DESC:
Technical Field:
The present invention relates to combinations of herbicides for controlling harmful undesirable plants. The present invention more specifically relates to a synergistic combination of herbicides.

Background and prior art:
Weeds are undesirable plants that can severely damage yield in crops. Farmers usually control these plants at the pre-plant stage as well as after sowing. Modern herbicides are used to either control or suppress these undesirable plants so as to allow sown crops a greater share of nutrient.

Current practices include combining herbicides with varied modes of action, which allows for broader spectrum of control and resistance management. However, the combinations currently known are not sufficient to control the resistant and persistent weeds. Growers increasingly face complex weed situations that may not be controlled with just one herbicide.

Combinations of herbicides are used to control a broader range of weeds. However, the combination of herbicides may not always result in the desired effect. Combination of herbicides may lead to an additive effect or an antagonistic effect. It may also result in phytotoxicity to the crops making it an undesirable combination. Agronomists must therefore carefully select the herbicides that can be combined to offer a synergistic effect that would control weeds while having no phytotoxic effect on the crop, and reduce the chances of development of herbicide resistant weeds.

US8785351 discloses a combination comprising bentazon, an ALS inhibitor and an ACCase inhibitor. Sulfonylureas are indicated as potential long list of ALS inhibitors, while some PPO inhibitors are merely indicated as a possible additional herbicide, amongst an equally large number of herbicides. This disclosure is generic and does not provide guidance towards the present combinations.

There is therefore a need in the art for combinations that have advantageous properties such as a herbicidal combination that is synergistic, helps in resistance management, reduces dosage of herbicides used thus causing minimal damage to the environment, and a herbicidal combination that has excellent residual effects.

Embodiments of the present invention may therefore ameliorate one or more of the above-mentioned problems:

Summary of the invention:

Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention may provide a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide;
(ii) a triazine herbicide;
(iii) a triazinone herbicide;
(iv) an uracil herbicide;
(v) a benthiadiazole herbicide;
(vi) a nitrile herbicide; and
(vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) an imidazolinone herbicide;
(ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide;
(iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide;
(iv) a pyrazole herbicide;
(v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and
(vi) a triazolone herbicide;
and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a method of controlling weeds at a locus, said method comprising applying to the locus a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide;
(ii) a triazine herbicide;
(iii) a triazinone herbicide;
(iv) an uracil herbicide;
(v) a benthiadiazole herbicide;
(vi) a nitrile herbicide; and
(vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) an imidazolinone herbicide;
(ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide;
(iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide;
(iv) a pyrazole herbicide;
(v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and
(vi) a triazolone herbicide;
and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

In an aspect, the present invention may provide a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide;
(ii) a triazine herbicide;
(iii) a triazinone herbicide;
(iv) an uracil herbicide;
(v) a benthiadiazole herbicide;
(vi) a nitrile herbicide; and
(vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) an imidazolinone herbicide;
(ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide;
(iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide;
(iv) a pyrazole herbicide;
(v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and
(vi) a triazolone herbicide;
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

Yet another aspect of the present invention may provide a method of increasing yield in a crop by application of a combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide;
(ii) a triazine herbicide;
(iii) a triazinone herbicide;
(iv) an uracil herbicide;
(v) a benthiadiazole herbicide;
(vi) a nitrile herbicide; and
(vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) an imidazolinone herbicide;
(ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide;
(iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide;
(iv) a pyrazole herbicide;
(v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and
(vi) a triazolone herbicide;
and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

Another aspect of the present invention may provide a method of improving the plant health, said method comprising application at the locus of the plant a combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide;
(ii) a triazine herbicide;
(iii) a triazinone herbicide;
(iv) an uracil herbicide;
(v) a benthiadiazole herbicide;
(vi) a nitrile herbicide; and
(vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) an imidazolinone herbicide;
(ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide;
(iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide;
(iv) a pyrazole herbicide;
(v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and
(vi) a triazolone herbicide;
and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

Detailed Description of the invention:
The term herbicide, as used herein, shall mean an active ingredient that kills, controls or otherwise adversely modifies the growth of weeds. As used herein, a herbicidally effective or vegetation controlling amount is an amount of active ingredient that causes a “herbicidal effect,” i.e., an adversely modifying effect and includes deviations from natural development, killing, regulation, desiccation, retardation. The terms “plants” and “vegetation” include, but are not limited to, germinant seeds, emerging seedlings, plants emerging from vegetative propagules, and established vegetation. The term “locus” as used herein shall denote the vicinity of a desired crop in which weed control, typically selective weed control, of weeds is desired. The locus includes the vicinity of desired crop plants wherein the weed infestation has either emerged or is yet to emerge. The term crop shall include a multitude of desired crop plants or an individual crop plant growing at a locus.

Surprisingly, it has been found by the present inventors that a combination of a photosystem II inhibitor, an ALS inhibitor, and a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor results in a synergistic control of undesirable plants, at the locus of the desired plant.

Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention may provide a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide;
(ii) a triazine herbicide;
(iii) a triazinone herbicide;
(iv) an uracil herbicide;
(v) a benthiadiazole herbicide;
(vi) a nitrile herbicide; and
(vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:
(i) an imidazolinone herbicide;
(ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide;
(iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide;
(iv) a pyrazole herbicide;
(v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and
(vi) a triazolone herbicide;
and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

In an embodiment, the herbicidal combinations of the present invention comprise one herbicide from these three classes of herbicides.

Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention may provide a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide; and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling weeds at a locus by applying the combination of the present invention to the locus.

Thus, in this aspect, the present invention may provide a method of controlling weeds at a locus, said method comprising applying to the locus a combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide; and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising the combinations of the present invention.

Therefore, in this aspect, the present invention may provide a composition comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide;
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for increasing yield in a crop by using the combinations of the present invention.

Therefore, in this aspect, the present invention may provide a method of increasing yield in a crop by application of a combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide; and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide.

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a method of improving the plant health using the combinations of the present invention.

Therefore, in this aspect, the present invention may provide a method of improving the plant health, said method comprising application at the locus of the plant a combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide; and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide.

Each of the aspect described above may have one or more embodiments.

Each of the embodiments described hereinafter may apply to one or all of the aspects described hereinabove. These embodiments are intended to be read as being preferred features of one or all of the aspects described hereinabove. Each of the embodiments described hereinafter applies to each of the aspects described hereinabove individually.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a phenylcarbamate herbicide.

In an embodiment, the phenylcarbamate herbicide is selected from the group consisting of barban, BCPC, carbasulam, carbetamide, CEPC, chlorbufam, chlorpropham, CPPC, desmedipham, phenisopham, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, propham and swep.

In an embodiment, the phenylcarbamate herbicide is selected from the group consisting of chlorpropham, desmedipham, phenmedipham, and phenmedipham-ethyl.

In an embodiment, the phenylcarbamate herbicide is chlorpropham.

In an embodiment, the phenylcarbamate herbicide is desmedipham.

In an embodiment, the phenylcarbamate herbicide is phenmedipham.

In an embodiment, the phenylcarbamate herbicide is phenmedipham-ethyl.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a triazine herbicide.

In an embodiment, the triazine herbicide is selected from the group consisting of dipropetryn, fucaojing, trihydroxytriazine, atrazine, chlorazine, cyanazine, cyprazine, eglinazine, ipazine, mesoprazine, procyazine, proglinazine, propazine, sebuthylazine, simazine, terbuthylazine, trietazine, indaziflam, triaziflam, atraton, methometon, prometon, secbumeton, simeton, terbumeton, ametryn, aziprotryne, cyanatryn, desmetryn, dimethametryn, methoprotryne, propmetryn, simetryn, and terbutryn.

In an embodiment, the triazine herbicide is atrazine.

In an embodiment, the triazine herbicide is ametryn.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a triazinone herbicide.

In an embodiment, the triazinone herbicide is selected from the group consisting of ametridione, amibuzin, ethiozin, hexazinone, isomethiozin, metamitron, metribuzin and trifludimoxazin.

In an embodiment, the triazinone herbicide is hexazinone.

In an embodiment, the triazinone herbicide is metamitron.

In an embodiment, the triazinone herbicide is metribuzin.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a uracil herbicide.

In an embodiment, the uracil herbicide is selected from the group consisting of benzfendizone, bromacil, butafenacil, flupropacil, isocil, lenacil, saflufenacil, terbacil and tiafenacil.

In an embodiment, the uracil herbicide is bromacil.

In an embodiment, the uracil herbicide is saflufenacil.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a benzothiazole herbicide or a benzothiadiazole herbicide.

In an embodiment, the benzothiazole herbicide is selected from the group consisting of benazolin, benzthiazuron, fenthiaprop, mefenacet, and methabenzthiazuron.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a benzothiadiazole herbicide.

In an embodiment, the benzothiadiazole herbicide is bentazone or bentazone-sodium.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a nitrile herbicide.

In an embodiment, the nitrile herbicide is selected from the group consisting of bromobonil, bromoxynil, chloroxynil, cyclopyranil, dichlobenil, iodobenil, ioxynil and pyraclonil.

In an embodiment, the nitrile herbicide is bromoxynil.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is a urea herbicide.

In an embodiment, the urea herbicide is a phenylurea herbicide.

In an embodiment, the phenylurea herbicide is selected from the group consisting of anisuron, buturon, chlorbromuron, chloreturon, chlorotoluron, chloroxuron, daimuron, difenoxuron, dimefuron, diruon, fenuron, fluometuron, fluothiuron, isoproturon, linuron, methiruon, methyldymuron, metobenzuron, metobromuron, metoxuron, monolinuron, monuron, neburon, parafluron, phenobenzuron, siduron, tetrafluron, and thidiazuron.

In an embodiment, the phenylurea herbicide is diruon.

In an embodiment, the phenylurea herbicide is linuron.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of chlorpropham, desmedipham, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, atrazine, hexazinone, metamitron, metribuzin, bromacil, saflufenacil, bentazone, bentazone-sodium, bromoxynil, diruon, and linuron.

