Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to herbicides. Specifically, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition. The ternary herbicidal composition includes ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate; (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid; ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate; and agriculturally acceptable excipient(s), which provides synergistic control of harmful weeds in wide range of cultivated crop plants and non-cropped area. The ternary composition of the present disclosure is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] The weed infestation is a major problem in the productivity of various crop plants such as wheat, triticale, sugarcane, soybean, barley, oats, rye etc. Weeds are undesirable due to competitive and allelopathic behavior. A weed is a plant species which grows as a wild plant and generally has no aesthetic and economic values. Weeds compete with the cultivated crop for nutrients, sunlight and moisture. Some weeds may also release compounds that are toxic to crop growth.
[0004] The soybean or soya bean (Glycine max) is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean, which has numerous uses. Soybean contains significant amounts of phytic acid, dietary minerals and B vitamins. Soy vegetable oil, used in food and industrial applications, is another product of processing the soybean crop. Soybean is the most important protein source. Weed infestation is one of the major impediments to soybean yield, besides disease, pest and climatic influences. Weeds consume available nutrients and compete for space and sunlight with crop plants. They compete for available nitrogen supply and light during the early growth stage. Therefore, uncontrolled growth of weed plants in soybean crop is most important factor for reduction in soybean yield. To help combat this problem, researchers in the field of synthetic chemistry have produced an extensive variety of chemicals and chemical formulations effective in the control of such unwanted plants called weeds. Chemical herbicides of many types have been reported in the literature and a large number are in commercial use.
[0005] Weeds are considered as a major constraint for higher production of soybean. Due to weed infestation, the yield loss in soybean crop was reported to be as high as 40 to 50%. Weeds can reduce soybean yields by competing for moisture, nutrients, and light during the growing season. Several weed species also serve as alternate hosts for disease and insect pests. Heavy weed infestations can also interfere with soybean harvest by adding unnecessary harvesting expenses. A weed that is allowed to mature and produce seed will multiply weed control problems by being a source of seed bank replenishment and re-infestation in subsequent years. Therefore, successful weed control is essential for economical soybean production.
[0006] In recent years, a number of chemicals having herbicidal activity have been used to control weeds in soybean fields. The most commonly used herbicides in soybean fields to manage the weeds are Bentazon, Clomazone, Diclosulam, Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, Fluazifop-P-butyl, Fluchloralin, Flumioxazin, Fluthiacet methyl, Haloxyfop-R-methyl, Metolachlor, Propaquizafop, Pyroxasulfone, Sulfentrazone, Fluazifop-P-butyl, Fomesafen, Imazamox, Pendimethalin, Propaquizafop, Sulfentrazone, and Clodinafop propargyl.
[0007] Since weeds are diversified in kind viz. grassy weeds, broad leaf weeds, sedges and vines, and their emergence extends over a long period of time, the herbicidal effects of conventional single herbicidal agents are restricted in general as most of the available herbicides can control only one type of weed i.e. either grassy weeds or broad leaf weeds, having affectivity when applied before germination of weeds or after germination of weeds. Some of the weed species, like grassy weed such as Echinochloacolonum, Echinochloacrusgalli, Digitariasanguinalis, Leptochloachinensis, Dinebra Arabica, Dinebraretroflexa, Eragrostis spp., Brachiaria spp., Eleusineindica; broad leaf weed such as Commelinabenghalensis, Amaranthusviridis, Commelinacommunis, Digeraarvensis, Acalyphaindica, Portulaca spp., Alternanthera spp., Amaranthusrudis, Trianthema spp., Phyllanthusmaderaspatensis, Phyllanthusniruri, Xanthium strumarium, Euphorbia hirta, Cyanotistuberosa, Partheniumhysterophorus, Euphorbia geniculate, and sedges weeds such as Cyperusrotundus, Cyperusiria, Cyperusdifformisin soybean crop are difficult to kill by single or even mixtures of two herbicidal active ingredients. Moreover, most of the herbicides do not protect the germination of weeds after killing of standing weeds, therefore, new weeds again emerge out and start competing with the cultivated crop plants.
[0008] Compositions of herbicidal combinations offer significant advantages over individual applications including improved and extended weed control, reduced herbicide rates and application costs, shorter contact times for improved results in flowing water, less stringent use restrictions, improved selectivity, improved spectrum of weeds controller reduced cost and reduced residue problems. In some cases, the herbicidal active ingredients have been shown to be more effective in combination than when applied individually. However, identifying appropriate herbicide combinations having chemical and physical stability while combining two or three herbicidal actives remains a challenge.
[0009] In view of such situation, it is desirable to develop a herbicidal composition having broad herbicidal activity spectrum against a wide variety of weeds and a long residual effect to prevent subsequent germination of weeds without any phytotoxicity to the crop plants. In contrast, it is also more sensible to be able to employ herbicidal combinations which have proven sufficiently effective and able to control multiple types of weeds for as long as possible, especially when it has shown itself to be environmentally compatible to a particularly high degree and to possess only minimal side-effects.
[0010] PCT application WO2016102499 describes a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, at least one sulfonylurea herbicide and at least one inorganic salt selected from the metal carbonates and metal phosphates. This application describes combination of chlorimuron-ethyl and imazethapyr. The application focuses on the use of metal carbonates and metal phosphates salts.
[0011] PCT application WO2021152391 describes liquid herbicidal composition of chlorimuron-ethyl in combination with imazethapyr comprising, a non-aqueous liquid carrier, at least one sulfonylurea herbicide, and at least one inorganic salt selected from alkali metal silicates. The application focuses on the use of alkali metal silicates to improve chemical stabilization of a sulfonylurea herbicide in the composition.
