AU2011250797B2

AU2011250797B2 - Synergistically acting herbicidal mixtures

Info

Publication number: AU2011250797B2
Application number: AU2011250797A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Horst Dieter Brix; Tim Malefyt; Bernd Sievernich
Original assignee: BASF SE
Current assignee: BASF SE
Priority date: 2004-04-01
Filing date: 2011-11-16
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 2025-03-30
Also published as: AU2011250797A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a synergistic herbicidal mixture. 5 The invention furthermore relates to herbicidal compositions comprising a herbicidally active amount of a synergistic herbicidal mixture as defined above and at least one liquid and/or solid carrier and, if desired, at least one further additive. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of controlling undesirable vegetation by 10 using above defined synergistic herbicidal mixture.

Description

pool Section 29 Regulation 32(2) AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: Synergistically acting herbicidal mixtures The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P111AHAU/0710 SYNERGISTICALLY ACTING HERBICIDAL MIXTURES FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a synergistic herbicidal mixture The invention furthermore relates to herbicidal compositions comprising a herbicidally active amount of a synergistic herbicidal mixture as defined above and at least one liquid and/or solid carrier and, if desired, at least one further additive. 10 Moreover, the invention relates to a method of controlling undesirable vegetation by using above defined synergistic herbicidal mixture. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 15 In crop protection products, it is always desirable to increase the specific activity and/or selectivity of an active ingredient and the reliability of action. However, the activity and/or the selectivity of herbicides depends on a large number of 20 factors e.g. type of the herbicide, amount of the herbicide, formulation of the herbicide, the type of weed, the combination of crop and weed, climate, soil. etc. In many cases herbicides have an effect against a broad spectrum of weeds, however do not fight a certain type of other weeds, which is also present in the crop cultures to be 25 protected. Sometimes these obstacles can be overcome by using just bigger amounts of herbicide, however this is economically disadvantageous and may also reduce the selectivity of the herbicide, in other words may lead to damage of the crop to be protected. 30 It is a general desire in the application of agrochemicals to reduce their amount on one side and to broaden their ability to fight different weeds - which grow in certain crop cultures - without damaging the crop cultures on the other side. 35 This desire may be satisfied by combination of different herbicides having a different activity profile versus undesired weeds. However, because of the huge number of herbicide active ingredients known in the art and the many factors which influence the activity and selectivity of herbicides it is virtually 40 impossible to create the appropriate mixture just by doing some mixture experiments.

2 Therefore it is always a challenge to find an appropriate herbicide or herbicide mixture which fights a certain group of weeds in a certain crop culture. WO 00/08938 Al (now EP 1 104 241 B1, Bayer CropScience) describes the use of 5 herbicide combinations for fighting weeds in herbicide resistant oilseed rape. Certain herbicidal compositions as such are also described. Respective herbicides are to be selected from four different groups and are to be combined with herbicides to be selected from five other groups. The gist of WO 00/08938 Al is the combination of glyphosate or glufosinate with other co herbicides. 10 The herbicide combinations of the instant application as well as their use as described in the instant application are not disclosed in WO 00/08938 Al. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 15 The invention provides a synergistic herbicidal mixture comprising a) a compound selected from the group consisting of sulfonylureas, including their respective isomers as well as their respective environmentally 20 compatible salt, esters, amides or other derivatives; and b) metazachlor 25 and and, if desired, 30 at least one herbicidal compound selected from the group consisting of clomazone, atrazin, dichlormid, benoxacor, LAB-145138, MG-191, MON-13900, cyometrinil, oxabetrinil, fluxofenim, flurazole, naphtalicacidanhydride, fenchlorim, fenchlorazol, mefenpyr, cloquintocet (including its hydrate(s)), 1 -ethyl-4-hydroxy-3-(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl) 1 H-quinolin-2-one, 4-carboxymethyl-chroman-4-carboxylic acid, N-(2- 3 methoxy-benzoyl)-4-(3-methyl-ureido)-benzenesulfonamide, (3-oxo isothiochroman-4-ylidenemethoxy)-acetic acid methyl ester including their respective isomers as well as their respective environmentally compatible salt, esters, amides or other derivatives. 5 It is an object of the present invention to increase the activity and/or selectivity of herbicides against undesirable harmful plants, in particular in certain crops (e.g. oilseed rape, canola (brassica napus)), without damaging these crops. 10 We have found that this object is achieved by the mixtures defined at the outset. We have furthermore found herbicidal compositions which comprise these mixtures, and methods of controlling undesirable vegetation. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 15 Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 20 The mixtures according to the invention show a synergistic effect; the compatibility of the herbicidally active compounds of components A), B) and, if desired C) for certain crop plants is generally retained. 25 The compounds which are embraced by component A) are the following. Herbicidal imidazolinones are known e.g. from C.D.S. Tomlin, "The Pesticide Manual", 13 th Edition, BCPC (2003), Index 5, 1337-1344 and http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/indexcnframe.html. 30 The term "Imidazolinones" shall mean herein the compounds as mentioned above, as well as their a) salts, e.g. salts of alkaline or earth alkaline metals or ammonium or organoammonium salts, for instance, sodium, pottasium, ammonium, isopropyl ammonium etc.; b) respective isomers, e.g. stereo isomers such as the respective 35 enantiomers, in particular the respective R-or S-enantiomers (including salts, ester, amides), c) respective esters, e.g. carboxylic acid C1 -C8-(branched or non-branched) alkyl esters, such as methylesters, ethylesters, iso propyl esters, d) respective amides, e.g. carboxylic acid amides or carboxylic acid C1-C8-(branched or non-branched) mono or di alkyl amides, such as dimethylamides, diethylamides, di isopropyl amides or e) any 40 other derivative which contains the above imidazolinone structures as structural moiety.