In an embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide is an imidazolinone herbicide.

In an embodiment, the imidazolinone herbicide is selected from the group consisting of imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, and imazethapyr.

In an embodiment, the imidazolinone herbicide is imazamox.

In an embodiment, the imidazolinone herbicide is imazapic.

In an embodiment, the imidazolinone herbicide is imazapyr.

In an embodiment, the imidazolinone herbicide is imazethapyr.

In an embodiment, the ALS inhibitor is a triazolone herbicide.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is selected from the group consisting of amicarbazone, bencarbazone, carfentrazone, flucarbazone, ipfencarbazone, propoxycarbazone, sulfentrazone, and thiencarbazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is carfentrazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is flucarbazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is sulfentrazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide is a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide is flucarbazone.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide is flucarbazone-sodium.

In an embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide is a sulfonylurea herbicide.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is selected from the group consisting of amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron, chlorimuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, mesosulfuron, metazosulfuron, methiopyrisulfuron, monosulfuron, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, propyrisulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, zuomihuanglong, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, ethametsulfuron, iodosulfuron, iofensulfuron, metsulfuron, prosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron, tribenuron, trflusulfuron, and tritosulfuron.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is bensulfuron.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is halosulfuron.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is pyrazosulfuron.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is sulfosulfuron.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is trifloxysulfuron.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is metsulfuron.

In an embodiment, the sulfonylurea herbicide is flazasulfuron.

In an embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide is a pyrazole herbicide.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is selected from the group consisting of azimsulfuron, cyclopyranil, difenzoquat, halosulfuron, flazasulfuron, metazachlor, metazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, pyraclonil, pyroxasulfone, benzofenap, pyrasulfotole, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, tolpyralate, topramezone, fluazolate, nipyraclofen, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is metazachlor.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is pinoxaden.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide is a triazolopyrimidine herbicide.

In an embodiment, the triazolopyrimidine herbicide is selected from the group consisting of chloransulam, diclosulam, florasulam, flumetsulam, metosulam, penoxsulam, and pyroxsulam.

In an embodiment, the triazolopyrimidine herbicide is diclosulam.

In an embodiment, the triazolopyrimidine herbicide is penoxsulam.

In an embodiment, the ALS inhibitor herbicide is selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, carfentrazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, flucarbazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, bensulfuron, halosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, flazasulfuron, sulfosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, metsulfuron, metazachlor, pinoxaden, pyraflufen, diclosulam, and penoxsulam.

In an embodiment, the combinations of the present invention comprise a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

In an embodiment, the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is a triazolone herbicide.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is selected from the group consisting of amicarbazone, bencarbazone, carfentrazone, flucarbazone, ipfencarbazone, propoxycarbazone, sulfentrazone, and thiencarbazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is carfentrazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is flucarbazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is sulfentrazone.

In an embodiment, the triazolone herbicide is amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is a uracil herbicide.

In an embodiment, the uracil herbicide is selected from the group consisting of benzfendizone, bromacil, butafenacil, flupropacil, isocil, lenacil, saflufenacil, terbacil and tiafenacil.

In an embodiment, the uracil herbicide is bromacil.

In an embodiment, the uracil herbicide is saflufenacil.

In an embodiment, the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is a dicarboximide herbicide.

In an embodiment, the dicarboximide herbicide is selected from the group consisting of cinidon-ethyl, flumezin, flumiclorac, flumioxazin, and flumipropyn.

In an embodiment, the dicarboximide herebicide is flumioxazin.

In an embodiment, the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is a pyrazole herbicide.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is selected from the group consisting of azimsulfuron, cyclopyranil, difenzoquat, halosulfuron, metazachlor, flazasulfuron, metazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, pyraclonil, pyroxasulfone, benzofenap, pyrasulfotole, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, tolpyralate, topramezone, fluazolate, nipyraclofen, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is metazachlor.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is pinoxaden.

In an embodiment, the pyrazole herbicide is pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, amicarbazone, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) a photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of chlorpropham, desmedipham, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, atrazine, hexazinone, metamitron, metribuzin, bromacil, saflufenacil, bentazone, bentazone-sodium, bromoxynil, diruon, and linuron;
(b) an ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, flucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, bensulfuron, halosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, sulfosulfuron, flazasulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, metsulfuron, metazachlor, pinoxaden, pyraflufen, diclosulam, and penoxsulam; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor, the ALS inhibitor and the chlorophyll and heme biosynethesis inhibitor herbicides are not same. In this embodiment, the three herbicides are selected such that the selected herbicides are different from each other.

In an embodiment, the combinations of the present invention comprise at least three different herbicides.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides preferred combinations, compositions and methods thereof. The methods of the invention include a method of controlling weeds at a locus by applying to the locus the combination or the composition, a method of increasing yield in a crop by application of the combination or composition, or a method of improving the plant health by application at the locus of the plant the combination or the composition. The embodiments described herein describe the preferred embodiments of all these possible combinations, compositions and methods of the invention.

