Claims:
1. A ternary herbicidal composition comprising:
a) 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea;
b) 4-Amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one; and
c) 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate;
optionally in presence of a herbicide safener agent.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein w/w concentration of 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea in said composition is in the range of 0.1% to 30%; w/w concentration of 4-Amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one in said composition is in the range of 1% to 50%; and w/w concentration of 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate in said composition is in the range of 1% to 50%.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein w/w concentration of 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea in said composition is 4.2%; w/w concentration of 4-Amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one in said composition is 22%; and w/w concentration of 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate in said composition is 10%.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said herbicide safener agent is cloquintocet-mexyl having w/w concentration in the range of 0.1% to 10%.
5. The composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 4 further comprising:
a) at least one surfactant;
b) at least one rheology modifier; and
c) at least one antifoaming agent.
6. The composition as claimed in claim 5, optionally further comprising at least one inert, one anti-freezing agent, one solvent or one binding agent.
7. The composition as claimed in any of the claims 5 and 6, wherein said at least one surfactant, at least one antifoaming agent, at least one rheology modifiers, at least one anti-freezing agent, at least one inert, at least one solvent and at least one binder.
8. A formulation comprising the composition as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein the formulation can be in the form of a single package solid or liquid formulation, selected from oil dispersion, wettable powders, water dispersible granules, soluble powders or soluble granules together with carrier materials.
9. The formulation as claimed in claim 8, wherein the formulation is oil dispersion.
10. The composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7 or the formulation as claimed in claim 8 and 9, wherein said composition or formulation is applied in an amount ranging from 200 g or mL per hectare to 5000 g or mL per hectare, wherein composition or formulation is in solid form when amount is in grams and the composition or formulation is in liquid form when amount is in mL.
11. A method of controlling undesirable vegetation comprising:
a) obtaining a composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7 or a formulation as claimed in claim 8 and 9; and
b) applying an effective amount of said composition or formulation to control said undesirable vegetation.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said undesirable vegetation is a weed selected from the group consisting of monocotyledonous or grassy weeds, dicotyledonous or broad leaf weeds, sedges, and combinations thereof.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said composition or formulation can be applied at pre-emergence to prevent germination of weeds or post emergence to control growing of harmful weeds.

, Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to herbicides. Specifically, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition. The present invention further relates to a ternary herbicidal composition comprising 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea; 4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one; and 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate, optionally in presence of a herbicide safener, which provides synergistic control of harmful weeds in wide range of cultivated crop plants and non-cropped area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] The weed infestation is a major problem in the productivity of various crop plants such as wheat, triticale, barley, oats and rye. 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] Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food crop and is grown by one third of the total world population. Weed infestation is one of the major impediments to wheat 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 wheat crop is most important factor for reduction in wheat 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 disclosed in the literature and a large number are in commercial use.
[0005] Weeds are considered as a major constraint for higher production of wheat. Due to weed infestation, the yield loss in wheat crop was reported to be as high as 40 to 60%. Weeds can reduce wheat yields by competing for moisture, nutrients, and light during the growing season. Several weed species also serve as alternate hosts for disease and insect pests. Heavy weed infestations can also interfere with wheat harvest by adding unnecessary harvesting expenses. A weed that is allowed to mature and produce seed will multiply weed control problems by being a source of seed bank replenishment and re-infestation in subsequent years. Therefor successful weed control is essential for economical wheat production.
[0006] In recent years, a number of chemicals having herbicidal activity have been used to control weeds in wheat fields. The most commonly used herbicides in wheat fields to manage the weeds are 2,4-D sodium, esters and amines, 2,4-MCPA, amidosulfuron, beflubutamid, benazolin, bentazone, bifenox, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlormequat, chlortoluron, cinidon-ethyl, clodinafop-propargyl, cyanazine, cyclosulfamuron, glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, diclofop-methyl, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, dimefuron, diuron, ethoxysulfuron, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-ethyl, isoxidifen-ethyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, flucarbazone, flucetosulfuron, flufenacet, flumetsulam, flupyrsulfuron, flurtamone, imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, indanofan, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-ethyl-sodium, ioxynil, isoproturon, isoxaben, lactofen, linuron, mecoprop-P, mesosulfuron, mesosulfuron-ethyl sodium, metosulam, metribuzin, metsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, orthosulfamuron, oxyfluorfen, pendimethalin, penoxsulam, picolinafen, pinoxaden, primisulfuron, profluazol, propoxycarbazone, prosulfocarb, prosulfuron, pyraflufen ethyl, pyribenzoxim, pyroxsulam, quinmerac, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, topramezone, tralkoxydim, triasulfuron, tribenuron and tribenuron-methyl.
[0007] Since weeds are diversified in kind viz. grassy weeds, broad leaf weeds, sedges and vines, and their emergence extends over a long period of time, the herbicidal effects of conventional single herbicidal agents are restricted in general as most of the available herbicides can control either one type of weed i.e. either grassy weeds or broad leaf weeds, having affectivity when apply before germination of weeds or after germination of weeds. Some of the weed species like Commelina spp., Ipomoea spp., Solanum nigrum, Xanthium spp., Rumex spp., Melilotus spp. among broad leaf weeds, Cyprus rotundus among sedges and Eleusine indica, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiaria spp., Phalaris minor among grassy weeds in wheat crop are difficult to kill by singly or even mixtures of two herbicidal active ingredients. Moreover, most of the herbicides do not protect the germination of weeds after killing of standing weeds, therefore new weeds again emerge out and start competing with the cultivated crop plants.
[0008] Compositions of herbicidal combinations offer significant advantages over individual applications including improved and extended weed control, reduced herbicide rates and application costs, shorter contact times for improved results in flowing water, less stringent use restrictions, improved selectivity, improved spectrum of weeds controller reduced cost and reduced residue problems. In some cases, the herbicidal active ingredients have been shown to be more effective in combination than when applied individually. However, identifying appropriate herbicide combinations having chemical and physical stability while combining two or three herbicidal actives remains a challenge.
[0009] In view of such situation, it is desirable to develop a herbicidal composition having broad herbicidal activity spectrum against a wide variety of weeds and a long residual effect to prevent subsequent germination of weeds without any phytotoxicity to the crop plants. In contrast, it is also more sensible to be able to employ herbicidal combinations which have proven sufficiently effective and able to control multiple types of weeds for as long as possible, especially when it has shown itself to be environmentally compatible to a particularly high degree and to possess only minimal side-effects.
[0010] Patent application WO2017107581 discloses herbicidally effective amount of a combination of 4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one and one or more sulfonylureas.
[0011] Patent US5990048 discloses a herbicidal composition comprising an active compound combination containing 4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one and 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxy pyrimidin-2-yl)urea wherein 0.001 to 100 parts by weight of second active ingredient is employed per part by weight of first active compound.
[0012] Patent CN102771492 discloses a herbicidal compositions like water dispersible granules, wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates or suspensions containing 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea and 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate, characterized in that the weight of the first active ingredient to the second active ingredient ratio is 1:10 to 5:1.
[0013] Patent application IN538/DEL/2010 discloses a composition in a wettable powder form comprising herbicidally effective amount of 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate and 4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one in presence of a safener along with other additives such as surfactant, dyeing agent or pigment.
[0014] Patent US8809233, US9968084, US20160174560 and US20180064111 also discloses various ternary herbicidal compositions with different active ingredients.
[0015] 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.
[0016] Present day herbicides used singly or in so-called tank mixes require good management to be effective. Time and method of application and stage of weed plant development are critical to getting good weed control with herbicides. Some weed species are simply resistant to today's herbicides. Therefore, the production of effective herbicides increases in importance every year, especially as other weeds are controlled and thus reduce competition. Application of large amounts of marginally effective herbicides on these weeds can result in a commitment to grow the same crop in subsequent years because of chemical persistence in the soil which prevents rotation with a crop sensitive to that herbicide.
[0017] Therefore there is always a need in the art, a better combination of herbicidal active compounds having efficient and accelerated control of broad spectrum weeds, an advantageous activity profile, high stability, low toxicity to humans or other mammals, synergistically improved action, and having improved ecological compatibility, which allows the application rate to be reduced in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0018] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and better combination of herbicidal active compounds.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ternary herbicidal composition.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that has greater potency.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that demonstrates broader weed spectrum.