4 Very suitable Imidazolinones are the R-isomers, e.g. R-imazamethabenz-methyl, R imazamox, R-imazapic, R-imazapyr, R-imazaquin, R-imazethapyr, in particular R imazamox. These compounds are known e.g. from US 5,973,154 B (American Cyanamid Company) and US 6,339,158 B1 (American Cyanamid Company). 5 Sulfonylureas are known from C.D.S. Tomlin, "The Pesticide Manual", 13 th Edition, BCPC (2003), Index 5, 1337-1344 and http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/index_cn_frame.html Examples of suitable Sulfonylureas are nicosulfuron, tritosulfuron, mesosulfuron, 10 cyclosulfamuron, rimsulfuron, foramsulfuron. The term "Sulfonylureas" shall mean herein the compounds as mentioned above, as well as their a) salts, e.g. salts of alkaline or earth alkaline metals or ammonium or organoammonium salts, for instance, sodium, potassium, ammonium, isopropyl 15 ammonium etc.; b) respective isomers, e.g. stereo isomers such as the respective enantiomers, c) respective esters, e.g. C1-C8-(branched or non-branched) alkyl esters, such as methylesters, ethylesters, iso propyl esters, d) respective amides, e.g. amides or C1-C8-(branched or non-branched) mono or di alkyl amides, such as dimethylamides, diethylamides, di isopropyl amides. 20 Very suitable Sulfonylureas are cross spectrum sulfonylureas for example nicosulfuron, mesosulfuron, rimsulfuron or foramsulfuron. Examples of suitable sulfonamides (also known as "triazolopyrimidines" or "sulfonanilide 25 herbicides") are known from C.D.S. Tomlin, "The Pesticide Manual", 1 3 th Edition, BCPC (2003), Index 5, 1337-1344, WO 02/36596 A (Dow Agrosciences LLC) and http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uklindex cn-frame.html The term "Sulfonamides" shall mean herein the compounds as mentioned above as well 30 as their a) salts, e.g. salts of alkaline or earth alkaline metals or ammonium or organoammonium salts, for instance, sodium, pottasium, ammonium, isopropyl ammonium etc.; b) their respective isomers, e.g. stereo isomers such as the respective enantiomers, c) respective esters, e.g. C1-C8-(branched or non-branched) alkyl esters, such as methylesters, ethylesters, iso propyl esters, d) respective amides, e.g. amides or 35 C1-C8-(branched or non-branched) mono or di alkyl amides, such as dimethylamides, diethylamides, di isopropyl amides. Very suitable Sulfonamides are florasulam, flumetsulam, metosulam, penoxulam, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam and N-(5,7-dimethoxy[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-2-yl) 40 2-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 3-pyridinesulfonamide (the latter disclosed in Research Disclosure July 2002, 1230-1231 and WO 02/36596 A (Dow Agrosciences LLC)), in particular florasulam, penoxulam and N-(5,7-dimethoxy[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-2- 5 yl)-2-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 3-pyridinesulfonamide. The compounds which are embraced by component B) are the following. 5 Chloro acetamides, oxyacetamides and tetrazolinones as described in C.D.S. Tomlin, "The Pesticide Manual", 13 th Edition, BCPC (2003), Index 5, 1337-1344 and http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/indexcn_frame.html. The term "Chloro Acetamides" shall mean herein the compounds as such as well as a) 10 their salts, e.g. salts of alkaline or earth alkaline metals or ammonium or organoammonium salts, for instance, sodium, potassium, ammonium, isopropyl ammonium etc. or b) their respective isomers, e.g. stereo isomers such as the respective enantiomers. 15 Suitable Chloro Acetamides are metazachlor, metolachlor, "S-metolachlor", acetochlor, dimethachlor, alachlor and dimethenamid and dimethenamid-P and pethoxamid. Metazachlor herein shall mean 2-Chloro-(2',6'-dimethyl-N-pyrazol-1 -yl-methyl)-acetamid in all of his crystal modifications, in particular the monoclinic Metazachlor which is 20 described in EP 0 411 408 A (BASF Aktiengesellschaft). Metolachlor herein shall mean the racemic mixture of the compound CAS RN [51218-45 2] and the compound S-metolachlor and any mixture of S-isomer of metolachlor (CAS RN [87392-12-9]) and R-isomer of metolachlor (CAS RN [178961-20-1]. 25 Dimethenamid herein shall mean the compounds listed in C.D.S. Tomlin, "The Pesticide Manual", 13' Edition, BCPC (2003), Index 5, 1337-1344 and http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/indexcnframe.html, in particular the S-isomer (dimethenamid-P). 30 For clarity sake the terms Metazachlor, Metolachlor, Acetochlor and Dimetenamid shall include herein the compounds as mentioned above as well as their salts, e.g. salts of alkaline or earth alkaline metals or ammonium or organoammonium salts, for instance, sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium, isopropyl ammonium etc. 35 Preferred component B) comprises Metazachlor, in particular monoclinic Metazachlor, Dimethenamid, Dimethenamid-P, Metolachlor and Quinmerac. A very preferred component B) is Metazachlor, in particular monoclinic Metazachlor. 40 Further components C) may be selected from the group consisting of clomazone, , atrazine (see C.D.S. Tomlin, "The Pesticide Manual", 13 th Edition, BCPC (2003), Index 5, 6 1337-1344 and http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/indexcnframe.html) and the following compounds which usually function as "safeners", dichlormid, benoxacor, LAB-1 45138, MG-191, MON-13900, cyometrinil, oxabetrinil, fluxofenim, flurazole, naphtalicacidanhydride, fenchlorim, fenchlorazol, cloquintocet (including its esters and 5 hydrate(s)), as described in "Herbizide [Herbicides]", Hock, Fedtke, Schmidt, 1st edition, Thieme 1995 (s. "Dichlormid" p.263, "Benoxacor" p.263, "LAB-145138" p.263, "MG-191" p.263, "MON-13900" p.263, "Cyometrinil" p.265, "Oxabetrinil" p.

