WO2024083834A1 - A method of controlling weeds - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method of controlling weeds by applying an herbicidally effective amount of diflufenican to a plant or a locus or a plant propagation material thereof, to control weeds, wherein the effective amount of diflufenican is in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha. It also discloses a method of reducing phytotoxicity in crops by applying an herbicidally effective amount of diflufenican to a plant or a locus or a plant propagation material thereof, to reduce the phytotoxic action, wherein the effective amount of diflufenican is in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha.

Description

A METHOD OF CONTROLLING WEEDS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of controlling weeds and reducing phytotoxicity in crops. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of controlling herbicideresistant weeds by application of diflufenican.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weeds are undesirable plants that are detrimental to agriculture and significantly affect crop growth as well as yields. Herbicides are generally used to control weed infestation. However, rampant use of such chemicals, especially when used alone and not in combination with one or more other herbicides, leads to development of weeds that are resistant to herbicides. Further, application of herbicides may in certain cases also lead to phytotoxicity causing adverse reactions in crop plants that may affect physiology and metabolism of the plant and may also render it unfit for human consumption. Also, use of said chemical herbicides at high dosage leads to various environmental problems such as soil and water pollution; persistence of chemicals in the environment; toxicity to aquatic and soil organisms, birds, mammals etc.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to continually develop newer methods to provide for efficient control of weeds while simultaneously reducing the phytotoxicity to crops as well as the harmful effects on the environment. Diflufenican or N-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-[3- (trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]pyridine-3 -carboxamide is a pyridine carboxamide having the following structure:

Diflufenican is a selective herbicide that acts as a phytoene desaturase inhibitor and is used for specifically controlling broad leaved weeds such as Stellaria media (Chickweed), Veronica spp (Speedwell), Viola spp, Geranium spp (Cranesbill) and Laminum spp (Dead nettles). It is approved for use on a variety of crops such as barley, durum wheat, rye, triticale, wheat etc. It maybe used alone, or in combination with other herbicides/ weedicides such as pendimethalin, mecoprop-P, chlorotoluron, bromoxynil and ioxynil sodium, flufenacet, flurtamone, iodosulfuron Methyl sodium, glyphosate, oxadiazon, isoproturon, mcpa, mesosulfuron-methyl etc. to obtain effective control of a wide variety of herbicide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant weeds. Further, owing to its different mode of action, it can provide for a promising strategy to control weeds in a wide variety of crops and also reduces phytotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling weeds.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling herbicide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant weeds.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method that effectively controls the herbicide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant weeds by pre-emergence or post-emergence application of Diflufenican. It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a method of reducing phytotoxicity in crops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of controlling weeds and reducing phytotoxicity in crops using diflufenican.

In an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling weeds by applying diflufenican in an amount from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha to a plant or a locus or a plant propagation material thereof.

In an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of reducing phytotoxicity in a crop by applying diflufenican in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha to a plant or a locus or a plant propagation material thereof.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the diflufenican is applied at the pre-emergence stage of the weed or crop.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the diflufenican is applied at the post-emergence stage of the weed or crop.

In an embodiment, the method of controlling weeds comprises application of diflufenican in combination with at least one herbicide selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides. In another embodiment, the method of controlling weeds comprises application of diflufenican in combination with at least two additional herbicides selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N- phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

In yet another embodiment, the method of reducing phytotoxicity in a crop comprises application of diflufenican in combination with at least one additional herbicide selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

In yet another embodiment, the method of reducing phytotoxicity in a crop comprises application of diflufenican at a low dosage.

In yet another embodiment, the method of reducing phytotoxicity in a crop comprises application of diflufenican at pre-emergent stage or post-emergent stage of weeds or crops.

In another embodiment, the method of reducing phytotoxicity in a crop comprises application of diflufenican in combination with at least two herbicides selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N- phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the weight ratio of diflufenican and at least another herbicide ranges from 1:100 to 100:1.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the weight ratio of diflufenican and at least two other herbicides ranges from 1 : 100: 100 to 100: 1 : 1.

In accordance with an embodiment, the method of the present invention can be used to control weeds in the crops of rice, wheat, corn, cotton, soybean and pasture grass (Urochloa sp.). In accordance with yet another embodiment, the method of the present invention can be used to control a wide variety of herbicide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant weeds such as Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus hybridus, Borreria verticillata, Eleusine indica, Digitaria insularis, Sporobulus indicus, Ipomoea grandiflora, Commelina benghalensis, Sida rhombifolia, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Richardia brasiliensis, Cenchrus echinatus, Paspalum virgatum, Melinis repens, Sorghum halepense, conyza spp. and Cyperus iria.

In an embodiment, the method of controlling weeds comprises application of diflufenican in an amount in the range from 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha.

In an embodiment, the method of controlling weeds comprises application of diflufenican in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha at pre-emergence stage. In an embodiment, the method of controlling weeds comprises application of diflufenican in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha at post-emergence stage.

In an embodiment, the method of reducing phytotoxicity in crops comprises application of diflufenican in an amount in the range from 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Discussed below are some representative embodiments of the present invention. The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative methods. An illustrative example is described in this section in connection with the embodiments and methods provided.

