea ethanolamine, ethyl alaninate, ethylglycine, ethylurea, ethylenedisulfonate salt, ethyleneurea. par formaldehyde, fucose, glutamate salt, glycerol, glycerol nitrate, glycerol phosphate salt, glycogen, glycolic aldehyde, glyoxal, guanidine, hexamine, mannitol, fructose, glucose, hydroxyurea, lactate salt, lactose, lysine, maleic amide, malonate salt, maltose, maltodextrin, methoxypyridine, methyl acetate, methyl carba ate, methyl ethyl sulfone, methyl glucoside, methylhydantoin, methylinositol, ethylthiourea, methyluracil, methylurea, muconate salt, nitropentanediol, nitrourethane, pentaglycerol, phenylenediamine, polydextrose, propionamide, propyl carbamate, propylurea, purine, ribose, semicarbazide, sorbate salt, succinimide, sucrose, tartarate salt, tetrahydrobenzoate salt, tetrahydroquinoline, thiourea, threonine, triaminobenzene, triethylphosphine oxide, triethylenetetramine, urea, xylose, xylylene glycol, and the like.

In another embodiment this invention provides a dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising (1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; (2) an agrochemical ingredient which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles; and (3) a particulated inert diluent. The inert diluent is a water-insoluble inorganic carrier, which is incorporated in a quantity between about 0.1-5 parts per part of the composition ingredients. Illustrative of inert diluents are bentonite, calcium carbonate, magnesia, gypsum, kieselguhr, diatomaceous earth, and the like. Granules or larger particles can be formed by pelleting an invention pulverulent composition in admixture with a powdered inert diluent.

In another embodiment this invention provides a slow-release pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising (1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; and (2) a blend ingredient comprising (a) an agrochemical compound, and (b) a water- soluble or water-dispersible organic polymer; wherein the blend ingredient is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles, and the blend ingredient functions as a slow-release medium in the presence of moisture.

The organic polymer in the blend ingredient typically will be present in a quantity between about 1-10 parts by weight per part of agrochemical compound.

The rate of agrochemical compound release can be controlled by the quantity and type of organic polymer component in the blend ingredient.

Low molecular weight hydrophilic polymers will release agrochemical at a relatively fast rate. High molecular weight polymers which are less hydrophilic will release at a relatively slow rate. Additional rate control is obtained by employing mixtures of polymer components of varied hydrophilicit . Polyethylene glycol (M.W. of 4000) or polyvinyl alcohol will release agrochemical at a relatively fast rate. Polyethylene oxide (M.W. of 4,000,000) or partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate will release at a relatively slow rate. Polyvinylpyrrolidone will release agrochemical at an immediate rate.

In a further embodiment this invention provides a process for preparing a dry pulverulent composition which comprises (1) forming an organic solvent solution of an agrochemical ingredient, (2) admixing the solution with a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates to form a two-phase suspension medium; and (3) removing the organic solvent from the suspension medium to provide particulated inorganic salt ingredient having agrochemical ingredient adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles.

The organic solvent is selected from one or more of liquid media in which the agrochemical ingredient is soluble, and in which the inorganic salt ingredient has little or no solubility. Typical organic solvents include methanol, ethanol, methoxyethanol, diethyl ether, dioxane, acetone, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, hexane, benzene, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, nitromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, and the like. The admixing of the step(l) solvent solution and the inorganic salt ingredient can be accomplished at room temperature with appropriate stirring. The step(l) solvent solution additionally can contain a water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymer ingredient.

The organic solvent can be removed by conventional means such as vacuum distillation.

Optionally, an anti-caking or free-flow aid can be included as an additive in the final pulverulent composition. Useful additives include mannitol, sorbitol, phosphorus pentoxide, calcium sulfate, barium oxide, calcium chloride, and the like. As described hereinabove, an invention dry pulverulent composition can be in the form of dusting powders, granules or pellets, and can be utilized as such for pest control or plant growth regulation or fertilization applications. An invention dry pulverulent composition also can function as a dispersible powder when it contains a surfactant ingredient which facilitates dispersion of the powder in an aqueous medium. A present invention dry pulverulent composition has a unique combination of properties, and provides versatility and advantage in a broad range of agricultural and horticultural applications.

Each of the bicarbonate and carbonate components either singly or together in the inorganic salt ingredient exhibits fungicidal activity when an invention composition is applied in solid form or as an aqueous medium in agricultural pest control applications.

The physical combination of the inorganic salt ingredient and adsorbed agrochemical ingredient prevents any settling or inhomogeneous separation of the ingredients in a dry pulverulent composition.

The adsorbed state of the agrochemical ingredient contributes stability to the ingredient under variable conditions of temperature and atmosphere during storage. The molecular interface of inorganic salt ingredient and agrochemical ingredient under field application conditions permits an optimized enhancement of agrochemical efficacy. Less agrochemical ingredient can be utilized to achieve a prescribed degree of pest control or plant growth regulation.