2 65, "Fluxofenim" p.265, "Flurazole" p.265, "Naphtalicacidanhydride" p.265, "Fenchlorim" p.266, "Fenchlorazol" p.266 Isoxadifen, "Cloquintocet" p.266], or C.D.S. Tomlin, "The Pesticide Manual", 13 10 Edition, BCPC (2003), Index 5, 1337-1344 and http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/indexcn_frame.html e.g. mefenpyr-diethyl, isoxadifen, 1 ethyl-4-hydroxy-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-quinolin-2-one, 4-carboxymethyl-chroman-4 carboxylic acid, N-(2-methoxy-benzoyl)-4-(3-methyl-u reido)-benzenesu Ifonam ide, (3-oxo isothiochroman-4-ylidenemethoxy)-acetic acid methyl ester, all of these including their 15 respective isomers as well as their respective environmentally compatible salts or esters or amides or other derivatives. Preferred other components C) are clomazone, atrazin and the safeners cloquintocet (including its esters and hydrate(s)). 20 Preferred herbicidal mixtures or combinations according to the invention are the following (M1) Imazamox + Metazachlor (monoclinic or triclinic or any mixture of those) (Mi-1) R-lmazamox + Metazachlor which contains at least 90 weight-% of the monoclinic 25 form (Mi-2) R-lmazamox + Metazachlor (monoclinic or triclinic or any mixture of those) (M2) Imazamox + Metolachlor (racemic, S-isomer, or any mixture of R- and S-isomer) (M2-1) R-Imazamox + Metolachlor (racemic, S-isomer, or any mixture of R- and S isomer) 30 (M3) Imazamox + Dimethenamid (racemic or S-isomer) (M3-1) R-Imazamox + Dimethenamid (in particular the S-isomer) (M4) Imazamox + Metazachlor (monoclinic or triclinic or any mixture of those) + 35 clomazone (M4-1) R-Imazamox + Metazachlor which contains at least 90 weight-% of the monoclinic form + clomazone (M5) Imazamox + Metazachlor (monoclinic or triclinic or any mixture of those) + 40 quinmerac (M5-1) R-Imazamox + Metazachlor which contains at least 90 weight-% of the monoclinic form + quinmerac 7 (M6) Imazamox + Metolachlor (including S-Metolachlor) + atrazin (M7) Imazamox + Flufenacet 5 (M8) Imazamox + Fentrazamide Particular preferred herbicidal mixtures according to the invention are the following: M1, M1-1, M1-2, M4 and M4-1, M5 and M5-1, M6, M7 and M8. 10 The present invention also extends to herbicidal compositions which comprise a herbicidally active amount of a synergistic herbicidal mixture (comprising components A), B) and, if desired, C) as described above), at least one liquid and/or solid carrier and, if desired, at least one further additive, for example a surfactant, adjuvant or others, 15 The herbicidal compositions and synergistic herbicidal mixtures according to the invention can effect very good control of broad-leaved weeds and grass weeds in many crops for example maize, cereals (for example wheat), brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape), sunflower, legumes, sugar cane, and soya without damaging the crop plants, an 20 effect observed especially even at low rates of application. Taking into consideration the variety of application method in question, the herbicidal compositions and synergistic herbicidal mixtures according to the invention can additionally be employed in a further number of crop plants for eliminating undesirable 25 plants. The herbicidal compositions and synergistic herbicidal mixtures according to the invention can preferably be used in crops which tolerate and/or are resistant to the action of ALS herbicides, preferably those ALS herbicides according to the invention. The 30 resistance and or tolerance to said herbicides may be achieved by conventional breeding and/or by genetic engineering methods. Crops which are tolerant to herbicides (e.g. tolerant to imidazolinone herbicides) are known for example from EP 0 154 204 A (MGI Pharma Inc.). Such crops are for example 35 marketed by BASF under the trade name CLEARFIELD. Examples for such crops are maize, brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape), sunflower, rice, lentils and wheat.

