Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to herbicides. In particular, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition, which provides synergistic control of weeds in cultivated fields and in non-crop area.

BACKGROUND
[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] Weed infestation is a major problem in the productivity of various crop plants such as wheat, triticale, sugarcane, soybean, rice, 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] Rice is commonly consumed as food around the world. Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or, less commonly, Oryza glaberrima (African rice). There are many varieties of rice, and culinary preferences tend to vary regionally. In 2020, world production of rice was 756.7 million metric tons (834.1 million short tons), led by China and India with a combined 52% of this total. Other major producers were Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam. As a cereal grain, domesticated rice is the most widely consumed staple food for over half of the world's human population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Weed infestation is one of the major impediments to rice 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 rice crop is most important factor for reduction in rice 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 rice. In recent years, a number of chemicals having herbicidal activity have been used to control weeds in rice fields. The most commonly used herbicides in rice fields to manage the weeds are Anilofos, Bentazone, Butachlor, Carfentrazone ethyl, Cyhalofop butyl, 2,4-D, Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, Flucetasulfuron, Metamifop, Metsulfuron methyl, Oxadiargyl, Penoxsulam, Pertilachlor, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl, Propanil, Azimsulfuron, Bispyribac sodium, Bensulfuron methyl, Chlorimuron ethyl, Pendimethalin, Ethoxysulfuron, Ethoxysulfuron, and Triafamone etc.
[0006] 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 Echinochloa colonum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Eleusine indica, Leptochloa chinensis, Barnyard grass, Digiteria, Dactyloctenium, Panicum repens; broad leaf weed such as Eclipta alba, Marsilea quadrifolia, Ludwigia parviflora, Monochoria vaginalis, Sphenoclcea zylenica, Digera arevensis, Phyllanthus niruri, Ammania baccifera, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Commelina benghalinsis, Bergia capensis, Caesulia axillaris, and sedges weeds such as Cyperus difformis, Cyperus iria, Cyperus rotundus, Fimbristylis miliacea in rice 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] Patent document JP2974806 describes herbicide compositions containing bispyribac salt and a compound chosen from 2,4-D, MCP, their salts, and their esters, as active ingredients.
[0010] Patent document CN101828562 and CN102461522 describes herbicidal composition containing bentazone, bispyribac-sodium and adjuvants.
[0011] CN102265871 describes herbicidal formulations comprising bentazone and 2,4-D at weight ratio of 1-80:1-80.
[0012] Philippine Agriculturist, 60(7-8), 280-284 (1977) describes combination treatment with bentazon-2,4-D mixture.
[0013] Proceedings of British Weed Control Conference, 12(1), 157-162 (1974) describes bentazone mixed with MCPB, 2,4-D, or MCPA was used as a selective herbicide in cereal crops.
[0014] 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.
[0015] In view of the available art described above, only a binary combination is reported and that suffers from 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.
[0016] 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
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and better composition of herbicidal active compounds having greater potency.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ternary herbicidal composition.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ternary herbicidal composition which is more effective than any of the individual compounds applied separately.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ternary herbicidal composition, which enables a reduction in the application rate in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that demonstrates broader weed spectrum.
[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a stable herbicidal composition.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which exhibits 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] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that rapidly degrades in soil, and has lesser crop phytotoxicity.
[0026] 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 rice.
[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which is easy to handle and can be easily applied on crops.
[0028] 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 rice.
[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly rice.
[0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which affords selective controlling of undesired weeds for rice crop.
[0031] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition, which can control different weeds at post emergent stage in rice crop.
[0032] 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
[0033] The present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition, which provides synergistic control of weeds in crops of cultivated plants and on non-crop area. The ternary herbicidal composition comprises:
a) 2,6-Bis[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]benzoic acid (“bispyribac”) or its sodium salt (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-A);
b) 3-(1-Methylethyl)-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide (“bentazon”) or its derivative (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-B);
c) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (“2,4-D”) or its derivative (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-C); and
d) one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.
[0034] In an embodiment, the ternary herbicidal composition disclosed herein comprises (a) Herbicide-A in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the composition, (b) Herbicide-B in an amount ranging from 15% to 35% by weight of the composition, (c) Herbicide-C in an amount ranging from 15% to 40% by weight of the composition, and (d) one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.
[0035] As indicated above, the ternary herbicidal composition of the present invention comprises one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients. Preferably, the one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients are selected from the group consisting of surfactants, antifoaming agents, binding agents, fillers, rheology modifiers, anti-freezing agents, biocides, pH modifiers, chelating agents and solvents.