[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that has synergistically improved action.
[0023] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that is highly stable.
[0024] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which has low toxicity to humans or other mammals.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that has improved ecological compatibility.
[0026] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which allows the application rate to be reduced in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.
[0027] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that rapidly degrades in soil.
[0028] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition that has lesser crop phytotoxicity.
[0029] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which shows better herbicidal effect against the developed resistance in broad range of weed species specially grown along with wheat, triticale, barley, oats and rye crop.
[0030] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which is easy to handle and can be easily applied on crops.
[0031] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which is highly effective for a long duration on broad range of weed species in wheat and other crop plants such as triticale, barley, oats, and rye.
[0032] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly wheat.
[0033] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which is selective controlling undesired weeds for wheat crop.
[0034] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicidal composition which can control weed at pre-emergent or post emergent stage.
[0035] Another object of the present invention is to provide a herbicidal composition which is highly effective against hard to kill weeds in wheat crop fields, especially weeds such as Phalaris minor, Rumex dentatus, Melilotus alba, Poa annua, Fumaria indica, Coronopus didymus, Chenopodium album, Spergula arvensis, Spergula didymus, Cynodon dactylon, Anagalis arvensis, Lathyrus odoratus, Vicia sativa, Asphodelus tenuifolius, Cannabis sativa, Solanum nigrum, Dichanthium annulatum, Avena sativa, Eragrostis minor, Oxalis corniculata, Trigonella polycerata, Alhagi maurorum, Amaranthus virdis and Euphorbia hirta.
[0036] The other objects and preferred embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying examples, which are not intended to limit scope of the present invention in any manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0037] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in Detailed Description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0038] The present invention relates to herbicides. Specifically, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition.
[0039] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ternary herbicidal composition which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly wheat.
[0040] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a synergistic herbicidal composition comprising:
a) 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea (Herbicide-A);
b) 4-Amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (Herbicide-B); and
c) 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate (Herbicide-C);
optionally in the presence of a herbicide safener agent.
[0041] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the composition which may also contain an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or carrier formulated in dry as well as in liquid form.
[0042] In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparation of a homogenous composition of herbicide in liquid and as well as in solid form such as oil dispersion, wettable powder, wettable granule, water dispersible granule, and dry flowable powder.
[0043] 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
[0044] 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.
[0045] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0046] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0047] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0048] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0049] The term “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” and variations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms. Although the terms “comprising” and “including” have been used herein to describe various embodiments, the terms “consisting essentially of’ and “consisting of’ can be used in place of “comprising” and “including” to provide for more specific embodiments of the invention and are also disclosed. Other than in the examples, or where otherwise noted, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood at the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, to be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.
[0050] The numerical values of various parameters given in the specification are at approximations and slightly higher or slightly lower values of these parameters fall within the ambit and the scope of the invention.
[0051] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific steps of the preferred process, it will be highly appreciated that many steps can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred steps without departing from the principles of the invention.
[0052] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0053] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0054] The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles and aspects of the present disclosure. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the disclosure.
[0055] It should also be appreciated that the present disclosure can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a method or a device. In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as processes. In general, the order of the steps of the disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention.
[0056] The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
[0057] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
[0058] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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”. Synergistic 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.
[0061] The present invention relates to herbicides. Specifically, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition.
[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly wheat.
[0063] In another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition comprising Herbicide A, Herbicide B and herbicide C.
[0064] In yet another embodiment of the present invention Herbicide A refers to 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea.
[0065] In still another embodiment of the present invention Herbicide B refers to 4-Amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one.
[0066] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, Herbicide C refers to 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate.
[0067] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a synergistic herbicidal composition comprising:
a) 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea (Herbicide-A);
b) 4-Amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (Herbicide-B); and
c) 2-propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate (Herbicide-C);
optionally in the presence of a herbicide safener agent.
[0068] In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a ternary herbicidal composition which may also contain an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or carrier formulated in dry as well as in liquid form.
[0069] In still another embodiment, the present invention discloses the unexpected and surprising effect of a herbicidal composition comprising Herbicide (A+B+C), optionally in presence of herbicide safener agent which at particular weight ratios shows synergism not only in efficacy in weed control, but also has broad applicability to various weeds, and more effective over a longer duration of time.
[0070] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling harmful plants, weeds or unwanted plants comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising Herbicide (A+B+C) to harmful plants, weeds or unwanted plants. It is understood and appreciated that the composition and method of weed control of the said invention does not harm plants which are of agronomic use.