[0012] Weed Technology, 3(02), 329-334 (1989) describes tank mix use of Quizalofop and Chlorimuron, but showing phytotoxicity in soybean plants. Weed Technology, 3(03), 455-458 (1989) describes the tank mix use of Quizalofop and Chlorimuron for control of Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) in Soybeans. Weed Technology, 11(03), 453-459(1997) describes weed control and crop response of chlorimuron plus quizalofop.
[0013] Revista Ceres, 52(299), 23-32 (2005) and Ciencia e Agrotecnologia, 34(5), 1136-1145 (2010) also describes combination of chlorimuron-ethyl and imazethapyr. RocznikiNaukRolniczych, Seria E: OchronaRoslin, 21(1-2), 137-142 (1992) describes the post-emergence combinations of any of quizalofop, sethoxydim and fluazifop-P with chlorimuron for grass weed control and soybean (Glycine max) yield.
[0014] Weed Technology, 16(2), 388–395 (2002) describes herbicide efficacy, grain yield, and economic return on investment from various herbicide systems in conventional, sulfonylurea-tolerant, glufosinate-resistant, and glyphosate-resistant soybean varieties. Combination of Chlorimuron plus thifensulfuron plus quizalofop-P is disclosed in this research paper.
[0015] Weed Technology, 6(02), 333–338 (1992) describes the antagonism of graminicide activity on annual grass species by imazethapyr. Tank-mix combinations of imazethapyr with clethodim, fluazifop-P, quizalofop, or sethoxydim were used in antagonistic studies.
[0016] The use of herbicides to control undesired weeds in crops has become almost a universal practice. Effective use of different herbicides requires sound management. For instance, time and method of application and stage of weed plant development are critical to getting good weed control with herbicides. Unfortunately, herbicides that exhibit greater potency, broader weed spectrum and more rapid degradation in soil also have greater crop phytotoxicity. Various weed species are also resistant to herbicides. So the development of new and effective herbicidal composition becomes increasingly important.
[0017] In view of the available art described above, only a binary combination is reported and that also having one or more drawbacks as far as application and efficacy results are concerned. Despite the presence of single and binary compositions in the market, there are still no availability of any ternary formulations, which exhibits excellent synergistic effect. Hence, there is a clear need for improved formulations to reliably deliver solid or liquid formulations of improved chemical stability.
[0018] Therefore, there is a long standing need in the art of a better combination of herbicidal active compounds having efficient and accelerated control of broad spectrum weeds, an advantageous activity profile, high stability, low toxicity to humans or other mammals, synergistically improved action, and having improved ecological compatibility, which allows the application rate to be reduced in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and better composition of herbicidal active compounds having greater potency.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ternary herbicidal composition.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that demonstrates broader weed spectrum.
[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a highly stable herbicidal composition that has synergistically improved action.
[0023] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which has low toxicity to humans or other mammals.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that has improved ecological compatibility.
[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which allows the application rate to be reduced in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.
[0026] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that rapidly degrades in soil, and has lesser crop phytotoxicity.
[0027] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which shows better herbicidal effect against the developed resistance in broad range of weed species specially grown along with soybean.
[0028] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which is easy to handle and can be easily applied on crops.
[0029] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which is highly effective for a long duration on broad range of weed species in soybean.
[0030] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly soybean.
[0031] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which affords selective controlling of undesired weeds for soybean crop.
[0032] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which can control weed at post emergent stage.
[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide a herbicidal composition, which is highly effective against hard to kill weeds in soybean crop fields, especially weeds such as Echinochloacolonum, Echinochloacrusgalli, Digitariasanguinalis, Leptochloachinensis, Dinebra Arabica, Dinebraretroflexa, Eragrostis spp., Brachiaria spp., Eleusineindica; Commelinabenghalensis, Amaranthusviridis, Commelinacommunis, Digeraarvensis, Acalyphaindica, Portulaca spp., Alternanthera spp., Amaranthusrudis, Trianthema spp., Phyllanthusmaderaspatensis, Phyllanthusniruri, Xanthium strumarium, Euphorbia hirta, Cyanotistuberosa, Partheniumhysterophorus, Euphorbia geniculate, Cyperusrotundus, Cyperusiria, and Cyperusdifformis.
[0034] The other objects and preferred embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying examples, which are not intended to limit scope of the present invention in any manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0035] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in detailed description section.
[0036] The present invention relates to herbicides. Specifically, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition. The ternary herbicidal composition includes ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate; (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid; ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate; and agriculturally acceptable excipient(s), which provides synergistic control of harmful weeds in wide range of cultivated crop plants and non-cropped area. The ternary composition of the present disclosure is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation. The compositions and formulations of the present disclosure are useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants, particularly soybean.
[0037] In an aspect, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition comprising:
a) Ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl] benzoate;
b) (±)-5-Ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl) nicotinic acid;
c) Ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate; and
d) an agriculturally acceptable excipient.
[0038] In some embodiments, the composition is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation.
[0039] In some embodiments, the composition comprises: a) ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the composition; b) (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition; c) ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate in an amount ranging from 1% to 15% by weight of the composition; and an agrochemically acceptable excipient, wherein the composition is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation.
[0040] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparation of a ternary herbicidal composition in liquid or solid formulation such as emulsifiable concentrate (EC), wettable powder (WP), water dispersible granule (WDG), suspension concentrate (SC), microemulsion (ME), suspo-emulsion (SE), oil in water emulsion, and the likes.
[0041] Other aspects of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learnt by the practice of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0043] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0044] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0045] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0046] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0047] The term “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” and variations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms. Although the terms “comprising” and “including” have been used herein to describe various embodiments, the terms “consisting essentially of’ and “consisting of’ can be used in place of “comprising” and “including” to provide for more specific embodiments of the invention and are also disclosed. Other than in the examples, or where otherwise noted, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood at the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, to be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.
[0048] The numerical values of various parameters given in the specification are at approximations and slightly higher or slightly lower values of these parameters fall within the ambit and the scope of the invention.