It is to be noted that, as used in the specification, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing “a herbicide” includes a mixture of two or more herbicides. It should also be noted that the term "‘or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

The term ‘herbicide’ as used herein denotes a compound which controls or modifies the growth of plants. The term ‘herbicidally effective amount’ indicates the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds which is capable of producing or controlling or modifying effect on the growth of plants. Controlling effects include all deviation from natural development, for example: killing, retardation, leaf burn, albinism, dwarfing etc.

The terms “plants” and “vegetation” include, but are not limited to, germinant seeds, emerging seedlings, plants emerging from vegetative propagules, and established vegetation. The term “weed” refers to and includes any plant which grows where it is not wanted, including pesticide resistant plants.

The terms “g a.i./ha” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” applied “per hectare” of the crop field.

As used herein, the term ‘pre-emergence’ refers to the time point before seedlings emerge from the ground. When a herbicide is applied at pre-emergence stage, it prevents establishment of the germinated weed seedlings.

As used herein, the term ‘post-emergence’ refers to the time point after seedlings emerge from the ground. When a herbicide is applied at post-emergence stage, it inhibits growth of the germinated weed seedlings. The term “locus” as used herein shall denote the vicinity of a desired crop in which weed control, typically selective weed control is desired. The locus includes the vicinity of desired crop plants wherein the weed infestation has either emerged or is yet to emerge. The term crop shall include a multitude of desired crop plants or an individual crop plant growing at a locus.

As used herein, the term ‘phytotoxicity’ refers to any adverse effect or reaction on plant growth, physiology, or metabolism caused by any chemical substance, fertilizer, herbicide, heavy metal etc.

As used herein, the terms formulation and composition may be used interchangeably and refer to a mixture of two or more compounds, elements, molecules, etc. In some aspects, the terms formulation and composition may be used to refer to a mixture of one or more active ingredients with a carrier or other excipients.

The present invention, in all its aspects, is described in detail as follows:

Diflufenican or 2 4'-difhioro-2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]pyridine-3-carboxanilide is a selective phenyl ether herbicide. It has surprisingly been found by the present inventors that a range of weeds can be completely controlled by the application of diflufenican at a surprisingly lower dosage, in an amount less than 300 g a.i./ha. Use of such lower dosage of herbicide is advantageous as it not only helps in reducing phytotoxicity in crops but also helps to minimize other drawbacks associated with the use of high doses of herbicides such as persistence in soil and toxicity to soil organisms, insects, and birds.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling weeds is disclosed, said method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds comprising applying diflufenican in an amount from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha to a plant or a locus or a plant propagation material thereof.

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 200 g a.i./ha.

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to or about 100 g a.i./ha.

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to or about 50 g a.i./ha.

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to or about 25 g a.i./ha.

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to or about 15 g a.i./ha.

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to or about 10 g a.i./ha.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, target weeds include but are not limited to Alopecurus myosuroides (blackgrass, ALOMY), Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth, AMAPA), Amaranthus viridis (slender amaranth, AMA VI), Amaranthus hybridus, Avena fatua (wild oat, AVEFA), Brachiaria decumbens, Urochloa decumbens (Stapf), Brachiaria brizantha, Urochloa brizantha, Brachiaria platyphylla (Groseb.) Nash, Urochloa platyphylla (broadleaf signalgrass, BRAPP), Brachiaria plantaginea, Urochloa plantaginea (alexandergrass, BRAPL), Cenchrus echinatus (southern sandbar, CENEC), Digitaria horizontalis Willd. (Jamaican crabgrass, DIGHO), Digitaria insularis (sourgrass, TRCIN), Digitaria sanguinalis (large crabgrass, DIGSA), Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyardgrass, ECHCG), Echinochloa colonum (junglerice, ECHCO), Eleusine indica Gaertn. (goosegrass, ELEIN), Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Italian ryegrass, LOLMU), Panicum dichlotomiflorum Michx. (fall panicum, PANDI), Panicurn miliaceum L. (wild-proso millet, PANMI), Sesbania exaltata (hemp sesbania, SEBEX), Setaria faberi Herrm. (giant foxtail, SETFA), Setaria viridis (green foxtail, SETVI), Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass, SORHA), Sorghum bicolor, Moench ssp., Arundinaceum (shattercane, SORVU), Cyperus esculentus (yellow nutsedge, CYPES), Cyperus rotundus (purple nutsedge, CYPRO), Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf, ABUTH), Amaranthus species (pigweeds and amaranths, AMASS), Ambrosia artemislifolia L. (common ragweed, AMBEL), Ambrosia psilostachya DC. (western ragweed, AMBPS), Ambrosia trifida (giant ragweed, AMBTR), Arioda aristata (spurred anoda, ANVCR), Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed, ASCSY), Bidens pilosa (hairy beggarticks, BIDPI), Borreria species (BOISS), Borreria alata, , Borreria verticillate, Spermacoce alata Aubl., Spermacoce latifolia (broadleaf buttonweed, BOILF), Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters, CHEAL), Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle, CIRAR), Commelina benghalensis (tropical spiderwort, COMBE), Datura stramonium (jimsonweed, DATST), Daucus carota (wild carrot, DAUCA), Euphorbia heterophylla (wild poinsettia, EPHHL), Euphorbia hirta, Chamaesyce hirta (garden spurge, EPHHI), Euphorbia dentata Michx. (toothed spurge, EPHDE), Erigeron bonariensis, Conyza bonariensis (hairy fleabane, ERIBO), Erigeron canadensis, Conyza canaderisis (horseweed, ERICA), Conyza sumatrensis (tall fleabane, ERIFL), Helianthus annuus (common sunflower, HELAN), Jacquemontia tamnifolia (smallflower morningglory, IAQTA), Ipomoea hederacea (ivyleaf morningglory, IPOHE), Ipomoea lacunosa (white momingglory, IPOLA), Ipomoea grandiflora (IPOGF), Lactuca serriola (prickly lettuce, LACSE), Portulaca oleracoa (common purslane, POROL), Richardia species (pusley, RCHSS), Richardia brasiliensis (Brazilian calla lily, RCHBR), Salsola tragus (Russian thistle, SASKR), Sida species (sida, SIDSS), Sida spinosa (prickly sida, SIDSP), Sida Rhombifolia (Arrowleaf sida, SIFRH), Sinapis arvensis (wild mustard, SINAR), Solanum ptychanthum (eastern black nightshade, SOLPT), Tridax procumbens (coat buttons, TRQPR), Xanthium strumarium (common cocklebur, XANST).