[0071] 1-(2-ethylsulfonylimidazol[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea, generally called as sulfosulfuron is a herbicide that inhibits acetolactate synthase (ALS) and biosynthesis of the essential amino acids valine and isoleucine, hence stopping cell division and plant growth. It belong to sulfonylurea chemistry and can be used for post-emergence control of important broadleaf weeds and grass weeds in cereals. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-1044.
[0072] 4-Amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one, generally called as metribuzin is a triazinone herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis in a susceptible plant by binding to a protein of the photosystem II complex and it is used as a pre-plant incorporated, pre-emergence, and post-emergence herbicide to control many broad-leaf and narrow-leaf weed species in several crops, including alfalfa, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-769.
[0073] 2-Propynyl (R)-2-[4-(5-chloro-3-fluoro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propionate, generally called as clodinafop-propargyl is a fatty acid synthesis inhibitor, by inhibition of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase). It is used for post-emergence control of annual grasses, including Avena, Lolium, Setaria, Phalaris and Alopecurus spp. etc in cereals. It has low toxicity to spring and winter wheat. Its herbicidal activity is described in book entitled ‘The Pesticide Manual’, seventeenth edition, 2015, page-217.
[0074] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide A in said composition is in the range of 0.1% to 30%.
[0075] In a still preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide A in said composition is 4.2%.
[0076] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide B in said composition is in the range of 1% to 50%.
[0077] In a still preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide B in said composition is 22%.
[0078] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide C in said composition is in the range of 1% to 45%.
[0079] In a still preferred embodiment of the present invention, w/w concentration of Herbicide C in said composition is 10%.
[0080] In an embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition can be employed for the selective control of harmful plants, such as grasses, annual or perennial monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plants, present in useful crop fields such as, but not limited to wheat, triticale, barley, oats and rye.
[0081] Among harmful plants, e.g. weeds or volunteer crop plants that may be controlled are includes from various families for example, Family Asteraceae (e.g. Parthenium hysterophorus, Conyza Canadensis, Eclipta alba, Blumea eriantha, Cirsium arvense, Sonchus asper, Cichorium intybus, Ageratum conyzoides, Echinops echinatus, Launaea procumbense); Family Brassicaceae (e.g. Coronopus didymus, Sisymbrium Irio, Lepidium sativum); Family Chenopodiaceae (e.g. Chenopodium album); Family Euphorbiaceae (e.g. Euphorbia hirta); Family Amaranthaceae (e.g. Amaranthus virdis); Family Fabaceae (e.g. Melilotus spp, Lathyrus odoratus, Lathyrus aphaca, Alhagi maurorum, Alhagi camelorum, Vicia sativa, Vicia faba, Trigonella polycerata, Trifolium alexandrianum, Tephrosia purpurea); Family Malvaceae (e.g. Malvestrum coromandelianum); Family Oxalidaceae (e.g. Oxalis corniculata); Family Polygonaceae (e.g. Polygonum plebejum, Rumex dentatus, Rumex nepanensis); Family Poaceae (e.g. Polypogon monspeliensis, Eragrostis cilianesis, Eragrostis minor, Poa annua, Cynodon dactylon, Bothriochloa pertusa, Avena sativa, Phalaris minor, Cymbopogon citratus, Dichanthium annulatum, Lysimachia arvensis, Phragmites Karka); Family Solanaceae (e.g. Solanum nigrum, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia); Family Moraceae (e.g. Cannabis sativa); Family Convolvulaceae (e.g. Convolvulus arvensis); Family Cyperaceae (e.g. Cyperus rotundus); Family Portulaceae (e.g. Portulaca oleracea); Family Primulaceae (e.g. Anagallis arvensis); Family Fumariaceae (e.g. Fumaria indica); Family Caryophyllaceae (e.g. Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media); Family Molluginaceae (e.g. Mollugo nudicaulis); Family Papaveraceae (e.g. Argemone maxicana); Family Liliaceae (e.g. Asphodelus tenuifolius) and Family Scrophulariaceae (e.g. Veronica anagallis).
[0082] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ternary composition comprising Herbicide (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.
[0083] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to the application of said composition comprising Herbicide (A+B+C), which shows a remarkable improvement in residual activity, which is unexpected from the effects of the individual application of each of herbicide A, herbicide B, and herbicide C. 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 wheat fields.
[0084] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ternary herbicidal composition of Herbicide (A+B+C) can be applied in a conventional manner by using techniques familiar to a person skilled in the art. Suitable techniques include, but are not limited to spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading or watering. The type of application depends on the intended purpose; in any case, it should be ensured that the finest possible distribution or exposing to harmful plant or unwanted plant or locus to be treated by active ingredients according to the invention. The herbicidal composition is applied to unwanted plant or weed locus primarily by spraying, in particular foliar spraying of an aqueous solution of the said composition. Application can be carried out by customary spraying techniques using, for example, water as a carrier and spray liquor rates ranging from about 10 to 2000 l/ha, preferably 500 to 1000 l/ha, and more preferably 100 to 500 l/ha.
[0085] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the required application rate of the ternary composition comprising Herbicide (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 application rate of the composition having total amount of Herbicides A, B and C ranges from 200 to 5000 g/ha, preferably from 300 to 4000 g/ha.
[0086] In yet in another embodiment of the present invention, application of the herbicidal composition comprising Herbicide (A+B+C) results a remarkable synergistic improvement in the application window (pre-emergence of weeds to post-emergence in weeds under different agronomical cultivation practices of wheat) compared to application of binary mixture of herbicides (A+B), (B+C) or (C+A) individually.
[0087] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ternary herbicidal composition comprising Herbicide (A+B+C) is suitable for combating or controlling common harmful plants in fields, where useful plants shall be planted (i.e. in crops). The composition of the present invention is generally suitable for burndown of undesired harmful plants in fields of the cultivated crops which includes, but not limited to, wheat, triticale, barley, oats, rye, sugarcane, potato, sorghum, maize, plantation crops (tea, rubber, coconut, coffee), citrus plantation, mango, grape and non-cropped areas, preferably for wheat, sugarcane, plantation crops (tea, rubber, coconut, coffee), citrus plantation, and more preferably for wheat crop.
[0088] In still another embodiment of the present invention, compositions containing Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B, and Herbicide-C can be formulated in the form of a single package solid or liquid formulation containing a homogeneous mixture of Herbicide A, B, and C in any conventional formulation, for example, oil dispersion, wettable powders, water dispersible granules, soluble powders or soluble granules together with carrier materials.
[0089] In an embodiment of the present invention, the composition is preferably in the form of a formulation, more preferably in the form of oil dispersion (OD) formulation. An illustrative OD formulation composition comprising various ingredients is illustrated in Table 1.
Table 1: Range of ternary herbicidal composition of oil dispersion formulation
Ingredient Weight % Range
Herbicide-A 0.1% to 30%
Herbicide-B 1% to 50%
Herbicide-C 1% to 50%
Herbicide Safener agent 0.1% to 10%
Surfactant 5% to 30%
Rheology modifier 1% to 20%
Antifoaming agent 0.01% to 5%
Inert 10% to 90%