[0036] In various embodiments, the ternary herbicidal composition disclosed herein can be formulated as a solid formulation or a liquid formulation.
[0037] In some embodiments, the ternary herbicidal composition can be formulated as a wettable powder (WP), a water soluble powder (SP), a water soluble granule (SG), a granule (GR), a dispersible concentrate (DC), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a suspension concentrate (SC), a microemulsion (ME), a suspo-emulsion (SE), an oil-in-water emulsion (EW), or an oil dispersion (OD).
[0038] The ternary herbicidal composition disclosed herein is effective against a variety of harmful weeds. In some embodiments, the ternary herbicidal composition disclosed herein can be used for controlling weeds in rice crops.
[0039] 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
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] The present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition, which provides synergistic control of weeds in crops of cultivated plants and on non-crop area. The ternary herbicidal composition comprises:
a) 2,6-Bis[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]benzoic acid (“bispyribac”) or its sodium salt (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-A);
b) 3-(1-Methylethyl)-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide (“bentazon”) or its derivative (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-B);
c) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (“2,4-D”) or its derivative (hereinafter referred to as Herbicide-C); and
d) one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.
[0044] Herbicide-A is commonly known as Bispyribac, and it is a branched chain amino acid synthesis (ALS or AHAS) inhibitor. It is a selective, systemic post-emergence herbicide, absorbed by foliage and roots. It is used for control of grass, sedges and broad-leaved weeds. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-116, contents whereof are incorporated herein, in its entirety, by way of reference.
[0045] Herbicide-B is commonly known as Bentazon, and it is a photosynthetic electron transport inhibitor at the photosystem II receptor site. It acts as a selective contact post-emergence herbicide in rice to control broad-leaved and grass weeds. It is having a short duration of activity. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-87.
[0046] Herbicide-C is commonly known as 2,4-D, a herbicide that kills the plant by mimicking auxin, a plant growth hormone and it is used as herbicide in form of agriculturally acceptable salts or esters thereof to control broadleaf weeds in, for instance, wheat, cereals, corn, grasses, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, fallow land, pasture, rangeland, turf, and noncropland as post-emergent application. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth Edition, 2015, page-283.
[0047] In still another embodiment, the present invention discloses the unexpected and surprising effect of a herbicidal composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C. The herbicidal composition not only exhibits synergistic weed control effect, but also has broad applicability to various weeds, and is effective over a longer duration of time.
[0048] The herbicidal composition disclosed herein has little or no phytotoxicity against crops of useful plants and is useful for controlling weeds in the locus where crops are cultivated or will be cultivated. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for controlling weeds in a rice crop comprising applying to the locus where the control is desired an herbicidally effective amount of a composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C.
[0049] In various embodiments, the ternary herbicidal composition disclosed herein comprises (a) Herbicide-A in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the composition, (b) Herbicide-B in an amount ranging from 15% to 35% by weight of the composition, (c) Herbicide-C in an amount ranging from 15% to 40% by weight of the composition, and (d) one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.
[0050] In an embodiment, the derivative of Herbicide-B is a salt of Herbicide-B selected from the group consisting of sodium salt, potassium salt, ammonium salt, dimethylamine salt, diethanolamine salt, and combinations thereof.
[0051] In an embodiment, the derivative of Herbicide-C is selected from the group consisting of ethyl ester, methyl ester, 2-ethylhexyl ester, butyl ester, isobutyl ester, sodium salt or dimethylamine salt, and combinations thereof.
[0052] In some embodiments, the ternary herbicidal composition disclosed herein comprises one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients in an amount ranging from 50 to 95 % by weight of the composition.
[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the w/w concentration of Herbicide A in the composition is about 1%.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the w/w concentration of Herbicide B in the composition is about 24%.
[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the w/w concentration of Herbicide C in the composition is about 25%.
[0056] In an embodiment, the composition comprises Herbicide A, Herbicide B and Herbicide C in a weight ratio of 1 : 3-35 : 3-40, preferably in a weight ratio of 1 : 20-25 : 20-25.
[0057] In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition disclosed herein can be employed for the selective control of harmful plants, such as annual or perennial grassy weed, broad leaf weed and sedges, present in crop fields such as but not limited to rice. Non-limiting examples of weeds that can be controlled using the ternary herbicidal composition of the present invention include grassy weed such as Echinochloa colonum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Eleusine indica, Paspalum dilatatum, Leptochloa chinensis, Barnyard grass, Digiteria, Dactyloctenium, Panicum repens; broad leaf weed such as Eclipta alba, Marsilea quadrifoliata, Ludwigia parviflora, Monochoria vaginalis, Sphenoclea zylenica, Digera arevensis, Phyllanthus niruri, Ammania baccifera, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Commelina benghalinsis, Bergia capensis, Caesulia axillaris; and sedges such as Cyperus difformis, Cyperus iria, Cyperus rotundus, Fimbristylis miliacea.
