Plant treatment compositions particularly effective in the control of Heteranthera limosa on rice crops, and methods for their use

Abstract

Provided are improved agricultural processes for the improved cultivation of rice wherein the crops are treated to control undesired vegetative growth using a plant treatment composition comprising both halosulfuron and thifensulfuron to provide improved herbicidal efficacy against Heteranthera limosa, commonly referred to as “duck salad”. Also provided are compositions useful in the improved agricultural processes, as well as herbicidal treatment regimens. Unexpectedly high rates of efficacy against Heteranthera limosa, amongst rice plant in rice crops are disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An agricultural process for the improved cultivation of rice wherein the crops are treated to control undesired vegetative growth using a plant treatment composition comprising both halosulfuron and thifensulfuron in synergistically effective amounts in order to provide improved herbicidal efficacy against Heteranthera limosa present in rice crops, the process comprising the step of:
 applying the said plant treatment composition to rice crops to control against Heteranthera limosa which may be present in the rice crops. 
 
     
     
       2. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a weight ratio of about 4:3 of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron in a plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       3. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a weight ratio of about 1:0.125 of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron in a plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       4. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a weight ratio of about 0.66:0.08 of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron in a plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       5. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant treatment composition additionally comprises a biologically active material which exhibits or provides pesticidal, herbicidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control, or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       6. Plant treatment compositions for providing herbicidal efficacy against Heteranthera limosa present in rice crops, wherein said plant treatment compositions comprise synergistically effective amounts of both halosulfuron and thifensulfuron. 
     
     
       7. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a respective weight ratio of about 4:3 in the plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       8. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a respective weight ratio of about 1:0.125 in the plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       9. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a respective weight ratio of about 0.66:0.08 in the plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       10. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the plant treatment composition additionally comprises a biologically active material which exhibits or provides pesticidal, herbicidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       11. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 6  wherein the halosulfuron is represented by the following structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 7  is hydrogen or is a C 1 -C 6  straight or branched alkyl group. 
       
     
     
       12. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 11 , wherein R 7  is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. 
     
     
       13. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 12  wherein the halosulfuron is methyl, 3-chloro-5-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoylsulfamoyl)-1-methylpyrazole-4-carboxylic acid. 
     
     
       14. A plant treatment composition according to  claim 6  wherein the thifensulfuron is represented by the following structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       15. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a weight ratio of about 22.42-2.23:1 of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron in the plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       16. A process according to  claim 15 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a weight ratio of about 8.37-2.23:1 of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron in the plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       17. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant treatment composition is applied to a rice crop at the following stages of growth: (a) preemergent, and (b) 10-14 days post emergence. 
     
     
       18. A process according to  claim 15 , wherein the plant treatment composition is applied to a rice crop at the following stages of growth: (a) preemergent, and (b) 10-14 days post emergence. 
     
     
       19. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant treatment composition comprises halosulfuron, thifensulfuron and a liquid carrier, and which composition excludes further biologically active materials which exhibit or provide pesticidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control, herbicidal or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       20. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a weight ratio range of about 1:0.12-1:1.2 of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron in a plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       21. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein in the plant treatment composition comprising both halosulfuron and thifensulfuron the synergistically effective amounts of the halosulfuron and thifensulfuron is any combination of thifensulfuron methyl with halosulfuron methyl which, when compared to either an otherwise like composition having a like amount of thifensulfuron methyl but without halosulfuron methyl being present, or a like composition having a like amount of halosulfuron methyl but without thifensulfuron methyl being present. 
     