[0090] In another embodiment of the present invention, if desired, at least one safener agent, surfactant or emulsifier can be incorporated. Further if desired, one or more auxiliaries ingredients (also referred to as adjuvants) customary for crop protection compositions may be added such as antifoaming agent, rheology modifier, anti-freezing agent, wetting agents, solvent, inert and other suitable agriculturally acceptable additives may be added.
[0091] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition can generally be employed optionally in combination with known herbicide safeners, such as benoxacor, benthiocarb, brassinolide, cloquintocet-mexyl, cyometrinil, daimuron, dichlormid, dicyclonon, dimepiperate, disulfoton, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, cumyluron, flurazole, fluxofenim, furilazole, isoxadifen-ethyl, cyprosulfamide, cyprosulfamate, dietholate, harpin proteins, mephanate, mefenpyr-diethyl, MG 191, MON 4660, naphthalic anhydride (NA), oxabetrinil, R29148, N-phenyl-sulfonylbenzoic acid amides, 3-dichloroacetyl-2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine, 3-dichloroacetyl-1-oxa-3-azaspiro[4.5]decane, 1-dichloroacetylazepane, ((R)-3-dichloroacetyl-5-(2-furyl)-2,2-dimethyloxazolidine), N-isopropyl-4-sulfamoylbenzamide, 1-(2-methoxyphenyl) ethanone, 1-[4-(N-2-methoxybenzoylsulfamoyl)phenyl]-3-methylurea and 1,8-naphthalenedicarboxylic anhydride to enhance their selectivity. Cloquintocet or its environmentally compatible salts, amides, esters and hydrates such as Cloquintocet-mexyl is a particularly preferred safener for the synergistic compositions of the present invention.
[0092] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one surfactant (such as emulsifiers, wetting agent, tackifiers or dispersing agent) which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred surfactants are selected from ionic and non-ionic products and include solutions of organo-modified polyacrylates, polyacrylates, polysaccharides, alkyl or aryl sulfonates, phosphoric acid ester, modified polyethers, polyurethanes, polycarboxylates, alkyl or aryl sulfates, dialkylsulfosuccinates, alkyl or lauryl ether sulfates, sodium or potassium lauryl sulphate, silicon alkoxylates, alkoxylated alkyl phenols, 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), phenolsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid (Morwet® types, Akzo Nobel, U.S.A.), dibutylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (Nekal® types, BASF, Germany), condensates of naphthalene or of naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde such as naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate, phenolsulfonic acid formaldehyde polycondensate as sodium salt, fatty alcohol sulfates, sodium or calcium salts of alkyl benzene sulphonate, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxyoxylated tri, di or monostyryl phenol, ethoxylated polyarylphenol and sulfated hexa-, hepta- and octadecanolates, sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers ethoxylated alkyl aryl phosphate esters, taurates, styrene acrylic co-polymer, EO-PO block copolymers as such, any fatty alcohols, esters of fatty acids, alcohols or compounds containing at least one OH group or a suitable mixtures thereof.
[0093] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one antifoaming agent selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to dimethyl polysiloxane, magnesium stearate, silicone emulsions (such as e.g. Silikon® SRE, Wacker, Germany or Rhodorsil®, Rhodia, France), long chain alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, salts of fatty acids, fluoro organic compounds, silicone oils, mineral oils, polyether siloxane copolymer containing fumed silica, silicone defoamers, non-silicone defoamers (such as polyethers, polyacrylates), arylalkyl modified polysiloxanes, polyethylene glycol and glycerin or a suitable mixtures thereof.
[0094] In one embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises at least one or more rheology modifiers which are usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to both natural and man-made modifiers, such as, for example, natural gums (xanthan gum, gum arabic, gun ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum etc.), attagel, agar, alginic acid, alginate salt, chitin, pectin, casein, dextran, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydrophilic and hydrophobic silicas, fumed silica or silicon dioxide, fumed aluminium oxide, colloidal silicon dioxides, hydrogenated castor oils, polyvinylalcohol, sodium alginate, sodium poly acrylate, welan gum, lignosulfonates, hydroxy methyl cellulose, dextrin, heteropolysaccharides, organic and inorganic clays, montmorillonite, bentonite clay or its organic derivatives, oxidized waxes, carboxy methylcellulose, carrageen, fucoidan, laminaran, HEUR (hydrophobically modified, ethoxylated urethane), HMPE (hydrophobically modified polyethers), HASE (hydrophobically modified, alkali-swellable emulsion), polyacrylates, polyamides, 2-aminoethyl starch, 2-hydroxy ethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate salt, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidinones, alkali metal salts of the maleic anhydride copolymers, alkali metal salts of poly(meth)acrylate, and starch or a suitable mixtures thereof. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, however, and a wide variety of other rheology modifiers can be employed. A wide variety of rheology modifiers are available commercially, including, for example, the following: Kelzan® (CP Kelco, USA), Rhodopol® 23 (Rhodia, France), Veegum® (R.T. Vanderbilt, USA) and Attaclay® (Engelhard Corp., NJ; USA).
[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises optionally one or more anti-freezing agent selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like. In addition, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, urea, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol and octaglycerol and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[0096] In one embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises optionally one or more solvent selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to water, aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. toluene, xylene, naphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives), 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, butanol, pentanol, 2-ethylhexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol), ketones (e.g. cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (e.g. NMP, NOP), DMSO, acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[0097] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition optionally further comprises at least one inert or filler selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to sucrose, lactose, methyl soyate, vegetable oil, urea, thiourea, kaolin, clays, talc, chalk, glass fiber, highly disperse silica, silicates, diatomite, calcite, talcum, wood flour, cellulose, pulverized wood, diatomaceous earth, montmorillonite, salts of alkali earth metals with any strong or weak acid (e.g. sodium chloride, potassium, magnesium chloride etc), citric acid and its salts, ammonium sulphate, ammonium chloride, potash, glycols salts of dibasic acid, ammonium carbonate, salt of alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate or hydroxide and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[0098] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the herbicidal composition further comprises optionally a binding agent, which are known in the prior art and usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions.
[0099] In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preparation of a homogenous ternary herbicidal composition.
[00100] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preparation of a homogenous a ternary herbicidal composition, which may exist in liquid or solid form such as oil dispersion, wettable powder, wettable granule, water dispersible granule, dry flowable powder and the like.
[00101] In an embodiment, the liquid or solid herbicidal composition of the present invention can be prepared by conventional formulation techniques known in the art.
[00102] In the field of agriculture, it is often understood that the term “synergy” is as defined by Colby S. R. in an article entitled “Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations” published in Weeds, 1967, 15, p. 20-22. The action expected for a given combination of two active components can be calculated as follows:
E = X + Y - XY
100
Where,
E= Expected % control by mixture of two products X and Y in a defined dose.
X= Observed % control by product A
Y= Observed % control by product B
[00103] The action expected for a given combination of three active components can be calculated as follows:
E = X + Y + Z - XY+XZ+YZ + XYZ
100 10000
[00104] Where, E represents the expected percentage control of weeds for the combination of the three herbicides at defined doses (for example equal to X, Y, and Z respectively), X is the percentage of weed control observed by herbicide A at a defined dose, Y is the percentage of weed control observed by herbicide B at a defined dose, and Z is the percentage of weed control observed by herbicide C at a defined dose.
[00105] When the percentage of herbicidal control observed (E) for the combination is greater than the expected percentage, synergistic effect of the combination can be inferred. When the percentage of control observed for the combination is equal to the expected percentage, merely an additive effect may be inferred, and wherein the percentage of herbicidal control observed for the combination is lower than the expected percentage, an antagonistic effect of the combinations can be inferred.
[00106] The compositions and methods of the appended claims are not limited in scope by the specific compositions and methods described herein, which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the claims and any compositions and methods that are functionally equivalent are intended to fall within the scope of the claims. Various modifications of the compositions and methods in addition to those shown and described herein are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further, while only certain representative compositions and method steps disclosed herein are specifically described, other combinations of the compositions and method steps also are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims, even if not specifically recited.
[00107] 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
[00108] The present invention is further explained in the form of following examples. However, it is to be understood that the following examples are merely illustrative and are not to be taken as limitations upon the scope of the invention.