[0049] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific steps of the preferred process, it will be highly appreciated that many steps can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred steps without departing from the principles of the invention.
[0050] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0051] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0052] The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles and aspects of the present disclosure. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the disclosure.
[0053] The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
[0054] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
[0055] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0056] The terms "herbicide" and "herbicidal" are used herein to denote the inhibitive control or modification of undesired plant growth. Inhibitive control and modification include all deviations from natural development, such as total killing, growth retardation, defoliation, desiccation, regulation, stunting, tillering, stimulation, leaf burn and dwarfing.
[0057] As described in the ‘Herbicide Handbook of the Weed Science Society of America’, Ninth Edition, 2007, p. 429, ‘synergism’ [is] an interaction of two or more factors such that the effect when combined is greater than the predicted effect based on the response to each factor applied separately”. Synergism in the herbicide context can mean that the use of composition having Herbicide A, B, and C as described herein results in an enhanced, greater than additive weed control effect compared to the weed control effect of herbicidal mixtures (A+B), (B+C) or (C+A) individually.
[0058] The present invention relates to herbicides. Specifically, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition. The ternary herbicidal composition includes ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate; (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid; ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate; and agriculturally acceptable excipient(s), which provides synergistic control of harmful weeds in wide range of cultivated crop plants and non-cropped area. The ternary composition of the present disclosure is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation. The compositions and formulations of the present disclosure are useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants, particularly soybean.
[0059] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition comprising: (a) ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl] benzoate (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-A); (b) (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl) nicotinic acid (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-B); and (c) ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-C).
[0060] Chemically, Herbicide-A is chlorimuron-ethyl, that inhibits branched chain amino acid synthesis (ALS or AHAS). It acts by inhibiting biosynthesis of the essential amino acids valine and isoleucine, hence stopping cell division and plant growth. It belongs to sulfonylurea class and can be used for post-emergence control of important broadleaf weeds. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-186, contents whereof are incorporated herein, in its entirety, by way of reference.
[0061] Chemically, Herbicide-B is imazethapyr, which inhibits branched chain amino acid synthesis (ALS or AHAS) and reduces levels of valine, leucine and isoleucine, leading to disruption of protein and DNA synthesis. It is used as pre-emergence, or post-emergence herbicide to control many annual or perennial broad-leaf and grass weeds. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-623, contents whereof are incorporated herein, in its entirety, by way of reference.
[0062] Chemically, Herbicide-C is quizalofop-P-ethyl, a fatty acid synthesis inhibitor, by inhibition of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase). It is used for post-emergence control of annual and perennial grass weeds. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-1000, contents whereof are incorporated herein, in its entirety, by way of reference.
[0063] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal formulation comprising:
a) Herbicide-A,
b) Herbicide-B,
c) Herbicide-C; and
d) an agriculturally acceptable excipient, formulated into a liquid or a solid formulation.
[0064] In still another embodiment, the present invention discloses the unexpected and surprising effect of a herbicidal composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C and an agriculturally acceptable excipient (hereinafter interchangeably and synonymously also referred to as “adjuvant”, “additive” or “carrier”), which exhibits synergism not only in efficacy in weed control, but also has broad applicability to various weeds, and is effective over a longer duration of time.
[0065] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling harmful plants, weeds or unwanted plants comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C to harmful plants, weeds or unwanted plants. It should be understood and appreciated that the composition and method of weed control of the present invention does not substantially harm plants which are of agronomic use.
[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide A in said composition is in the range of 0.1% to 5%.
[0067] In a still preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide A in said composition is about 0.48%.
[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide B in said composition is in the range of 1% to 20%.
[0069] In a still preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide B in said composition is about 12.8%.
[0070] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide C in said composition is in the range of 1% to 15%
[0071] In a still preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide C in said composition is about 6.4%.
[0072] In some embodiments, the composition comprises: (a) Herbicide A in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (b) Herbicide B in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (c) Herbicide C in an amount ranging from 1 to 15 wt. % by wt. of the composition; and (d) agriculturally acceptable adjuvant, additive or carrier.
[0073] In some embodiments, the composition comprises: (a) Herbicide A in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 2 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (b) Herbicide B in an amount ranging from 5 to 20 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (c) Herbicide C in an amount ranging from 1 to 10 wt. % by wt. of the composition; and (d) an agriculturally acceptable excipient.
[0074] In some embodiments, the composition comprises: (a) Herbicide A in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 1 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (b) Herbicide B in an amount ranging from 11 to 15 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (c) Herbicide C in an amount ranging from 5 to 9 wt. % by wt. of the composition; and (d) an agriculturally acceptable excipient.
[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises: (a) Herbicide A in an amount ranging from 0.3 to 0.7 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (b) Herbicide B in an amount ranging from 11 to 15 wt. % by wt. of the composition; (c) Herbicide C in an amount ranging from 5 to 9 wt. % by wt. of the composition; and (d) agriculturally acceptable adjuvant, additive or carrier.
[0076] In some embodiments, the composition comprises Herbicide A, Herbicide B and Herbicide C in a wt. ratio within the range 1:10-40 : 5-30.
[0077] In some embodiments, the composition comprises Herbicide A, Herbicide B and Herbicide C in a wt. ratio within the range 1 : 15-35 : 5-20.
[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises Herbicide A, Herbicide B and Herbicide C in a wt. ratio within the range 1 : 20-30 : 8-20.
[0079] In an embodiment, the composition comprises Herbicide A, Herbicide B and Herbicide C in a wt. ratio of about 1 : 26.6 : 13.5.
[0080] In some embodiments, the composition comprises: a) ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the composition; b) (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition; c) ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate in an amount ranging from 1% to 15% by weight of the composition; and an agrochemically acceptable excipient, wherein the composition is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation.