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds by applying diflufenican in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 300 g a.i./ha wherein weeds are selected from Amaranthus genus, Borreria genus, Eleusine genus, Digitaria genus, Sporobulus genus, Ipomoea genus, Commelina genus, Sida genus, Ambrosia genus, Richardia genus, Cenchrus genus, Paspalum genus, Melinis genus, Sorghum genus, conyza genus or Cyperus genus.

In another embodiment, the target weeds include but are not limited to Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus hybridus, Borreria verticillata, Eleusine indica, Digitaria insularis, Sporobulus indicus, Ipomoea grandiflora, Commelina benghalensis, Sida rhombifolia, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Richardia brasiliensis, Cenchrus echinatus, Paspalum virgatum, Melinis repens, Sorghum halepense, conyza spp. and Cyperus iria.

In another embodiment, the target weeds include but are not limited to Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus hybridus, Borreria verticillata, Eleusine indica, Digitaria insularis, Sporobulus indicus, Sida rhombifolia, Richardia brasiliensis, Paspalum virgatum, Melinis repens, and Cyperus iria.

In an embodiment, a method of reducing phytotoxicity in crops is disclosed, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha.

In an embodiment, the crops are selected from corn, rice, soybean, cotton, and wheat. In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 200 g a.i./ha..

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 100 g a.i./ha..

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 50 g a.i./ha..

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 25 g a.i./ha..

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 15 g a.i./ha..

In another embodiment, the method comprises application of diflufenican to a locus in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 10 g a.i./ha..

In an embodiment, diflufenican is applied at pre-emergence stage or post-emergence stage of weeds or crops.

In an embodiment, diflufenican is applied at pre-emergence stage of the weeds or crops.

In an embodiment, diflufenican is applied at post-emergence stage of the weeds or crops.

In an embodiment, diflufenican is applied at pre-emergence and/or post-emergence stage stage of the weeds or crops.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling weeds comprising application of diflufenican in combination with at least one herbicide selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling weeds comprising application of diflufenican in combination with at least two herbicides selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides .

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reducing phytotoxicity in crops comprising application of diflufenican in combination with at least one herbicide selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reducing phytotoxicity in crops, the method comprising application of diflufenican in combination with at least two herbicides selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides .

In an embodiment, the dinitroaniline class of herbicides are selected from benfluralin, butralin, chlomidine, dinitramine, dipropalin, ethalfluralin, fluchloralin, isopropalin, methalpropalin, nitralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, profluralin, prosulfalin, and trifluralin.

In a preferred embodiment, the dinitroaniline class of herbicide is pendimethalin or oryzalin.

In an embodiment, the chloroacetamide class of herbicide is selected from acetochlor, alachlor, allidochlor, amidochlor, butachlor, butenachlor, 2-chloro-N,N-diethylacetamide (CDEA), delachlor, diethatyl, dimethachlor, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, ethachlor, ethaprochlor, metazachlor, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, pethoxamid, pretilachlor, propachlor, propisochlor, prynachlor, terbuchlor, thenylchlor, or xylachlor.

In a preferred embodiment, the chloracetamide class herbicide is s-metolachlor. In a preferred embodiment, the chloracetamide class herbicide is metolachlor.

In an embodiment, isoxazolidinone class herbicides are selected from bixlozone or clomazone.

In a preferred embodiment, the isoxazolidinone class herbicide is clomazone.

In an embodiment, isoxazoline class herbicides are selected from fenoxasulfone or pyroxasulfone.

In a preferred embodiment, isoxazoline class herbicide is pyroxasulfone.

In an embodiment, n-phenyltriazolinone class herbicides are selected from azafenidin, bencarbazone, carfentrazone, or sulfentrazone.

In a preferred embodiment, the n-phenyltriazolinone class herbicide is sulfentrazone.

In an embodiment, imidazolinone class herbicides are selected from imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, or imazethapyr.

In a preferred embodiment, imidazolinone class herbicide is imazethapyr.

In an embodiment, triazolopyrimidine class herbicides are selected from cloransulam, diclosulam, florasulam, flumetsulam, metosulam, penoxsulam, or pyroxsulam.

In a preferred embodiment, triazolopyrimidine class herbicide is diclosulam.

