DESC:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a surfactant composition and its use/application in agrochemical formulations. More particularly, the present invention relates to a surfactant composition comprising a polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Generally, agricultural formulations are applied as solids, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dispersions and the like, and these formulations are applied to plants, soil, insects and used as pesticides such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides; plant growth regulators; micronutrients and the likes. The common problem observed for an agricultural formulation is that they have poor wetting/spreading property, and due to this decreased wetting/spreading ability there is less absorption of the formulation and hence its efficacy is decreased.

In these agricultural formulations, the biological efficacy of active ingredients used is frequently improved by using surfactants, adjuvants, auxiliaries or additives. A surfactant is a compound which when dissolved in a liquid decreases the attractive force exerted by molecules below the surface of the liquid upon those molecules at the surface of the liquid enabling the liquid to flow more readily. Liquids with low surface tensions flow more readily than water, while mercury with the highest surface tension of any liquid does not flow but disintegrates into droplets. Hence, a surfactant or blend of two or more surfactants having the capability of reducing the surface tension are used in most of the formulations for enhancing the wetting/spreading ability of the formulation on surfaces that are difficult to wet, such as a waxy leaf cuticle or waxy coating on body of insects. These surfactants are either added to the aqueous spray liquor shortly before deployment and spray application (as a tank mix additive) or incorporated directly into agricultural formulations as a premix.

Although conventional surfactants enhance the wetting property of formulations, they do not provide total wetting on hydrophobic surfaces. This can result in poor uptake of active ingredients and a low degree of efficacy. Wetting is the interaction of a liquid with a solid (or another liquid) and the subsequent spreading. Surface tension and contact angles of known surfactants determines the wettability/ spreading ability of a material. A high surface tension/contact angle indicates that the surface has low wetting ability, that is, the liquid droplet will not spread very much onto the surface.

The present invention provides a surfactant composition which reduces surface tension; and enhances wetting/spreading ability of the formulations applied in agriculture. The surfactant composition according to the present invention compensates for the weakness of less wetting and spreading of an agrochemical formulation. It also increases the activity or enhances the effect of the formulation by increasing the spreading ability of the formulation.

OBJECTIVE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surfactant composition, which enables rapid wetting/spreading of an agrochemical formulation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a surfactant composition, which reduces surface tension of an agrochemical formulation thereby increasing its wetting property.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a surfactant composition, which reduces the contact angle of an agrochemical formulation thereby increasing its spreading property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition, which increases the use and/or efficacy of an agrochemical formulation by increasing its wetting/spreading property.

Yet another object of the present invention is providing a surfactant composition suitable for application with agrochemical formulations selected from pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides; biopesticides; plant growth regulators and plant nutrients to all crops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect of present invention, there is provided a surfactant composition comprising a siloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt.

In an aspect of present invention, there is provided a surfactant composition comprising a polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt.

In an aspect of present invention, there is provided a surfactant composition comprising a polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt, wherein the concentration of polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is more than about 50% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided use of a surfactant composition according to the present invention as a wetting/spreading agent in a formulation comprising agrochemical active ingredient/s.

In yet another aspect of present invention, there is provided a combination comprising:
a) at least one agrochemical active ingredient; and
b) a surfactant composition according to present invention.

In yet another aspect of present invention, there is provided a formulation comprising a surfactant composition according to present invention and at least one agrochemical active ingredient.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method for reducing dynamic surface tension of a formulation, the method comprising adding to the formulation an effective amount of a surfactant composition according to present invention.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method for reducing contact angle of a formulation, the method comprising adding to the said formulation an effective amount of a surfactant composition according to present invention.

In yet another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method of treating vegetation, the method comprising applying a formulation comprising a surfactant composition according to present invention and at least one agrochemical active ingredient either to said vegetation or to the locus of said vegetation.