[0058] In various embodiments, 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.
[0059] Another aspect of the present invention relates to the application of a 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 rice crop fields.
[0060] According to embodiments 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. 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.
[0061] In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be applied by any one of the methods selected from atomization, spreading, dusting, spraying, diffusion, immersion, irrigation, injection, mixing, sprinkling (water immersion), foaming, dressing, coating, blasting, fumigation, smoking, smog and painting.
[0062] 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 premix formulation of the present invention ranges from 1000 to 5000 g/ha, preferably from 1500 to 3000 g/ha.
[0063] According to embodiments of the present invention, application of the herbicidal composition comprising Herbicides A+B+C results in a remarkable synergistic improvement in the application window (post-emergence in weeds under different agronomical cultivation practices of rice) compared to application of binary mixture of herbicides (A+B), (B+C) or (C+A) individually.
[0064] According to embodiments 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 various embodiments, the herbicidal composition disclosed herein can be formulated as a water soluble powder (SP), a water soluble granule (SG), a granule (GR), a dispersible concentrate (DC), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a wettable powder (WP), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a suspension concentrate (SC), a microemulsion (ME), a suspo-emulsion (SE), an oil-in-water emulsion (EW), or an oil dispersion (OD). Such formulations may be prepared by any method known in the art, for example by bringing into association the Herbicides A, B, and C with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients. Preferably, the one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients are selected from the group consisting of emulsifying agents, dispersing agents, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, binding agents, fillers, rheology modifiers, surfactants, anti-freezing agents, biocides, and solvents.
[0065] In some embodiments, the herbicidal composition as described herein can be formulated in the form of a solid formulation, such as water dispersible granule (WDG), granules (GR), wettable powder (WP), water soluble granule (SG), or water-soluble powder (SP). Such solid formulations can have the composition as shown in the following Table 1a.
Table 1a:
Ingredient Weight % Range
Herbicide A* 0.5% to 5%
Herbicide B* 15% to 35%
Herbicide C* 15% to 40%
One or more surfactants 2% to 25%
One or more binding agents 0% to 3%
One or more antifoaming agents 0% to 3%
One or more pH modifiers 0% to 20%
One or more fillers 20% to 50%

*Weight percentage range of active ingredient is calculated based on the purity of the active ingredient.
[0066] In some embodiments, the ternary herbicidal composition as described herein can be formulated in the form of a liquid formulation, such as emulsifiable concentrate (EC), dispersible concentrate (DC), suspension concentrate (SC), microemulsion (ME), suspo-emulsion (SE), or oil dispersion (OD). Such liquid formulations can have the composition as shown in the following Table 1b.
Table 1b:
Ingredient Weight % Range
Herbicide A* 0.5% to 5%
Herbicide B* 15% to 35%
Herbicide C* 15% to 40%
one or more surfactants 1% to 25%
one or more solvents 10% to 80%
one or more rheology modifiers 0% to 5%
one or more chelating agents 0% to 1%
one or more antifoaming agents 0% to 2%
one or more anti-freezing agents 0% to 8%
one or more pH modifiers 5% to 35%
one or more biocides 0% to 2%
one or more fillers 20% to 50%
*Weight percentage range of active ingredient is calculated based on the purity of the active ingredient.

[0067] In an embodiment, 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, sodium or potassium polycarboxylates, alkyl or aryl sulfates, tristyrylphenol ethaoxylated, 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, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether and salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ester, derivatives of polyglycol ether, polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkylate, polyoxyethylene styrylphenyl 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), kraft lignin, 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, sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, phenolsulfonic acid formaldehyde polycondensate as sodium salt, fatty alcohol sulfates, sodium or calcium salts of alkyl benzene sulfonate, C12-C15 alkoxylated alcohol, sodium C14-C16 olefin sulfate, alkoxylated 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, 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 and a suitable mixture thereof.
[0068] In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one antifoaming agent, such as 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 mixture thereof.
[0069] In one embodiment, the herbicidal composition further comprises one or more anti-freezing agents, such as 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, octaglycerol, or a suitable mixture thereof.