In an embodiment, the preferred photosystem II inhibitor is bentazone or bentazone-sodium.

Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) an ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, flucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, bensulfuron, halosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, flazasulfuron, sulfosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, metsulfuron, metazachlor, pinoxaden, pyraflufen, diclosulam, and penoxsulam; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) imazamox; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) imazapic; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) imazapyr; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) imazethapyr; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) carfentrazone; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) flucarbazone; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) sulfentrazone; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, flucarbazone, amicarbazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) amicarbazone; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, flucarbazone, amicarbazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) flucarbazone-sodium; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) bensulfuron; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) halosulfuron; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) flazasulfuron; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) pyrazosulfuron; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) sulfosulfuron; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) trifloxysulfuron; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) metsulfuron; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) metazachlor; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) pinoxaden; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

Table 1

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) pyraflufen; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) diclosulam; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) penoxsulam; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) sulfentrazone; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) sulfentrazone;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) sulfentrazone; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) sulfentrazone;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) halosulfuron-methyl; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) halosulfuron-methyl;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) halosulfuron-methyl; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) halosulfuron-methyl;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) imazapic; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) imazapic;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) imazapic; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) imazapic;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) trifloxysulfuron-sodium; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) trifloxysulfuron-sodium;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) indaziflam; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) ametryn;
(b) indaziflam;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) indaziflam; and
(c) amicarbazone.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:
(a) diuron;
(b) indaziflam;
(c) amicarbazone; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the combinations of the present invention include the following preferred combinations.

In an embodiment, each individual row appearing in the table below represents the combinations in an embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present invention may provide a combination comprising the three herbicides as listed in each individual row from row 1 to row 2550 in the table above.

In an embodiment, the present invention may provide a composition comprising the three herbicides as listed in each individual row from row 1 to row 2550 in the table above, and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

These combinations may be applied to the locus of the weeds, in an herbicidally effective amount.

In an embodiment, the combination of the present invention may be combined with at least another active ingredient such as those selected from but not limited to herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, biological agent, plant growth activator, fertilizers or combinations thereof.

Thus, in an embodiment, the combination of the present invention may be combined with another herbicide. Exemplary herbicides that may be combined with the combination of the present invention may be selected from but not limited to herbicides belonging to classes such as EPSP synthase inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin transport inhibitors, glutamate synthase inhibitors, HPPD inhibitors, lipid synthesis inhibitors, long chain fatty acid inhibitors, as well as herbicides with unknown modes of action.

In an embodiment, the total amount of photosystem II inhibitor in the composition may be in the range of 0.1 to 99% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 90% by weight.

In an embodiment, the total amount of ALS inhibitor in the composition may be in the range of 0.1 to 99% by weight.

In an embodiment, the total amount of chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor in the composition may be in the range of 0.1 to 99% by weight.

In an embodiment, the constituent herbicides of the combination of the present invention may be admixed in ratio of (1-80): (1-80): (1-80) of the three herbicides respectively.

The herbicidal combination of the present invention maybe used to target weeds among the crops such corn, rice, wheat, barley, rye, oat, sorghum, cotton, soybean, peanut, buckwheat, beet, rapeseed, sunflower, sugar cane, tobacco, etc.; vegetables: solanaceous vegetables such as eggplant, tomato, pimento, pepper, potato, etc., cucurbit vegetables such as cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, water melon, melon, squash, etc., cruciferous vegetables such as radish, white turnip, horseradish, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, leaf mustard, broccoli, cauliflower, etc., asteraceous vegetables such as burdock, crown daisy, artichoke, lettuce, etc, liliaceous vegetables such as green onion, onion, garlic, and asparagus, ammiaceous vegetables such as carrot, parsley, celery, parsnip, etc., chenopodiaceous vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, etc., lamiaceous vegetables such as Perilla frutescens, mint, basil, etc, strawberry, sweet potato, Dioscorea japonica, colocasia, etc., flowers, foliage plants, turf grasses, fruits: pome fruits such apple, pear, quince, etc, stone fleshy fruits such as peach, plum, nectarine, Prunus mume, cherry fruit, apricot, prune, etc., citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, rime, grapefruit, etc., nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almond, pistachio, cashew nuts, macadamia nuts, etc. berries such as blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, etc., grape, kaki fruit, olive, plum, banana, coffee, date palm, coconuts, etc. , trees other than fruit trees; tea, mulberry, flowering plant, trees such as ash, birch, dogwood, Eucalyptus, Ginkgo biloba, lilac, maple, Quercus, poplar, Judas tree, Liquidambar formosana, plane tree, zelkova, Japanese arborvitae, fir wood, hemlock, juniper, Pinus, Picea, and Taxus cuspidate, etc.

In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention may contain agriculturally acceptable adjuvants, carriers, diluents, emulsifiers, fillers, anti-foaming agents, thickening agents, anti-freezing agents, freezing agents etc. The compositions may be either solid or liquids. They can be solids, such as, for example, dusts, granules, water-dispersible granules, microcapsules or wettable powders, or liquids, such as, for example, emulsifiable concentrates, solutions, emulsions or suspensions, ZC formulations. They can also be provided as a pre-mix or tank mixed.

