Claims:1) A composition for effective management of weeds, said composition being a dilution of an concentrated aqueous solution of a compound represented by the formula-

Characterised in that the aqueous solution is water soluble, has clear yellowish to slight brownish colour, liquid consistency, pH 6.5- 7.0 and contains-
a) a first active component, being Nonanoic acid in particular obtained entirely from natural sources;
b) a second active component, being Liquid Ammonia in particular; and
c) a solvent, being water in particular

2) The composition for effective management of weeds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of the first active component ranges between 50% to 80% percentage by weight.

3) The composition for effective management of weeds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of the second active component ranges between 5% to 15% percentage by weight.

4) The composition for effective management of weeds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of the solvent ranges between 10% to 30% percentage by weight.

5) The composition for effective management of weeds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dilution comprises 1 part of the concentrated aqueous solution admixed in 50 parts of water.

6) The composition for effective management of weeds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weeds are selected one or more among Cyperus rotundus, Amaranthus blitum, Glinus species, Cyprus species, Parthenium hysterophorus.

7) A single-pot method to prepare a concentrated aqueous solution of a weedicide compound represented by the formula-

the method comprising-
a) Into a reactor having a stirrer, adding a first active component, being Nonanoic acid in particular, at an amount which ranges between 50% to 80% percentage by weight of the total weedicidal composition intended to be prepared;
b) Adding a solvent, being water in particular, at an amount which ranges between 10% to 30% percentage by weight of the total weedicidal composition intended to be prepared;
c) Adding a second active component, being liquid ammonia in particular, at an amount which ranges between 5% to 15% percentage by weight of the total weedicidal composition intended to be prepared; and
d) Stirring the admixture obtained at step c) for 30 minutes at room temperature until attainment of neutral pH to therefore result in formation of the concentrated aqueous solution of the weedicide compound. , Description:Complete Specification

”FATTY ACID BASED ORGANIC WEEDICIDE, METHOD TO PREPARE THE SAME, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF”

Field of the invention
This invention relates generally to amelioration of a menace to agricultural crops, namely weeds. More particularly a preferred embodiment of the present invention recited herein outlines an organic weedicide composition including Nonanoic Acid and / or its derivatives as an active moiety, and furthermore the nuances involved in the preparation and usage of the said composition in deweeding applications.

Background of the invention and Description of related art
Food, shelter, clothing are essential needs of human existence. Throughout the history of civilized mankind, agriculture has appreciably been a major basis the world over for satiating the demand for food.

For increased agrarian and horticultural yields, it is indispensable to remove undesirable plant growth occurring in the growing environment of intended plants / crops. Removal of these undesirable plants, also known as weeds, is critical as they otherwise detract moisture and nutrients from the soil, and in other ways, undesirably compete with and affect the proper growth of intended plants / crops. Thus, there is an acute global need for some effective way of deweeding, that is, removal or control of the weed populace, for augmenting as well as ensuring yield of healthy food from said agrarian and horticultural practices.

Weed management is very crucial task in farming which influence crop production, competition with crops for light, water and nutrient in the soils which ultimately causes heavy losses in production having 15-20% of total agriculture production. In earlier years weed management was done by using manual weed cutting, which very time consuming and high expensive. In the mid of 20th century introduction of synthesis herbicide/ weedicide was introduced, making weed control less expensive and reducing crop losses due to weed competition. This revolution played a major role in providing and maintaining high crop yields. However, this are largely observed to be object of abuse and causes of environmental stress / pollution the world over, also impact on human health. Hence, the art needs an alternative solution for addressing the needs of deweeding. The adversity of chemical weedicide has led to a shift in agricultural approaches from agrochemicals to green technology in order to improve soil biodiversity and food safety which improves human and environmental health.

Aforementioned need for deweeding is also common to maintenance of non-food plants and herbs, such as in gardens, turfs, and specialized applications such as cultivation of specific plants for preparation of medicines and other chemicals, and processes such as those involving Canna Sp. for effluent treatment. The reader shall appreciate that the avoiding undesirable plant growth and infestation is critical to success of these use-cases. In this aspect, the effective way of deweeding is reiterated in a marked industrial parlance.