8 Most preferable herbicide tolerant or herbicide resistant crops according to the invention is oilseed rape, canola (brassica napus). The herbicidal mixtures or compositions according to the invention, for example the 5 mixtures containing Imidazolinones as sole component A), preferably the mixtures of Imidazolinones and Chloro Acetamides, very preferably mixtures or compositions comprising imazamox and Metazachlor or Imazamox and at least one other herbicide of the groups B) and/or C) (for example those as disclosed under M1, M1-1, M1-2, M2, M2 1, M3, M3-1, M4, M4-1, M5 and M5-1, M6, M7 and M8) and in particular mixtures of 10 Imazamox and Chloro Acetamides (for example those as disclosed under M1, M1-1, M1 2, M2, M2-1, M3, M3-1, M4, M4-1, M5 and M5-1 are very suitable for fighting or controlling a broad spectrum of grasses and broadleaf weeds which are accompanying in general the abovementioned crops, e.g. in particular brassica napus (oil seed rape, canola). 15 Very preferably the weeds in ALS-herbicide resistant or tolerant brassica napus (oilseed rape, canola) are fighted by the herbicidal mixtures or compositions according to the invention - for example the mixtures containing Imidazolinones as sole component A), preferably the mixtures of Imidazolinones and Chloro Acetamides, very preferably 20 mixtures of Imazamox and Chloro Acetamides (for example those as disclosed under M1, M1-1, M1-2, M2, M2-1, M3, M3-1, M4, M4-1, M5, M5-1 above) and in particular those mixtures or compositions comprising Imazamox and Metazachlor. Those weeds include but are not limited to the following plant species: 25 Alopecurus myosuroides; Apera spica-venti; Avena spec.; Brassica spec.; Capsella bursa-pastoris; Galium aparine; Lamium spec.; Raphanus spec.; Sinapis spec.; Sisymbrium officinale; Stellaria media; Thlaspi arvense. Veronica spec. 30 Very suitable ALS resistant or tolerant crop / to be controlled weed / herbicide mixture (composition) combinations are the following. Controlled weeds include but are not limited to the listed plant species. ALS tolerant crop Herbicide Mixture Weed (Latin name) 35 Canola lmazamox+Metazachlor Agropyron repens Geranium pussilum Sinapis alba Sisymbrium officinale 40 Canola Imazamox+Metazachlor Agropyron repens +quinmerac Galium aparine 9 Geranium pussilum Sinapis alba Sisymbrium officinale 5 Canola lmazamox+Metazachlor Agropyron repens +clomazone Galium aparine Geranium pussilum Sinapis alba Sisymbrium officinale 10 Corn, sunflower Imazamox+(Dimethenamid or Echinochloa spec. Dimethenamid-p) Setaria spec. Digitaria spec. Corn 15 Imazamox+(Dimethenamid or Echinochloa spec. Dimethenamid-p)+atrazin Setaria spec. Digitaria spec Chenopodium spec. Polygonum spec. 20 Corn, sunflower lmazamox+(Metolachlor or Echinochloa spec. S-Metolachlor) Setaria spec. Digitaria spec Chenopodium spec. 25 Polygonum spec. Corn Imazamox+(Metolachlor or Echinochloa spec. S-Metolachlor)+atrazin Setaria spec. Digitaria spec 30 Chenopodium spec. Polygonum spec Wheat Imazamox+Flufenacet Alopecurus spec. Apera spec. 35 Galium spec. Rice Imazamox+Fentrazamide Oryza rupifogon Echinochloa spec. 40 The mixtures according to the invention, or the herbicidal compositions comprising them, can be employed, for example, in the form of directly sprayable aqueous solutions, 10 powders, suspensions, also highly-concentrated aqueous, oily or other suspensions or dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dusts, materials for spreading or granules, by means of spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading or pouring. 5 The use forms depend on the intended purposes; in any case, they should guarantee the finest possible distribution of the active ingredients according to the invention. Suitable inert additives (auxiliaries) are mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point such as kerosene and diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or 10 animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. paraffins, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes and their derivatives, alkylated benzenes and their derivatives, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and cyclohexanol, ketones such as cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as N methylpyrrolidone and water. 15 Aqueous use forms can be prepared from emulsion concentrates, suspensions, pastes, wettable powders or water-dispersible granules by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes or oil dispersions, the substances, as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent, can be homogenized in water by means of wetting agent, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier. 20 However, it is also possible to prepare concentrates composed of active substance, wetting agent, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier and, if appropriate, solvent or oil, and these concentrates are suitable for dilution with water. Suitable surfactants are the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of 25 aromatic sulfonic acids, e.g. ligno-, phenol-, naphthalene- and dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, and of fatty acids, of alkyl- and alkylaryl sulfonates, of alkyl sulfates, lauryl ether sulfates and fatty alcohol sulfates, and salts of sulfated hexa-, hepta- and octadecanols, and of fatty alcohol glycol ether, condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and its derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene, or of the 30 naphthalenesulfonic acids, with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether, ethoxylated isooctyl-, octyl- or nonylphenol, alkylphenyl and tributylphenyl polyglycol ether, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers or polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetate, sorbitol esters, 35 lignin-sulfite waste liquors or methylcellulose.