Suitable agricultural adjuvants and carriers may include, but are not limited to, crop oil concentrates; methylated seed oils, emulsified methylated seed oil, nonylphenol ethoxylate; benzylcocoalkyldimethyl quaternary ammonium salt; blend of petroleum hydrocarbon, alkyl esters, organic acid, and anionic surfactant; C9-C11 alkylpolyglycoside; phosphated alcohol ethoxylate; natural primary alcohol (C12-C16) ethoxylate; di-sec-butylphenol EO-PO block copolymer; polysiloxane-methyl cap; nonylphenol ethoxylate, urea ammonium nitrate; tridecyl alcohol (synthetic) ethoxylate (8EO); tallow amine ethoxylate ; PEG(400) dioleate-99, alkyl sulfates, such as diethanolammonium lauryl sulfate; alkylarylsulfonate salts, such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; alkylphenol-alkylene oxide addition products, such as nonylphenol-C18 ethoxylate; alcohol-alkylene oxide addition products, such as tridecyl alcohol-C16 ethoxylate; soaps, such as sodium stearate; alkyl-naphthalene-sulfonate salts, such as sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate; dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinate salts, such as sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate; sorbitol esters, such as sorbitol oleate; quaternary amines, such as lauryl trimethylammonium chloride; polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, such as polyethylene glycol stearate; block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; salts of mono and dialkyl phosphate esters; vegetable or seed oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed/canola oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, tung oil and the like; and esters of the above vegetable oils, and in certain embodiments, methyl esters.

Suitable liquid carriers that may be employed in a composition of the present invention may include water or organic solvents. The organic solvents include, but are not limited to, petroleum fractions or hydrocarbons such as mineral oil, aromatic solvents, paraffinic oils, and the like; vegetable oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, tung oil and the like; esters of the above vegetable oils; esters of monoalcohols or dihydric, trihydric, or other lower polyalcohols (4-6 hydroxy containing), such as 2-ethyl hexyl stearate, n-butyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, propylene glycol dioleate, di-octyl succinate, di-butyl adipate, di-octyl phthalate and the like; esters of mono, di and polycarboxylic acids and the like. Organic solvents include, but are not limited to toluene, xylene, petroleum naphtha, crop oil, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethyl alkylamides, dimethyl sulfoxide.

Solid carriers that may be employed in the compositions of the present invention may include but are not limited to attapulgite, pyrophyllite clay, silica, kaolin clay, kieselguhr, chalk, diatomaceous earth, lime, calcium carbonate, bentonite clay, Fuller's earth, talc, cottonseed hulls, wheat flour, soybean flour, pumice, wood flour, walnut shell flour, lignin, cellulose etc.

The target weeds may be selected from Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. (blackgrass, ALOMY), Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth, AMAPA) Amaranthus viridis (slender amaranth, AMAVI), Avena fatua (wild oat, AVEFA), Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. or Urochloa decumbens (Stapf), Brachiaria brizantha or Urochloa brizantha, Brachiaria platyphylla (Groseb.) Nash or Urochloa platyphylla (broadleaf signalgrass, BRAPP), Brachiaria plantaginea. or Urochloa plantaginea (alexandergrass, BRAPL), Cenchrus echinatus (southern sandbur, CENEC), Digitaria horizontalis Willd. (Jamaican crabgrass, DIGHO), Digitaria insularis (sourgrass, TRCIN), Digitaria sanguinalis (large crabgrass, DIGSA), Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyardgrass, ECHCG), Echinochloa colonum (junglerice, ECHCO), Eleusine indica Gaertn. (goosegrass, ELEIN), Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Italian ryegrass, LOLMU), Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. (fall panicum, PANDI), Panicum miliaceum L. (wild-proso millet, PANMI), Sesbania exaltata (hemp sesbania, SEBEX), Setaria faberi Herrm. (giant foxtail, SETFA), Setaria viridis (green foxtail, SETVI), Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass, SORHA), Sorghum bicolor, Moench ssp., Arundinaceum (shattercane, SORVU), Cyperus esculentus (yellow nutsedge, CYPES), Cyperus rotundus (purple nutsedge, CYPRO), Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf, ABUTH), Amaranthus species (pigweeds and amaranths, AMASS), Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed, AMBEL), Ambrosia psilostachya DC. (western ragweed, AMBPS), Ambrosia trifida (giant ragweed, AMBTR), Anoda cristata (spurred anoda, ANVCR), Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed, ASCSY), Bidens pilosa (hairy beggarticks, BIDPI), Borreria species (BOISS), Borreria alata or Spermacoce alata Aubl. or Spermacoce latifolia (broadleaf buttonweed, BOILF), Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters, CHEAL), Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle, CIRAR), Commelina benghalensis (tropical spiderwort, COMBE), Datura stramonium (jimsonweed, DATST), Daucus carota (wild carrot, DAUCA), Euphorbia heterophylla (wild poinsettia, EPHHL), Euphorbia hirta or Chamaesyce hirta (garden spurge, EPHHI), Euphorbia dentata Michx. (toothed spurge, EPHDE), Erigeron bonariensis or Conyza bonariensis (hairy fleabane, ERIBO), Erigeron canadensis or Conyza canadensis (horseweed, ERICA), Conyza sumatrensis (tall fleabane, ERIFL), Helianthus annuus (common sunflower, HELAN), Jacquemontia tamnifolia (smallflower morningglory, IAQTA), Ipomoea hederacea (ivyleaf morningglory, IPOHE), Ipomoea lacunosa (white morningglory, IPOLA), Lactuca serriola (prickly lettuce, LACSE), Portulaca oleracea (common purslane, POROL), Richardia species (pusley, RCHSS), Salsola tragus (Russian thistle, SASKR), Sida species (sida, SIDSS), Sida spinosa (prickly sida, SIDSP), Sinapis arvensis (wild mustard, SINAR), Solanum ptychanthum (eastern black nightshade, SOLPT), Tridax procumbens (coat buttons, TRQPR), Rumex dentatus (RUMDE)or Xanthium strumarium (common cocklebur, XANST).

