DESC:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a liquid composition, a process for preparation thereof and a method of using the said composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a soluble concentrate comprising a metal chlorate, a process for preparation thereof and a method of using the said composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Numerous mitigating factors contribute to the behaviour of crops, including foliage of the plants. However, during harvest of the growing crops, the presence of excessive foliage is undesirable. The removal of such foliage from crops like beans, potato, corn, cotton, and legume is very essential. Defoliation of various crops is desirable when the crop is harvested by hand as well as by mechanical processes. Hand picking harvest of crops becomes easier and more comfortable when the crops are defoliated. Defoliation is even more advantageous when mechanical pickers or harvesters are employed. Defoliated crops are free from leaves which would otherwise clog spindles of the mechanical pickers or add to the trash which must be separated from the desired crop portion being harvested. In addition, when leaves are removed, the operator of the mechanical picker has a better view of the crops to be harvested and is thus able to position the mechanical picker over the crops more easily.

Another important reason for defoliation of crops particularly in case of beans is that the causative organisms of diseases like Rust, Bacterial blight, Bean common mosaic virus, Bronzing and sunscald, Alternaria leaf spot, Angular leaf spot, Anthracnose are on the foliar portions of the crops and if the crops are not thoroughly defoliated, the agents will be transferred to the beans and may deteriorate the quality of the harvest.

A defoliant is a substance which when applied to a growing crop/plant, which is normally undergoing defoliation during its life cycle at maturity, causes an accelerated dropping of the leaves without destroying the plant. For economic reasons, defoliants must be effective in relatively low concentrations.

Defoliants are generally applied to crops when the crop is about to reach the harvesting stage. Defoliants are applied either as solid formulations (e.g., dust or powder, granules, etc.) or liquid formulations (e.g., soluble concentrate, suspension concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, etc.). The problem with the solid formulation is low dustability, low pourability, difficulty in packing, health hazards due to inhalation and skin irritation. Dust defoliants are bulky, difficult to apply uniformly, dependent on dew for retention and activation on the crops, and highly susceptible to drift. Also, it is difficult to make available the effective amount of active ingredients onto the foliar parts in the presence of wind and other ecological factors. Liquid formulations can be prepared conveniently even at the time of application by mixing a dispersible powder, solution, or suspension of defoliant chemical with water. Liquid defoliants along with surface active agents when applied to crops, spread on the leaves rather than gathering into drops, thus providing a much larger area of contact as well as ensure that the defoliant will remain on the crop rather than running off or being shaken off from the crop.

Some compounds, when applied to leaves of the growing crops/plants, have been found to result in desirable defoliation. Among these are included products such as pentachlorophenol, sodium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chlorate hexahydrate, calcium cyanamide, sodium 3,6-endoxohexahydrophthalate, etc. These products are available as either dusts or sprays, and can be applied, by either airplanes or ground machines. In case of requirement to defoliate only the bottom portion of a crop/plant at a given time, only ground machines and sprays can be used.

Magnesium chlorate is a known defoliant available as magnesium chlorate hexahydrate and as magnesium chloride-sodium chlorate, which are mixed in an aqueous solution, to form magnesium chlorate hexahydrate. Magnesium chlorate is an effective defoliant and is preferred where foliage is tough, and more leaf surface activity is required. Magnesium chlorate is applied in the form of solid powder as well as liquid spray defoliants. It is observed that better defoliation is obtained when crop/plants are treated with liquid spray of magnesium chlorate defoliant.

A serious problem known with conventional liquid magnesium chlorate compositions is high salt (sodium chloride) content. The excess salt accumulates in the soil and causes injury to the crops. When the salt dissolves in water, it separates into sodium and chloride ions, further harming the crops. Chloride ions are readily absorbed by the roots, transported to the leaves, and accumulate there to levels which prove to be toxic to the crops. These toxic levels cause the characteristic marginal leaf scorching of the crops. High salt content in buds and small twigs of some plant species lead to loss of the ability of cold hardiness of the crops, making them susceptible to death by freezing.

Another problem identified with conventional liquid magnesium chlorate composition is that while preparing an aqueous solution of liquid magnesium chlorate, for spraying on crops for defoliation, or burndown activity, the high salt (sodium chloride) content present in magnesium chlorate results into a slimy and hygroscopic aqueous solution of liquid magnesium chlorate. This slurry is not suitable for spraying on crops because of uneven concentration and is also prone to choking of the nozzles of defoliant applicators.