In yet another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method of improving plant growth, the method comprising applying a composition according to the present invention, and at least one agrochemical active ingredient either to said vegetation or to the locus of said vegetation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 (Figure 1A to 1G) demonstrates spreadability according to Example 4 on the surface of a leaf of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis after 60 seconds of deposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. The terms used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for illustration purpose only and not for limiting the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials/ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Thus, before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the disclosure only and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Prior to setting forth the present subject matter in detail, it may be helpful to provide definitions of certain terms used herein.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described herein.

As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “having”, “containing”, “involving” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the disclosure that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. The aspects and embodiments described herein shall also be interpreted to replace the clause “comprising” with either “consisting of” or with “consisting essentially of” or with “consisting substantially of”.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±10% or ±5% of the stated value.

The use of the terms “a”, “an” and “the” and similar referents (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms first, second etc., as used herein are not meant to denote any particular ordering, but simply for convenience to denote a plurality of, for example, layers.

All methods described herein can be performed in a 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”), is intended merely to better illustrate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure as used herein.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

The expression of various quantities in terms of “%” or “% w/v” or “% w/w” means the percentage by weight of the total solution or composition unless otherwise specified.

The term “agrochemical” used herein is understood to denote an agricultural chemical such as pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, nematicides, plant growth regulators, nutrients and can be used interchangeably.

The term “room temperature” unless stated otherwise, essentially means temperature in a range of about 20-40°C.

The term “dynamic surface tension” used herein measures the capability of a liquid to lower surface tension and wet the substrate. The term “dynamic surface tension” is interchangeably used as (DST) throughout the specification. The dynamic surface tension is an important measure to determine the wettability of a material, higher the dynamic surface tension lesser is the wettability. In present invention, the dynamic surface tension is measured by the maximum bubble pressure method.

The term “contact angle” used herein measures the intermolecular interactions between the liquid droplet and the surface, when the drop meets the surface. The contact angle measurement is used to determine the surface tension of a droplet, offering a fast and non-intrusive testing solution for determining the spreadability of absorption of a liquid on a surface. Usually, lower the contact angle the better is the spreading and wetting property of the material under study.

In an aspect of present invention, there is provided a surfactant composition comprising a siloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt.

In an aspect of present invention, there is provided a surfactant composition comprising a polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt.

In an embodiment, the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is selected from the group comprising polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, polyethylene oxide modified trisiloxane, polypropylene oxide modified trisiloxane, polyethylene-polypropylene oxide modified trisiloxane or polybutylene oxide modified trisiloxane. In an embodiment, the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane.

In an embodiment, the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is selected from the group comprising polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide block copolymer, polyethylene oxide-polybutylene oxide block copolymers, and the like. In an embodiment, the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide block copolymer. The polyalkylene oxide block copolymer has molecular weight in a range of about 1000 g/mol to about 6000 g/mol, and preferably about 1000 g/mol to about 4000 g/mol.

In an embodiment, the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt, has alkyl group either branched or linear alkyl group, having 1-10 carbon atoms. In an embodiment, the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound is in a form of its salt, preferably alkali metal salt such as sodium or potassium salt. In an embodiment, the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is selected from sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate or sodium di(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate.

In an embodiment, there is provided a surfactant composition comprising a polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and sodium salt of dialkyl sulfosuccinate.

In an aspect of present invention, there is provided a surfactant composition comprising a polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane, a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt, wherein concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is more than about 50% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is in a range of about 50% w/w to about 95% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane is about 50% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane is about 60% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane is about 80% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane is about 90% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is in a range of about 0.1% w/w to about 40% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is in a range of about 1% w/w to about 40% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is in a range of about 5% w/w to about 40% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is about 5% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is about 7.5% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is about 10% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is about 15% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is about 30% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is about 37.5% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is in a range of about 0.1% w/w to about 20% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is in a range of about 1% w/w to about 20% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is about 2.5% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is about 5% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is about 10% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is about 12.5% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is about 15% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, a weight ratio of the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane, the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt in the surfactant composition is in a range of about 5:1:1 to about 30:10:1, and preferably in a range of about 5:1:1 to about 20:5:1.

