WO2016118699A1 - Fertilizer compatible emulsifiable concentrates - Google Patents

Abstract

Emulsifiable concentrates of insecticides and fungicides that uniquely contain water and a water immiscible solvent in a clear, homogeneous single phase that can be diluted in fertilizers solutions to form stable emulsions are described. The compositions contain an alkylpolyglucoside, at least a second surfactant, a water immiscible solvent and a pesticide soluble in the solvent. Optional ingredients include co-solvents, defoamers, preservatives and pH modifiers.

Description

FERTILIZER COMPATIBLE EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/106,044, which was filed January 21, 2015, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that it teaches.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to emulsifiable pesticide concentrates, and more particularly to emulsifiable pesticide concentrates that uniquely contain water and are compatible with strong electrolyte solutions such as starter fertilizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many direct seeded crops suffer from pests that reside in the soil. For example, wheat seeds are often treated with insecticide for protection from attack (Pike, et al. Compatibility of Imidicloprid with Fungicides as a Seed-Treatment Control of Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Effect on Germination, Growth and Yield of Wheat and Barley. J ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY, 86(2): 586-593 (1993)). Separately, maize is often planted with a soil insecticide as an aqueous solution applied into the furrow as the seeds are deposited in the soil. In areas infested with the pests described as corn rootworms, application of a soil insecticide often results in significantly improved plant growth and resulting increased yields (Sutter, et al. Effect of Insecticide Treatments on Root Lodging and Yields of Maize in Controlled Infestations of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY, 83(6): 2414- 2420 (1990)).

[0004] Alternatively, genetically modified maize has unique traits that control corn rootworn including production of toxins in the roots that control corn rootworms (Tabashnik & Gould. Delaying Corn Rootworm Resistance to Bt Corn. J ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY, 105(3): 767-776 (2012)) Widespread use of these traits resulted in reduced use of soil applied insecticides since the commercial introduction of the trait (Brookes & Barfoot. Global impact of biotech crops: Socio-economic and environmental effects in the first ten years of commercial use. AGBIOFORUM, 9(3), 139-151 (2006); Benbrook. Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S.— the first sixteen years. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE, 24:24 (2012)). Unfortunately, this widespread use has resulted in scattered reports of corn rootworm resistance to the genetic traits (Gassmann, et al. Field-Evolved Resistance to Bt Corn by Western Corn Rootworm. PLoS ONE, 6(7):e22629, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022629 (July 29, 2011)). As a result of this resistance, soil applied maize insecticide use is increasing to control the populations of corn rootworm no longer susceptible to the genetic traits (Brooks. Soil Insecticide Use in Corn to Top 15 Million Acres. AGWEB.COM, (Feb. 15, 2013)).

[0005] In parallel with the adoption of the genetic traits to control corn rootworm, the practice of applying "starter fertilizer" increased in the period 2000-2013. The purpose of starter fertilizer is to promote early season seedling growth which results in stronger plants with higher yield potential (Vetsch & Randall. Corn Production as Affected by Tillage System and Starter Fertilizer. AGRONOMY JOURNAL, 94(3): 532-540 (2002)). Fertilizers are typically designated by a numerical code with the first number representing the % nitrogen, the second number the % phosphorous, and the third number the % potassium. Additional numbers may be included in the formula with a letter signifying the nutrient elements included, such as S for sulfur or Zn for zinc. A common starter fertilizer is known as 10-34-0, which contains 10% nitrogen, 34% phosphorous, and 0% potassium. Other fertilizers are available with different blends of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, including, for example, 7-21-7, 25-30-0, 3-18-18, 7-17-3, 18-13-0-7S, 5-0-20-13S, 10-0-0- lOZn, and 9-10-24. Starter fertilizers are very strong electrolyte solutions with high percentages of dissolved solids.

[0006] One formulation type of soil insecticides is described as emulsifiable concentrates (typically abbreviated as EC). These formulations are popular because they are economical and effective. An EC is typically composed of an active ingredient (insecticide) dissolved in a water immiscible solvent, often derived from petroleum, and a mixture of surfactants that are added to act as an emulsifier (The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Chapter 3 : Pesticide Types & Formulations. ARIZONA AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING MANUAL. (2000)). This type of formulation is called a concentrate because it is designed to be diluted in water prior to use to deliver the proper insecticide dose. For example, an EC may contain 1 to 5 pounds of insecticide active ingredient per gallon and is intended to be diluted in water before spraying. When the mixture is added to water in a farmer's mix tank, an emulsion of finely dispersed solvent droplets (in which the insecticide is dissolved) forms with a typical white, milky appearance. The emulsion may quickly separate into water and oil phases (oil floating on top of water), which is referred to as an emulsion failure (U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,400 to Narayanan & Goehner), or, preferably, the emulsion may remain stable and dispersed for hours— and in some cases days or weeks.

[0007] A related type of emulsified product is known as an emulsion in water, abbreviated EW (also referred to as a concentrated emulsion or CE formulation), where a manufacturing concentrate is pre-mixed with water and sold as a stable emulsion which can then be diluted. One drawback to EW formulations is they can develop high viscosity and be difficult to pour. A further related formulation type is known as a microemulsion or ME. This formulation type typically contains high levels of surfactants, forms a stable, clear solution when produced, and, upon dilution in water, produces a clear solution.