Therefore, a need remains in the art for a stable formulation of magnesium chlorate overcoming the issue of high salt (sodium chloride) content as well as possessing improved storage stability. The present invention adequately addresses these drawbacks and other needs existing in the art. Thus, there is an unfulfilled need in the art for a storage stable formulation comprising magnesium chlorate with enhanced stability and reduced degradation abilities. The present invention seeks to overcome at least one, and preferably more than one of the aforementioned disadvantages.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION:
It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a stable composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a process for preparation of a stable composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for defoliating plants using the stable composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In one aspect of the present invention, the invention provides a stable composition comprising:
(a) a metal chlorate; and
(b) a stabilizer;
wherein said composition is stable for at least 3 months at an ambient temperature.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for preparation of the stable composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of defoliating plants, said method comprising applying to the plants, which are required to be defoliated, a stable composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Those skilled in art will be aware that the invention described herein is subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention described herein includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all such steps, features, compositions, and methods referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more said steps or features.

For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where explicitly specified to be contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials/ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”.

Definitions
Thus, before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.

As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

As used herein the term “stable” refers to the chemical and/or physical stabilization of an active compound in terms of achieving chemical stability of the active ingredient in the composition, wherein the reduction in the concentration of the active content is not more than about 5%.

The term “about” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ± 10 or ± 5 of the stated value. Recitation of ranges of values are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The endpoints of all ranges are included within the range and independently combinable. It is understood that where a parameter range is provided, all integers within that range, and tenths thereof, are also provided. For example, “0.1-80%” includes 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, etc. up to 80%.

The aspects and embodiments described herein shall also be interpreted to replace the clause “comprising” with either “consisting of’ or with “consisting essentially of’ or with “consisting substantially of”.

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.

As used herein, the term “room temperature” or “ambient temperature” refers to temperatures for example from 15-45°C, 15-30°C, and 15-24°C, 16-21°C, 20-30°C, 30-35°C. Such temperatures may vary by +5°C to -5°C.

It has now been found that the present composition comprising a metal chlorate is more physico-chemically stable.

Thus, in an aspect, the present invention provides an agrochemical composition comprising:
(a) a metal chlorate; and
(b) a stabilizer.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the composition comprises a metal chlorate present in an amount from about 0.1% w/v to about 95% w/v, and preferably from about 10% w/v to about 80% w/v of total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metal chlorate is present in an amount from about 10% w/v to about 70% w/v of total weight of the composition.

The metal chlorate is preferably present in an amount from about 10% w/v to about 40% w/v of total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the metal chlorate may be selected from the group comprising sodium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, calcium chlorate, calcium-magnesium chlorate, and potassium chlorate.

In a preferred embodiment, the metal chlorate is magnesium chlorate.

In an embodiment, the stabilizer used in the composition of the present invention is present in a stabilizing effective amount.

The term “stabilizing effective amount” used in reference to the amount of stabilizer in the composition of the present invention means an amount such that not more than 10% by weight of metal chlorate is degraded upon exposure to accelerated heating condition, e.g., temperature of about 54°C. It may be noted that the stability measurements according to the present invention were directed, in majority, to the stability measurement of metal chlorate owing to the greater susceptibility of metal chlorate to degradation. Therefore, the amount of the stabilizer results in substantial reduction in degradation of the metal chlorate of the composition.

In an embodiment, the term “stabilizing effective amount” of stabilizer includes references to the presence of stabilizer in an amount from about 0.001% w/v to about 25% w/v, and preferably from about 0.01% w/v to about 15% w/v of total weight of the composition.

In one embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount from about 1g/L to 20g/L of the total weight of the composition.

In another embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount from about 1g/L to 10g/L of the total weight of the composition.

The term “substantial reduction in degradation” herein denotes that such formulation comprising a stabilizer demonstrates surprisingly reduced degradation of metal chlorate in comparison with the formulation without stabilizer.