Example 1:
Process steps for the preparation of oil dispersion (OD) composition
[000109] (a) Charge weighed quantity of surfactant (emulsifier), rheology modifier and antifoaming agent in a vessel and stir to form a homogeneous premix; (b) charge weighed amount of Herbicide-A, Herbicide-B and Herbicide-C technical (calculated on the basis of purity) to the above mixture while stirring; (c) add the weighed amount of the herbicide safener agent slowly with constant string; (d) charge weighed amount of any other suitable additives (if any) to the above mixture; (e) stir the above mixture till homogeneous mixture obtain; (f) mill the above mixture in bead mill at 20°C to 25°C to get the desired particle size. Composition of the oil dispersion formulation is provided in Table 2.
Table 2: Composition of Oil Dispersion formulation
Ingredients Weight %
Herbicide-A 4.2%
Herbicide-B 22.0%
Herbicide-C 10.0%
Herbicide safener agent 2.5%
Surfactant 16.0%
Rheology modifier 7.0%
Antifoaming agent 0.2%
Inert 38.1%
Total 100%

Example 2
Field experiment methodology
[000110] Six field trials were conducted in commercial cultivated wheat field under naturally occurring weed populations in the trial field. The trial sites were located at:
i. Village - Rawar, District - Karnal in Haryana (India),
ii. Village - Rasulpur, District - Karnal in Haryana (India),
iii. Village - Ghogdipur, District - Karnal in Haryana (India),
iv. Village - Kola, District - Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh (India),
v. Village - Katra-Emalipur, District - Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh (India),
vi. Village - Bangala, District - Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh (India),
[000111] The wheat crops were grown using normal cultural practices using fertilizer, planting, and maintenance to ensure good growth of the crop and the weeds. To evaluate the bio-efficacy of the herbicides, the treatments applied were as following: composition of herbicide (A+B), composition of herbicide (B+C), composition of herbicide (C+A), and herbicidal composition of the present invention herbicide (A+B+C).
[000112] Binary mixture were prepared by mixing commercially available formulation of Herbicide-A (Loxo 75% WDG- manufactured by Atul Limited), Herbicide-B (Plasto 70% WP- manufactured by Atul Limited), and Herbicide-C (Vitis 15% WP- manufactured by Atul Limited) as per predetermined doses.
[000113] The trials were conducted using normal research methodology under sufficient weed pressure of the target weeds in the trial fields. In one set of the treatments, the target weed plants in treatment plots were treated with post-emergence foliar spray when weeds were at 3 to 6 leaf stage or 4 to 10 cm height and 30-40 days crop age under active growing stage using a backpack hand operated knapsack sprayer fitted with a flat fen nozzle. All treatments were applied using a randomized complete block trial design, with 3 replications per treatment, and each plot was 20 sq. meter.
[000114] The major weed plants assessed in the field trials were, but not limited to Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum, and Anagallis arvensis among broad leaf weeds and Phalaris minor among grassy weeds in wheat crop.
[000115] The treated plots and the control plots were rated blind at 15 days, 30 days and 45 days after application (DAA) in case of post emergence application. Ratings were based on a scale of 0-100%, wherein 0% indicates no damage to the undesired vegetation and 100% indicates complete destruction of the undesired vegetation. All types of plant injury were taken into consideration. The results of such testing are summarized in below examples.