[0070] In one embodiment, the herbicidal composition further comprises one or more solvents, such as water, aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. toluene, xylene, naphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives), methyl soyate, 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 pyrrolidone, NOP), DMSO, acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters or a suitable mixture thereof.
[0071] In one embodiment, the herbicidal composition further comprises one or more rheology modifiers which are usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Non-limiting examples of rheology modifiers include 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, starch and a suitable mixture 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).
[0072] In one embodiment, the herbicidal composition further comprises one or more pH modifiers or neutralizing agent selected from the group consisting of diethylamine, triethylamine, dimethylamine, diethanolamine, isopropylamine, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and a suitable mixture thereof.
[0073] In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one filler or inert selected from the group consisting of lactose monohydrate, methyl soyate, vegetable oil, urea, thiourea, kaolin clay, clays, talc, chalk, glass fiber, highly disperse silica, precipitated silica, diatomite, calcite, talcum, wood flour, cellulose, pulverized wood, diatomaceous earth, montmorillonite, sodium sulfate, 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 mixture thereof.
[0074] In an embodiment, the herbicidal composition may optionally include a binding agent such as polyvinylpyrolidone or the like, and/or a biocide such as benzisothiazolinone or the like, and/or a chelating agent such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate or the like, which are known in the prior art and usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions.
[0075] 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
[0076] 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.
[0077] Several ternary herbicidal formulations were prepared with different weight percentage of active ingredients and tested for their stability and suitability, compositions whereof are provided in the Table 2a and 2b as below:
Table 2a
Example

Ingredients 1 2 3 4 5 6 Role
Herbicide-A
(Sodium salt) 5.0 0.5 1.0 2.0 2.5 5.0 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-B 35.0 15.0 24.0 30.0 32.5 35.0 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-C
(Sodium salt) 15.0 40.0 25.0 35.0 30.0 40.0 Active Ingredient
Modified styrene acrylic polymer - - - 5.0 - 2.0 Dispersing agent
Sodium polycarboxylate - - - - 5.0 -
Potassium polycarboxylate - - - - 3.0 -
Alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate 5.0 5.0 5.0 2.0 - -
Sodium lignosulfonate 3.0 3.0 3.0 - - 3.0
Kraft Lignin - - - 5.0 - 3.0
Calcium dodecyl benzenesulfonate - - - - 4.0 - Wetting agent
Sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate 4.0 4.0 4.0 - - -
Sodium lauryl sulphate - - - 3.0 - 3.0
Polydimethylsiloxanes - - - 1.0 - - Antifoaming agent
Fatty acids, tallow, sodium salts 1.0 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 -
Polyvinylpyrrolidone - - - 1.0 - 1.0 Binding agent
Precipitated silica - - - - - 2.0 Filler
Kaolin clay 26.0 21.5 29.0 10.0 - 1.0
Sodium sulphate - - - - 10.0 -
Sodium carbonate 6.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 8.0 5.0
Ammonium sulphate - - - - 4.0 -
Total 100g 100g 100g 100g 100g 100g --
Formulation WP WP WP* WDG SP GR --
* Resulting Product was used for conducting field trials.

Table 2b
Example

Ingredients 8 9 10 11 12 13 Role
Herbicide-A
(Sodium salt) 5.0 1.13 1.13 1.52 1.52 1.52 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-B 22.0 24.21 25.0 25.8 25.8 25.8 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-C
(Acid form) - - - 26.02 26.02 26.02 Active Ingredient
Herbicide-C
(Sodium salt) 16.0 27.37 25.0 - - - Active Ingredient
Sodium C14-C16 olefin sulfate - 4.0 4.0 - - - Dispersing agent
Sodium carbonate - 12.12 - - - pH modifier
Sodium bicarbonate - - 15.0 - - -
Acrylic polymer 6.0 - - - - - Surfactant
Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer 5.0 - - - - -
Diethanolamine - - - 26.09 - - pH modifier
Diethylamine - - - - - 19.0
Triethylamine - - - - 26.0 -
Ethylene diamine tetra acetate - - - 0.25 0.25 0.25 Chelating agent
Polydimethylsiloxanes 1.0 - - - - - Antifoaming agent
Xanthan gum 2.0 - - - - - Rheology modifier
Propylene glycol 6.0 - - - - - Anti-freezing agent
Benzisothiazolinone 0.5 - - - - - Biocide
Lactose monohydrate - 31.17 29.87 - - - Filler
Water 36.5 - - 20.32 20.41 27.41
Total 100g 100g 100g 100g 100g 100g --
Formulation SC SG SG SL SL SL --

Example 14: Process steps for the preparation of water dispersible granule (WDG) composition
[0078] Desired amount (Table 2a, Example 4) of Kaolin, Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B, Herbicide-C, Modified styrene acrylic polymer, Alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate, Kraft lignin, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium carbonate (soda ash), and polydimethylsiloxanes or fatty acid, tallow, sodium salt, 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 or ploughshare mixer 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).