[0081] In some embodiments, the composition comprises: a) ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate in an amount of about 0.48 wt.% by weight of the composition; b) (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid in an amount of about 12.8 wt. % by weight of the composition; c) ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate in an amount of about 6.4 wt.% by weight of the composition; and the remainder being agrochemically acceptable excipient(s), wherein the composition is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation.
[0082] In some embodiments, the agrochemically acceptable excipient comprises: a) one or more emulsifying agents; b) one or more solvents; and c) one or more stabilizing agents, wherein the emulsifying agent is a blend of calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonate and tristyrylphenol ethoxylated, the solvent is selected from petroleum naphtha, n-butanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combinations thereof, and the stabilizing agent comprises an amine selected from diethanolamine, diethylamine, isopropylamine, dimethylamine and combinations thereof.
[0083] In some embodiments, the composition further comprising a filler, a surfactant, an anti-freezing agent, an antifoaming agent, a dispersing agent, a biocide and a binder.
[0084] In some embodiments, the composition is formulated into any of: an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a wettable powder (WP), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a suspension concentrate (SC), a microemulsion, a suspo-emulsion (SE), and an oil in water emulsion.
[0085] In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an emulsifiable concentrate formulation comprising the composition as detailed hereinabove. The details of the composition are not repeated for the sake of avoiding duplication.
[0086] In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a microemulsion formulation comprising the composition as detailed hereinabove. The details of the composition are not repeated for the sake of avoiding duplication.
[0087] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ternary herbicidal formulation comprising Herbicides A+B+C is suitable for combating or controlling harmful weed plants in soybean crop fields.
[0088] In an embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition can be employed for the selective control of harmful plants, such as annual or perennial grassy weed, broad leaf weed and sedges, present in useful crop fields such as but not limited to soybean.
[0089] Among harmful plants, e.g. weeds or volunteer crop plants that may be controlled are includes for example, grassy weed such as Echinochloacolonum, Echinochloacrusgalli, Digitariasanguinalis, Leptochloachinensis, Dinebra Arabica, Dinebraretroflexa, Eragrostis spp., Brachiaria spp., andEleusineindica; broad leaf weed such as Commelinabenghalensis, Amaranthusviridis, Commelinacommunis, Digeraarvensis, Acalyphaindica, Portulaca spp., Alternanthera spp., Amaranthusrudis, Trianthema spp., Phyllanthusmaderaspatensis, Phyllanthusniruri, Xanthium strumarium, Euphorbia hirta, Cyanotistuberosa, Partheniumhysterophorus, and Euphorbia geniculate, and sedges weeds such as Cyperusrotundus, Cyperusiria, and Cyperusdifformis.
[0090] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ternary composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C shows good crop compatibility [i.e. their use in crops does not result in increased damage to crops when compared to the binary mixture of the herbicides (A+B), (B+C) or (C+A)] even though showing synergistic effect against weeds or undesirable plants.
[0091] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to the application of said composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C, which shows a remarkable improvement in residual activity. Further, the herbicidal composition of the present invention is very useful in a practical application, since it is capable of controlling, for example, hard to kill weeds in soybean crop fields.
[0092] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ternary herbicidal composition of Herbicides A+B+C can be applied in a conventional manner by using techniques familiar to a person skilled in the art. Suitable techniques include, but are not limited to spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading or watering. The type of application depends on the intended purpose; in any case, it should be ensured that the finest possible distribution or exposing to harmful plant or unwanted plant or locus to be treated by active ingredients according to the invention. The herbicidal composition is applied to unwanted plant or weed locus primarily by spraying, in particular foliar spraying of an aqueous solution of the said composition. Application can be carried out by customary spraying techniques using, for example, water as a carrier.
[0093] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the required application rate of the ternary composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C depends on various factors such as density of the undesired vegetation, type of soil, development stage of the plants, climatic conditions of the location, and on the application method. In general, the post-emergence application rate of the ternary composition of the present invention ranges from 100 to 3000 g/ha, preferably from 200 to 1000 g/ha.
[0094] In yet in another embodiment of the present invention, application of the herbicidal composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C results a remarkable synergistic improvement in the application window (post-emergence in weeds under different agronomical cultivation practices of soybean) compared to application of binary mixture of herbicides (A+B), (B+C) or (C+A) individually.
[0095] In still another embodiment of the present invention, compositions containing Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B, and Herbicide-C can be formulated in the form of a single package solid or liquid formulation containing a homogeneous mixture of Herbicides A, B, and C in any conventional formulation, for example, emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, water dispersible granule, suspension concentrate, microemulsion, suspo-emulsion, or oil in water emulsion, and the like, together with carrier materials.
[0096] In an embodiment of the present invention, the composition is preferably in the form of a single package formulation, more preferably, in the form of emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation. An illustrative EC formulation comprising various ingredients is illustrated in Table 1.
Table 1
Ingredient Weight % Range
Herbicide A 0.1% to 5%
Herbicide B 1% to 20%
Herbicide C 1% to 15%
Stabilizer 1% to 10%
One or more emulsifying agents 0.1% to 40%
One or more solvents 10% to 80%

[0097] In another embodiment of the present invention, if desired, at least one surfactant or emulsifier can be incorporated. Further if desired, optionally one or more auxiliaries ingredients (also referred to as adjuvants/excipients) customary for crop protection compositions may be added such as antifoaming agent, rheology modifier, anti-freezing agent, wetting agents, solvent, inert and other suitable agriculturally acceptable additives.
[0098] In another embodiment of the present invention, additives described in Table 1, can be replaced with other suitable agriculturally acceptable additives.