According to the present invention, the stabilizer is preferably an organic amine comprising triethyl amine, N,N’-dimethylamine, hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine), trimethylamine, ammonia, aniline, 4-methoxyaniline selected from morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, a mono-, di- or tri-lower alkylamine, for example ethyl-, diethyl-, triethyl- or dimethyl-propylamine, or a mono-, di- or tri-hydroxy-lower alkylamine, for example mono-, di- or tri-ethanolamine, hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine) and tallow amine ethoxylate.

In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizer is hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine).

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agrochemical composition comprising:
(a) a metal chlorate;
(b) a stabilizer; and
(c) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an agrochemical composition comprising (a) magnesium chlorate; and (b) hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine); and (c) at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the agrochemically acceptable excipients are selected from one or more of disintegrant, binder, glidant, anticaking agents, pH-regulating agents, preservatives, biocides, antifoaming agents, colorants, buffering agents and other formulation aids.

Emulsifiers which can be advantageously employed herein can be readily determined by those skilled in the art and include various non-ionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric emulsifiers, or a blend of two or more emulsifiers. Examples of non-ionic emulsifiers useful in preparing the emulsifiable concentrates include the polyalkylene glycol ethers and condensation products of alkyl and aryl phenols, aliphatic alcohols, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxide, propylene oxides such as the ethoxylated alkyl phenols and carboxylic esters solubilized with the polyol or polyoxyalkylene. Cationic emulsifiers include quaternary ammonium compounds and fatty amine salts. Anionic emulsifiers include the oil-soluble salts (e.g., calcium) of alkylaryl sulfonic acids, oil-soluble salts or sulfated polyglycol ethers and appropriate salts of phosphated polyglycol ether.

In an embodiment, colorants may be selected from iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs or metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace elements, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

Another embodiment involves addition of a thickener or binder which may be selected from but not limited to molasses, granulated sugar, alginates, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gum, mucilage, xanthan gum or combination thereof. In another embodiment, the binder may be selected from silicates such as magnesium aluminium silicate, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, celluloses, including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxymethyl celluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses, hydroxymethylpropyl-celluloses, polyvinylpyrolidones, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, calcium lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof; polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, methyl cellulose, vinylidene chloride, acrylic, cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polysaccharide; polymers and copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers; combinations of polyvinyl alcohol and sucrose; plasticizers such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyglycols.

In another embodiment, antifreeze agent(s) added to the composition may be alcohols selected from the group comprising 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, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, octaglycerol.

According to an embodiment, biocides may be selected from benzothiazoles, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, 1,2-phenyl-isothiazolin-3-one, inter chloroxylenol paraoxybenzoate butyl.

According to an embodiment, antifoam agent may be selected from polydimethoxysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, alkyl poly acrylates, castor oil, fatty acids, fatty acids esters, fatty acids sulfate, fatty alcohol, fatty alcohol esters, fatty alcohol sulfate, foot olive oil, mono & di glyceride, paraffin oil, paraffin wax, poly propylene glycol, silicones oil, vegetable fats, vegetable fats sulfate, vegetable oil, vegetable oil sulfate, vegetable wax, vegetable wax sulfate, agents based on silicon or magnesium stearate.