[0008] Of the types of emulsified products, EC products greatly outnumber EW products in the market place because of their economical nature and the many kinds of pesticides that are amenable to being formulated as an EC.

[0009] Emulsion stability is an important property of an EC and can be impacted by the nature of the active ingredient, the type and amount of solvent, and the type and amount of emulsifier in the formulation. Sometimes an emulsion can be very stable in water, which has low ionic strength (for example 34 ppm dissolved solids) but unstable in high ionic strength water (e.g., 1000 ppm dissolved solids). The quality of an emulsion is important for pesticide performance and as such, there are standard test methods for assessing the stability of a particular product (see, e.g., ASTM Method El 116-98; see also CIPAC Method MT 36). The ability to remain stable in high ionic strength aqueous solutions becomes a critical factor when an EC insecticide (such as the insecticide bifenthrin) is added to a tank containing an aqueous-based starter fertilizer, such as 10-34-0. Typical ECs of bifenthrin separate immediately when added to 10-34-0 due to the high ionic strength.

[0010] There are at least two prior methods to overcome this incompatibility of pesticide formulations in liquid fertilizers. For example Cummings (U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,587) teaches the addition of attapulgite clay to liquid fertilizer prior to addition of an organophosphate EC insecticide. The fertilizer plus clay addition allows for a stable emulsion to form in the final combined solution. In this application, unfortunately, the clay cannot be added to the EC formulation and must be added separately to the mixture, creating handling and mixing problems at the user level. In U.S. Patent No. 8,263,527 to Martin, attapulgite clay is also used, but in this case it is added to a suspension concentrate (SC) formulation of the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin. The SC formulation forms a stable suspension in liquid fertilizer without separation in a two (2) hour time period. In both cases above, the formulation must be added to cold water, as the in-furrow planting/fertilizer application occurs early in the growing season and spray water is typically cold in this part of the season. SC formulations can suffer from high viscosity and poor dispersion in cold water, again causing handling and mixing problems for the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is an object of this invention to supply an EC formulation that is readily and easily emulsified into an aqueous-based fertilizer, especially starter fertilizers, and that typically does not separate into oil and water phases for a minimum of one hour in a standard laboratory test. It is another object of this invention to supply an EC formulation that is readily and easily emulsified into an aqueous-based fertilizer, especially starter fertilizers, and that typically does not separate into oil and water phases for a minimum of one hour in field-use conditions (tank mix and application tank). It is a further object of this invention to supply an adjuvant composition formulation that is readily and easily mixed with a water immiscible pesticide in an aqueous-based fertilizer, especially starter fertilizers, to form an emulsion, and that typically does not separate into oil and water phases for a minimum of one hour in field-use conditions (tank mix and application tank).

[0012] It is another object of this invention to provide compositions for controlling soil pests, such as insects or fungi, which are capable of forming a stable emulsion in an aqueous-based fertilizer, especially starter fertilizers, and then delivering this stable emulsion to the target soil, seed, seedling, or plant (treatment target) via useful application methods such as sprays or in-furrow application. The compositions of this invention use a surfactant blend which contains an alkylpolyglucoside (APG) surfactant and, optionally, an alcohol ethoxylate and/or other co-surfactants. Minor amounts of other formulants are included to stabilize the surfactant blend, including, but not limited to, glycol and methyl ester solvents for low temperature stability and cold water mixability, organic acids to adjust pH to ensure chemical stability of the active ingredient, defoamers, and/or preservatives. No attapulgite, montmorillonite, or kaolin clays are used in this invention.

[0013] It is a further object of this invention to provide methods for controlling soil pests, such as insects or fungi, by providing a composition capable of forming a stable emulsion in an aqueous-based fertilizer, especially starter fertilizers, and delivering this stable emulsion to the target soil, seed, seedling, or plant (treatment target) via useful application methods such as sprays or in-furrow application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The following detailed description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the invention. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0015] We have surprising discovered EC (emulsified concentrate) formulations that allow for an EC pesticide composition to be readily and easily emulsified into an aqueous-based starter fertilizer and that typically does not separate into oil and water phases for a minimum of one hour in a standard laboratory test. Even more surprising, is the discovery that the EC formula can contain from 5% to up to 25% water by total weight without forming an "emulsion in the can," and remains transparent and free flowing. It is this property that makes this novel EC formulation discovery different from conventional EC (which contain no water) and EW (which are milky emulsions in the can) formulations. We have also discovered that the adjuvant composition formulations can be mixed with the water immiscible pesticide in an application ready composition, i.e., a tank mix, that have beneficial emulsion properties.