[0099] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one surfactant (such as wetting agents, tackifiers, dispersants and/or emulsifiers) which is usually employed in agrochemical compositions. Preferred surfactants are selected from ionic and non-ionic products and include solutions of organo-modified polyacrylates, polyacrylates, polysaccharides, alkyl or aryl sulfonates, phosphoric acid ester, modified polyethers, polyurethanes, polycarboxylates, alkyl or aryl sulfates, tristyrylphenolethaoxylated, dialkylsulfosuccinates, alkyl or lauryl ether sulfates, sodium or potassium lauryl sulphate, silicon alkoxylates, alkoxylated alkyl phenols, calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, acetylene glycols, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether and salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether and salts, polyoxyethylenestyryl phenyl ether and salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ester, derivatives of polyglycol ether, polyoxyethylenesorbitan alkylate, polyoxyethylenestyrylphenyl ether polymer, polyoxyalkylene glycol, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids such as ligninsoulfonic acid (Borresperse® types, Borregard, Norway), phenolsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid (Morwet® types, Akzo Nobel, U.S.A.), dibutylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (Nekal® types, BASF, Germany), condensates of alkylnaphthalene sulfonate or of naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde such as naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate, phenolsulfonic acid formaldehyde polycondensate as sodium salt, fatty alcohol sulfates, sodium or calcium salts of alkyl benzene sulphonate, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxyoxylated tri, di or monostyryl phenol, ethoxylated polyarylphenol and sulfated hexa-, hepta- and octadecanolates, sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers ethoxylated alkyl aryl phosphate esters, taurates, styrene acrylic co-polymer, acrylic graft copolymer, polyalkylene oxide block copolymer,EO-PO block copolymers as such, any fatty alcohols, esters of fatty acids, alcohols or compounds containing at least one OH group or a suitable mixtures thereof.
[00100] In one embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises optionally one or more solvent selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to water, aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. toluene, xylene, naphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives), petroleum naphtha, aliphatic hydrocarbons, kerosene, diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aromatic solvents (e.g. solvesso products), paraffins (e.g. mineral fractions), alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, pentanol, 2-ethylhexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol), ketones (e.g. cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (e.g. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, NOP), DMSO, acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[00101] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one antifoaming agent selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to polydimethylsiloxane, magnesium stearate, silicone emulsions (such as e.g. Silikon® SRE, Wacker, Germany or Rhodorsil®, Rhodia, France), long chain alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, salts of fatty acids, fluoro organic compounds, silicone oils, mineral oils, polyether siloxane copolymer containing fumed silica, silicone defoamers, non-silicone defoamers (such as polyethers, polyacrylates), arylalkyl modified polysiloxanes, polyethylene glycol and glycerin or a suitable mixtures thereof.
[00102] In one embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises optionally one or more stabilizing agent comprising amine such as diethylamine, dimethylamine, diethanolamine, isopropylamine or a suitable mixtures thereof.
[00103] In one embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one or more rheology modifiers which are usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to both natural and man-made modifiers, such as, for example, natural gums (xanthan gum, gum arabic, gun ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum etc.), attagel, agar, alginic acid, alginate salt, chitin, pectin, casein, dextran, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydrophilic and hydrophobic silicas, fumed silica or silicon dioxide, fumed aluminium oxide, colloidal silicon dioxides, hydrogenated castor oils, polyvinylalcohol, sodium alginate, sodium poly acrylate, welan gum, lignosulfonates, hydroxy methyl cellulose, dextrin, heteropolysaccharides, organic and inorganic clays, montmorillonite, bentonite clay or its organic derivatives, oxidized waxes, carboxy methylcellulose, carrageen, fucoidan, laminaran, HEUR (hydrophobically modified, ethoxylated urethane), HMPE (hydrophobically modified polyethers), HASE (hydrophobically modified, alkali-swellable emulsion), polyacrylates, polyamides, 2-aminoethyl starch, 2-hydroxy ethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate salt, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidinones, alkali metal salts of the maleic anhydride copolymers, alkali metal salts of poly(meth)acrylate, and starch or a suitable mixtures thereof. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, however, and a wide variety of other rheology modifiers can be employed. A wide variety of rheology modifiers are available commercially, including, for example, the following: Kelzan® (CP Kelco, USA), Rhodopol® 23 (Rhodia, France), Veegum® (R.T. Vanderbilt, USA) and Attaclay® (Engelhard Corp., NJ; USA).
[00104] In one embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises optionally one or more anti-freezing agent selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like. In addition, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, urea, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol and octaglycerol and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[00105] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition optionally further comprises at least one inert or filler selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to sucrose, lactose, methyl soyate, vegetable oil, urea, thiourea, kaolin, clays, talc, chalk, glass fiber, highly disperse silica, precipitated silica, diatomite, calcite, talcum, wood flour, cellulose, pulverized wood, diatomaceous earth, montmorillonite, salts of alkali earth metals with any strong or weak acid (e.g. sodium chloride, potassium, magnesium chloride etc), citric acid and its salts, ammonium sulphate, ammonium chloride, potash, glycols salts of dibasic acid, ammonium carbonate, salt of alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate or hydroxide, water and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[00106] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition may further comprises optionally a binding agent such as polyvinylpyrolidone or the like,and/ora biocide such as benzisothiazolinone or the like, and/or a rheology modifier such as xanthan gum or the like, which are known in the prior art and usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions.
[00107] In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preparation of a ternary herbicidal composition.
[00108] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preparation of a ternary herbicidal composition, which may exist in liquid or solid form such as emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, water dispersible granule, suspension concentrate, microemulsion, suspo-emulsion, oil in water emulsion, and the like.
[00109] In an embodiment, the liquid or solid herbicidal composition of the present invention can be prepared by conventional formulation techniques known in the art.