The relative quantities of inorganic salt and agrochemical ingredients can be controlled with precision. Administration of parts per million of one or more agrochemicals can be accomplished with ease and efficiency, and phytotoxic side effects can be minimized.

As a further advantage, two or more invention pulverulent compositions can be blended to provide formulations with precise quantities of two or more agrochemicals for polyfunctional activities in agricultural applications.

The following examples are further illustrative of the present invention. The components and specific ingredients are presented as being typical, and various modifications can be derived in view of the foregoing disclosure within the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE I This Example illustrates a process for the preparation of a pulverulent agrochemical composition in accordance with the present invention.

Benomyl (10 g) is dissolved in 150 ml of ethanol. KHC0₃ (300 mesh, 100 g) is suspended in the ethanol solution with stirring.

The ethanol solvent is removed by evaporation under vacuum. A dry free-flowing powder is obtained, in which the solid Benomyl is adsorbed as microcrystals on the surface of the KHC0₃ particles.

Both the KHCO_j and Benomyl exhibit fungicidal activity in agricultural pest control applications, when utilized in solid form, or as a suspension in an aqueous medium. The fungicidal efficacy of the Benomyl is enhanced by the presence of the KHC0₃ ingredient.

EXAMPLE II This Example illustrates the preparation of a fungicide dusting powder in accordance with the present invention. The following ingredients are provided in the indicated proportions:

Following the procedure of Example I, the triphenyltin acetate is dissolved in 75 ml of diethyl ether, and the NaHC0₃ and KHC0₃ salts are suspended in the solvent solution with stirring.

The solvent is removed by evaporation under vacuum.

The resultant dry powder is blended with the talc and milled to a dry pulverulent composition having a particle size less than 0.5 micron.

EXAMPLE III This Example illustrates the preparation of a dinitroaniline-containing herbicide composition in the form of a wettable powder formulation. The following ingredients are provided in the indicated proportions:

Following the procedure of Example I, the NaHC0₃ and K₂C0₃ salts in particle form are suspended in a benzene solution of the benfluralin ingredient. The benzene is removed to provide a dry free-flowing powder in which microcrystals of benfluralin are adsorbed on the surfaces of the inorganic salt particles. The prepared powder is blended with the sodium lignosulfonate and kaolin ingredients, and the blend is suspended in water to provide an aqueous formulation which contains about six pounds of benfluoralin per 500 gallons of water. The aqueous formulation is applied in a quantity providing two pounds of benfluralin per acre of turf grass for the control of crabgrass. EXAMPLE IV

This Example illustrates the preparation of an acylurea-containing agricultural insecticide composition in the form of a wettable powder formulation.

The following ingredients are provided in the indicated proportions:

Following the procedure of Example I, the NaHC0₃ and K₂C0₃ salts are suspended in a tetrahydrofuran solution of the diflubenzuron ingredient. After the solvent is removed, a dry free-flowing powder is recovered in which microcrystals of diflubenzuron are adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles.

The prepared powder is blended with the sodium lignosulfonate and kaolin ingredients, and the blend is dispersed in water (20% by weight solids) to form a stock medium. Aliquots of the aqueous formulation are diluted with water to 50, 100 and 500 ppm of diflubenzuron respectively, and tested for insecticidal activity. The formulation is effective for 100 percent control of southern corn rootwood fDiabrotica undecimpunctate) larvae and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) larvae. A synergistic insecticidal effect is noted for a formulation containing NaHC0₃/K₂C0₃ in comparison with a formulation which does not contain NaHC0₃/K₂C0₃. Less diflubenzuron ingredient can be utilized for 100 percent control of larvae with a formulation containing NaHC0₃/K₂C0₃.

EXAMPLE V This Example illustrates the preparation of fungicide composition tablets which rapidly disintegrate and disperse in water.

polyethylene glycol

(M.W. 4000) 10 sodium lignosulfonate 2

Following the procedure of Example I, the NaHC0₃ salt is suspended in a dioxane solution of the Captan and polyethylene glycol ingredients. The solvent is removed, and the resultant powder has a film of Captan/polyethylene glycol adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles.

The prepared powder is blended with the citric acid, Lomar PWA 10 and sodium lignosulfonate ingredients, and the blend is formed into tablets which disintegrate and disperse in water within about six minutes at 25°C.

^<1) sodium salt of alkylarylsulfonate condensation product (Jacques Wolf & Co.) EXAMPLE VI This Example illustrates the effectiveness of a pre-emergence herbicide in accordance with the present invention.

Parts hexazinone (Velpar) 150

NH₄HC0₃ 100 κ₂co₃ 100 sorbitol 20 ethoxylated sorbitan monolaurate 30 water 120

Following the procedure of Example I, the NH₄HC0₃ and K₂C0₃ salts are suspended in an ethanol solution of the hexazinone and sorbitol ingredients. The solvent is removed, and the resultant dry powder has a film of hexazinone/sorbitol adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles.

The prepared powder is blended with the ethoxylated sorbitan monolaurate ingredient, and the blend is suspended in water to form an aqueous emulsion.