In an embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises:
i) more than about 50% w/w polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
ii) about 0.1% w/w to about 40% w/w polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
iii) about 0.1% w/w to about 20% w/w dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, a surfactant composition comprising:
i) about 50% w/w to about 95% w/w polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
ii) about 0.1% w/w to about 40% w/w polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
iii) about 0.1% w/w to about 20% w/w dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises:
i) about 50% w/w polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
ii) about 1% w/w to about 40% w/w polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
iii) about 1% w/w to about 20% w/w dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises:
i) about 60% w/w polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
ii) about 1% w/w to about 40% w/w polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
iii) about 1% w/w to about 20% w/w dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises:
i) about 80% w/w polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
ii) about 1% w/w to about 20% w/w polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
iii) about 1% w/w to about 20% w/w dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises:
i) about 90% w/w polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
ii) about 1% w/w to about 20% w/w polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
iii) about 1% w/w to about 20% w/w dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt of total weight of the composition.

The surfactant composition of the present invention exhibits advantageously low dynamic surface tension. The dynamic surface tension determines the wettability of the liquid. Lower the value of dynamic surface tension, better the wettability of the liquid.

In some embodiments, the dynamic surface tension of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 65 mN/m or less, alternatively about 60 mN/m or less, alternatively about 58 mN/m or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 10 ms according to maximum-bubble-pressure method.

In some embodiments, the dynamic surface tension of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 55 mN/m or less, alternatively about 50 mN/m or less, alternatively about 45 mN/m or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 50 ms according to maximum-bubble-pressure method.

In an embodiment, a dynamic surface tension of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 40 mN/m or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 100 ms according to maximum-bubble-pressure method.

In an embodiment, the dynamic surface tension of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 35 mN/m or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 250 ms according to maximum-bubble-pressure method.

In an embodiment, the dynamic surface tension of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 32 mN/m or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 400 ms according to maximum-bubble-pressure method.

The contact angle of a liquid indicates the spreading property on a surface. The lower the contact angle value the greater the potential for the liquid to spread and cover a larger area. The surfactant composition of the present invention exhibits very low contact angle on a surface, defining it has good ability to spread.

In some embodiments, a contact angle of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 10° or less when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 800 ms to about 1000 ms.

In an embodiment, the contact angle of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 5° or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 800 ms to about 1000 ms.

In another embodiment, the contact angle of the surfactant composition according to present invention, is about 1° or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 800 ms to about 1000 ms.

In an embodiment, there is provided a process for preparing the surfactant composition according to present invention, the process comprising:
a) combining the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane; the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt, to obtain a blend; and
b) mixing said blend to obtain a homogenous liquid as the surfactant composition.

In an embodiment, the surfactant composition according to present invention is prepared in such a way that the concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane is more than about 50% w/w of total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane is in a range of about 50% w/w to about 95% w/w of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the process for preparing the surfactant composition is carried out at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure. In an embodiment, the process further involves a step of filtering the mixed blend.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided use of the surfactant composition according to the present invention as a wetting/spreading agent in a formulation comprising agrochemical active ingredient/s. In another embodiment, there is provided use of the surfactant composition according to the present invention as a wetting agent or a spreading agent. In an embodiment, the surfactant composition according to the present invention is used as a wetting agent in the agrochemical formulation/s. In an embodiment, the surfactant composition according to the present invention is used as a spreading agent in the agrochemical formulation/s.

The surfactant composition according to the present invention aids rapid and uniform spreading of the agrochemical formulation/s, this increases the efficacy of the final formulation, wherein said surfactant composition is used.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided a combination comprising:
a) at least one agrochemical active ingredient; and
b) a surfactant composition comprising: a polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane; a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical active ingredient may be selected from, but not limited to, group comprising pesticide such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicide, nematicide, acaricide, miticide and the likes; biopesticides; pheromones; plant growth regulators; or nutrients.