In an embodiment, N-phenylimide class herbicides are selected from benzfendizone, butafenacil, chlorphthalim, cinidon-ethyl, epyrifenacil, flufenoximacil, flufenpyr, flumiclorac, flumioxazin, flumipropyn, flupropacil, fluthiacet, pentoxazone, profluazol, safhifenacil, thidiazimin, tiafenacil, or trifludimoxazin.

In a preferred embodiment, N-phenylimide class herbicide is flumioxazin. In an embodiment, phenylurea herbicides are selected from anisuron, buturon, chlorbromuron, chloreturon, chlorotoluron, chloroxuron, daimuron, difenoxuron, dimefuron, diuron, fenuron, fluometuron, fluothiuron, isoproturon, karbutilate, linuron, methyldymron, metobenzuron, metobromuron, metoxuron, monolinuron, monuron, neburon, parafluron, phenobenzuron, siduron, tetrafluron, thidiazuron, or trimefluor.

In an embodiment, phenylurea herbicide is chlorotoluron.

In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a combination of diflufenican with at least one additional herbicide selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N- phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

According to an embodiment, the present invention may additionally be combined with other herbicides. The present invention may be premixed, tank mixed, formulated or applied in tandem with the said additional herbicides. They may be co-applied at the same time or applied simultaneously to form a mixture at the site of application. They may be applied sequentially, immediately or with a gap of a suitable period to bring in the desired effects. Examples of the additional herbicides or weedicides include Inhibitors of Photosynthesis at PS II, Inhibitors of Acetolactate Synthase, Inhibitors of Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase, Inhibitors of Glutamine Synthetase, Inhibitors of Homogentisate Solanesyltransferase, Inhibitors of Acetyl CoA Carboxylase, Inhibitors of Very Long-Chain Fatty Acid Synthesis, Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Thioesterase, PS 1 Electron Diversion, Inhibitors of Hydroxyphenyl Pyruvate Dioxygenase, Inhibitors of Phytoene Desaturase, Inhibitors of Deoxy-D-Xyulose Phosphate Synthase, Inhibitors of Solanesyl Diphosphate Synthase, Inhibitors of Lycopene Cyclase, Inhibitors of Cellulose Synthesis, Inhibitors of Serine Threonine Protein Phosphatase, Inhibitors of Dihydropteroate Synthase, Inhibitors of Enolpyruvyl Shikimate Phosphate Synthase, Inhibitors of Microtubule Assembly, Inhibitors of Microtubule Assembly, Auxin Mimics, Uncouplers, Auxin Transport Inhibitors. Specific examples include 2,4-D, acetochlor, aclonifen, amicarbazone, 4-aminopieolinic acid based herbicides, such as halauxifen, halauxifen-methyl, 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-5 fluoropyridine -2-carboxylic acid or an agriculturally acceptable ester or salt thereof.

In another embodiment the additional herbicide can be selected from amidosulfuron, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, aminotriazole, ammonium thiocyanate, anilofos, asulam, azimsulfnron, atrazine, beflubutamid, benazolin, benfuresate, bensulfuron-methyl, bentazon- sodium, benzofenap, bifenox, bispyribacsodium, bromobutide, bromacil, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, butralin, butroxydim, carbetamide, cafenstrole, carfentrazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlormequat, clopyralid, chlorsulfuron, chlortoluron, cinidon-ethyl, clethodim, clodinafop-propargyl, clomeprop, clomazone, cloransulam-methyl, cyanazine, cyclopyrimorate, cyclosulfamuron, cycloxydim, cyhalofop-butyl, daimuron, dicamba, dichlobenil, dichlorprop-P, diclofop-methyl, diclosulam, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, dimefuron, dimethachlor, diquat, diuron, 5-ethyl dipropylcarbamothioate (EPTC), esprocarb, ethoxysulfuron, etobenzanid, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxapropethyl+isoxadifen- ethyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fenoxasulfone, fenquinotrione, fentrazamide, flazasulfuron, florasulam, fluazifop, fluazifop-P -butyl, flucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, flucetosulfuron (LGC-42153), flufenacet, flumetsulam, flumioxazin, flupyrsulfuron, flurochloridone, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr-meptyl, flurtamone, glufosinate, glufosinate-ammonium, glyphosate, halosulfuron-methyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl, hexazinone, imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, indanofan, indaziflam, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-ethyl-sodium, iofensulfuron, ioxynil, ipfencarbazone, isoproturon, isoxaben, isoxaflutole, lactofen, linuron, MCPA, MCPB, mecoprop-P, mefenacet, mesosulfuron, mesosulfuron-ethyl sodium, mesotrione, metamifop, metazochlor, metazosulfuron, metosulam, metribuzin, metsulfuron, metsulfuronmethyl, molinate, MSMA, napropamide, napropamide-M, orfurazon, orthosulfamuron, oryzalin, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxazichlomefone, oxyfluorfen, paraquat, pendimethalin, penoxsulam, pentoxazone, pethoxamid, picloram, picolinafen, pinoxaden, pretilachlor, primisulfuron, profluazol, profoxydim, propanil, propaquizafop, propyrisulfuron, propoxycarbazone, propyzamide, prosulfocarb, prosulfuron, pyraclonil, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrasulfotole, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pyrazolynate, pyribenzoxim (LGC-40863), pyributicarb, pyridate, pyriftalid, pyrimisulfan, Pyrithiobac sodium, pyroxsulam, pyroxasulfone, quinclorac, quinmerac, quizalofop-ethyl-D, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, rimsulfuron, sethoxydim, simazine, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, sulfometuron, sulfosate, sulfosulfuron, tebuthiuron, tefuryltrione, tepraloxidim, terbacil, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, thenylchlor, thiazopyr, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron- methyl, thiobencarb, topramezone, tralkoxydim, triafamone, triasulfuron, tribenuron, tribenuron-methyl, triafamone, triclopyr, and trifluralin, and agriculturally acceptable salts, choline salts, esters and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the additional pesticide includes benzofenap, cyhalofop (e.g., cyhalofop-butyl), daimuron, pentoxazone, esprocarb, pyrazosulfuron, butachlor, pretilachlor, metazosulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bromobutide, benfuresate, mesotrione, sulcotrione, oxazichlomefone, triafamone, cyclopyrimorate, pyrimisulfan, propyrisulfuron, pyraclonil, ipfencarbazone, iofensulfuron, fenoxasulfone, fenquinotrione, napropamide-M, imazamox, imazapic, imazethapyr, pyroxsulam, and agriculturally acceptable salts or esters thereof, or combinations thereof.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds by applying a herbicidal composition comprising diflufenican. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of controlling weeds by applying a herbicidal composition comprising: diflufenican; optionally at least an additional herbicide; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, wherein diflufenican is applied in a range from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha

In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition s applied at pre-emergence stage of the weeds or crops.

In an embodiment, the composition for controlling weeds comprising diflufenican in an amount in the range from about 1 g a.i./ha 300 g a.i./ha, wherein diflufenican is the only active ingredient.

In an embodiment, the composition for controlling weeds comprises diflufenican, at least one additional herbicide and at least one agriculturally agriculturally acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the additional herbicide is selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N- phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

In an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipients are selected from disintegrant, binder, glidant, emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, pH-regulating agents, preservatives, biocides, antifoaming agents, colorants, stabilizers, and other formulation aids.

Emulsifiers which can be advantageously employed herein can be readily determined by those skilled in the art and include various non-ionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric emulsifiers, or a blend of two or more emulsifiers. Examples of non-ionic emulsifiers useful in preparing the emulsifiable concentrates include the polyalkylene glycol ethers and condensation products of alkyl and aryl phenols, aliphatic alcohols, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxide, propylene oxides such as the ethoxylated alkyl phenols and carboxylic esters solubilized with the polyol or polyoxyalkylene. Cationic emulsifiers include quaternary ammonium compounds and fatty amine salts. Anionic emulsifiers include the oil-soluble salts (e.g., calcium) of alkylaryl sulfonic acids, oil-soluble salts or sulfated polyglycol ethers and appropriate salts of phosphated polyglycol ether.

In an embodiment, colorants may be selected from iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs, or metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace elements, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, and zinc.

Another embodiment involves addition of a thickener or binder which may be selected from but not limited to molasses, granulated sugar, alginates, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gum, mucilage, xanthan gum or combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the binder may be selected from silicates such as magnesium aluminium silicate, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, celluloses, including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxymethyl celluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses, hydroxymethylpropyl-celluloses, polyvinylpyrolidones, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, calcium lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof; polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, methyl cellulose, vinylidene chloride, acrylic, cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polysaccharide; polymers and copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers; combinations of polyvinyl alcohol and sucrose; plasticizers such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyglycols.

In another embodiment, antifreeze agent(s) added to the composition may be alcohols selected from the group comprising of but not limited to ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propylene glycol, 1,3- propylene glycol, 1 ,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1 ,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl- 1,5 -pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like. In addition, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, and octaglycerol.

According to an embodiment, biocides may be selected from benzothiazoles, 1,2- benzisothiazolin-3-one, sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, l,2-phenyl-isothiazolin-3-one, inter chloroxylenol paraoxybenzoate butyl.

According to an embodiment, antifoam agent may be selected from Polydimethoxysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, Alkyl poly acrylates, Castor Oil, Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids Esters, Fatty Acids Sulfate, Fatty Alcohol, Fatty Alcohol Esters, Fatty Alcohol Sulfate, Foot Olive Oil, Mono & Di Glyceride, Paraffin Oil, Paraffin Wax, Poly Propylene Glycol, Silicones Oil, Vegetable Fats, Vegetable Fats Sulfate, Vegetable Oil, Vegetable Oil Sulfate, Vegetable Wax,

Vegetable Wax Sulfate, agents based on silicon or magnesium stearate.

