Limonene-containing herbicide compositions, herbicide concentrate formulations and methods for making and using same

Abstract

Provided are methods, kits and compositions for killing, controlling or suppressing a plant by administering to surfaces of the plant a herbicide composition comprising a herbicidally effective limonene component and an emulsifying agent in an aqueous emulsion, wherein the composition has a pH greater than 5. Also provided are methods, kits and compositions for killing, controlling or suppressing a plant, comprising administering to surfaces of the plant a herbicide composition comprising a herbicidally effective limonene component and an emulsifying agent in an aqueous emulsion, wherein the composition includes a wetting agent. Also provided are methods, kits and compositions for killing, controlling or suppressing a plant, comprising administering to surfaces of the plant a herbicide composition comprising a herbicidally effective limonene component and an emulsifying agent in an aqueous emulsion, wherein the composition has a pH greater than 5 and includes a wetting agent.

1 . A method for killing, controlling or suppressing a plant, comprising: 
 providing a liquid herbicidal composition including water, a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent and a member selected from the group consisting of a wetting agent, a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5, and a combination thereof; and    spraying the herbicidal composition onto one or more leaves of the plant.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said spraying comprises spraying in a manner whereby the herbicidal composition contacts at least about 60% of the surface area of the plant's leaf or leaves.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the herbicidally active limonene component is present in the composition at a concentration of at least about 8%.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the herbicidal composition includes water, a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent and a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the composition has a pH of from about 5 to about 10.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the composition has a pH of from about 6 to about 8.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the composition has a pH of from about 8 to about 10.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the emulsifying agent is a surfactant.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the emulsifying agent is present in the composition at a concentration of from about 0.05% to about 10%.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the emulsifying agent is selected from the group consisting of a nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactant, a nonoxynol surfactant, a polypropylene glycol surfactant and a mixture of any one or more thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the pH modifier is selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the herbicidal composition includes water, a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent and a wetting agent.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the wetting agent is a silicone surfactant.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the wetting agent is present in the composition at a concentration of from about 0.02% to about 1%.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic and nonionic surfactants and a mixture of any one or more thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the herbicidal composition includes water, a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent, a wetting agent and a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5.  
     
     
         17 . A method for non-selective burn down of plants, comprising: 
 selecting an area having at least one plant growing therein; and    spraying a liquid herbicide composition on the area, the herbicide including water, a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent and a member selected from the group consisting of a wetting agent, a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5, and a combination thereof.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said spraying comprises spraying the herbicide on the area at a rate of from about 0.5 gal/acre to about 100 gal/acre.  
     
     
         19 . A method for controlling the growth of mature, unwanted plant(s), wherein a herbicidal composition including water, a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent and a member selected from the group consisting of a wetting agent, a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5 in the composition, and a combination thereof, is applied to the unwanted plant or plants.  
     
     
         20 . A “knock-down” herbicidal composition effective against mature weeds including water, a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent and a member selected from the group consisting of a wetting agent, a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         21 . A method for making a herbicide composition, comprising: 
 providing a liquid herbicide formulation, the herbicide formulation including a herbicidally active limonene component and an emulsifying agent; and    diluting the formulation with water to provide a herbicide composition;    wherein the herbicide composition includes a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5.    
     
     
         22 . A method for making a herbicide composition, comprising: 
 providing a liquid herbicide formulation, the herbicide formulation including a herbicidally active limonene component and an emulsifying agent;    diluting the formulation with water to provide a herbicide composition; and    mixing into the herbicide composition a wetting agent.    
     
     
         23 . A method for making a herbicide composition, comprising: 
 providing a liquid herbicide formulation, the herbicide formulation including a herbicidally active limonene component and an emulsifying agent;    diluting the formulation with water to provide a herbicide composition; and    mixing into the herbicide composition a wetting agent and a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5.    
     
     
         24 . A method for making a herbicide composition, comprising: 
 providing a liquid herbicide formulation, the herbicide formulation including a herbicidally active limonene component, an emulsifying agent and a pH modifier effective to provide a pH greater than 5;    diluting the formulation with water to provide a herbicide composition; and    mixing into the herbicide composition a wetting agent.