11 Powders, materials for spreading and dusts can be prepared by mixing or concomitantly grinding the synergistic herbicidal mixture or the individual active ingredients with a solid carrier. 5 Granules, e.g. coated granules, impregnated granules and homogeneous granules, can be prepared by binding the active ingredients to solid carriers. Solid carriers are mineral earths such as silicas, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, less, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground synthetic material, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium 10 phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas and products of vegetable origin such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell meal, cellulose powders or other solid carriers. The concentrations of the mixtures according to the invention in the ready-to-use 15 products can be varied within wide ranges. In general, the formulations comprise from 0.01 to 95% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 90% by weight, of the mixture according to the invention. The components A) and B) and, if desired, C) can be formulated jointly, but also 20 separately, and/or applied to the plants, their environment and/or seeds jointly or separately. It is preferable to apply the active ingredients simultaneously. However, it is also possible to apply them separately. Moreover, it may be advantageous to apply the herbicidal compositions and synergistic 25 herbicidal mixtures according to the invention, jointly or separately, with additional other crop protection agents, for example with pesticides or agents for controlling phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. Also of interest is the miscibility with mineral salt solutions which are employed for treating nutritional and trace element deficiencies. Non phytotoxic oils and oil concentrates can also be added. 30 The mixtures according to the invention and the herbicidal compositions can be applied pre- or post-emergence. It is advantageous to apply the mixtures according to the invention post emergent when the crop has in general 1 to 6 leaves. 35 If the active ingredients are less well tolerated by certain crop plants, application techniques may be used in which the herbicidal compositions are sprayed, with the aid of 12 the spray apparatus, in such a way that they come into as little contact, if any, with the leaves of the sensitive crop plants while reaching the leaves of undesirable plants which grow underneath, or the bare soil (post-directed, lay-by). 5 In the case of a post-emergence treatment of the plants, the herbicidal mixtures or compositions according to the invention are preferably applied by foliar application. Application may be effected, for example, by usual spraying techniques with water as the carrier, using amounts of spray mixture of approx. 15 to 1000 1/ha. The mixtures or compositions may also be applied by the so-called "low-volume" and "ultra-low-volume" 10 methods, or in the form of so-called granules. As a rule, the synergistic herbicidal mixtures comprise components A), B) and, if desired, C) in such weight ratios that the synergistic effect takes place. 15 The ratios of component A) and B) in the mixture in general range from 1:0.001 to 1:500, preferably from 1:0.01 to 1:100, particularly preferably from 1:0.1 to 1:50. The ratios of components A) and C) in the mixture in general range from 1:0.002 to 1:800, preferably from 1:0.003 to 1:160, particularly preferably from 1:0.02 to 1:160. 20 The rate of application of pure synergistic herbicidal mixture, i.e. without formulation auxiliaries, amounts in general to 0.1 to 5000 g/ha, preferably 1 to 3000 g/ha, in particular 5 to 2500 g/ha, of active substance (a.s.), depending on the intended aim, the season, the target plants and growth stage. 25 The cumulated rate (sum of the amounts of all active ingredients of the respective group A)) of application of the component(s) A) is usually 5 to 75 g/ha of active substance (a.s.). The rate of application of the Imidazolinones is usually 0.1 to 200 g/ha, as a rule 1 to 150 30 g/ha, preferably 5 to 100 g/ha, of active substance (a.s.). In particular the rate of application of Imazamox is usually 0.1 to 200 g/ha, as a rule, 1 to 100 g/ha, preferably 2 to 100 g/ha, of active substance (a.s.).