     
       22. A method for controlling undesired vegetative growth in a rice crop comprising applying a plant treatment composition comprising halosulfuron and thifensulfuron to rice crops to control against undesired vegetative growth that may be present in the rice crops, wherein the weight ratio of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is 8.37:1. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 22, wherein the undesired vegetative growth is spiny Amaranth (Amaranth spinosus), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli), bindweed (Calystegia sepium), Burcucumber (Sicyas angulatus), California Arrowhead (Sagittaria montevidensis), common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Corn Spurry (Spergula arvensis), wooly Cupgrass (Eriochloa villosa), Dayflower (Commelina erecta), Dogbane Hemp, (Apocynum cannabinum), Eclipta (Ecilpta prostrata), rice flatsedge (Cyperus iria), Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), Foxtail, (Galinsoga), Golden Crownbeard (Verbesina encliodes), Goosefoot, Groundsel, common (Senecio vulgaris), Horsenettle, (Solanum carolinense), Horseweed/Marestail (Erigeron Canadensis), Horsetail (Equisetum), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis), Jointvetch (Aeschynomene), Johnsongrass rhizome, seedling (Sorghum halepense), Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria), Lambsquarter, common (Chenoposium album), Mallow, Venice (Hibiscus trionum), common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), honeyvine Milkweed (Ampelamus albidus), Millet, Wild Proso (Paniucum miliaceum), Morningglory, Ivyleaf (Ipomoea hederacea), Tall Morningglory (Ipomoea purppurea), wild Mustard (Sinapis arevensis), Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum), yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus exculentus), purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), oats, Fall Panicum (Paniucm dichotomiflorum), Texas Panicum (Panicum texanum), Maypop Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), Redroot Pigweed (Amarunthus retroffiexus), smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus), common Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), Quackgrass (Elytrigia repense), wild Radish (Rapharius raphanistrum), common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), Redstem (Ammania auriculata), Ricefield Bulrush (Scirpus mucronatus), Italian Ryegrass (Lollum multiflorum), Sandbur, Sesbania, Hemp (Sesbania exaltata), Shattercane (Sorghum bilcolor) Signalgrass, broadleaf, Shepherdspurse (capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) medicus), prickly Sida, Smallflower Umbrellaplant, Pennsylvania smartweed (Polyfonum pensylvanisum), Sorghum Almum, Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) or Velvetleaf (Abutilan theophrasti). 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 22, wherein the undesired vegetative growth is Amaranth (Amaranth spinosus), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli), bindweed (Calystegia sepium), Burcucumber (Sicyas angulatus), common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Corn Spurry (Spergula arvensis), Eclipta (Ecilpta prostrata), rice flatsedge (Cyperus iria), Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), (Galinsoga), Golden Crownbeard (Verbesina encliodes), Goosefoot, Groundsel, Horsenettle, (Solanum carolinense), Horseweed/Marestail (Erigeron Canadensis), Horsetail (Equisetum), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), Jointvetch (Aeschynomene), Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria), Lambsquarter, common (Chenoposium album), Mallow, Venice (Hibiscus trionum), common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), honeyvine Milkweed (Ampelamus albidus), Morningglory, Ivyleaf (Ipomoea hederacea), Tall Morningglory (Ipomoea purppurea), wild Mustard (Sinapis arevensis), yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus exculentus), purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), Maypop Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), Redroot Pigweed (Amarunthus retroffiexus), smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus), common Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), wild Radish (Rapharius raphanistrum), common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), Redstem (Ammania auriculata), Ricefield Bulrush (Scirpus mucronatus), Sesbania, Hemp (Sesbania exaltata), Shepherdspurse (capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) medicus), prickly Sida, Smallflower Umbrellaplant, Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) or Velvetleaf (Abutilan theophrasti). 
     
     
       25. The method of claim 22, wherein the composition excludes further biologically active materials which exhibit or provide pesticidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control, herbicidal or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim 23, wherein the composition excludes further biologically active materials which exhibit or provide pesticidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control, herbicidal or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 24, wherein the composition excludes further biologically active materials which exhibit or provide pesticidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control, herbicidal or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       28. The process of claim 1, wherein the synergistically effective amounts of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is a weight ratio of 8.37:1 of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron in a plant treatment composition as applied to the rice crop. 
     
