Low volatility herbicidal compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates generally low volatility herbicidal compositions comprising at least one auxin herbicide and at least one monocarboxylic acid, or monocarboxylate thereof. The invention further relates generally to methods for preparing and using such low volatility herbicidal compositions, including methods for controlling auxin-susceptible plant growth on agricultural and non-agricultural lands.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjuvant composition for use in the preparation of an aqueous herbicidal composition application mixture, the adjuvant composition comprising:
 a monocarboxylic acid, or a monocarboxylate thereof, wherein the monocarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof and the monocarboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate salts, acetate salts, propionate salts, benzoate salts, and combinations thereof; and   an additive selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a drift reduction agent, a safener, a solubility enhancing agent, a thickening agent, a flow enhancer, a foam-moderating agent, a freeze protectant, a UV protectant, a preservative, a microbial, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a monocarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises acetic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises formic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The adjuvant composition of  claims 1 , wherein the composition comprises a monocarboxylate selected from the group consisting of formate salts, acetate salts, propionate salts, benzoate salts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises a monocarboxylate selected from potassium acetate, sodium acetate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises a monocarboxylate selected from potassium formate, sodium formate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains an amount (acid equivalent weight) of the monocarboxylic acid, or monocarboxylate thereof of from about 2% to about 75% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains an amount (acid equivalent weight) of the monocarboxylic acid, or monocarboxylate thereof of from about 10% to about 75% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains an amount (acid equivalent weight) of the monocarboxylic acid, or monocarboxylate thereof of from about 20% to about 75% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains an amount (acid equivalent weight) of the monocarboxylic acid, or monocarboxylate thereof of from about 30% to about 75% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises a drift reduction agent. 
     
     
         13 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises an alkali metal phosphate. 
     
     
         14 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 13 , wherein the molar ratio of monocarboxylic acid, or monocarboxylate thereof to alkali metal phosphate is from about 1:5 to about 5:1. 
     
     
         15 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 13 , wherein the alkali metal phosphate is dipotassium phosphate. 
     
     
         16 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 15 , wherein the monocarboxylate is potassium acetate. 
     
     
         17 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the adjuvant composition is a dry powder composition. 
     
     
         18 . The adjuvant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the adjuvant composition is a liquid composition.