Example 15: Process for the preparation of water wettable powder (WP)
[0079] Desired amount (Table 2a, Example 3) of Kaolin, Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B, Herbicide-C, Alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate, calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, Sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium carbonate (soda ash), and polydimethylsiloxanes or fatty acid, tallow, sodium salt, 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 as wettable powder (WP).
Example 16: Process for the preparation of soluble powder (SP)
[0080] Desired amount (Table 2a, Example 5) of Ammonium sulfate, Sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate (soda ash), Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B, Herbicide-C, Sodium polycarboxylate, Potassium polycarboxylate, Calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and Polydimethylsiloxanes or fatty acid, tallow, sodium salt 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 as soluble powder (SP).
Example 17: Process for the preparation of coated granules (GR)
[0081] Desired amount (Table 2a, Example 6) of Kaolin, Precipitated silica, sodium carbonate (soda ash), Sodium lauryl sulphate, Kraft lignin, Sodium lignosulfonate, Modified styrene acrylic polymer, Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B and Herbicide-C 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 or ploughshare mixer to get a uniform dough using water. The dough was extruded in an extruder through desire sized jar (2.0 mm) to get required granules. The GR product was then dried in a fluidized bed dryer (FBD).
Example 18: Process for the preparation of suspension concentrate (SC)
[0082] Desired amount (Table 2b, Example 8) of water was charged in a vessel followed by charging of acrylic graft copolymer, Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer, polydimethylsiloxanes, propylene glycol, and benzisothiazolinone under stirring and mix well using high speed homogenizer. Then charged desired quantity of 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 filter the material and add xanthan gum gel and stirred the mixture till uniformly mixture was obtained to get final SC formulation without any extraneous matter.
Example 19: Process for the preparation of water soluble granule (SG)
[0083] Desired amount (Table 2b, Example 9) of Lactose monohydrate, Sodium carbonate, Sodium C14-C16 olefin sulfate, Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B and Herbicide-C were charged in a premix blender and blended till a uniformly blended mixture was obtained. If required, ground the mixture by utilizing an air jet mill for which the feed rate was adjusted according to the desired particle size. After the grinding and blending uniformly blended mixture was obtained. Send the in-process sample and transfer the mass to a sigma blender or ploughshare mixer to get a uniform dough using water. The dough was extruded in an extruder through desire sized jar to get desire water soluble granule (SG). Dry the granulated product in a fluidized bed dryer (FBD).
Example 20: Process for the preparation of Soluble concentrate (SL)
[0084] Desired amount (Table 2b, Example 11) of water, ethylene diamine tetra acetate, diethanolamine, Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B and Herbicide-C were charged in vessel under stirring and stir it till get dissolve. Maintain the temperature at room temperature during process. Adjust the required pH by adding diethanolamine. Then filter the product to get clear sparkling soluble concentrate (SL) formulation without any extraneous matter.
Bio-efficacy study (in-house):
[0085] The synergistic herbicidal composition of the present disclosure Herbicide-(A+B+C), prepared in accordance with Example 3 (WP formulation) was used for conducting field trials at a given concentrations, and efficacy was compared with binary possible tank mix combinations i.e.,
i) Herbicide-A 10% SC + Herbicide-C 95% SP or (A+C),
ii) Herbicide-A 10% SC + Herbicide-B 48% SL or (A+B), and
iii) Herbicide-B 48% SL + Herbicide-C 95% SP or (B+C),
against various grassy weeds, broad leaf weeds and sedges weeds in rice crop as per predetermined doses at 2-5 leaf stage.
[0086] Binary mixture were prepared by mixing commercially available formulation of Herbicide-A (Nominee Gold 10% SC- manufactured by PI Industries), Herbicide-B (Basagran 48% SL- manufactured by BASF), and Herbicide-C (Salix 95% SP- manufactured by Atul Ltd.) as per predetermined doses.

Field experiment methodology
[0087] Two field trials were conducted in cultivated rice field under naturally occurring weed populations in the trial fields. The trial sites were located at:
a) Field Trial-1 at VPO-Kothapeta, Taluka-Ravulapalem, District-Konaseema (Andhra Pradesh); Crop variety: Swarna; Time period from July 2022 to December 2022.
b) Field Trial-2 at Village-Rasulpur Khurd, Post-Sohana, District-Karnal (Haryana); Crop variety: PR-126; Time period from June 2022 to November 2022.