Example 3
Bioefficacy Studies
The various experiments were carried out to determine the synergistic herbicidal effects of the composition comprising a mixture of herbicide (A+B+C) as defined in Example-1. Below examples (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3l, 3m, 3n and 3o) summarizes the impact of individual or combined herbicide treatments at 3 different doses against key weeds in wheat crop as post emergence spray (3 to 5 leaf stage of weeds). Here DAA means ‘Days after application’.

Example 3(a):
Table 3: Control of Phalaris minor (Grassy leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Rawar, District - Karnal)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 30 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 74.18
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 75.27
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 350 77.68
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 13.5 + 160 58.64
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 13.5 + 80 59.52
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 57.99

Example 3(b):
Table 4: Control of Phalaris minor (Grassy leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Rasulpur, District - Karnal)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 30 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 84.48
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 350 85.89
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 400 95.13
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 13.5 + 160 54.35
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 13.5 + 80 51.52
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 54.89

Example 3(c):
Table 5: Control of Phalaris minor (Grassy leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Ghogdipur, District - Karnal)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 30 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 91.62
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 350 93.90
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 400 98.00
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 13.5 + 160 49.62
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 13.5 + 80 33.90
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 51.43

Example 3(d):
Table 6: Control of Phalaris minor (Grassy leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Kola, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 75.00
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 96.97
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 97.73
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 46.97
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 56.06
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 71.21

Example 3(e):
Table 7: Control of Phalaris minor (Grassy leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village – Katra-Emalipur, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 88.43
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 97.45
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 98.24
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 70.39
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 76.27
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 86.08

Example 3(f):
Table 8: Control of Phalaris minor (Grassy leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Bangala, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 93.93
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 99.41
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 100.00
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 66.93
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 89.43
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 90.41

Example 3(g):
Table 9: Control of Solanum nigrum (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Kola, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 70.77
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 90.77
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 93.85
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 41.54
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 56.92
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 63.08

Example 3(h):
Table 10: Control of Solanum nigrum (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village – Katra-Emalipur, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 34.88
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 88.37
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 90.70
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 32.56
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 44.19
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 53.49

Example 3(i):
Table 11: Control of Solanum nigrum (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Bangala, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 69.77
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 88.37
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 90.70
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 65.12
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 69.77
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 58.14

Example 3(j):
Table 12: Control of Chenopodium album (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Kola, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 81.16
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 100.00
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 100.00
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 53.62
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 73.91
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 91.30

Example 3(k):
Table 13: Control of Chenopodium album (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village – Katra-Emalipur, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 80.39
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 100.00
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 100.00
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 56.86
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 72.55
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 68.63

Example 3(l):
Table 14: Control of Chenopodium album (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Bangala, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 73.33
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 86.67
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 93.33
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 70.00
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 76.67
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 76.67

Example 3(m):
Table 15: Control of Anagallis arvensis (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Kola, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 88.62
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 100.00
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 100.00
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 51.22
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 91.87
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 95.93