[00110] The compositions and methods of the appended claims are not limited in scope by the specific compositions and methods described herein, which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the claims and any compositions and methods that are functionally equivalent are intended to fall within the scope of the claims. Various modifications of the compositions and methods in addition to those shown and described herein are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further, while only certain representative compositions and method steps disclosed herein are specifically described, other combinations of the compositions and method steps also are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims, even if not specifically recited.
[00111] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

EXAMPLES
[00112] The invention is now being illustrated with working examples, which is intended to illustrate the working of disclosure and not intended to take restrictively to imply any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
[00113] Several ternary herbicidal formulations were prepared and tested for their stability and suitability, compositions whereof are provided in the Table 2a and 2b below:
Table 2a
Example

Ingredients 1 2 3 4 5 Role
Herbicide-A*
(Purity: 96.0% w/w) 0.24 0.72 0.50 0.50 0.50 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-B*
(Purity: 98.0% w/w) 6.40 19.20 13.06 13.06 13.06 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-C*
(Purity: 95.0% w/w) 3.20 9.60 6.74 6.74 6.74 Active Ingredient
Diethanolamine 2.80 8.40 5.60 --- --- Stabilizer
Tristyrylphenol,ethoxylated 8.00 16.00 12.75 --- --- Emulsifying agent
Calcium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 2.00 4.00 2.25 --- --- Emulsifying agent
n-Butanol 20.00 30.00 25.00 --- --- Solvent
Naphtha (Petroleum) 57.36 12.08 34.10 --- --- Solvent
Alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate --- --- --- 8.00 10.00 Dispersing agent
Sodium dodecyl sulfate --- --- --- 3.00 4.00 Wetting agent
Polydimethylsiloxanes --- --- --- 1.00 1.00 Antifoaming agent
Polyvinylpyrolidone --- --- --- --- 1.00 Binding agent
Precipitated Silica --- --- --- 12.00 15.00 Filler
Kaolin --- --- --- 55.70 48.70 Filler
Total 100g 100g 100g 100g 100g --
Formulation EC EC EC WP WDG --

Table 2b
Example

Ingredients
6 7 8
9
10 Role
Herbicide-A*
(Purity: 96.0% w/w) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-B*
(Purity: 98.0% w/w) 13.06 13.06 13.06 13.06 13.06 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-C*
(Purity: 95.0% w/w) 6.74 6.74 6.74 6.74 6.74 Active Ingredient
Diethanolamine --- --- 5.60 --- 5.60 Stabilizer
Tristyrylphenol ethoxylated 8.00 --- 21.50 --- 6.00 Emulsifying agent
Calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate 6.00 --- 3.50 --- 2.00 Emulsifying agent
n-Butanol --- --- 30.00 --- 15.00 Solvent
Naphtha(Petroleum) --- --- 19.10 8.00 8.00 Solvent
Bentonite clay 2.00 --- --- --- --- Rheology modifier
Methyl soyate 63.7 --- --- --- --- Filler
Polydimethylsiloxanes --- 0.50 --- --- --- Antifoaming agent
Acrylic graft copolymer --- 4.00 --- 2.00 4.00 Surfactant
Fatty Alcohols ethoxylated --- 3.00 --- 2.00 --- Surfactant
Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer --- --- --- 2.00 --- Surfactant
Propylene glycol --- 5.00 --- 5.00 5.00 Anti-freezing agent
Benzisothiazolinone --- 0.25 --- 0.25 0.25 Biocide
Xanthan gum --- 0.20 --- 0.20 0.20 Rheology modifier
Water --- 66.75 --- 60.25 33.65 Filler
Total 100g 100g 100g 100g 100g --
Formulation SC SC ME SE EW --
*Quantity is based on purity of active ingredient (e.g. 0.50g of Herbicide A with 96.0% w/w purity is equivalent to 0.48g of pure Herbicide A).

Process steps for the preparation of emulsifiable concentrate (EC) composition
[000114] Desired quantity (recited herein-above in Table 2a, Example 2) of solvent n-butanol and Herbicide-B were charged in a vessel at room temperature (~35°C). Then add diethanolamine (stabilizer) slowly under stirring and stir till clear solution obtained. Again charge desired quantity of solvent petroleum naphtha, Herbicide-A, and Herbicide-C under stirring. Stir at room temperature till the technical gets miscible in the solvent. Charge desired quantity of emulsifying agents (tristyrylphenol ethoxylated and calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) and stir till it gets miscible in the solvents. Send the in-process sample for analysis. Filter the product to get to get final EC formulation without any extraneous matter.

Process for the preparation of water dispersible granule (WDG):
[000115] Desired amount (recited herein-above in Table 2a, Example 5) of precipitated silica, kaolin, Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B, Herbicide-C, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, polydimethylsiloxanes, and polyvinylpyrolidone were charged in a premix blender and blended till a uniformly blended mixture was obtained. The mixture was ground utilizing an air jet mill for which the feed rate was adjusted according to the desired particle size. After the grinding process, the mixture was blended in the post blender till uniformly blended mixture was obtained. In-process sample was check and then the mass was transferred to a sigma blender to get a uniform dough using water. The dough was extruded in an extruder through desire sized jar to get required granules. The WDG product was then dried in a fluidized bed dryer (FBD).
Process for the preparation of suspension concentrate (SC):
[000116] Desired amount (recited herein-above in Table 2b, Example 7) of water was charged in a vessel followed by charging of acrylic graft copolymer, fatty alcohols ethoxylated, polydimethylsiloxanes, propylene glycol, and benzisothiazolinone. Then charged Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B, and Herbicide-C under stirring. The mixture was stirred till uniformly mixture was obtained. The mixture was ground utilizing bead mill for which the feed rate was adjusted according to the desired particle size maintaining temperature between 15°C to 20°C. The in-process sample was checked. Then sample was passed in particle size and charged xanthan gum gel. The mixture was stirred till uniformly mixture was obtained. The product was filtered to get final SC formulation without any extraneous matter.