The emulsion formulation is diluted with water to 250 ppm of herbicide ingredient. The diluted formulation is tested at the rate of

10 pounds per acre of herbicide ingredient, by drenching the formulation onto soil disposed in 4.5 inch plastic pots which contain respectively weed seeds of velvet leaf, jimsonweed, tall morningglory, switchgrass, barnyard grass, and green foxtail.

The percent control of each weed type is determined two weeks after treatment in comparison with untreated controls. The results indicate essentially 100 percent control of each weed type germination.

EXAMPLE VII This Example illustrates the preparation of an acaricide-fertilizer composition for application to cultivated fields.

Following the procedure of Example I, the KHC0₃ salt is suspended in a benzene solution of the benzene solution of the tetradifon ingredient. The solvent is removed, and a powder is obtained which has microcrystals of tetradifon adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles.

The prepared powder is blended with the melamine, urea and potassium glycerol phosphate ingredients. Granules are prepared by tumbling the blend, spraying added water to form tacky solids, and then drying the granulated product.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising

(1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; and (2) an agrochemical ingredient which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles.

2. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the average particle size diameter of the inorganic salt ingredient is in the range between about 10-200 microns.

3. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of inorganic salt ingredient comprises sodium bicarbonate.

4. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of inorganic salt ingredient comprises potassium bicarbonate.

5. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of inorganic salt ingredient comprises ammonium bicarbonate.

6. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of inorganic salt ingredient comprises sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate.

7. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of inorganic salt ingredient comprises sodium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate.

8. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of inorganic salt ingredient comprises potassium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate.

9. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of inorganic salt ingredient comprises sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate.

10. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the inorganic salt ingredient includes at least one compound selected from alkali metal and ammonium carbonates.

11. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the agrochemical ingredient comprises a fungicide.

12. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the agrochemical ingredient comprises a herbicide.

13. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the agrochemical ingredient comprises an insecticide.

14. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the agrochemical ingredient comprises a plant growth regulator.

15. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the agrochemical ingredient comprises a fertilizer.

16. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the agrochemical ingredient comprises at least two biologically active organic compounds.

17. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the agrochemical ingredient is in combination with an organic film-forming agent.

18. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the content of agrochemical ingredient is in the range between about 0.005-20 weight percent, based on the weight of inorganic salt ingredient.

19. A pulverulent formulation which is a dry blend of at least two compositions in accordance with claim 1.

20. A dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising

21. A composition in accordance with claim 20 wherein the surfactant ingredient is a cationic, anionic or nonionic organic compound or a mixture thereof and the quantity of the surfactant is in the range between about 1-20 weight percent, based on the weight of water-insoluble ingredients.

22. A dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising

(1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; (2) an agrochemical ingredient which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles; and (3) a compatibility enhancing ingredient selected from water-soluble organic compounds which are in solid form at a temperature below about 10°C.

23. A composition in accordance with claim 22 wherein the compatibility enhancing ingredient is a monohydroxy or polyhydroxy compound, and the quantity of compatibility enhancing ingredient is in the range between about 0.5-20 weight percent, based on the weight of ingredients.

24. A dry pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising

(1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; (2) an agrochemical ingredient which is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles; and (3) a particulated inert diluent.

25. A composition in accordance with claim 24 wherein the inert diluent is a water- insoluble inorganic carrier, and the quantity of the inert diluent is in the range between about 0.1-5 parts by weight per part of the ingredients.

26. A slow-release pulverulent composition which has a combination of ingredients comprising (1) a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates; and (2) a blend ingredient comprising (a) an agrochemical compound, and (b) a water- soluble or water-dispersible organic polymer; wherein the blend ingredient is adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles, and the blend ingredient functions as a slow-release medium in the presence of moisture.

27. A composition in accordance with claim 26 wherein the organic polymer in the blend ingredient is a polyhydroxy or polyoxyalkylene polymer.

28. A process for preparing a dry pulverulent composition which comprises (1) forming an organic solvent solution of an agrochemical ingredient, (2) admixing the solution with a particulated inorganic salt ingredient selected from alkali metal and ammonium bicarbonates to form a two-phase suspension medium; and (3) removing the organic solvent from the suspension medium to provide particulated inorganic salt ingredient having agrochemical ingredient adsorbed on the surface of the inorganic salt particles.

29. A process in accordance with claim 28 wherein the average particle size diameter of the inorganic salt ingredient is in the range between about 10-200 microns.

30. A process in accordance with claim 28 wherein the agrochemical ingredient is a fungicide.

31. A process in accordance with claim 28 wherein the agrochemical ingredient is a herbicide.

32. A process in accordance with claim 28 wherein the agrochemical ingredient is an insecticide.

33. A process in accordance with claim 28 wherein the agrochemical ingredient is a plant growth regulator.

34. A process in accordance with claim 28 wherein the agrochemical ingredient is a fertilizer.

35. A process in accordance with claim 28 wherein the step(l) solution additionally contains a water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymer ingredient.