Example 3(n):
Table 16: Control of Anagallis arvensis (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village – Katra-Emalipur, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 69.57
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 100.00
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 100.00
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 56.52
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 56.52
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 47.83

Example 3(o):
Table 17: Control of Anagallis arvensis (Broad leaf weed) by post emergence spray (Village - Bangala, District - Barabanki)
S.No. Treatment name Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of control
observed at 45 DAA
1 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 200 97.22
2 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 250 100.00
3 Herbicidal Composition (A+B+C) 300 100.00
4 Herbicidal Composition (A+C) 33.3 + 160 88.89
5 Herbicidal Composition (A+B) 33.3 + 80 97.22
6 Herbicidal Composition (B+C) 160 + 80 94.44

[000116] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that in each case, for any of the 3 doses of the combination of herbicide (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). The synergistic effect can be seen for Phalaris minor (Grassy leaf weed) and Solanum nigrum, Chenopodium album and Anagallis arvensis (Broad leaf weeds) respectively.
[000117] 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 wheat field and are used in either a pre-emergence or post-emergence herbicide application.

Example 4: Phytotoxicity Studies
[000118] To assess the phytotoxic effect of the herbicidal composition on wheat crop viz. leaf burning, yellowing, stunting, scorching, epinasty, hyponasty etc, a trial was laid out in Randomized Black Design (RBD) replicated three times. For each treatment, plot size was maintained at 12 sq. meter. To raise the crops, all the agronomical practices were followed as usually adopted for wheat cultivation. The said herbicidal compositions comprising binary mixture of herbicides (A+B), (B+C) and (C+A) and herbicide (A+B+C) were applied in prescribed recommended doses using commercially available product in market by hand pumped backpack sprayer fitted with flat fen nozzle. The various herbicidal treatments were made as post emergence application at 20 days after wheat germination.
[000119] Observation on phytotoxicity viz growth stunting, yellowing, scorching, epinasty, hyponasty etc. was recorded at 10 to 60 ‘Days After Application’ (DAA) of treatments from ten plants which were randomly selected from each plot.

Example 4(a):
[000120] Phytotoxic impact of separate and combined treatments at different concentration of Herbicide A, B and C on wheat crop as post emergence spray (Village - Rawar, District - Karnal) is depicted in Table 3:

Table 18: Phytotoxic impact at different concentrations of ternary Herbicidal composition at Village - Rawar, District - Karnal
Active ingredient Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of phytotoxicity observed
10 DAA 20 DAA 30 DAA 40 DAA 60 DAA
Herbicide (A+B) 13.5+80 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (B+C) 160+80 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (C+A) 13.5+160 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 250 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 300 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 350 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 400 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 450 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 500 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 550 0 0 10 10 10
Herbicide (A+B+C) 600 0 10 20 20 20

Example 4(b):
[000121] Phytotoxic impact of separate and combined treatments at different concentration of Herbicide A, B and C on wheat crop as post emergence spray (Village - Kola, District - Barabanki) is depicted in Table 4.

Table 19: Phytotoxic impact at different concentrations of ternary Herbicidal composition at Village - Kola, District – Barabanki.
Active ingredient Use Rate
(g or mL/ac) % of phytotoxicity observed
10 DAA 20 DAA 30 DAA 40 DAA 60 DAA
Herbicide (A+B) 13.5+80 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (B+C) 160+80 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (C+A) 13.5+160 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 250 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 300 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 350 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 400 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 450 0 0 0 0 0
Herbicide (A+B+C) 500 0 0 0 0 0

[000122] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that the herbicidal composition of the present invention as tested exhibits no phytotoxicity to wheat crop upto 500 g or mL/ac dose amount.
[000123] 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 wheat. The said composition is not phytotoxic to the crop plants upto recommended doses, which makes the said composition an attractive and suitable alternative to usage of individual herbicides.
[000124] 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
[000125] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has synergistically improved action in ability to eliminate growth of weeds and unwanted vegetation.
[000126] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has greater potency and demonstrates broader weed spectrum.
[000127] 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 wheat.
[000128] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that is not phytotoxic to the crop plants upto recommended doses, which makes the said composition an attractive and suitable alternative to usage of individual herbicides.
[000129] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that is highly stable and has low toxicity to humans or other mammals.
[000130] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that has improved ecological compatibility.
[000131] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which allows the application rate to be reduced in comparison with the individual application of the active compounds.
[000132] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition that rapidly degrades in soil and has lesser crop phytotoxicity.
[000133] 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 wheat, triticale, barley, oats and rye crop.
[000134] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is easy to handle and can be easily applied on crops.
[000135] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is highly effective for a long duration on broad range of weed species in wheat and other crop plants such as triticale, barley, oats, and rye.
[000136] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which is useful for controlling undesired weeds in cultivated crop plants particularly wheat.
[000137] The present invention provides a ternary herbicidal composition which can control weed at pre-emergent or post emergent stage.