Non-limiting examples of the agrochemical active ingredient include: acetanilides, amides, amidines, anilides, arylaminopropionic acids, arylalanines, aryloxycarboxylic acids, aryloxyplenoxy-propionates (“fops”), azoryls, benzilates, benzofurans, benzoic acids, benzoylcyclohexanediones, benzofuranyl alkylsulfonates, benzothiazoles, benzoxazoles, benzoylpyrazoles, bipyridyliums, carbamates, carbanilates, carboxamides, chloroacetamides, chloroacetanilides, chlorotriazines, cyclodienes, cyclohexanediones (“dims”), cyclohexane oximes, cyclopropylisoxazoles, dicarboximides, dinitroalilines, dinitrophenols, diphenyl ethers, dithiocarbamates, dithiolanes, glycines, halogenated aliphatics, imidazoles, imidazolinones, isoazolidinones, methoxytriazines, methylthiotriazines, neonicotinoids, nitriles, nitroanilines, nitrophenylethers, N- phenylphthalimides, organoarsenicals, organophosphates, organophosphorus, oxadiazines, oxadiazolinones, oxazoles, oxyacetamides, phenoxyalkanoic acids, phenyl carbamates, ureas, phenoxys (including substituted phenoxys), phenoxyacetics, phenoxybutyrics, phenoxycarboxylic acids, phenoxypropionics, phenylamides, phenylethylenediamines, phenylpyrazoles, phenylpyridazines, phenylureas, phosphinic acids, phosphorodithioates, phthalic acids, picolinic acids, pyrazoles, pyrethroids, pyridazines, pyridazinones, pyridines, pyridine carboxylic acids, pyrimidinamines, pyrimidinyloxybenzoic acids, pyrimidinylthiobenzoic acids, quaternary ammoniums, quinazolinones, quinoline carboxylic acids, strobilurins, sulfonamides, sulfonanilides, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, sulfonylureas, tetrazolinones, thiadiazoles, thiadiazolylureas, thiocarbamates, thiocarbonates, thioureas, triazines, triazoles, triazolones, triazinones, triazolopyrimidines, triketones, uracils, and ureas (including substituted ureas).

In an embodiment, non-limiting examples of the agrochemical active ingredient include: pelargonic acid, diphenamid, napropamide, napropamide-M, propanil, tetflupyrolimet, benzoylprop, acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, propisochlor, benzofluor, dicamba, aminopyralid, halauxifen, picloram, ethofumesate, dichlobenil, bromobonil, iodobonil, methoxyphenone, cinmethylin, asulam, fenasulam, clethodim, isopropalin, dipropalin, dinofenate, acifluorfen, aclonifen, fomesafen, flurtamone, dazomet, dimethyl disulfide, alorac, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, borax, potassium arsenite, isoxaflutole, clomazone, pyroxasulfone, flurochloridone, flumioxazin, isoxafenacil, saflufenacil, oxadiazon, sulfentrazone, o-dichlorobenzene, glyphosate, glufosinate, glufosinate-P, fosamine, amiprophos, bensulide, indanofan, flufenacet, cresol, 2,4-D, dichlorprop, fenoprop, clodinafop, quizalofop, haloxyfop, chlorfenac, diflufenican, methiuron, pyrasulfotole, pyraflufen, pinoxaden, pyraclonil, credazine, metflurazon, dithiopyr, triclopyr, tioclorim, pyribambenz-isopropyl, diquat, quinoclamine, piperophos, prosulfocarb, dimexano, indaziflam, ametryn, atrazine, metribuzin, amicarbazone, penoxsulam, bicyclopyrone, bromacil, benzthiazuron, diuron, halosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, flucarbazone, thiencarbazone, iodosulfuron, dithiuron, acrolein and the like.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises a tank mix of a formulation comprising at least one agrochemical active ingredient; and the surfactant composition according to present invention.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises a formulation comprising at least one agrochemical active ingredient and the surfactant composition according to present invention.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method for reducing dynamic surface tension of an agrochemical formulation, the method comprising combining the agrochemical formulation with an effective amount of the surfactant composition according to the present invention.