The agrochemical composition may also comprise one or more antioxidants. Preferably, the agrochemical formulation comprises an antioxidant. Antioxidants are, for example, amino acids (e.g., glycine, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan) and derivatives thereof, imidazole and imidazole derivatives (e.g., urocanic acid), peptides, such as, for example, D,L-carnosine, D-carnosine, L-carnosine and derivatives thereof (e.g., anserine), carotenoids, carotenes (e.g., a-carotene, ß-carotene, lycopene) and derivatives thereof, lipoic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g., dihydrolipoic acid), aurothioglucose, propylthiouracil and further thio compounds (e.g., thioglycerol, thiosorbitol, thioglycolic acid, thioredoxin, glutathione, cysteine, cystine, cystamine and the glycosyl, N-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl, butyl, lauryl, palmitoyl, oleyl, ?-linoleyl, cholesteryl and glyceryl esters thereof), and salts thereof, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, thiodipropionic acid and derivatives thereof (esters, ethers, peptides, lipids, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts), and sulfoximine compounds (e.g., buthionine sulfoximines, homocysteine sulfoximine, buthionine sulfones, penta-, hexa-, heptathionine sulfoximine) in very low tolerated doses (e.g., pmol/kg to pmol/kg), also metal chelating agents (e.g., a-hydroxy fatty acids, EDTA, EGTA, phytic acid, lactoferrin), a-hydroxy acids (e.g., citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid), humic acids, bile acid, bile extracts, gallic esters (e.g., propyl, octyl and dodecyl gallate), flavonoids, catechins, bilirubin, biliverdin and derivatives thereof, unsaturated fatty acids and derivatives thereof (e.g., ?-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid), folic acid and derivatives thereof, hydroquinone and derivatives thereof (e.g., arbutin), ubiquinone and ubiquinol, and derivatives thereof, vitamin C and derivatives thereof (e.g., ascorbyl palmitate, stearate, dipalmitate, acetate, Mg ascorbyl phosphates, sodium and magnesium ascorbate, disodium ascorbyl phosphate and sulfate, potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, chitosan ascorbate), isoascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, tocopherols and derivatives thereof (e.g., tocopheryl acetate, linoleate, oleate and succinate, tocophereth-5, tocophereth-10, tocophereth-12, tocophereth-18, tocophereth-50, tocophersolan), vitamin A and derivatives (e.g., vitamin A palmitate), the coniferyl benzoate of benzoin resin, rutin, rutinic acid and derivatives thereof, disodium rutinyl disulfate, cinnamic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g., ferulic acid, ethyl ferulate, caffeic acid), kojic acid, chitosan glycolate and salicylate, butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisol, nordihydroguaiacic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, trihydroxybutyrophenone, uric acid and derivatives thereof, mannose and derivatives thereof, selenium and selenium derivatives (e.g., selenomethionine), stilbenes and stilbene derivatives (e.g., stilbene oxide, trans-stilbene oxide). According to the invention, suitable derivatives (salts, esters, sugars, nucleotides, nucleosides, peptides, and lipids) and mixtures of these specified active ingredients or plant extracts (e.g., teatree oil, rosemary extract and rosemarinic acid) which comprise these antioxidants can be used. In general, mixtures of the aforementioned antioxidants are possible.

According to an embodiment, examples of suitable solvents are water, aromatic solvents (for example, xylene), paraffins (for example mineral oil fractions such as kerosene or diesel oil), coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, for example toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives, alcohols (for example methanol, butanol, pentanol, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol), ketones (for example cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (NMP, NEP, NOP), acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters, isophorone and dimethylsulfoxide. In principle, solvent mixtures may also be used.

Suitable preservatives are for example 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and/or 2-Methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one or sodium benzoate or benzoic acid.

In an embodiment, the present composition further comprises at least one buffering agent to maintain the pH of the composition.

Accordingly in another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising (a) a metal chlorate; (b) a stabilizer; and (c) optionally at least one buffering agent.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising (a) magnesium chlorate; (b) hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine); and (c) optionally at least one buffering agent.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid composition comprising (a) a metal chlorate; (b) a stabilizer; and (c) at least one buffering agent.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid composition comprising (a) magnesium chlorate; (b) hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine); and (c) optionally at least one buffering agent.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a soluble concentrate comprising (a) a metal chlorate; (b) a stabilizer; and (c) at least one buffering agent.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a soluble concentrate comprising (a) magnesium chlorate; (b) hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine); and (c) optionally at least one buffering agent.

In an embodiment, the buffering agent is selected from, but not limited to, barium acetate, magnesium acetate, calcium acetate, copper (II) acetate, zinc acetate, sodium acetate, ammonium acetate, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the buffering agent is ammonium acetate.

In an embodiment, the buffering agent is sodium acetate.

In an embodiment, the buffering agent is a combination of ammonium acetate and sodium acetate.

In an embodiment, the buffering agent is added to the composition to maintain the pH of the composition, typically to a pH value between 4 to 6.

In an embodiment, the pH of the agrochemical composition ranges from 4 to 6.

In an embodiment, the present composition comprises a metal chlorate having pH between 4 to 6.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises a metal chlorate having pH between 4.5 to 5.5.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising (a) a metal chlorate; (b) a stabilizer; and (c) at least one herbicide or a fungicide or an insecticide.

In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention is a liquid formulation.

In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention is in the form of a concentrate.

In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention is in the form of an aqueous solution.