The agrochemical formulation may also comprise one or more antioxidants. Preferably, the agrochemical formulation comprises an antioxidant. Antioxidants are, for example, amino acids (e.g. glycine, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan) and derivatives thereof, imidazole and imidazole derivatives (e.g. urocanic acid), peptides, such as, for example, D,L-camosine, D- carnosine, L-carnosine and derivatives thereof (e.g. anserine), carotenoids, carotenes (e.g. a- carotene, P-carotene, lycopene) and derivatives thereof, lipoic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g. dihydrolipoic acid), aurothioglucose, propylthiouracil and further thio compounds (e.g. thioglycerol, thiosorbitol, thioglycolic acid, thioredoxin, glutathione, cysteine, cystine, cystamine and the glycosyl, N-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl, butyl, lauryl, palmitoyl, oleyl, y-linoleyl, cholesteryl and glyceryl esters thereof), and salts thereof, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, thiodipropionic acid and derivatives thereof (esters, ethers, peptides, lipids, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts), and sulfoximine compounds (e.g. buthionine sulfoximines, homocysteine sulfoximine, buthionine sulfones, penta-, hexa-, heptathionine sulfoximine) in very low tolerated doses (e.g. pmol/kg to pmol/kg), also metal chelating agents (e.g. a-hydroxy fatty acids, EDTA, EGTA, phytic acid, lactoferrin), a-hydroxy acids (e.g. citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid), humic acids, bile acid, bile extracts, gallic esters (e.g. propyl, octyl and dodecyl gallate), flavonoids, catechins, bilirubin, biliverdin and derivatives thereof, unsaturated fatty acids and derivatives thereof (e.g. y-linolcnic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid), folic acid and derivatives thereof, hydroquinone and derivatives thereof (e.g. arbutin), ubiquinone and ubiquinol, and derivatives thereof, vitamin C and derivatives thereof (e.g. ascorbyl palmitate, stearate, dipalmitate, acetate, Mg ascorbyl phosphates, sodium and magnesium ascorbate, disodium ascorbyl phosphate and sulfate, potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, chitosan ascorbate), isoascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, tocopherols and derivatives thereof (e.g. tocopheryl acetate, linoleate, oleate and succinate, tocophereth-5, tocophereth-10, tocophereth-12, tocophereth-18, tocophereth-50, tocophersolan), vitamin A and derivatives (e.g. vitamin A palmitate), the coniferyl benzoate of benzoin resin, rutin, rutinic acid and derivatives thereof, disodium rutinyl disulfate, cinnamic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g. ferulic acid, ethyl ferulate, caffeeic acid), kojic acid, chitosan glycolate and salicylate, butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisol, nordihydroguaiacic acid, nordihydro guaiaretic acid, trihydroxybutyrophenone, uric acid and derivatives thereof, mannose and derivatives thereof, selenium and selenium derivatives (e.g. selenomethionine), stilbenes and stilbene derivatives (e.g. stilbene oxide, trans-stilbene oxide).

According to the invention, suitable derivatives (salts, esters, sugars, nucleotides, nucleosides, peptides, and lipids) and mixtures of these specified active ingredients or plant extracts (e.g., teatree oil, rosemary extract and rosemarinic acid) which comprise these antioxidants can be used. In general, mixtures of the aforementioned antioxidants are possible.

According to an embodiment, examples of suitable solvents are water, aromatic solvents (for example, xylene), paraffins (for example mineral oil fractions such as kerosene or diesel oil), coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, for example toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives, alcohols (for example methanol, butanol, pentanol, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol), ketones (for example cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (NMP, NEP, NOP), acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters, isophorone and dimethylsulfoxide. In principle, solvent mixtures may also be used.

The agrochemical composition of the present disclosure may be used to target weeds among the crops such as com, rice, wheat, barley, rye, oat, sorghum, cotton, soybean, peanut, buckwheat, beet, rapeseed, sunflower, sugar cane, and tobacco; solanaceous vegetables such as eggplant, tomato, pimento, popper, and potato, cucurbit vegetables such as cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, water melon, melon, and squash, cruciferous vegetables such as radish, white turnip, horseradish, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, leaf mustard, broccoli, and cauliflower, asteraceous vegetables such as burdock, crown daisy, artichoke, and lettuce, liliaceous vegetables such as green onion, onion, garlic, and asparagus, ammiaceous vegetables such as carrot, parsley, celery, and parsnip, chenopodiaceous vegetables such as spinach, and Swiss chard, lamiaceous vegetables such as Perilla frutescens, mint, and basil, strawberry, sweet potato, Dioscorea japonica, colocasia, flowers, foliage plants, turf grasses, fruits such as pome fruits such as apple, pear, quince, stone fleshy fruits such as peach, plum, nectarine, Primus mume, cherry fruit, apricot, prune, citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, rime, grapefruit, nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almond, pistachio, cashew nuts, macadamia nuts, berries such as blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, grape, kaki fruit, olive, plum, banana, coffee, date palm, coconuts, trees otter than fruit trees; tea, mulberry, flowering plant, trees such as ash, birch, dogwood, Eucalyptus, Ginkgo biloba, lilac, maple, Quercus, poplar, Judas tree, Liquidambar formosana, plane tree, Zelkova Japanese arborvitae, fir wood, hemlock, juniper, Pinus, Picea, and Taxus cuspidate.

In an embodiment, the weight ratio of diflufenican and the at least one additional herbicide ranges from 1:100 to 100:1.

Preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least one additional herbicide ranges from 1:50 to 50:1.

Preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least one additional herbicide ranges from 1:30 to 30:1.

Preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least one additional herbicide ranges from 1:15 to 15:1. Preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least one additional herbicide ranges from 1:10 to 10:1.

More preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least one additional herbicide ranges from 1 :5 to 5 : 1.

In an embodiment, the additional herbicide is selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N- phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and chloracetamide class herbicide are employed in a ratio of 1:14.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and isooxazoline class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 1:1.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and isooxazoline class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 1:2.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and isooxazoline class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 1.25:1.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and n-phenyltriazolinone class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 1:3.6.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and n-phenyltriazolinone class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 1:2.4.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and imidazolinone class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 1:1.06. In an embodiment, diflufenican and triazolopyrimidine class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 3.4:l.

In an embodiment, diflufenican and N-phenylimide class herbicides are employed in a ratio of 1.3:1.