Bio-efficacy study (in-house):
[000117] The synergistic herbicidal composition of the present disclosure Herbicide-(A+B+C), prepared in accordance with Example 2 (EC formulation) was used for conducting field trials at a given concentrations, and efficacy was compared with possible binary tank mix combinations i.e.,
i) Herbicide-A 25% WP + Herbicide-C 5% EC or (A+C),
ii) Herbicide-A 25% WP + Herbicide-B 10% SL or (A+B), and
iii) Herbicide-B 10% SL+ Herbicide-C 5% EC or (B+C),
against various grassy weeds, broad leaf weeds and sedges weeds in soybean crop as per predetermined doses.
[000118] Binary mixtures were prepared by mixing commercially available formulations of Herbicide-A (Cyno 25% WP- manufactured by Atul Limited), Herbicide-B (Pursuit 10% SL-manufactured by BASF), and Herbicide-C (Targa Super 5% EC- manufactured by Dhanuka Agritech) as per predetermined doses.
Field experiment methodology
[000119] Field trials were conducted in cultivated soybean field under naturally occurring weed populations in the trial fields. The trial sites were located at:
a) Field Trial-1 at village -Sater, Indore (Madhya Pradesh); Crop variety: JS 2098; Time period from July 2022 to September 2022.
b) Field Trial-2 at village -Sonala, Adilabad (Telangana); Crop variety: JS 1035; Time period from July 2022 to September 2022.
Experimental Design and Treatments:
[000120] The trials were conducted on different varieties of soybean crop using normal research methodology. Treatments were randomized in block wise having plot area of 5.0 x 5.0 sq. m. and replicated thrice. The experimental plots were one meter apart to prevent cross-contamination of treatments and other research activities. Soil type for trial-1 is black sandy loam and for other trials it is black soil. Battery operated Knapsack sprayer with flat fan nozzle is used for application. The timely observations from the trial field were recorded, using standard methodology of observations.
Observations:
[000121] Below tables summarizes the percentage control observations based on post-emergence field trials and phytotoxicity observations in soybean crop, wherein herbicidal composition (A+B+C) referred to the formulation prepared in accordance with Example 2.

Percentage control observations based on field trials performed at village - Sater, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [FIELD TRIAL-1]

S.N. Herbicidal Composition Formulation dosage
(gm or ml/ha) % Control Observed at 30 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Commelina benghalensis Digera arvensis Phyllanthus niruri Acalypha indica Xanthium strumarium Commelina communis Cyperusrotundus
1 (A+B+C) 700 86 85 85 83 81 77 85 83 83
2 (A+B+C) 750 92 89 87 89 87 80 94 88 91
3 (A+B+C) 800 95 90 90 92 90 82 96 89 93
4 (A+C) 15+1000 70 72 63 75 60 74 65 71 84
5 (A+B) 15+1000 55 57 80 80 79 75 84 80 90
6 (B+C) 1000+1000 90 84 69 77 74 63 71 76 20
S.N. Herbicidal Composition Formulation dosage
(gm or ml/ha) % Control Observed at 45 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Commelina benghalensis Digera arvensis Phyllanthus niruri Acalypha indica Xanthium strumarium Commelina communis Cyperusr otundus
1 (A+B+C) 700 83 81 87 88 86 79 90 84 81
2 (A+B+C) 750 90 88 90 94 92 84 96 90 89
3 (A+B+C) 800 92 90 92 96 95 87 97 90 92
4 (A+C) 15+1000 65 69 60 76 61 70 65 70 83
5 (A+B) 15+1000 53 54 76 79 84 77 80 83 88
6 (B+C) 1000+1000 87 80 70 73 79 67 77 80 14

Phytotoxicity Observation: Field Trial-1
S.N. Herbicidal Composition Use Rate
(g or ml/ha) % Phytotoxicity observed
10 DAA 20 DAA 30 DAA 40 DAA 60 DAA
1 (A+B+C) 700 0 0 0 0 0
2 (A+B+C) 750 0 0 0 0 0
3 (A+B+C) 800 0 0 0 0 0
4 (A+C) 15+1000 0 0 0 0 0
5 (A+B) 15+1000 0 0 0 0 0
6 (B+C) 1000+1000 0 0 0 0 0

Percentage control observations based on field trials performed at village- Sonala, Adilabad (Telangana) [FIELD TRIAL-2]

S.N. Herbicidal Composition Formulation dosage
(gm or ml/ha) % Control Observed at 30 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Leptochloa chinensis Digitaria spp. Commelina benghalensis Commelina communis Digera arvensis Acalypha indica Portulaca oleracea Parthenium hysterophorus Euphorbia geniculata Cyperus rotundus
1 (A+B+C) 700 85 87 79 82 88 74 85 80 85 87 85 88
2 (A+B+C) 750 90 92 85 85 90 83 91 81 93 94 93 91
3 (A+B+C) 800 91 94 88 88 91 84 94 83 94 98 95 93
4 (A+C) 15+1000 70 72 73 73 69 73 82 75 83 63 82 85
5 (A+B) 15+1000 67 61 40 49 76 82 83 76 81 83 81 88
6 (B+C) 1000+1000 84 82 74 75 79 71 85 67 73 80 63 25
S.N. Herbicidal Composition Formulation dosage
(gm or ml/ha) % Control Observed at 45 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Leptochloa chinensis Digitaria spp. Commelina benghalensis Commelina communis Digera arvensis Acalypha indica Portulaca oleracea Parthenium hysterophorus Euphorbia geniculata Cyperus rotundus
1 (A+B+C) 700 84 88 81 80 89 77 86 82 88 89 86 90
2 (A+B+C) 750 91 91 89 86 92 88 93 88 94 93 96 94
3 (A+B+C) 800 93 93 90 88 93 91 95 90 95 97 98 96
4 (A+C) 15+1000 72 70 72 71 67 71 80 74 81 67 79 87
5 (A+B) 15+1000 65 63 43 42 78 80 81 77 85 84 80 90
6 (B+C) 1000+1000 85 80 72 74 80 73 82 65 77 81 67 17

Phytotoxicity Observation: Field Trial-2
S.N. Herbicidal Composition Use Rate
(g or ml/ha) % Phytotoxicity observed
10 DAA 20 DAA 30 DAA 40 DAA 60 DAA
1 (A+B+C) 700 0 0 0 0 0
2 (A+B+C) 750 0 0 0 0 0
3 (A+B+C) 800 0 0 0 0 0
4 (A+C) 15+1000 0 0 0 0 0
5 (A+B) 15+1000 0 0 0 0 0
6 (B+C) 1000+1000 0 0 0 0 0

[000122] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that in each case, for any of the 3 doses of the combination of Herbicides A+B+C tested, the effect of the composition in post-emergence application is unexpectedly and surprisingly synergistic over the effect of binary mixture of herbicides (A+B), (B+C) or (C+A).