Experimental Design and Treatments
[0088] The trials were conducted on different varieties of rice 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 soil and for trial-2, it is sandy loam 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
[0089] Below examples 21 to 23 summarizes the percentage control observations based on post-emergence field trials and phytotoxicity observations in rice crop.
[0090] In Examples 21 to 23, herbicidal composition (A+B+C) used in Plot number T1, T2 and T3 referred to WP formulation prepared in accordance with Example 3.

[0091] Example 21: Percentage control observations based on field trials performed at VPO-Kothapeta, Taluka-Ravulapalem, District-Konaseema (Andhra Pradesh) [FIELD TRIAL-1]
Plot Herbicidal Compositi-on Use Rate
(g.a.i. /ha) % Control Observed at 30 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Bergia capensis Ammania bassifera Ludwigia perviflora Monochoria vaginalis Marsilia quadrifolia Cyperus difformis
T1 (A+B+C) 17.5 + 420 + 437.5 77 75 82 91 90 92 87 85
T2 (A+B+C) 20 + 480 + 500 90 88 98 100 100 99 96 96
T3 (A+B+C) 22.5 + 540 + 562.5 92 90 100 100 100 99 98 97
T4 A+C 25 + 1000 69 65 85 100 100 97 88 80
T5 A+B 25 + 960 79 78 79 87 83 90 79 73
T6 B+C 960 + 1000 70 67 82 100 100 98 87 85
T7 A 25 66 64 68 61 54 74 63 56
T8 B 960 45 41 63 63 62 79 69 44
T9 C 1000 26 29 79 90 80 89 77 75
T10 UTC - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Plot Herbicidal Composi-tion Use Rate
(g.a.i. /ha) % Control Observed at 60 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Bergia capensis Ammania bassifera Ludwigia perviflora Monochoria vaginalis Marsilia quadrifolia Cyperus difformis
T1 (A+B+C) 17.5 + 420 + 437.5 79 73 80 93 92 90 85 82
T2 (A+B+C) 20 + 480 + 500 89 85 97 100 100 98 98 94
T3 (A+B+C) 22.5 + 540 + 562.5 90 87 99 100 100 100 100 96
T4 A+C 25 + 1000 67 63 82 100 100 95 85 83
T5 A+B 25 + 960 75 74 81 88 81 87 75 71
T6 B+C 960 + 1000 67 65 70 100 100 95 87 84
T7 A 25 63 60 65 63 55 70 65 57
T8 B 960 47 40 64 60 64 75 72 48
T9 C 1000 22 27 80 92 78 87 81 72
T10 UTC - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Here DAA=Days after Application

[0092] Example 22: Percentage control observations based on field trials performed at Village-Rasulpur Khurd, Post-Sohana, District-Karnal (Haryana) [FIELD TRIAL-2]
Plot Herbicidal Compositi-on Use Rate
(g.a.i. /ha) % Control Observed at 30 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Ammania bassifera Ludwigia perviflora Monochoria vaginalis Marsilia quadrifolia Eclipta alba Cyperus difformis
T1 (A+B+C) 17.5 + 420 + 437.5 81 77 88 89 87 89 80 79
T2 (A+B+C) 20 + 480 + 500 94 87 100 100 100 100 95 90
T3 (A+B+C) 22.5 + 540 + 562.5 96 89 100 100 100 100 97 92
T4 A+C 25 + 1000 73 70 90 87 90 89 80 65
T5 A+B 25 + 960 77 79 81 80 82 82 75 70
T6 B+C 960 + 1000 67 65 91 91 93 85 85 81
T7 A 25 65 63 59 62 67 69 61 42
T8 B 960 43 40 65 67 70 73 60 67
T9 C 1000 25 23 85 79 85 79 74 58
T10 UTC - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Plot Herbicidal Composition Use Rate
(g.a.i. /ha) % Control Observed at 60 DAA
Grassy weed Broad leaf weed Sedges
Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crusgalli Ammania bassifera Ludwigia perviflora Monochoria vaginalis Marsilia quadrifolia Eclipta alba Cyperus difformis
T1 (A+B+C) 17.5 + 420 + 437.5 79 76 89 92 89 87 82 77
T2 (A+B+C) 20 + 480 + 500 93 88 100 100 100 100 96 91
T3 (A+B+C) 22.5 + 540 + 562.5 95 91 100 100 100 100 97 93
T4 A+C 25 + 1000 70 64 87 85 87 90 84 61
T5 A+B 25 + 960 74 71 76 74 80 80 77 73
T6 B+C 960 + 1000 65 62 90 85 91 88 84 85
T7 A 25 60 61 57 60 68 70 58 40
T8 B 960 47 43 63 67 65 75 62 65
T9 C 1000 22 20 80 78 82 76 76 53
T10 UTC - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Here DAA=Days after Application

[0093] Example 23: Phytotoxicity Observation for [FIELD TRIAL-1] and [FIELD TRIAL-2]

Plot Herbicidal Composition Use Rate (g.a.i./ha) % Phytotoxicity observed
5 DAA 10 DAA 15 DAA 20 DAA 30 DAA
T1 (A+B+C) 17.5+420+437.5 0 0 0 0 0
T2 (A+B+C) 20+480+500 0 0 0 0 0
T3 (A+B+C) 22.5+540+562.5 0 0 0 0 0
T4 A+C 25 + 1000 0 0 0 0 0
T5 A+B 25 + 960 0 0 0 0 0
T6 B+C 960 + 1000 0 0 0 0 0
T7 A 25 0 0 0 0 0
T8 B 960 0 0 0 0 0
T9 C 1000 0 0 0 0 0
T10 UTC - 0 0 0 0 0

[0094] 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) and also over the individual herbicides A, B and C.