In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention is in the form of a soluble concentrate.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for preparation of a composition comprising a metal chlorate.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparation of a composition comprising (a) a metal chlorate; (b) a stabilizer; and (c) at least one buffering agent.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparation of a composition comprising (a) magnesium chlorate; (b) hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine); and (c) optionally at least one buffering agent.

The process for preparation of the present composition comprises:
a) adding at least one buffering agent to a metal chlorate to obtain a reaction mixture;
b) adding an aqueous solution of a stabilizer to the reaction mixture; and
c) optionally diluting the reaction mixture with water to obtain a stable agrochemical composition.

In an embodiment, the pH of the metal chlorate is maintained between 4.5 to 6.5 by adding a buffer solution.

In an embodiment, the process for preparation of the present composition is performed at a temperature range of 20-35°C.

In an embodiment, the time taken to complete the reaction process for preparation of the present composition ranges from 4-8 hours.

In another preferred embodiment, the time taken to complete the reaction process for preparation of the present composition ranges from 5-7 hours.

In an embodiment, the time taken to complete the reaction process for preparation of the present composition is 6 hours.

In an embodiment, the process for preparation of the present composition is performed at room temperature.

In another embodiment, the present composition remains stable at ambient as well as at low temperatures.

In another embodiment, the present composition remains stable for 2-6 months at ambient temperature.

In another embodiment, the present composition remains stable for at least 3 months at ambient temperature.

In another embodiment, the present composition remains stable at low temperatures ranging about 0°C.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for using the present stable agrochemical composition, comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer, for defoliating crops.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a defoliant composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

In an embodiment, the defoliant composition comprises a stable liquid composition of a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

In an embodiment, the defoliant composition comprises a stable soluble concentrate of a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

In another embodiment, the use of water is done in a sufficient quantity to provide stable defoliant composition of a desired strength. The percentage quantity of water present in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limiting and may be conveniently decided by a person skilled in the art.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of defoliating plants, said method comprising applying to the plants, which are required to be defoliated, a liquid composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer.

In another embodiment, the liquid composition is effective in defoliating crops even at a relatively low temperature.

In another embodiment, the liquid composition is effective in defoliating crops even at low temperatures ranging about 0°C.

The preferred embodiments of the present composition used in this aspect of the invention are as described hereinabove in respect of the preferred embodiments for the liquid compositions of the invention.

The present composition and process of preparation of the present composition containing magnesium chlorate is ascertained by the experiments as exemplified further. These examples are merely illustrations and are not to be understood as limiting the scope and underlying principles of the invention in any way. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examples and foregoing description.

EXAMPLES:
Example 1: Working Example
Composition
Ingredients Quantity (g/L)
Magnesium chlorate 200-400
Hexamethylenetetramine (Hexamine) 1-7
Ammonium acetate 2-10
Water Q.S.
Total 1000

Process:
Ammonium acetate buffer solution was added to a solution of magnesium chlorate, followed by addition of an aqueous solution of hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine) stabilizer to adjust the pH of the solution was between 3.0 to 6.0, while stirring to obtain a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was then filtered, followed by dilution with water to obtain a stable magnesium chlorate solution. The time taken to complete the reaction is 6 hours.

Example 2: Comparative Example
Composition
Ingredients Quantity (g/L)
Magnesium chlorate 200-400
Ammonium acetate 2-10
Water Q.S.
Total 1000

Process:
Ammonium acetate was added to a solution of magnesium chlorate, while stirring to obtain a reaction mixture. The pH of the solution was between 3.0 to 6.0. The reaction mixture was then filtered, followed by dilution with water to obtain a magnesium chlorate solution.

Example 3
Test for storage stability at ambient temperature
The magnesium chlorate composition according to the working example and comparative example was evaluated for storage stability at ambient temperature. The storage stability of magnesium chlorate with stabilizer (working example) and without stabilizer (comparative example) at ambient temperature, is disclosed in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.