13 The rate of application of the Suifonylureas or Sulfonamides is usually 0.1 to 200 g/ha, as a rule 1 to 100 g/ha, preferably 2 to 100 g/ha, of active substance (a.s.). The rate of application of component B) is usually 0.1 to 5000 g/ha, as a rule 1 to 4000 5 g/ha , preferably 5 to 3000 g/ha, of active substance (a.s.) In particular the rate of application of Chloro Acetamide - e.g. Metazachlor, Metolachlor, Dimethenamid - is usually 50 to 5000 g/ha, as a rule 75 to 3000 g/ha, preferably 100 to 2000 g/ha, of active substance (a.s.). 10 The preferred application rates of the active ingredients of the optional component C) are compiled in the following table. Active ingredient C Rate of application (g/ha) Dichlormid 100-600 Benoxacor 10-200 LAB 145138 50-500 MG-191 200-1000 MON-13900 (Furilazole) 10-300 Naphtalicacidanhydride 300-1000 Fenchlorim 20-500 Fenchlorazol 5-100 Mefenpyr-diethyl 5-100 Isoxadifen-ethyl 1-100 Clo uintocet-mexyl 1-50 AD 67 50-500 R 29148 50-500 15 The herbicidal compositions and synergistic herbicidal mixtures according to the invention are very useful to control a broad spectrum of grass and broadleaf weeds. This usually leads to cleaner fields and higher purity of the harvested commodity as well as to higher yields of the respective crop, in particular brassica napus (oilseed rape, 14 canola). In particular brassica napus (oilseed rape, canola) seeds coming from fields treated with the herbicidal compositions and synergistic herbicidal mixtures according to the invention 5 usually have higher seed purity. Based on current knowledge this may be due to the removal of unwanted brassica species. A further advantage of the instant invention is the general reduction of tillage in the respective fields which - based on current knowledge - usually leads to less loss of soil 10 by e.g. wind. Examples 15 The mixtures according to the invention were applied pre- or post-emergence foliarr treatment). The herbicidal compounds of component A), B) and, if desired, of component C) were applied in the formulation in which they are present as commercially available product, e.g. Beyond or PULSAR 40 which is a Trademark of BASF and which is a liquid formulation containing imazamox as active ingredient; Raptor which is a trademark of 20 BASF and which is imazamox formulated as 70 % WG or as liquid formulation; Butisan S which is a trademark of BASF and which is 500 g/I metazachlor formulated as SC; Outlook which is a dimethenamid P containing formulation. The herbicidally active compounds of components A), B) were applied in succession or 25 jointly, in the latter case in some cases as a tank mix and in some cases as a readymix, in the form of emulsions, aqueous solutions or suspensions, the vehicle being water (200 - 400 I/ha). In the case of the field trials, application was effected with the aid of a mobile plot sprayer. 30 The test period is specified in the respective tables. Damage by the herbicidal compositions was evaluated with reference to a scale of 0% to 100% in comparison with untreated control plots. 0 means no damage and 100 means complete destruction of the plants (cf. numbers in the column "Control" in the following 35 tables).

15 The following examples will demonstrate the action of the herbicidal compositions which can be used according to the invention, without excluding the possibility of other uses. In these examples, the value E at which only an additive effect of the individual active 5 ingredients is to be expected was calculated by the method of S. R. Colby (Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations, Weeds 15, 20 pp (1967)). This was done using the formula 10 E =X+Y 100 where X = Percentage of the herbicidal action of component A) at an application rate of a; 15 Y = Percentage of the herbicidal action of component B) at an application rate of b; E = expected herbicidal action of component A) + B) at rates of application a + b (in %). 20 If the value observed exceeds the value E calculated in accordance with Colby's formula, then synergism is present. For example the values in the columns "Control" in the following tables all show 25 synergismn. The herbicidal mixtures according to the invention exert a greater herbicidal action than would have been expected according to Colby on the basis of the observed effects of the individual components when used alone. 30 Further abbreviations in the following tables and their meaning: a.i. active ingredient (e.g. imazamox) GS Growth Stage (according to "Compendium of Growth Stage 35 Identification Keys for Mono- and Dicotyledonous Plants - 16 Extended BBCH scale, 2 "d Edition 1997 (ISBN 3-9520749-3-4) eval. evaluation after specified days after treatment DAT days after treatment n number of trials 5 GC Ground Cover [% of ground] n "no" y "Yes" digits underneath of product name means rate of a.i. applied [g of pure ai/ha].

17 Ao de o c o C O e 0 o to0 0C o & *z XY 10; a~ c'0 6 00 NO 00 oo m m CI D r +0 mo oo 05 xd ION 111 1 Nd .f L C'2 >1 4

C

0 0 N0 NuzCI 4 W 00 00 0 00 Nt@0 V- q LL o t+t m 0 N ii_ Cm w (U.O u LU E) to 0 0 1r0 (0 m) a) 0) 0) 10 N 0 ICL NN M 1C) 0 0N N 0CD to (0 w 00 0 m' CO N .2 M L t 0 CD W0 0 0 011 0 Ca sq CD) Nm NCD U) C, ' 0 CID N)C P3 m C L 'a CL~ In. CL C * 0 (U CL * S U ( S .! ~ C .!2 AD N v i 0)l go1 GO CO 0 a CCL + 0 > CD 'i.(0 = ~Nr CEo ) 0 + M -. U)U C~ 4m 0)- 0 C *) 0 oro +u 0 2 0) 0 0 0 0 r.0c N CD 000 0 E C0 C') C) C') Cu .0r -~ 0. 0T C ND 'a 0,0 E E m W -C CL 0.

