Pesticide compositions including polymeric adjuvants

Abstract

Pesticidal compositions of improved effectiveness are provided, including a pesticide (e.g., an insecticide or herbicide) together with a copolymer adjuvant or additive selected from the group consisting of acid or salt copolymers containing individual quantities of maleic and itaconic moieties. The compositions of the invention provide multiple-fold increases in effectiveness, as compared with an equal amount of the pesticide in the absence of the copolymer.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A pesticide composition comprising respective fractions of pesticide and polymer, said polymer fraction comprising a polymer including maleic and itaconic moieties. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21 , said pesticide fraction including a pesticide selected from the group consisting of insecticides, herbicides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , said pesticide fraction including a herbicide. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , said herbicide comprising glyphosate. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 22 , said pesticide fraction including an insecticide. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 25 , said pesticide fraction having a pesticide selected from the group consisting of synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 21 , including a surfactant. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 21 , said pesticide fraction being present at a level of 0.2-2% by weight. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 21 , said polymer fraction being present at a level of from about 0.05-10% by weight, based upon the total weight of the composition taken as 100% by weight. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 21 , said polymer fraction including a polymer containing at least about 93% by weight of itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 30 , at least about 60% of said polymer fraction being said polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties, where the total weight of the polymer fraction is taken as 100% by weight. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 31 , at least about 80% of said polymer fraction being said polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 31 , at least about 90% of said polymer fraction being said polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 31 , said polymer fraction consisting essentially of a polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 30 , said polymer fraction consisting essentially of a polymer containing at least about 93% by weight of itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         36 . A method of pesticidal treatment comprising the step of applying a pesticide composition to a surface, said composition comprising respective fractions of pesticide and polymer, said polymer fraction comprising a polymer including maleic and itaconic moieties. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , said pesticide fraction including a pesticide selected from the group consisting of insecticides, herbicides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , said pesticide fraction including a herbicide. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , said herbicide comprising glyphosate. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , said pesticide fraction including an insecticide. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , said pesticide fraction having a pesticide selected from the group consisting of synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , including a surfactant. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 36 , said pesticide fraction being present at a level of 0.2-2% by weight. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 36 , said polymer fraction being present at a level of from about 0.05-10% by weight, based upon the total weight of the composition taken as 100% by weight. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 36 , said polymer fraction including a polymer containing at least about 93% by weight of itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , at least about 60% of said polymer fraction being said polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties, where the total weight of the polymer fraction is taken as 100% by weight. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , at least about 80% of said polymer fraction being said polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , at least about 90% of said polymer fraction being said polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , said polymer fraction consisting essentially of a polymer containing itaconic and maleic moieties. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , said polymer fraction consisting essentially of a polymer containing at least about 93% by weight of itaconic and maleic moieties.