The surfactant composition of the present invention when added/combined to a formulation, preferably agrochemical formulation, aids in reducing dynamic surface tension/contact angle and increases spreading ability of the formulation. The increase in spreading ability of the formulation makes the active ingredient in formulation more available and thereby increasing the overall efficacy of the formulation.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical formulation that can be admixed with the surfactant composition of the present invention is in form of solid formulations, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dispersions and the like.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method for reducing contact angle of an agrochemical formulation, the method comprising combining the agrochemical formulation with an effective amount of the surfactant composition according to present invention.

In yet another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method of treating vegetation, the method comprising applying a formulation comprising the surfactant composition according to present invention and at least one agrochemical active ingredient either to said vegetation or to the locus of said vegetation.

In an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling pests comprising applying to the pests or to their locus, a formulation comprising the surfactant composition according to present invention and at least one agrochemical active ingredient.

In an embodiment, agrochemical active ingredient is selected from, but not limited to, group comprising pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicide, nematicide, acaricide, miticide and the likes; biopesticides; pheromones; plant growth regulators; or nutrients.

In an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling undesirable plants, the method comprising applying to the foliage of the plants or to the soil or water containing seeds or other propagating organs thereof, a formulation comprising a surfactant composition according to present invention and at least one agrochemical active ingredient.

In yet another aspect of present invention, there is provided a method of improving growth of plants, the method comprising applying a surfactant composition according to the present invention, and at least one agrochemical active ingredient either to said vegetation or to the locus of said vegetation.

In an embodiment, agrochemical active ingredient is selected from, but not limited to, group comprising pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicide, nematicide, acaricide, miticide and the likes; biopesticides; pheromones; plant growth regulators; or nutrients.

In an embodiment, there is provided a method of improving plant growth, by protecting a plant from pests, the method comprising applying a surfactant composition according to the present invention, and at least one pesticidally active ingredient either to said vegetation or to the locus of said vegetation.

In an embodiment, there is provided a method of improving plant growth, by reducing the incidence of one or more fungal infections, the method comprising applying a surfactant composition according to the present invention, and at least one fungicidally active ingredient either to said vegetation or to the locus of said vegetation.

In an embodiment, there is provided a method of improving plant growth, the method comprising applying a surfactant composition according to the present invention, and at least one plant growth regulator either to said vegetation or to the locus of said vegetation.

Advantages of present invention:
• A surfactant composition according to present invention enables rapid spreading and wetting leading to quick absorption of active ingredients.
• A surfactant composition according to present invention increases product use efficiency.
• A surfactant composition according to present invention reduces the wastage of formulation applied.
• A surfactant composition according to present invention is suitable for application with insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant nutrients & plant regulators to all crops.

EXAMPLES
The following examples are presented to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of procedures and conceptual aspects of this invention. The examples provided below are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the same to disclosed embodiments. Variations and changes obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope and nature of the invention.

Test Methods Details
Dynamic Surface Tension: Dynamic surface tension is measured on Kruss BP-100 Bubble Pressure Tensiometer. Atmospheric air is used to generate bubbles. Hydrophobically coated glass capillary (from Kruss) with the inner diameter in the range of 0.25 mm to 0.40 mm is used. Dynamic surface tension is measured in the range of surface age between 10 and 500 ms. Dynamic surface tension is reported as a function of bubble surface age, in ms, and bubble frequency, bubbles/sec. The measurements are conducted at ambient temperature (20°C-25°C).

Example 1: Surfactant composition
Process: Required quantity of polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane was charged into reactor and to it was added required quantity of polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, the blend obtained was then continuously stirred at 25°C to 30°C and at atmospheric pressure for 1-1.5 hours. The blend was then filtered to obtain a surfactant composition according to present invention. Table 1 discloses samples 1 to 6; and comparative sample 1 and 2 prepared using the aforementioned process.
Table 1
Sr. No. Ingredients Sam-ple 1
(% w/w) Sam-ple 2
(% w/w) Sam-ple 3
(% w/w) Sam-ple 4
(% w/w) Sam-ple 5
(% w/w) Sam-ple 6
(% w/w) Compar-ative 1 Compar-ative 2
1 Polyalkylene
oxide modified heptamethyl
trisiloxane 80 80 80 50 60 90 10 30
2 Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer 10 5 15 37.5 30 7.5 67.5 52.5
3 Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate 10 15 5 12.5 10 2.5 22.5 17.5