aE 2 c 0 19 C D C ct Ct It >, c N N NO 0 0) U)n C 0 5 Cs 0 0. + Cun S-

I

4) 40 to I o O .w Q ,O 2. w I o M o 0 Qm CD UC in CN C+ Im 0 CL -. C 'A Loc c CD N (a) C 0 . cO E Ln r m 0 4 t cc CD Lo W c . N m;04 20 Post emergent control of Setfaria faberi (solo herbicide application) Product Al Control Rate Name (glha) I CHECK 0 2 BEYOND 10.0 50 3 BEYOND 20.0 63 4 BEYOND 40.0 85 5 BUTISAN S 188.0 0 6 BUTISAN S 375.0 0 7 BUTISAN S 750.0 0 8 OUTLOOK 630.0 0 DUAL II 1070. 9 0 MAGNUM 0 21 Post emergent control of Setfaria faberi (1O g/ha imazamox plus x g/ha co herbicide) Product Al Control Name Rate (g/ha) BEYOND 10.0 94 BUTISAN S 188.0 BEYOND 10.0 95 BUTISAN S 375.0 BEYOND 10.0 93 BUTISAN S 750.0 BEYOND 10.0 78 OUTLOOK 630.0 BEYOND 10.0 82 DUAL II 1070. MAGNUM 0 22 Post emergent control of Setfaria faberi (20 g/ha imazamox plus x g/ha co herbicide) Product Al Control Rate Name (g/ha) BEYOND 20.0 92 BUTISAN S 188.0 BEYOND 20.0 98 BUTISAN S 375.0 BEYOND 20.0 99 BUTISAN S 750.0 BEYOND 20.0 98 OUTLOOK 630.0 BEYOND 20.0 98 DUAL II 1070.0

MAGNUM

23 Post emergent control of Setfaria faberi (40 g/ha imazamox plus x g/ha co herbicide) Product Al Control Rate Name (g/ha) BEYOND 40.0 99 BUTISAN S 188.0 BEYOND 40.0 99 BUTISAN S 375.0 24 Post emergent control of Avena fatura (herbicide solo application) AVEFA Product Al CONTROL Rate Name (g/ha) CHECK 0 BEYOND 10.0 30 BEYOND 20.0 30 BEYOND 40.0 38 BUTISAN S 188.0 33 BUTISAN S 375.0 32 BUTISAN S 750.0 30 OUTLOOK 630.0 23 DUAL 11 1070. MAGNUM 0 27 25 Post emergent control of Avena fatura (20 g/ha imazamox plus x g/ha co herbicide) Product Al AVEFA Rate Name Control (g/ha) BEYOND 20.0 57 OUTLOOK 630.0 5 Post emergent control of Avena fatura (40 g/ha imazamox plus x g/ha co herbicide) Product Al AVEFA Rate Name Control (g/ha) BEYOND 40.0 91 BUTISAN S 188.0 BEYOND 40.0 89 BUTISAN S 375.0 BEYOND 40.0 95 BUTISAN S 750.0 BEYOND 40.0 95 OUTLOOK 630.0 BEYOND 40.0 82 DUAL II 1070. MAGNUM 0 25a Test Example The effects of the herbicidal compositions, herbicides A and B on the growth of undesirable plants compared to the herbicidal active compounds alone was 5 demonstrated by the following greenhouse experiment The test plants have been seeded, separately for each species, in plastic containers in sandy loamy soil containing 5% organic matter. 10 For the post emergence treatment, the plants were first grown to the 2 leaf stage (GS 12). Here, the herbicidal compositions were suspended or emulsified in water as distribution medium and sprayed using finely distributing nozzles. The plants have been cultivated due to there individual requirements at 10 - 25*C and. 15 20 - 350C. The plants were irrigated due to there necessity. The following compounds have been tested with regard to their herbicidal activity: Metazachlor: 0 Cl N N 20 Metazachlor was used as a commercial suspension concentrate having an active ingredient concentration of 500g/l (Butisan S @). Nicosulfuron:

N

-0 0 -N \ /H H 11~ N O N 25 -O Nicosulfuron was used as commercial oil dispersion having an active ingredient concentration of 40g/l (Motivell @) Rimsulfuron: 25b -O O O=S -N N O N -- O Rimsulfuron was used as a commercial water dispersible granule having an active ingredient concentration of 250g/kg (CATO @) 5 Mesosulfuron: OH - N 0 0 H -- O N OS Mesosulfuron was used as a commercial water dispersible granule having an active ingredient concentration of 45g/kg (OSPREY @) 10 Tritosulfuron:

