Composition and method for selective herbicide

Abstract

An environmentally safe selective herbicide is provided that includes at least one metal component and at least one chelating agent. The metal component can have a variety of forms, but is preferably in the form of a metal salt, a metal chelate, or combinations thereof. The chelating agent can also have a variety of forms, but is preferably in the form of a metal chelate, a salt, an acid, or combinations thereof. Methods of use are also provided.

1 . A method for selectively treating undesired vegetation, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a herbicidal composition having an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of the sodium salt of ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, the potassium salt of ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, the ammonium salt of ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof; and    contacting vegetation with a herbicidally effective amount of the composition, such that the vegetation is selectively controlled.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is present at a concentration in the range of about 0.1 to 10% by weight.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is present at a concentration in the range of about 0.2 to 5% by weight.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional component selected from the group consisting of growth regulators, fertilizers, herbicides, thickening agents, humectants, antioxidants, surfactants, stabilizing agents, wetting agents, herbicide synergists, sequestrants, solvents, dyes, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the fertilizer is a nitrogen-containing fertilizer that is present at a concentration in the range of about 0.1 to 5% by weight.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the growth regulators are selected from the group consisting of maleic hydrazide (MH), cycocel (2-chloroethyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride), auxins, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the growth regulators are present at a concentration in the range of about 100 ppm and 2% by weight.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the growth regulators are natural growth regulators selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, salts of salicylic acid including ammonium salicylate, jasmonates, ethylene, auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the natural growth regulators are present at a concentration in range of about 10 ppm and 5% by weight.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the thickening agents are selected from the group consisting of Rhodopol 23, VanGel B, Kelzan S, guar gum, propylene glycol, glycerol, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the thickening agents are present at a concentration in the range of about 0.01 to 1% by weight.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the humectants are selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, beet molasses, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the antioxidants are selected from the group consisting of citric acid, while suitable stabilizing agents include citric acid, ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the wetting agents are selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids and the salts thereof and silicone polymers.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a ready-to-use composition.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a dry concentrate.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a liquid concentrate.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further includes a solvent.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, alcohols such as tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA), and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the concentration is in the range of about 1.5 and 10.