Example 2: Dynamic surface tension of surfactant composition according to invention
Dynamic surface tension was tested for the samples 1-6; and comparative sample 1 and 2 by a bubble pressure tensiometer; all the samples were tested at 0.1 wt.% total active concentration and at room temperature (20°C-25°C) for 450 ms surface age. The results are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2
Surface age (ms) DST
Sample 1
(mN/m) DST
Sample
2
(mN/m) DST Sample
3
(mN/m) DST
Sample 4
(mN/m) DST
Sample 5
(mN/m) DST
Sample 6
(mN/m) DST comparative 1
(mN/m) DST
comparative 2
(mN/m)
10 54.12 56.84 54.63 52.79 52.78 57.42 51.27 53.29
50 41.50 44.79 42.58 42.83 42.21 45.22 43.26 44.46
100 34.37 37.68 35.91 39.03 37.73 37.90 41.44 41.97
150 30.70 33.88 32.35 36.87 34.84 33.61 40.80 40.91
200 28.25 31.16 29.94 35.21 32.72 30.61 40.33 40.30
250 26.54 29.15 28.04 33.90 31.15 28.66 40.17 39.78
300 25.38 27.93 26.90 32.81 30.11 27.28 39.95 39.28
350 24.66 27.03 26.00 31.95 29.24 26.20 39.80 38.94
400 23.90 26.20 25.32 31.24 28.50 25.35 39.65 38.64
450 23.44 25.57 24.73 30.52 27.84 24.59 39.48 38.47

As seen in Table 2, the dynamic surface tension of the composition of sample 1-6was significantly reduced with increasing surface age. In contrast, the dynamic surface tension in comparative sample 1 and 2 remained relatively constant after 150ms. It is well known that the dynamic surface tension determines the wettability of the liquid. Lower the value of dynamic surface tension, greater the wettability of the liquid. Hence, from above table it can be concluded that the surfactant composition according to present invention had better wetting property as compared to comparative sample 1 and 2.

Example 3: Contact Angle of surfactant composition according to invention
Contact angle of the surfactant composition (sample 3) according to present invention and contact angle of individual components, were measured at room temperature on standard planar surface freshly prepared unexposed Parafilm substrate to ensure comparison between samples, placing one drop of 6.0 uL volume having 0.1 wt.% total active concentration using a needle. The measurements were performed using the Laplace Young fitting at the time of drop deposition (considering it 0 ms) and 800-1000ms after drop deposition. The results are summarized in Table 3.
Table 3
Sample Name Time
At 0 ms At 800-1000 ms
Left Angle
(degrees) Right Angle
(degrees) Mean Contact Angle
(degrees) Left Angle
(degrees) Right Angle
(degrees) Mean Contact Angle
(degrees)
Polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane 31.1 34.7 32.80 28.2 24.4 26.31
Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer 72.3 72.9 72.6 72.2 72.7 72.4
Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate 73.5 73.0 73.2 73.5 73.0 73.2
Polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane + Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer (80:20) 50.0 52.7 51.3 43.8 44.8 44.2
Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer + Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (80:20) 71.8 69.1 70.4 71.7 69.1 70.4
Polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane + Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate 41.1 40.4 40.7 15.3 17.1 16.2
Sample 3 16.6 20.0 18.3 Less
than 1 Less
than 1 Less
than 1
Sample 4 41.54 41.47 41.51 Less
than 1 Less
than 1 Less
than 1
Sample 5 13.46 28.06 20.78 Less
than 1 Less
than 1 Less
than 1
Sample 6 Less
than 1 Less
than 1 Less than 1 Less
than 1 Less
than 1 Less
than 1
Comparative sample 1 68.97 71.68 70.33 64.40 65.47 64.93
Comparative sample 2 45.19 44.39 44.79 32.85 34.89 33.87

The contact angle measurement illustrated dramatic difference in contact angle of Polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane and the surfactant composition according to present invention. It is well known that lesser the contact angle better is spreading ability of the material. The contact angle of the all the surfactant composition according to present invention was less than 1° at 800-1000ms and could not be measured. From above table 3, it is clear that the surfactant composition according to present invention had better spreading ability as compared to individual components used in composition or comparative samples 1 and 2.