F

3 C O F 3 C N N N-S N />- H 11 N 0 -O Tritosulfuron was used as a commercial water dispersible granule having an active ingredient concentration of 714g/kg (BIATHLON @) 15 In the following experiments, the herbicidal activity for the individual herbicide compounds (solo and mixture applications) and the herbicidal succession was assessed 7 and 21 days after treatment (DAT). The evaluation for the damage on undesired weeds caused by the chemical 20 compositions was carried out using a scale from 0 to 100%, compared to the untreated control plants. Here, 0 means no damage and 100 means complete destruction of the plants. The plants used in the greenhouse experiments belonged to the following species: 25c Code Scientific Name PAPRH Papaver rhoeas CHEAL Chenopodium album VERPE Veronica persica MATCH Matricaria chamomilla STEME Stellaria media GALAP Galium aparine AMARE Amaranthus retroflexus AETCY Aethusa cynapium CENCY Centauria cyanus The value E, which is to be expected if the activity of the individual compounds is just additive, was calculated using the method of S.R. Colby (1967) "Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations", weeds 15, p.22ff. 5 Colby calculation for 2 way mixtures: E = X + Y - (X-Y/100) where: 10 X = effect in percent using herbicide A at an application rate a; Y = effect in percent using herbicide B at an application rate b; E = expected effect (in %) of A +B at application rates a + b 15 If the value observed in this manner is higher than the value E calculated according to Colby, a synergistic effect is present. Application in post-emergence metazachlor and nicosulfuron solo application combination metazachlor + nicosulfuron metazachlor (A) nicosulfuron (B) COLBY Synergism use rate use expected g % rate % use rate % % weed ai/ha activity g ai/ha activity g ai/ha activity activity Y/N 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT MATCH 500 90 10 90 500 + 10 100 99 Y 7 DAT 7 DAT 7 DAT 7 DAT CHEAL 250 60 20 85 250 + 20 95 94 Y 25d PAPRH 250 60 20 98 250 | + 120 100 99 Y PAPRH 250 60 5 85 250 + 5 95 94 Y STEME 250 70 20 90 250 + 20 98 97 Y Application in post-emergence metazachlor and rimsulfuron solo application combination metazachlor + rimsulfuron metazachlor (A) rimsulfuron (B) COLBY Synergism use use rate rate expected g % g % use rate % % weed ai/ha activity ai/ha activity g ai/ha activity activity Y/N 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT CENCY 250 35 0,75 35 250 + 0,75 60 58 Y CHEAL 250 55 1,5 55 250 + 1,5 85 80 Y MATCH 250 75 1,5 45 250 + 1,5 100 86 Y MATCH 250 75 0,75 35 250 + 0,75 100 84 Y STEME 250 90 0,75 75 250 + 0,75 100 98 Y VERPE 250 85 1,5 0 250 + 1,5 100 85 Y Application in post-emergence metazachlor and mesosulfuron solo application combination metazachlor + mesosulfuron metazachlor (A) mesosulfuron (B) COLBY Synergism use rate use expected g % rate % use rate % % weed ai/ha activity g ai/ha activity g ai/ha activity activity Y/N 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT AETCY 500 85 0,75 35 500 + 0,8 95 90 Y STEME 500 65 3 98 500 + 3 100 99 Y CHEAL 250 50 6 95 250 + 6 100 98 Y VERPE 250 85 6 10 250 + 6 100 87 Y 7DAT 7DAT 7DAT 7DAT GALAP 250 45 3 35 250 + 3 75 64 Y 5 25e Application in post-emergence metazachlor and tritosulfuron solo application combination metazachlor + tritosulfuron metazachlor (A) tritosulfuron (B) COLBY Synergism use rate use expected g % rate % use rate % % weed ai/ha activity g ai/ha activity g ai/ha activity activity Y/N 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT 21 DAT GALAP 500 75 6,25 70 500 + 6,3 100 93 Y GALAP 500 75 0,8 25 500 + 0,8 100 81 Y GALAP 250 50 3,12 55 250 + 3,1 100 78 Y STEME 500 65 1,6 90 500 + 1,6 100 97 Y STEME 500 65 0,8 60 500 + 0,8 100 86 Y AMARE 250 85 6,25 90 250 + 6,3 100 99 Y AMARE 250 85 3,12 95 250 + 3,1 100 99 Y VERPE 250 85 1,6 10 250 + 1,6 98 87 Y 7DAT 7 DAT 7 DAT 7 DAT AETCY 250 65 3,12 55 250 + 3,1 95 84 Y

Claims

1. A synergistic herbicidal mixture comprising A) a compound selected from the group consisting of sulfonylureas, including their respective isomers a s well as their respective environmentally compatible salts, esters, amides or other derivatives; and B) metazachlor; and, if desired, C) at least one herbicidal compound selected from the group consisting of clomazone, atrazin, dichlormid, benoxacor, LAB-145138, MG-191, MON 13900, cyometrinil, oxabetrinil, fluxofenim, flurazole, naphtalicacidanhydride, fenchlorim, fenchlorazol, mefenpyr, cloquintocet (including its hydrate(s)), 1 ethyl-4-hydroxy-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-quinolin-2-one,

4-carboxymethyl chroman-4-carboxylic acid, N-(2-methoxy-benzoyl)-4-(3-methyl-ureido) benzenesulfonamide, (3-oxo-isothiochroman-4-ylidenemethoxy)-acetic acid methyl ester including their respective isomers as well as their respective environmentally compatible salts, esters, amides or other derivatives. 2. A synergistic herbicidal mixture as claimed in claim 1 in which the sulfonyl urea is selected from the group consisting of nicosulfuron, tritosulfuron, mesosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, rimsulfuron, foramsulfuron including their respective isomers as well as their respective environmentally compatible salts or esters or amides or other derivatives. 3. A herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally active amount of a synergistic herbicidal mixture as claimed in claim 1 or 2, at least one inert liquid and/or solid carrier and, if desired, at least one further additive. 4. A method of controlling undesired vegetation, which comprises applying a synergistic herbicidal mixture as claimed in claim 1 or 2 before, during and/or after the emergence of undesired plants simultaneously or in succession. 27

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the crops are tolerant or resistant against the synergistic herbicidal mixture.

6. A mixture according to claim 1 or 2 substantially as hereinbefore described.

7. A composition according to claim 3 substantially as hereinbefore described.

8. A method according to claim 4 or 5 substantially as hereinbefore described. BASF SE WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P27641AU02