Table 1: Magnesium chlorate with stabilizer (working example)
Sr. No. Test Parameters Specification
Results
Time 0 days 15 days 3 months 7 months
1 Appearance Colourless to yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Pale Yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Pale Yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment
2 Active Ingredient content as Magnesium Chlorate (g/L)
285-315 315.3 314.5 310 315.8
3 pH (As obtained)
3-6 5.08 5.10 5.34 5.42
4 Specific gravity at 20°C
1.24-1.28 1.2544 1.2544 1.2544 1.2533

Table 2: Magnesium chlorate without stabilizer (comparative example)
Sr. No. Test Parameters Specification
Results
Time 0 days 15 days 3 months 7 months
1 Appearance Colourless to yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Pale yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Pale yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment
2 Active Ingredient content as Magnesium Chlorate (g/L) 285-315 315.3 299.2 283.5 263.2
3 pH (As obtained) 3.0-6.0 3.28 2.58 1.99 1.55
4 Specific gravity at 20°C 1.24-1.28 1.2529 1.2516 1.2454 1.2386

The results of Tables 1 and 2 show the stability of compositions prepared according to the method described in the present invention. It can be seen from Table 1 that the composition of magnesium chlorate with stabilizer (working example) was stable up to 7 months with very less degradation. Also, the value of pH was maintained in the range of 3-6. The value of specific gravity also remained almost the same at around 1.25.

Example 4
Test for accelerated stability
Similarly, the composition with stabilizer (working example) was assessed for accelerated stability tests as disclosed in Table 3.
Table 3: Magnesium chlorate with stabilizer (working example)
Sr. No. Test Parameters Specification Results
Ambient 7 D AHS 14 D AHS 28 D AHS
1 Appearance Colourless to yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Pale Yellow color liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Pale Yellow color liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Pale Yellow color liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Yellow color liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment
2 Active Ingredient content as Magnesium Chlorate (g/L) 285 – 315 310.0 305.03 304.2 302.0
3 pH (As obtained) 3-6 5.34 5.39 5.54 5.81
4 Specific gravity at 20°C 1.24-1.28 1.2544 1.2544 1.2544 1.2544

Table 3 that the composition complies as per the specification up to 28 days after accelerated heat stability (D AHS). No deterioration of magnesium chlorate was observed.

Example 5
Composition
Ingredients Quantity (g/L)
Magnesium chlorate 200-320
Hexamine 1-7
Ammonium acetate 2-10
Sodium acetate 2-10
Water Q.S.
Total 1000

Process:
Sodium acetate and ammonium acetate buffer solution was added to a solution of magnesium chlorate solution; followed by addition of an aqueous solution of hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine) stabilizer to adjust pH of the solution to a value of 5.0 to 5.2, while stirring to obtain a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was then filtered, followed by dilution with water to obtain a stable magnesium chlorate solution. The time taken to complete the reaction is 6 hours.

Example 6
Efficiency test in dry bean crop
The composition with stabilizer (working example) was assessed for efficiency in dry bean crop as shown in Table 4. A spray volume of 150 L/ha of the composition was used and % desiccation and % defoliation was observed at 3 and 7 days after application (DA-A).

Table 4: % Defoliation and % Desiccation
Sr. No. Active Ingredient Concentration % Defoliation % Desiccation
3 DA-A 7 DA-A 3 DA-A 7 DA-A
1 Magnesium chlorate 4 kg/ha 83.8 93.8 75.0 91.3
2 Magnesium chlorate 5 kg/ha 83.8 93.3 75.0 90.0
3 Magnesium chlorate 6 kg/ha 81.3 95.0 70.0 91.0
4 Glufosinate
+
Phosphoric acid ethoxylated alkyl ester 1.5 L/ha
+
0/5% v/v 42.0 67.5 71.3 92.5
5 Amicarbazone
+
Diquat
+
Phosphoric acid ethoxylated alkyl ester 0.143 kg/ha
+
1.0 L/ha
+
0.5% v/v 48.8 87.5 70.0 90.5

It was observed that the composition was faster in terms of defoliation as compared to the other active ingredients. The composition also exhibited good desiccation at 7 DA-A. The composition at a concentration of 4 and 5 kg/ha shows good efficiency in terms of desiccation.

Example 7
Efficiency test in cotton defoliation in open balls
The composition with stabilizer (working example) was assessed for efficiency in cotton defoliation in open balls. A spray volume of 150 L/ha of the composition was used when the cottons balls had 70-80% open bead. The test was done to observe % defoliation 3, 7 and 10 DA-A, as disclosed in Table 5.
Table 5: % Defoliation
Sr. No. Active Ingredient Concentration % Defoliation
Previous 3 DA-A 7 DA-A 10 DA-A
1 Magnesium chlorate 4 L 50 59 79 84
2 Magnesium chlorate 5 L 50 63 82 88
3 Magnesium chlorate 6 L 50 65 84 91
4 Imidacloprid 0.14 L 50 55 76 87

It was observed that the composition was better in terms of defoliation as compared to the other active ingredients up to 10 DA-A.