Prior art, to the extent surveyed, lists some scattered attempts to address the issues mentioned hereinabove. A wide range of herbicides / weedicides is available today being classified into two major groups - inorganic (e.g., copper sulfate, sodium chlorate, and sodium arsenite) and organic (e.g., chlorophenoxy compounds, dinitrophenols, bipyridyl compounds, carbamates, and amide herbicides). Further classification is possible on basis of their inherent effect, selectivity, persistence, application and action. 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid), Acetochlor, Amitrole (triazine), Atrazine, Glyphosate, and Propanil (aromatic amide) are some of the popularly used herbicides / weedicides. However, these are largely observed to be object of abuse and causes of environmental stress / pollution the world over. Hence, the art needs an alternative solution for addressing the needs of deweeding.

The discovery of auxins and other biological plant growth regulating substances has promulgated the concerted research in field of organic weedicides. In this line, herbicidal compounds so far discovered have been in the chemical classes of aliphatic, aromatic, and aryloxy acids and their simple derivatives such as salts and esters; various amides including ureas, carbamates, thiocarbamates, and anilides; various heterocyclic compounds, notably triazoles and triazines; phenolic compounds; and a miscellany of such structures as arsenicals, mercurials, organic phosphorus compounds, nitriles, and quaternaries. Yet these discovered compounds and their established formulations are not always entirely satisfactory for intended herbicidal effect. Therefore, the need for an effective weedicidal agent / compound / composition still persists, with demand the world over.

State of art bears few references to production of organic weedicide based on Nonanoic acid, for example US6323156B1, US6608003B2 and US4975110.Among these, US6323156B1 teaches a method for controlling undesired vegetation that comprises contacting the vegetation with a herbicidally effective amount of a composition containing the compound of the formula R1COO-X+ wherein R1 is a C6 to C19 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl or C1-C5 hydrocarbyl groups, and X is ammonium.

US6608003B2 teaches compositions which are highly effective as herbicidal formulations. These compositions are composed of an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid and a dicarboxylic acid diester.

US4975110 teaches an environmentally compatible herbicidal composition comprises a fatty acid active ingredient, and a surfactant component. In one embodiment the composition comprises a ready-to-use microemulsion having a fatty acid active ingredient, one or more quaternary ammonium salt surfactants and water. Another embodiment comprises a concentrated herbicidal formulation having a fatty acid active ingredient and one or more surfactants. The concentrate may subsequently be diluted with water to yield a ready-to-use formulation. Each of these compositions is a foliar applied herbicide which effectively controls a variety of unwanted weed and grass species. The fatty acid component of these herbicidal compositions comprises pelargonic acid which may be used alone or as the predominant component of a mixture of fatty acids including caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecanoic, and lauric.

The above processes are however inundated with technical complexities, involve handling of hazardous chemicals, and not proven to be environmentally safe to implement, hence preserving the need to have a simpler process for preparing organic weedicides.

Furthermore, the reader shall also realize that with different plants / crops that are grown under diverse climatic conditions and / or soil types, there cannot be always an inventory of endless variety of herbicides to be used. Accordingly, it shall be advantageous to have some unified way of achieving effective control of undesirable vegetation in these diversities.

What is required therefore, is an ideal herbicide, which is typified in having the following attributes-
1) Organic / biological genesis, hence environmental compatibility
2) Non-hazardous to flora and fauna other than weeds targeted
3) full season weed control with single / minimal application
4) prolonged residual action
5) exhibition of weedicidal effect on all stages of weed lifecycle, such as seed, the germinant seed, the seedling, or the established plant
6) non-phytocidal to intended plants / crops
7) generate no hazardous byproducts during natural degradation

There exists no herbicide today, which satisfies all of the aforesaid wants. Hence, state-of-art as introduced above, does not list a single effective solution embracing all considerations mentioned hereinabove, thus preserving an acute necessity-to-invent for the present inventor who, as result of focused research, has come up with novel solutions for resolving all needs once and for all.

The applicant herein has focused his studies on establishment of an organic weedicide composition including Nonanoic Acid and / or its derivatives and furthermore the nuances involved in the preparation and usage of the said composition in deweeding applications. From classical theory, it is known that Nonanoic acid (also called Pelargonic acid) is an organic compound with structural formula CH3(CH2)7CO2H. It is a nine-carbon fatty acid. Nonanoic acid is a colourless oily liquid with an unpleasant, rancid odour. It is nearly insoluble in water, but very soluble in organic solvents.