Example 4: Spreadability evaluation
The surfactant composition (sample 3) according to the present invention and individual components were placed onto the surface of plant leaves (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) 50µL with a Trakka red dye to impart color. After allowing the liquid to stand for 60 seconds, the leaf surface were visually inspected. The result was then evaluated according to following criteria
- no spreading observed
+ very poor spreading on leaf surface
++ poor spreading on leaf surface
+++ moderate spreading on leaf surface
++++ good spreading on leaf surface
+++++ excellent spreading on leaf surface
Table 4
Figures Sample Name Spreading on leaf surface after 60s
1A Polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane +++
1B polyalkylene oxide block copolymer -
1C Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate +
1D Polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane + polyalkylene oxide block copolymer (80:20) +++
1E polyalkylene oxide block copolymer + Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (80:20) ++
1F Polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane + Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate ratio? +++
1G Sample 3 +++++

From Table 4 and Figure 1 provided, it was observed that polyalkylene oxide modified trisiloxane had certain spreading ability, this spreading ability did not result in improvement on addition of polyalkylene oxide block copolymer or sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate. However, the spreading ability was significantly improved for sample 3 of the surfactant composition according to present invention. Hence, it can be concluded that the sample 3 of the surfactant composition according to present invention exhibited better spreadability than any of other samples.
,CLAIMS:
1. A surfactant composition comprising:
a polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt;
wherein concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is more than about 50% w/w of total weight of the composition.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is selected from the group comprising polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, polyethylene oxide modified trisiloxane, polypropylene oxide modified trisiloxane, polyethylene-polypropylene oxide modified trisiloxane or polybutylene oxide modified trisiloxane.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein concentration of the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane is in a range of about 50% w/w to about 95% w/w of total weight of the composition.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is selected from polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide block copolymer and polyethylene oxide-polybutylene oxide block copolymer.

6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer has molecular weight in a range of about 1000 g/mol to about 6000 g/mol.

7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein concentration of the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is in a range of about 0.1% w/w to about 40% w/w of total weight of the composition.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is selected from sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate or sodium di(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate.

9. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein concentration of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt is in a range of about 0.1% w/w to about 20% w/w of total weight of the composition.

10. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane, the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt in the surfactant composition is in a range of about 5:1:1 to about 30:10:1.

11. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a dynamic surface tension of the surfactant composition is about 40 mN/m or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 100 ms according to maximum-bubble-pressure method.

12. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a contact angle of the surfactant composition is about 10° or less, when measured at a concentration of about 0.1 wt.% at a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C and at a surface age of about 800 ms to about 1000 ms.

13. A process for preparing the surfactant composition as claimed in claim 1, the process comprising:
(a) combining the polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane; the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and the dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt, to obtain a blend; and
(b) mixing said blend to obtain a homogenous liquid as the surfactant composition.

14. Use of the surfactant composition as claimed in claim 1, as a wetting agent or a spreading agent.

15. A method for reducing dynamic surface tension of an agrochemical formulation, the method comprising combining the agrochemical formulation with an effective amount of the surfactant composition as claimed in claim 1.

16. A method for reducing contact angle of an agrochemical formulation, the method comprising combining the agrochemical formulation with an effective amount of the surfactant composition as claimed in claim 1.

17. A surfactant composition comprising:
(a) about 50% w/w to about 95% w/w polyalkyleneoxide modified trisiloxane;
(b) about 0.1% w/w to about 40% w/w polyalkylene oxide block copolymer; and
(c) about 0.1% w/w to about 20% w/w dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound or its salt of total weight of the composition.