[000123] To assess the phytotoxic effect of the herbicidal composition on soybean crop viz. leaf burning, yellowing, stunting, scorching, epinasty, hyponasty etc., a trial was laid out in Randomized Black Design (RBD) replicated three times. For each treatment, plot size was maintained at 25 sq. meter. To raise the crops, all the agronomical practices were followed as usually adopted for soybean cultivation. The said binary and ternary herbicidal compositions were applied in prescribed recommended doses by battery operated Knapsack sprayer with flat fan nozzle.
[000124] Observation on phytotoxicity viz. growth stunting, yellowing, scorching, epinasty, hyponasty etc. was recorded at 10 to 60 ‘Days after Application’ (DAA) of post emergence treatments from ten plants which were randomly selected from each plot.
[000125] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that in each case, for any of the 3 doses of the combination of Herbicides A+B+C tested, the percentage phytotoxicity observed is zero even after 60 DAA (days after application).
[000126] Accordingly, by the practice of the present invention, herbicide compositions having heretofore unrecognized characteristics are prepared. These herbicides exhibit exceptionally synergetic effect for control of common weeds, especially growing in the soybean field and can be used for a post-emergence herbicide application.
[000127] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that the herbicidal composition of the present invention as tested exhibits no phytotoxicity to soybean crop upto 800 g or mL/ha dose amount.
[000128] Overall, the present invention provides a composition comprising three herbicidal active ingredients, which at particular w/w ratios, and in various doses exhibit an unexpected and surprising synergism in ability to eliminate growth of weeds and unwanted vegetation. Of particular importance is that the said composition, while it is detrimental to the growth of weeds, does not particularly affect agronomic characteristics of crop plant such as soybean. The said composition is not phytotoxic to the crop plants upto recommended doses, which makes the said composition an attractive and suitable alternative to usage of individual herbicides.
[000129] The foregoing examples are merely illustrative and are not to be taken as limitations upon the scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[000130] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has synergistically improved action in ability to eliminate growth of weeds and unwanted vegetation.
[000131] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has greater potency and demonstrates broader weed spectrum.
[000132] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that is detrimental to the growth of weeds, does not particularly affect agronomic characteristics of crop plant such as soybean.
[000133] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that is not phytotoxic to the crop plants upto recommended doses, which makes the said composition an attractive and suitable alternative to usage of individual herbicides.
[000134] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that is highly stable and has low toxicity to humans or other mammals.
[000135] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has improved ecological compatibility.
[000136] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which allows the application rate to be reduced in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.
[000137] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that rapidly degrades in soil and has lesser crop phytotoxicity.
[000138] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which shows better herbicidal effect against the developed resistance in broad range of weed species specially grown along with soybean crop.
[000139] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is easy to handle and can be easily applied on crops.
[000140] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is highly effective for a long duration on broad range of weed species in soybean crop.
[000141] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly soybean.
[000142] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which can control weed at post emergent stage.
, Claims:1. A ternary herbicidal composition comprising:
a) ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the composition;
b) (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition;
c) ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate in an amount ranging from 1% to 15% by weight of the composition; and
an agrochemically acceptable excipient, wherein the composition is formulated into a solid formulation or a liquid formulation.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein w/w concentration of the ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate in the composition is 0.48%, w/w concentration of the (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid in the composition is 12.8%, and w/w concentration of ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate in the composition is 6.4%, the remainder being agrochemically acceptable excipient(s).
3. The composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 2, wherein said agrochemically acceptable excipient comprises:
a) one or more emulsifying agents;
b) one or more solvents; and
c) one or more stabilizing agents,
wherein the emulsifying agent is a blend of calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonate and tristyrylphenol ethoxylated, the solvent is selected from petroleum naphtha, n-butanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combinations thereof, and the stabilizing agent comprises an amine selected from diethanolamine, diethylamine, isopropylamine, dimethylamine and combinations thereof.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a filler, a surfactant, an anti-freezing agent, an antifoaming agent, a dispersing agent, a biocide and a binder.
5. The composition as claimed in claim 1 to 5, wherein the composition is formulated into any of: an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a wettable powder (WP), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a suspension concentrate (SC), a microemulsion, a suspo-emulsion (SE), and an oil in water emulsion.
6. An emulsifiable concentrate formulation comprising a composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 6.
7. A microemulsion formulation comprising a composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 6.
8. The composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein said composition is applied in an amount ranging from 100g/ha to 3000 g/ha of ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate, (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid, and ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate.
9. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein said composition is applied in an amount ranging from 200g/ha to 1000g/ha of ethyl 2-[N-[N-(4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl]benzoate, (±)-5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinic acid, and ethyl (2R)-2-[4-[(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy]propionate.