Spray Oil And Method Of Use Thereof For Controlling Turfgrass Pests

Abstract

A paraffinic spray oil and a method of using the same for controlling turfgrass pests is disclosed. The spray oil comprises paraffinic oil and a quick break emulsifier formulated as an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion for use. The paraffinic oil and emulsifier are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 95:5 to about 99.95:0.05, preferably from about 98.5:1.5 to about 99.9:0.1. When applied to turfgrass, the O/W emulsion quickly releases the oil phase upon application to the turfgrass to contact pests thereon. When provided at sufficient paraffinic oil dosages, generally at least about 0.5 gal oil/acre and preferably in the range of about 0.5 gal/acre to about 60 gal/acre, the spray oil is effective in controlling a variety of turfgrass pests, particularly insect and fungal pests, with little or no phytotoxic effects. Further, use of the spray oil as indicated for controlling turfgrass pests also enhances the growth of turfgrass.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An oil-in-water emulsion composition comprising a paraffinic oil and a quick break emulsifier, wherein:
 the paraffinic oil comprises a paraffin having a carbon number ranging from about C16 to about C35, and the paraffinic oil has a paraffin content of at least about 80%;   the quick break emulsifier comprises polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, an alcohol ethoxylate, glycerol oleate, or any combination of two or more thereof; and   the weight ratio of the paraffinic oil to the quick break emulsifier is about 99.1:0.9 to about 99.95:0.05.   
     
     
         3 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the paraffinic oil has a paraffin content of at least about 90%. 
     
     
         4 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the paraffinic oil has a paraffin content of at least about 99%. 
     
     
         5 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises a paraffinic oil content ranging from about 1% to about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The emulsion composition of  claim 4 , wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises a paraffinic oil content ranging from about 10% to about 30% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the weight ratio of the paraffinic oil to the quick break emulsifier is about 99.1:0.9 to about 99.5:0.5. 
     
     
         8 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the weight ratio of the paraffinic oil to the quick break emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of: about 99.2:0.8; about 99.4:0.6; about 99.5:0.5; about 99.94:0.06; about 99.95:0.05; and about 99.25:0.75. 
     
     
         9 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the quick break emulsifier comprises and alcohol ethoxylate and glycerol oleate. 
     
     
         10 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is substantially stable for storage for up to about two hours. 
     
     
         11 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is substantially non-phytotoxic to turfgrass. 
     
     
         12 . The emulsion composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition does not include synthetic chemical pesticides. 
     
     
         13 . An oil-in-water emulsion composition consisting of a paraffinic oil, a quick break emulsifier, and water, wherein:
 the paraffinic oil comprises a paraffin having a carbon number ranging from about C16 to about C35, and the paraffinic oil has a paraffin content of at least about 80%; and   the weight ratio of the paraffinic oil to the quick break emulsifier is about 99.1:0.9 to about 99.95:0.05.   
     
     
         14 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the paraffinic oil has a paraffin content of at least about 90%. 
     
     
         15 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the paraffinic oil has a paraffin content of at least about 99%. 
     
     
         16 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the oil-in-water emulsion consists of a paraffinic oil content ranging from about 1% to about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         17 . The emulsion composition of  claim 16 , wherein the oil-in-water emulsion consists of a paraffinic oil content ranging from about 10% to about 30% by weight. 
     
     
         18 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the weight ratio of the paraffinic oil to the quick break emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of: about 99.2:0.8; about 99.4:0.6; about 99.5:0.5; about 99.94:0.06; about 99.95:0.05; and about 99.25:0.75. 
     
     
         19 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the weight ratio of the paraffinic oil to the quick break emulsifier is about 99.25:0.75. 
     
     
         20 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the quick break emulsifier comprises an alkyl phenol ethoxylate, a nonylphenolethoxylate, a dodecylphenolethoxylate, a mixture of an ethoxylated alcohol and a glycerol oleate, or a combination of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The emulsion composition of  claim 20 , wherein the quick break emulsifier comprises a nonylphenolethoxylate, a dodecylphenolethoxylate, a mixture of an ethoxylated alcohol and a glycerol oleate, or a combination of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the quick break emulsifier comprises and alcohol ethoxylate and glycerol oleate. 
     
     
         23 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is substantially stable for storage for up to about two hours. 
     
     
         24 . The emulsion composition of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is substantially non-phytotoxic to turfgrass.