In an embodiment, the combinations of the present invention may be applied to the locus either simultaneously or sequentially, such that the three herbicides may be applied in a tank mix or as a pre-mixed composition.

Thus, in this aspect, the present invention provides a tank-mix combination comprising:
(a) at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide; and
(c) at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide.

In an embodiment, the present invention may be applied either pre or post emergent. The advantage of the combination is surprisingly good residual effects, when applied in pre-emergent as well as quick knockdown when applied post emergent leading to quick control of weeds. In another embodiment, the present invention may be applied for quick burndown of weeds. Another advantage is quick knockdown in the case of burndown.

The method of control of the present invention may be carried out by spraying the suggested tank mixes, or the individual herbicides may be formulated as a kit-of-parts containing various components that may be mixed as instructed prior to spraying.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a kit-of-parts comprising a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprises:
(a) at least a first component comprising at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least a second component comprising at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide; and
(c) at least a third component comprising at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide.

In an embodiment, the kit-of-parts comprises an instructions manual, said instructions manual comprising instructions directing a user to admix the components before being used.

In an embodiment, the components of the present invention may be packaged such that the photosystem II inhibitor, the ALS inhibitor and the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor may be packaged separately and then tank mixed before the spraying.

In another embodiment, the components of the present invention may be packaged such that the photosystem II inhibitor, the ALS inhibitor and the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor may be packaged separately, whereas other additives are packaged separately, such that the two maybe tank mixed at the time of spraying.

In another embodiment, the components of the present invention may be packaged as composition such that the photosystem II inhibitor, the ALS inhibitor and the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor are formulated into one composition and other additives are packaged separately, such that the two maybe tank mixed at the time of spraying.

Surprisingly, it has been found by the present inventors, that the photosystem II inhibitor, the ALS inhibitor and the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor of the present invention, when applied individually, was ineffective in the control of weeds, but demonstrated excellent synergistic control on when applied together. The combination controlled the weed both pre and post emergently. As will be demonstrated by the examples, the combination of clodinafop propargyl, the first herbicide and the second herbicide synergistically controlled broadleaf as well as grasses and sedges at a locus. The current invention therefore provides advantageous methods of controlling weeds both pre and post emergently. The present method also provides a broader spectrum of controlling weeds that helps in resistance management, thus preventing the weed from becoming resistant to either of the herbicides while providing a broader spectrum of control at lower use rates.

It was also found that bentazon alone did not provide sufficient weed control of yellow nutsedge. The addition of halosulfuron to sulfentrazone antagonized initial yellow nutsedge control compared to sulfentrazone alone; thereby, requiring a 2nd application to achieve >90% control.

It was surprisingly also found that the presence of an ALS inhibitor safened the herbicidal effect of the combination of a photosystem II inhibitor, and a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor. Therefore, the combination of the present invention was a non-phytotoxic combination providing a synergistic weed control.

Examples:

An exemplary combination according to the invention was used for sedge and broadleaf weed control for agricultural crops, turf, ornamentals, and landscape. The exemplary combination for the post-emergence control of sedges, as well as the control/ suppression of various broadleaf and grassy weeds.