Example 8
Efficiency test in soybean
The composition with stabilizer (working example) was assessed for efficiency in soybean. A spray volume of 150 L/ha of the composition was used and % desiccation and % defoliation was observed at 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 DA-A, as disclosed in Table 6.

Table 6: % Defoliation and % Desiccation
Sr. No. Active Ingredient Concentration % Defoliation
1 DA-A 3 DA-A 7 DA-A 10 DA-A 14 DA-A
1 Magnesium chlorate 4 kg/ha 47.0 72.0 96.0 100.0 100.0
2 Magnesium chlorate 5 kg/ha 44.0 71.0 98.0 100.0 100.0
3 Magnesium chlorate 6 kg/ha 46.0 76.0 98.0 100.0 100.0
4 Glufosinate
+
Phosphoric acid ethoxylated alkyl ester 1.5 L/ha
+
0/5% v/v 39.0 78.0 99.0 100.0 100.0

It was observed that the composition overall had greater defoliation effect as compared to the other active ingredients. The composition exhibited good defoliation from 7 DA-A onwards.

Example 9
Test for storage stability at low temperature (0°C)
The magnesium chlorate composition with stabilizer was evaluated for storage stability at low temperature (0°C) as disclosed in Table 8.

Table 8: Magnesium chlorate with stabilizer (low temperature)
Sr. No. Test Parameters Specification
Results
Time 0 days 45 days 3 months 6 months
1 Appearance Colourless to yellow colour liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment Colourless liquid, free from visible suspended matter and sediment
2 Active Ingredient content as Magnesium Chlorate (g/L)
285-315 315.3 315.5 314.9 315.6
3 pH (As obtained)
3-6 5.08 5.10 5.21 5.22
4 Specific gravity at 20°C
1.24-1.28 1.2544 1.2544 1.2544 1.2544

It was observed that the magnesium chlorate composition with stabilizer is stable at low temperatures (0°C).
,CLAIMS:
1. An agrochemical composition comprising:
a metal chlorate; and
a stabilizer.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal chlorate is present in an amount from 10% w/v to 70% w/v of total weight of the composition.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal chlorate is present in an amount from 10% w/v to 40% w/v of total weight of the composition.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal chlorate is selected from sodium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, calcium chlorate, calcium-magnesium chlorate, potassium chlorate, and combinations thereof.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the metal chlorate is magnesium chlorate.

6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilizer is present in an amount from 0.001% w/v to 25% w/v of total weight of the composition.

7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilizer is present in an amount from 0.01% w/v to 15% w/v of total weight of the composition.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilizer is selected from triethyl amine, N,N’-dimethylamine, hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine), trimethylamine, ammonia, aniline, 4-methoxyaniline, morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, mono-, di- or tri-lower alkylamine, ethyl-, diethyl-, triethyl- or dimethyl-propylamine, mono-, di- or tri-hydroxy-lower alkylamine, mono-, di- or tri-ethanolamine, hexamethylenetetramine, tallow amine ethoxylate, and combinations thereof.

9. The composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stabilizer is hexamethylenetetramine.

10. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises at least one buffering agent.

11. The composition as claimed in claim 10, wherein the buffering agent is selected from barium acetate, magnesium acetate, calcium acetate, copper (II) acetate, zinc acetate, sodium acetate, ammonium acetate, and combinations thereof.

12. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is a soluble concentrate.

13. Use of an agrochemical composition comprising a metal chlorate and a stabilizer, as a defoliant.

14. A process for preparation of an agrochemical composition, the process comprising:
adding at least one buffering agent to a metal chlorate to obtain a reaction mixture;
adding an aqueous solution of a stabilizer to the reaction mixture; and
optionally diluting the reaction mixture with water to obtain a stable agrochemical composition.

15. A method for defoliating plants, the method comprising:
applying to a plant an agrochemical composition comprising
a metal chlorate;
a stabilizer; and
optionally at least one buffering agent.