Work of the presently named inventor/s, specifically directed against the technical problems recited hereinabove and currently part of the public domain including earlier filed patent applications, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosures.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the present invention will be obtained from the following detailed description which sets forth an illustrative yet-preferred embodiment.

Objectives of the present invention
The present invention is identified in addressing at least all major deficiencies of art discussed in the foregoing section by effectively addressing the objectives stated under, of which:

It is a primary objective to establish an effective weedicide composition which is characteristically organic in nature.

It is also an objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that said weedicide composition has a non-selective mode of action.

It is also an objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that said weedicide composition has broad spectrum applicability to a wide range of weeds.

It is also an objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that said weedicide composition is capable of exhibiting its efficacy soundly on contact with undesired plant species, namely weeds.

It is also an objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) to establish a simple method for preparation of said weedicide composition.

It is also an objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that said weedicide composition and its method of preparation are both simple to implement, inexpensive and not riddled with technical complexities.

It is also an objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that said weedicide composition and its method of preparation are not toxic to humans nor result in harm and / or pollution of the environment.

Still further objects and the entire scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
Brief description of drawings
The present invention is explained herein under with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 represents the molecular makeup of the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 2A is a photograph of a control plot showing growth of Cyperus rotundus which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 2B is a photograph of a test plot which had growth of Cyperus rotundus which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.
FIGURE 2C is a photograph of another control plot showing growth of Cyperus rotundus which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 2D is a photograph of another test plot which had prior growth of Cyperus rotundus which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 3A is a photograph of a control plot showing growth of Amaranthus blitum which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 3B is a photograph of a test plot which had growth of Amaranthus blitum which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 3C is a photograph of another control plot showing growth of Amaranthus blitum which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 3D is a photograph of another test plot which had prior growth of Amaranthus blitum which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 4A is a photograph of a control plot showing growth of Glinus spp which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 4B is a photograph of a test plot which had growth of Glinus spp which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 4C is a photograph of another control plot showing growth of Glinus spp which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 4D is a photograph of another test plot which had prior growth of Glinus spp which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.
FIGURE 5A is a photograph of a control plot showing growth of Cyprus spp which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 5B is a photograph of a test plot which had growth of Cyprus spp which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 5C is a photograph of another control plot showing growth of Cyprus spp which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 5D is a photograph of another test plot which had prior growth of Cyprus spp which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 6A is a photograph of a control plot showing growth of Parthenium Hysterophorus which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 6B is a photograph of a test plot which had growth of Parthenium Hysterophorus which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 7A is a photograph of a control plot showing growth of Amaranthus retroflexus which is not treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

FIGURE 7B is a photograph of a test plot which had growth of Amaranthus retroflexus which was totally cleared upon being treated with the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein.

The above drawings are illustrative of particular examples of the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope thereof. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use solely in conjunction with their explanations in the following detailed description. In above drawings, wherever possible, the same references and symbols have been used throughout to refer to the same or similar parts. Though numbering has been introduced to demarcate reference to specific components in relation to such references being made in different sections of this specification, all components are not shown or numbered in each drawing to avoid obscuring the invention proposed.

Attention of the reader is now requested to the detailed description to follow which narrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention and such other ways in which principles of the invention may be employed without parting from the essence of the invention claimed herein.

Statement of the invention
Largely till date, weed control was largely an art and only recently has it attained the status of a science. Unexpectedly, the applicant named herein has found a way to amalgamate a natural ingredient, namely Nonanoic acid and Liquid Ammonia into modern formulation science for establishment of the weedicide / herbicide composition proposed herein particularly for non-selective, post-emergence weed management of weeds. The new and improved herbicidal properties of the resulting composition could not be predicted on the basis of the known properties of the individual components.

Detailed description
Principally, general purpose of the present invention is to assess disabilities and shortcomings inherent to known systems comprising state of the art and develop new systems incorporating all available advantages of known art and none of its disadvantages.

Accordingly, the disclosures herein are directed towards an organic weedicide composition including Nonanoic Acid and / or its derivatives as an active moiety, and furthermore the nuances involved in the preparation and usage of the said composition in deweeding applications.

The weedicide proposed herein is intended as a non-selective, post-emergence weed management input, mainly for broadleaf weeds. Mechanism of action is largely via burning the waxy cuticle of green vegetation which stops the photosynthesis and the uptake of nutrients from soil by weeds.

Details of typical formulations are given in the following examples which are presented for purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation. Parts are by weight unless otherwise designated.