[0095] The combination has the potential of controlling the cross-spectrum weeds (broad leaf weeds, grassy weeds, and sedges) in rice. All the selected molecules are safe to transplanted and direct seeded rice when applied in post-emergence (15-20 days after transplanting) application timing.
[0096] Visual observations were recorded on percent weed control for individual weeds on whole plot basis at 30 and 60 days after application (DAA). These observations are to be taken from entire plot. The field trials were carried out in India at different locations.
[0097] The results in Trial-1 (Example 21) and Trial-2 (Example-22), clearly demonstrates efficacy of combination of Herbicides A+B+C against weeds like, Echinochloa colonum, Echinochloa Crusgalli, Bergia capensis, Ludwigia perviflora, Eclipta alba, Ammania bassifera, Monochoria vaginalis, Marsilia quadrifolia and Cyperus difformis at both after 30DDA and after 60DDA. The field studies were conducted to compare the weed controlling activity of the combination of Herbicides (A+B+C) over the effect of binary mixture of herbicides (A+B), (B+C) or (C+A) and individual herbicides A, B and C.
[0098] The results in both Trial-1 (Example 21) and Trial-2 (Example-22), clearly demonstrates that efficacy of combination of Herbicides (A+B+C) in Plot numbers T1 to T3 have better efficacy over the other treatments.
[0099] To assess the phytotoxic effect of the herbicidal composition on rice crop viz. leaf burning, yellowing, stunting, scorching, epinasty, hyponasty etc., trials were 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 rice cultivation. The said binary and ternary herbicidal compositions were applied in prescribed recommended doses by battery operated Knapsack sprayer with flat fan nozzle.
[00100] Observation on phytotoxicity viz. growth stunting, yellowing, scorching, epinasty, hyponasty etc. was recorded at 5 to 30 ‘Days after Application’ (DAA) of post emergence treatments from ten plants which were randomly selected from each plot.
[00101] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that in each case i.e. Trial-1 and Trial-2, for any of the treatment T1 to T9, the percentage phytotoxicity observed is zero even after 30 DAA (refer to Example-23).
[00102] 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 rice field and is used in a post-emergence herbicide application.
[00103] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that the herbicidal premix formulation of the present invention as tested exhibits no phytotoxicity to rice crop up to 3000 g or ml/ha dose amount.
[00104] 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 rice. The said composition is not phytotoxic to the crop plants up to recommended doses, which makes the said composition an attractive and suitable alternative to usage of individual herbicides.
[00105] 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
[00106] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that synergistically controls weeds and unwanted vegetation.
[00107] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is more effective than any of the individual compounds applied separately.
[00108] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which enables a reduction in the application rate in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.
[00109] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has greater potency and demonstrates broader weed spectrum.
[00110] 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 rice.
[00111] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that is not phytotoxic to the crop plants up to recommended doses, which makes the composition an attractive and suitable alternative to usage of individual herbicides.
[00112] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that is highly stable and has low toxicity to humans or other mammals.
[00113] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has improved ecological compatibility.
[00114] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that rapidly degrades in soil and has lesser crop phytotoxicity.
[00115] 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 rice crop.
[00116] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is easy to handle and can be easily applied on crops.