     
       29. A method for controlling undesired vegetative growth in a rice crop comprising applying a plant treatment composition comprising halosulfuron and thifensulfuron to rice crops to control against undesired vegetative growth that may be present in the rice crops, wherein the plant treatment compositions are applied post-emergence. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 22, wherein the undesired vegetative growth is Amaranth (Amaranth spinosus), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli), Bindweed (Calystegia sepium), Burcucumber (Sicyas angulatus), Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Corn Spurry (Spergula arvensis), Eclipta (Ecilpta prostrata), Rice Flatsedge (Cyperus iria), Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), (Galinsoga), Golden Crownbeard (Verbesina encliodes), Goosefoot, Groundsel, Horsenettle, (Solanum carolinense), Horseweed/Marestail (Erigeron Canadensis), Horsetail (Equisetum), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), Jointvetch (Aeschynomene), Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria), Common Lambsquarter (Chenoposium album), Venice Mallow (Hibiscus trionum), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Honeyvine Milkweed (Ampelamus albidus), Ivyleaf Morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea), Tall Morningglory (Ipomoea purppurea), Wild Mustard (Sinapis arevensis), Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus exculentus), Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), Maypop Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), Redroot Pigweed (Amarunthus retroffiexus), Smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus), Common Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), Wild Radish (Rapharius raphanistrum), Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), Redstem (Ammania auriculata), Ricefield Bulrush (Scirpus mucronatus), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), Shepherdspurse (capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) medicus), Prickly Sida, Smallflower Umbrellaplant, Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) or Velvetleaf (Abutilan theophrasti). 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 29, wherein the weight ratio of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is 8.37-8:1. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim 29, wherein the composition is applied at a rate of 0.06-0.30 oz thifensulfuron/acre. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim 29, wherein the composition excludes further biologically active materials which exhibit or provide pesticidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control, herbicidal or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       34. A method for controlling undesired vegetative growth in a rice crop comprising applying a plant treatment composition comprising halosulfuron and thifensulfuron to rice crops to control against undesired vegetative growth that may be present in the rice crops, wherein the weight ratio of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is 8.37-8:1. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 34, wherein the undesired vegetative growth is Amaranth (Amaranth spinosus), Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli), Bindweed (Calystegia sepium), Burcucumber (Sicyas angulatus), Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Corn Spurry (Spergula arvensis), Eclipta (Ecilpta prostrata), Rice Flatsedge (Cyperus iria), Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), (Galinsoga), Golden Crownbeard (Verbesina encliodes), Goosefoot, Groundsel, Horsenettle, (Solanum carolinense), Horseweed/Marestail (Erigeron Canadensis), Horsetail (Equisetum), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), Jointvetch (Aeschynomene), Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria), Common Lambsquarter (Chenoposium album), Venice Mallow (Hibiscus trionum), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Honeyvine Milkweed (Ampelamus albidus), Ivyleaf Morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea), Tall Morningglory (Ipomoea purppurea), Wild Mustard (Sinapis arevensis), Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus exculentus), Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), Maypop Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), Redroot Pigweed (Amarunthus retroffiexus), Smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus), Common Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), Wild Radish (Rapharius raphanistrum), Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), Redstem (Ammania auriculata), Ricefield Bulrush (Scirpus mucronatus), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), Shepherdspurse (capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) medicus), Prickly Sida, Smallflower Umbrellaplant, Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) or Velvetleaf (Abutilan theophrasti). 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 34, wherein the composition excludes further biologically active materials which exhibit or provide pesticidal, disease control, fungicidal, mildew control, herbicidal or plant growth regulating effects. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 29, further comprising applying a composition comprising halosulfuron and thifensulfuron before said rice crop emerges. 
     
     
       38. A method for controlling undesired vegetative growth in a rice crop comprising applying a composition comprising halosulfuron and thifensulfuron to rice crops to control against undesired vegetative growth that may be present in the rice crops, wherein halosulfuron and thifensulfuron are the only herbicides in said composition. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 38, wherein the undesired vegetative growth is Amaranth (Amaranth spinosus), Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli), Bindweed (Calystegia sepium), Burcucumber (Sicyas angulatus), Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Corn Spurry (Spergula arvensis), Eclipta (Ecilpta prostrata), Rice Flatsedge (Cyperus iria), Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), (Galinsoga), Golden Crownbeard (Verbesina encliodes), Goosefoot, Groundsel, Horsenettle, (Solanum carolinense), Horseweed/Marestail (Erigeron Canadensis), Horsetail (Equisetum), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), Jointvetch (Aeschynomene), Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria), Common Lambsquarter (Chenoposium album), Venice Mallow (Hibiscus trionum), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Honeyvine Milkweed (Ampelamus albidus), Ivyleaf Morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea), Tall Morningglory (Ipomoea purppurea), Wild Mustard (Sinapis arevensis), Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus exculentus), Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), Maypop Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), Redroot Pigweed (Amarunthus retroffiexus), Smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus), Common Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), Wild Radish (Rapharius raphanistrum), Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), Redstem (Ammania auriculata), Ricefield Bulrush (Scirpus mucronatus), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), Shepherdspurse (capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) medicus), Prickly Sida, Smallflower Umbrellaplant, Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) or Velvetleaf (Abutilan theophrasti). 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 38, wherein the weight ratio of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is 8.37-8:1. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim 38, wherein the composition is applied at a rate of 0.06-0.30 oz thifensulfuron/acre. 
     
     
       42. A plant treatment composition comprising halosulfuron and thifensulfuron, wherein halosulfuron and thifensulfuron are the only herbicides in said composition. 
     
     
       43. The plant treatment composition of claim 42, wherein the weight ratio of halosulfuron to thifensulfuron is 8.37-8:1.