Example 1: Composition of the organic weedicide / herbicide composition proposed herein is mentioned in Table 1 below.

Ingredient Concentration (%)
1) Nonanoic acid 50 to 80
2) Liquid Ammonia 5 to15
3) Water 10 to 30

Table 1.

Example 2: Synthesis
The weedicide / herbicide composition proposed herein is a dilution of an concentrated aqueous solution of a compound, said compound being typically synthesized in a reactor with stirrer having capacity 200L, by performance, in serial of the following steps-
a) 50-70% Natural fatty acid Nonanoic acid is added to the reactor;
b) water 10- 30%is added to the reactor;
c) liquid ammonia in the range between 1- 15 % is added to the reactor;
d) the resultant admixture is stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature;
Final product, which is the weedicide / herbicide composition, formed is characterized in being water soluble, having clear yellowish/slight brownish colour, liquid consistency, and pH 6.5- 7.0.Neutral pH confirms the formation of organic weedicide proposed herein.

It shall be appreciated that the weedicide / herbicide composition proposed herein can be formulated alternatively among emulsion concentrate formulations / wettable powder formulations and the like. For this aspect, the composition of the present invention is diluted in water with desired dose given and sprayed onto the intended target site where removal of weeds is desired.

The weedicide / herbicide composition proposed herein has an elucidated mode of action, that it disturbs the waxy cuticles, cell membrane, and photosynthesis of a plants or weeds which ultimately stops the uptake of nutrients from soil by weeds ultimately results in weeds getting killed. It’s fast acting features and unique mode of action effectively reduces the weed population.

The weedicide / herbicide composition proposed herein was experimentally validated, when applied as an aqueous solution spray with 20ml per litre of water, by the applicant herein to-
a) have non-selective and broad spectrum applicability;
b) cause no damage the soil surface;
c) leave no residue was observed after application.

Details field trials are provided in reference to Table 2 below.

Trial Design:
The inventors named herein have undertaken independent field trials to validate efficacy of the weedicidal / herbicidal composition proposed herein.

The weed management trial was designed randomly with maximum intensive weed population around different regions / geographies. Control (without application of any type of weedicide) and plots treated with the composition of the present invention were subject of observation. The composition of the present invention was diluted at a metric of 20ml per litre of water and sprayed with knapsack hand sprayer fitted with T-jet nozzle and observation was recorded after 72 hours.
Reference is made to the accompanying Figures 2 to 7 to be read in conjunction to the legend elaborated in the underlying Table 2, whereby a pictorial account of efficacy of the composition of the present invention is provided for emphasis as under-
Trial No. Weed Variety Location Control plot (untreated) Figure No. Test plot (treated) Figure No.
1 Cyperus rotundus Village Maloli
Tal. Malshiras
Dist. Solapur
State: Maharashtra 2A, 2C 2B, 2D
2 Amaranthus blitum Village Saswad
Tal. Purandar
Dist. Pune
State: Maharashtra 3A, 3C 3B, 3D
3 Glinus spp Babulgaon
Tal. Pandharpur
Dist. Solapur
State: Maharashtra 4A, 4C 4B, 4D
4 Cyprus spp Village Chamadi,
Near Saswad
Tal. Purandar
Dist. Pune
State: Maharashtra 5A, 5C 5B, 5D
5 Parthenium Hysterophorus Village Khalad
Taluka- Purandar
Dist. Pune
State: Maharashtra 6A 6B
6 Amaranthus retroflexus Village Khalad
Taluka- Purandar
Dist. Pune
State: Maharashtra 7A 7B

Table 2

Quantitatively, effective dose of the herbicidal / weedicidal composition proposed herein is showcased in the Table 3 below.

Weed Effective Dose Lethal dose
1) Cyperus rotundus 20 ml/L 20 ml/L
2) Amaranthus blitum 20 ml/L 15 ml/L
3) Glinus spp 20 ml/L 15 ml/L
4) Cyprus 20 ml/L 20 ml/L
5) Parthenium hysterophorus 20ml/L 15ml/L

Table 3

As will be realized further, the present invention is capable of various other embodiments and that its several components and related details are capable of various alterations, all without departing from the basic concept of the present invention.

Accordingly, the foregoing description will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive in any form whatsoever. Modifications and variations of the system and apparatus described herein will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are intended to come within ambit of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.