A field trial was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of the combinations of three active ingredients according to the invention when used post emergence, at different rates, compared to industry standards - stand alone and 2 way mixture molecules for efficacy of yellow nutsedge. The active ingredient combination used in the trial was bentazon+halosulfuron+sulfentrazone. The trial was conducted in Blacksburg, VA and was initiated on June 6 under Protocol # BRLM-62-US-VA-18-10-BTC. The plots were in fallow area primarily covered with yellow nutsedge and tall fescue, and were sprayed at 4 week intervals. (2 applications total). The application dosages of the herbicides, when used in isolation and when used in the combinations were as follows:

S No. Combination Concentration used Formulation type Rate
1 Bentazon 4 lb/gal L 0.375 oz ai/1000 sq ft
2 Sulfentrazone 4.16 lb/gal L 0.048 oz ai/1000 sq ft
3 Halosulfuron-methyl 75% SC 0.024 oz ai/1000 sq ft
4 Bentazon + Halosulfuron-methyl + Sulfentrazone 4 lb/gal + 75% SC + 4.16 lb/gal L 0.125 + 0.008 + 0.016 oz ai/1000 sq ft

The following results were noted from these trials:

S No. Herbicide used Dosage
Yellow nut sedge at 29 DAT (Percentage Control)
13/06 20/6 05/07
1 Untreated - 0 0 0
2 Bentazone 1X 65 75 76
3 Sulfentrazone 1X 58 73 75
4 Halosulfuron 1X 36 60 81
5 Bentazone + Sulfentrazone 0.5X 61 65 49
6 Bentazone + Halosulfuron 0.5X 50 73 84
7 Sulfentrazone + Halosulfuron 0.5X 48 65 85
8 Bentazone + Sulfentrazone + Halosulfuron 0.33X 56 74 90

The percentage weed cover in these treatment trials were observed and tabulated as hereunder:
S No. Herbicide used Dosage
Yellow nut sedge at 29 DAT (Percentage weed cover)
13/06 20/6 05/07
1 Untreated - 50 49 59
2 Bentazone 1X 40 8 10
3 Sulfentrazone 1X 44 11 9
4 Halosulfuron 1X 50 16 8
5 Bentazone + Sulfentrazone 0.5X 43 16 21
6 Bentazone + Halosulfuron 0.5X 38 10 5
7 Sulfentrazone + Halosulfuron 0.5X 50 14 6
8 Bentazone + Sulfentrazone + Halosulfuron 0.33X 53 7 3

It was thus found that the combination of Halosulfuron, Bentazon and Sulfentrazone at each rate, provided superior control of yellow nutsedge compared to each individual product and 2 way mixes. A clear rate response with the three-way combination was seen from low to high application rates. The three-way combination provided faster burn down and longer residual control. The use of this three way combination, with three different modes of action, helped provide resistance management and superior weed control.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the present inventors believe that there were several ways to suppress, but not fully control, the primary varieties of plants from the sedge family. Bentazon and sulfentrazone provided fairly rapid burn down of some of the sedges, while halosulfuron had a delayed response of up to four weeks before plant necrosis began to take place. As a result, multiple sprays were required throughout the growing season to provide adequate control.

Surprisingly, the combinations of the present invention provided quick suppression/control of the sedges, broadleaves and grassy weeds and allowed for longer residual control. The use of the three herbicidal components of the present invention having three different modes of action prevented sedges, broadleaves and grassy weeds to mature into a reproductive state.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
,CLAIMS:
1. A herbicidal combination comprising a photosystem II inhibitor, an ALS inhibitor, and a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide; and
the ALS inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the photosystem II inhibitor is:
a phenylcarbamate herbicide selected from the group consisting of barban, BCPC, carbasulam, carbetamide, CEPC, chlorbufam, chlorpropham, CPPC, desmedipham, phenisopham, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, propham and swep; or
a triazine herbicide selected from the group consisting of dipropetryn, fucaojing, trihydroxytriazine, atrazine, chlorazine, cyanazine, cyprazine, eglinazine, ipazine, mesoprazine, procyazine, proglinazine, propazine, sebuthylazine, simazine, terbuthylazine, trietazine, indaziflam, triaziflam, atraton, methometon, prometon, secbumeton, simeton, terbumeton, ametryn, aziprotryne, cyanatryn, desmetryn, dimethametryn, methoprotryne, propmetryn, simetryn, and terbutryn; or
a triazinone herbicide selected from the group consisting of ametridione, amibuzin, ethiozin, hexazinone, isomethiozin, metamitron, metribuzin and trifludimoxazin; or
a uracil herbicide selected from the group consisting of benzfendizone, bromacil, butafenacil, flupropacil, isocil, lenacil, saflufenacil, terbacil and tiafenacil; or
a benzothiazole herbicide selected from the group consisting of benazolin, benzthiazuron, fenthiaprop, mefenacet, and methabenzthiazuron; or
a benzothiadiazole herbicide which is bentazone or bentazone-sodium; or
a nitrile herbicide selected from the group consisting of bromobonil, bromoxynil, chloroxynil, cyclopyranil, dichlobenil, iodobenil, ioxynil and pyraclonil; or
a phenylurea herbicide selected from the group consisting of anisuron, buturon, chlorbromuron, chloreturon, chlorotoluron, chloroxuron, daimuron, difenoxuron, dimefuron, diruon, fenuron, fluometuron, fluothiuron, isoproturon, linuron, methiruon, methyldymuron, metobenzuron, metobromuron, metoxuron, monolinuron, monuron, neburon, parafluron, phenobenzuron, siduron, tetrafluron, and thidiazuron.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ALS inhibitor herbicide is:
an imidazolinone herbicide selected from the group consisting of imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, and imazethapyr; or
a triazolone herbicide selected from the group consisting of amicarbazone, bencarbazone, carfentrazone, flucarbazone, ipfencarbazone, propoxycarbazone, sulfentrazone, and thiencarbazone; or
a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide, which is flucarbazone, or flucarbazone-sodium; or
a sulfonylurea herbicide selected from the group consisting of amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron, chlorimuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, mesosulfuron, metazosulfuron, methiopyrisulfuron, monosulfuron, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, propyrisulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, zuomihuanglong, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, ethametsulfuron, iodosulfuron, iofensulfuron, metsulfuron, prosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron, tribenuron, trflusulfuron, and tritosulfuron; or
a pyrazole herbicide selected from the group consisting of azimsulfuron, cyclopyranil, difenzoquat, halosulfuron, flazasulfuron, metazachlor, metazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, pyraclonil, pyroxasulfone, benzofenap, pyrasulfotole, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, tolpyralate, topramezone, fluazolate, nipyraclofen, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen; or
a triazolopyrimidine herbicide selected from the group consisting of chloransulam, diclosulam, florasulam, flumetsulam, metosulam, penoxsulam, and pyroxsulam.