In an embodiment, the weight ratio of diflufenican and the at least two additional herbicides ranges from 1:100:100 to 100:1:1.

Preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least two herbicides ranges from 1:50:50 to 50:1:1.

Preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least one herbicide ranges from 1:30:30 to 30:1:1.

Preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least one herbicide ranges from 1:10:10 to 10:1:1.

More preferably, the weight ratio between diflufenican and the at least two herbicides ranges from 1:5:5 to 5:1:1.

According to an embodiment, an optional active may be admixed with an adjuvant or a biostimulant or an agrochemical or a fertilizer compound such that the said components may be tank mixed before spraying.

In an embodiment, the method of the present invention can be used for effectively controlling weeds in a variety of crops including, but not limited to, rice, wheat, com, cotton, soybean and pasture grass (Urochloa sp.).

In an embodiment, the method of the present invention is used for controlling a wide variety of herbicide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant weeds including, but not limited to, Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus hybridus, Borreria verticillata, Eleusine indica, Digitaria insularis, Sporobulus indicus, Ipomoea grandiflora, Commelina benghalensis, Sida rhombifolia, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Richardia brasiliensis, Cenchrus echinatus, Paspalum virgatum, Melinis repens, Sorghum halepense, conyza spp. and Cyperus iria.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides for a method of controlling weeds, wherein diflufenican is applied in an amount less than 300g a.i./ha.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides for a method of controlling weeds, wherein diflufenican is applied in an amount ranging from 1-100 g a.i./ha.

It was surprisingly found by the inventors that application of diflufenican in low doses in an amount ranging from 1-100 g a.i./ha provided efficient control of weeds. More surprisingly, it was observed that while application of 50 g a.i./ha during pre-emergence stage provided 100% control of weeds; application of 30 g a.i./ha provided for 90% control.

In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition is in the form of granules, powder or concentrate.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a kit-of-parts comprising an agrochemical composition is provided. The kit comprises a plurality of components, each of which components may include at least one of the ingredients of the agrochemical composition of the present disclosure.

An embodiment of the present invention discloses a kit-of-parts comprising an agrochemical composition of diflufenican and optionally at least one additional active ingredient and/or agriculturally acceptable excipient.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the kits may include one or more, including all, components that may be used to prepare the agrochemical composition e. g., kits may include diflufenican, an additional herbicide and agriculturally acceptable excipient. One or more of the components may already be combined or pre-formulated. In those embodiments where more than two components are provided in a kit, the components may already be combined and as such are packaged in a single container such as a vial, bottle, can, pouch, bag, or canister.

The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustration only, since numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The following examples illustrate the basic methodology and versatility of the present invention. It will be understood that the specification and examples are illustrative but not limitative of the present disclosure and that other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Other embodiments can be practiced that are also within the scope of the present invention. The following examples illustrate the invention, but by no means intend to limit the scope of the claims.

Examples

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Example 1: Efficacy of diflufenican on control of weeds- Pre-emergence application.

Trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of diflufenican, against common weeds Amaranthus viridis, Digitaria insularis and Eleusine indica infesting Soybean (Glycine max), Cotton (Gossypium L.), Rice (Oryza sativa) and corn (Zea mays) respectively, at preemergence stages. The application effect of the said herbicide according to the present invention on different weeds was demonstrated by the following field trial. The evaluation for the % control of the weeds was carried out using a scale from 0 to 100%, compared to the untreated control. The application was performed in a greenhouse on sandy clay loam (Sand: 68%; Silt: 8%; Clay: 24%), spray volume of 150 L/ha, suspension concentrate formulation.

In the following experiments, the herbicidal activity of the diflufenican was assessed till 28 days after treatment. Accordingly, the observations for % control were made at 28 DAA (days after application).

Table 1

The above table exhibits that the pre-emergence application of Diflufenican at a rate as low as

50 g a.i./ha was effective in controlling different weeds. Example 2: Crop tolerance (% Phytotoxicity) of diflufenican on different crops - preemergence.

Phytotoxic effect of Diflufenican on Soybean (Glycine max), Cotton (Gossypium L.), Rice (Oryza sativa) and corn (Zea mays) applied at pre-emergence stage was evaluated as follows:

Table 2

*Mean: Number of plants/pot

The application of diflufenican (50 and 100 g a.i./ha) was safe for Soybean at pre-emergence stage. The application of diflufenican (50, 100 and 200 g a.i./ha) was safe for Cotton and Rice at Pre-emergence stage. The application of diflufenican (50, 100, 200 and 300 g a.i./ha) was safe for Corn at Pre-emergence stage.

Table 3

The diflufenican (50 g a.i./ha) was safe for Soybeans (Glycine max) and Coton (Gossypium L.) in Post-emergence application. The diflufenican (50 to 500 g a.i./ha) was safe for Rice (Oryza sativa) and Corn (Zea mays) in Post-emergence application.

Example 3: Efficacy of diflufenican on control of weeds - Pre-emergence application

Trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of diflufenican against various weeds at preemergence stage. The application effect of the said herbicide according to the present invention on different weeds was demonstrated by the following field trial. The evaluation for the % control of the weeds was carried out using a scale from 0 to 100%, compared to the untreated control. The application was performed in a greenhouse on sandy clay loam (Sand: 10%, Silt: 32%, Clay: 58%) spray volume of 150 L/ha, suspension concentrate formulation.