[00117] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is highly effective for a long duration on broad range of weed species in rice crop.
[00118] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly rice.
[00119] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which can control weed at post emergent stage.

, Claims:1. A herbicidal composition comprising:
a) bispyribac or its sodium salt in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the composition;
b) bentazon or its derivative in an amount ranging from 15% to 35% by weight of the composition;
c) 2,4-D or its derivative in an amount ranging from 15% to 40% by weight of the composition; and
one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the derivative of bentazon is sodium salt, potassium salt, ammonium salt, dimethylamine salt, or diethanolamine salt of bentazon.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the derivative of 2,4-D is ethyl ester, methyl ester, 2-ethylhexyl ester, butyl ester, isobutyl ester, sodium salt, or dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 1% by weight of bispyribac or its sodium salt, 24% by weight of bentazon or its derivative, 25% by weight of 2,4-D or its derivative, and the remainder being agriculturally acceptable excipients.
5. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients are selected from the group consisting of surfactants, antifoaming agents, binding agents, fillers, rheology modifiers, anti-freezing agents, biocides, pH modifiers, chelating agents and solvents.
6. The composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the surfactant is selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer, acrylic polymer, sodium C14-C16 olefin sulfate, sodium or potassium lauryl sulphate, sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, calcium dodecyl benzenesulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, kraft lignin, sodium or calcium salts of alkyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl or aryl sulfates, silicon alkoxylates, sodium lignosulfonate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate, sodium or potassium polycarboxylate, sodium polycarboxylate, modified styrene acrylic polymer, and a mixture thereof;
the antifoaming agent is selected from polydimethylsiloxanes, sodium fatty acid tallowate, silicone oils, mineral oils, silicone defoamers, non-silicone defoamers, and a mixture thereof;
the pH modifier is selected from carbonate or bicarbonate of sodium or potassium, triethylamine, diethylamine, diethanolamine, and a mixture thereof;
the filler is selected from precipitated silica, kaolin clay, sand, sodium or ammonium sulfate, corn starch, lactose monohydrate, water, and a mixture thereof;
the anti-freezing agent is selected from propylene glycol, diglycerol, and a mixture thereof;
the solvent is selected from methyl soyate, alcohols, petroleum naphtha, vegetable oil, aromatic hydrocarbons, water, and a mixture thereof;
the rheology modifier is selected from bentonite clay, fumed silica, xanthan gum, polyacrylates, polyamides, silicon dioxide, alkyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidinones, hydrogenated castor oil, and a mixture thereof;
the binding agent is polyvinylpyrrolidone;
the chelating agent is ethylene diamine tetra acetate; and
the biocide is benzisothiazolinone.
7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of a water soluble powder (SP), a water soluble granule (SG), a granule (GR), a wettable powder (WP), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a suspension concentrate (SC), or a soluble concentrate (SL).
8. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition is a wettable powder or a water dispersible granule.
9. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which is a solid composition comprising, by weight:
0.5% to 5% of bispyribac or its sodium salt;
15% to 35% of bentazon or its derivative;
15% to 40% of 2,4-D or its derivative;
2% to 25% of one or more surfactants;
0% to 3% of one or more binding agents;
0% to 3% of one or more antifoaming agents;
0% to 20% of one or more pH modifiers; and
20% to 50% of one or more fillers.
10. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which is a liquid composition comprising, by weight:
0.5% to 5% of bispyribac or its sodium salt;
15% to 35% of bentazon or its derivative;
15% to 40% of 2,4-D or its derivative;
1% to 25% of one or more surfactants;
10% to 80% of one or more solvents;
0% to 5% of one or more rheology modifiers;
0% to 1% of one or more chelating agents;
0% to 2% of one or more antifoaming agents;
0% to 8% of one or more anti-freezing agents;
5% to 35% of one or more pH modifiers;
0% to 2% of one or more biocides; and
20% to 50% of one or more fillers.
11. The composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, for use in controlling weeds in a rice crop.
12. The composition as claimed in claim 11, wherein the weeds are selected from the group consisting of Echinochloa colonum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Eleusine indica, Leptochloa chinensis, Barnyard grass, Digiteria, Dactyloctenium, and Panicum repens; Eclipta alba, Marsilea quadrifolia, Ludwigia parviflora, Monochoria vaginalis, Sphenoclcea zylenica, Digera arevensis, Phyllanthus niruri, Ammania baccifera, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Commelina benghalinsis, Bergia capensis, Caesulia axillaris; Cyperus difformis, Cyperus iria, Cyperus rotundus, and Fimbristylis miliacea.