5. The combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of chlorpropham, desmedipham, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, atrazine, hexazinone, metamitron, metribuzin, bromacil, saflufenacil, bentazone, bentazone-sodium, bromoxynil, diruon, and linuron.

6. The combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ALS inhibitor herbicide is selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, carfentrazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, flucarbazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, bensulfuron, halosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, flazasulfuron, sulfosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, metsulfuron, metazachlor, pinoxaden, pyraflufen, diclosulam, and penoxsulam.

7. The combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is:
a triazolone herbicide selected from the group consisting of amicarbazone, bencarbazone, carfentrazone, flucarbazone, ipfencarbazone, propoxycarbazone, sulfentrazone, and thiencarbazone; or
a uracil herbicide selected from the group consisting of benzfendizone, bromacil, butafenacil, flupropacil, isocil, lenacil, saflufenacil, terbacil and tiafenacil; or
a dicarboximide herbicide selected from the group consisting of cinidon-ethyl, flumezin, flumiclorac, flumioxazin, and flumipropyn; or
a pyrazole herbicide selected from the group consisting of azimsulfuron, cyclopyranil, difenzoquat, halosulfuron, metazachlor, flazasulfuron, metazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, pyraclonil, pyroxasulfone, benzofenap, pyrasulfotole, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, tolpyralate, topramezone, fluazolate, nipyraclofen, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

8. The combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, amicarbazone, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

9. A herbicidal combination comprising:
(a) a photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of chlorpropham, desmedipham, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, atrazine, hexazinone, metamitron, metribuzin, bromacil, saflufenacil, bentazone, bentazone-sodium, bromoxynil, diruon, and linuron;
(b) an ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, flucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, bensulfuron, halosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, sulfosulfuron, flazasulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, metsulfuron, metazachlor, pinoxaden, pyraflufen, diclosulam, and penoxsulam; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

10. The combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the photosystem II inhibitor, the ALS inhibitor and the chlorophyll and heme biosynethesis inhibitor herbicides are not same.

11. The combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising:
(a) bentazone or bentazone-sodium;
(b) an ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, flucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, bensulfuron, halosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, flazasulfuron, sulfosulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, metsulfuron, metazachlor, pinoxaden, pyraflufen, diclosulam, and penoxsulam; and
(c) a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of carfentrazone, amicarbazone, flucarbazone, sulfentrazone, bromacil, saflufenacil, flumioxazin, metazachlor, pinoxaden, and pyraflufen.

12. The combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combination comprises at least three herbicides listed as combinations 1 – 2550 of table 1.

13. A herbicidal combination comprising bentazon, sulfentrazone and halosulfuron.

14. A kit-of-parts comprising a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprises:
(a) at least a first component comprising at least one photosystem II inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) a phenylcarbamate herbicide; (ii) a triazine herbicide; (iii) a triazinone herbicide; (iv) an uracil herbicide; (v) a benthiadiazole herbicide; (vi) a nitrile herbicide; and (vii) an urea herbicide;
(b) at least a second component comprising at least one ALS inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (i) an imidazolinone herbicide; (ii) a sulfonylamino-carbonyltriazolinone herbicide; (iii) a sulfonylurea herbicide; (iv) a pyrazole herbicide; (v) a triazolpyramidine herbicide; and (vi) a triazolone herbicide; and
(c) at least a third component comprising at least one chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor herbicide.

15. A method of controlling weeds at a locus, said method comprising applying to the locus a combination comprising a photosystem II inhibitor, an ALS inhibitor, and a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

16. A composition comprising a photosystem II inhibitor, an ALS inhibitor, a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor, and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

17. A method of increasing yield in a crop by application of a combination comprising a photosystem II inhibitor, an ALS inhibitor, and a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.

18. A method of improving the plant health, said method comprising application at the locus of the plant a combination comprising a photosystem II inhibitor, an ALS inhibitor, and a chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis inhibitor.