In the following experiments, the herbicidal activity of the diflufenican was assessed till 28 days after treatment. Accordingly, the observations for % control were made at 28 DAA (days after application).

Table 4

*Mean: Number of plants/pot The above table exhibits that pre-emergence application of Diflufenican at a rate as low as 10 g a.i./ha was effective in controlling different weeds.

Example 4: Efficacy of diflufenican on control of weeds - post-emergence application

Trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of diflufenican against various weeds at postemergence stage. The application effect of the said herbicide according to the present invention on different weeds was demonstrated by the following field trial. The evaluation for the % control of the weeds was carried out using a scale from 0 to 100%, compared to the untreated control. The application was performed in a greenhouse on sandy clay loam (Sand: 63%, Silt: 9.3%, Clay: 27.7%) spray volume of 150 L/ha, suspension concentrate formulation.

In the following experiments, the herbicidal activity of the diflufenican was assessed till 28 days after treatment. Accordingly, the observations for % control were made at 28 DAA (days after application).

Table 5

* Mean: Number of plants/plot The above table exhibits that Post-emergence application of Diflufenican at a rate in the range of 30 g a.i./ha to 150 g a.i./ha was effective in controlling different weeds.

Example 5: Efficacy of diflufenican on control of weeds - post-emergence application

Trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of diflufenican against various weeds at postemergence stage. The application effect of the said herbicide according to the present invention on different weeds was demonstrated by the following field trial. The evaluation for the % control of the weeds was carried out using a scale from 0 to 100%, compared to the untreated control. The application was performed in a greenhouse on sandy clay loam (Sand: 63%, Silt: 9.3%, Clay: 27.7%) spray volume of 150 L/ha, suspension concentrate formulation.

In the following experiments, the herbicidal activity of the diflufenican was assessed till 35 days after treatment. Accordingly, the observations for % control were made at 35 DAA (days after application).

Table 6

* Mean: Number of plants/plot The above table exhibits that pre-emergence application of Diflufenican at a rate in the range of 30 g a.i./ha to 150 g a.i./ha was effective in controlling different weeds.

Example 6: Crop tolerance (% Phytotoxicity) of diflufenican on different crops - Pre - emergence application

Phytotoxic effect of Diflufenican applied at pre-emergence stage was evaluated as follows:

Table 7

*Mean: Number of plants/pot Diflufenican (10 to 30 g a.i./ha) provided higher selectivity for Urochloa decumbes, Urochloa brizanta (Mavuno) and Urochloa brizanta (Marandu) in pre-emergence applications. Diflufenican (40 to 50 g a.i./ha) provided intermediate selectivity for Urochloa decumbes, Urochloa brizanta (Mavuno) and Urochloa brizanta (Marandu) in pre-emergence applications.

Example 7: Control (%) on Eleusine indica - post-emergence application of Diflufenican solo and Diflufenican + Pyroxasulfone

Table 8

* DAS - Days after sowing

Diflufenican in combination with pyroxasulfone provided increased efficacy for controlling

Eleusine indica.

Example 8: Control (%) on different weeds - pre-emergence application of Diflufenican solo and Diflufenican combinations

Table 9

The above data illustrates increase in efficacy of diflufenican in controlling different weeds when combined with other herbicides.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method of controlling weeds, the method comprising applying diflufenican in an amount from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha to a plant or a locus or a plant propagation material thereof.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein diflufenican is applied at pre-emergence stage or post-emergence stage of weeds or crops.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein diflufenican is applied in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 200 g a.i./ha.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein diflufenican is applied in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 100 g a.i./ha.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein diflufenican is applied in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 50 g a.i./ha.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein diflufenican is applied in an amount from about 1 g a.i./ha to about 10 g a.i./ha.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein diflufenican is applied in combination with at least one additional herbicide selected from dinitroaniline, amide, chloroacetamide, isoxazolidinone, isoxazoline, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, N-phenylimide, phenylurea or N-phenyltriazolinone class of herbicides.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein diflufenican and at least one additional herbicide is employed in a ratio in the range from 1:15 to 15:1.

9. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein chloroacetamide class herbicide is s- metolachlor, isooxazoline class herbicide is pyroxasulfone, imidazolinone class herbicide is imazethapyr, triazolopyrimidine class herbicide is diclosulam, N- phenylimide class herbicide is flumioxazin, phenylurea class herbicide is chlorotoluron and N-phenyltriazolinone herbicide is sulfentrazone.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weeds are selected from Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus hybridus, Borreria verticillata, Eleusine indica, Digitaria insularis, Sporobulus indicus, Ipomoea grandiflora, Commelina benghalensis, Sida rhombifolia, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Richardia brasiliensis, Cenchrus echinatus, Paspalum virgatum, Melinis repens, Sorghum halepense, conyzaspp. and Cyperus iria.

11. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the crops are selected from rice, wheat, com, cotton, soybean and pasture grass (Urochloa sp.). A method of reducing phytotoxicity in crops by applying diflufenican in an amount from 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha to a plant or a locus or a plant propagation material thereof. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein diflufenican is applied at pre-emergence or post-emergence stage of weeds or crops. A method of controlling weeds by applying a herbicidal composition comprising: diflufenican; optionally at least a second herbicide; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, wherein diflufenican is applied in an amount from about 1 g a.i/ha to about 300 g a.i./ha.