[0016] The EC and adjuvant formulation compositions of this invention use a surfactant blend which contains an alkylpolyglucoside (APG) surfactant (e.g., AGNIQUE® PG 8105, BASF Corporation, Cincinnati, OH) and, optionally, an alcohol ethoxylate (such as ECOSURF™ EH-6, Dow Chemical, Midland, MI) and/or other co- surf actant(s). Minor amounts of other formulants are included to stabilize the physical properties of the final product blend, including, but not limited to, glycol and methyl ester solvents for low temperature stability and cold water mixability, organic acids to adjust pH to ensure chemical stability of the active ingredient, defoamers, and/or preservatives. Use of one or more of these optional additional other formulants may depend on the desired properties of the final product blend and environmental factors (such as climate and geography of the intended application site). No attapulgite, montmorillonite, or kaolin clays are used in this invention.

[0017] APG surfactants are known in the art as being both tolerant of high electrolyte solutions (such as aqueous-based starter fertilizers) and being hydrotropes. A hydrotrope is a compound that solubilizes hydrophobic compounds in aqueous solutions. Typically, hydrotropes consist of a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part, but the hydrophobic part is generally too weak functionally to cause spontaneous aggregation or micelle formation. Hydrotropes do not have a critical concentration above which self- aggregation "suddenly" starts to occur— as found for micelle- and vesicle-forming surfactants, which have a critical micelle concentration (cmc).

[0018] The preferred commercial form of the APG used in the present EC and adjuvants formulations (AGNIQUE® PG 8105) is sold containing 40% by weight of water, and other common APG products also contain from 40% to 50% water. Consequently, using an APG in an EC formulation is fraught with difficulty, as the water in the surfactant is not soluble with the water immiscible solvent, resulting in incompatibility and poor physical stability of the formulation as evidenced by phase separation into solvent and water layers upon standing. Therefore, APG alone will not function as the sole surfactant in the formulations of this discovery. Additional surfactants and/or formulants can be used to assist the APG. For example, a straight or branched chain alcohol ethoxylate can be used in the surfactant blend as a co-surfactant. Other co-surfactants capable of stabilizing the formulation with water and APG can be used in addition to or in place of an alcohol ethoxylate.

[0019] As mentioned above, other auxiliary formulants can be added to ensure long term storage stability and user acceptability, including, but not limited to, glycol and methyl ester solvents for low temperature stability and cold water mixability, organic acids to adjust pH to ensure chemical stability of the active ingredient, defoamers, and/or preservatives. No attapulgite, montmorillonite, or kaolin clays are used in the novel EC or adjuvant formulations. [0020] The above formulation compositions are well suited to be directly added to an aqueous-based fertilizer, especially starter fertilizers, in a mixing or treatment tank without further dilution, if desired by the user. Alternatively, the adjuvant formulation composition can be mixed together with the fertilizer and the water immiscible pesticide in the tank. In the tank a stable emulsion will form, allowing for consistent application of the pesticide via in-furrow dribble or injection, direct application to soil via shanking or spraying, or chemigation via irrigation systems. Depending on the pesticide and the pest involved, any or all of these applications methods may be used.

[0021] Here we provide further details of our EC and adjuvant formulation compositions and methods for control of soil-borne pests when the formulated pesticides are applied to the soil with an aqueous-based fertilizer, such as the liquid "starter fertilizer" 10-34-0 (ammonium polyphosphate solution) or other aqueous-based starter fertilizers with different N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium) amounts.

[0022] It has been surprisingly discovered that a water-containing surfactant, such as alkylpolyglucosides (APG) plus co-surfactant, can be incorporated into an EC pesticide formulation consisting of a water immiscible solvent system and pesticide without forming an emulsion, resulting in a clear, stable solution. The "on-board" water neither turns the EC compositions cloudy nor increases the viscosity of the system like concentrated emulsions (CE, also called EW) do. The lack of viscosity increase is particularly useful when the product is deployed in cold water for early season application. Suitable alkylpolyglucosides include AGNIQUE ® PG 8105, AGNIQUE ® PG 8107 and AGNIQUE ® PG 9116 (all available from BASF in Cincinnati, OH). Preferably, the APG is AGNIQUE ® PG 8105. Other alkylpolyglucosides can also be used, if the desired EC properties discussed herein remain in the final EC pesticide formulation.

[0023] The alkylpolyglucosides (APG) preferably comprises a carbon chain length of 6 to 18, but other carbon chain lengths for APG may be acceptable and considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The alkylpolyglucosides (APG) is present in the concentrate composition formulations in from 10 to 70% by weight. Preferably, the alkylpolyglucosides (APG) is present in the concentrate composition formulations in from 25 to 70% by weight. More preferably, the alkylpolyglucosides (APG) is present in the concentrate composition formulations in from 40 to 60% by weight.

[0024] At least one non-ionic co-surfactant is also included in the EC formulations of the present invention and is selected from one or more of the following groups: straight chain alcohol ethoxylates (e.g., AGNIQUE® IDA-6, BASF, Cincinnati OH); branched chain alcohol ethoxylates (ECOSURF™ EH-6, Dow, Midland MI; LUTENSOL® XP-80, BASF, Cincinnati, OH); alkylaryl ethoxylates (TERGITOL® NP- 9, Dow, Midland, MI); castor oil ethoxylates or other alkoxylated triglycerides (AGNIQUE® CSO-36, CASO-25, and CSO-16, BASF, Cincinnati, OH); sorbitan esters and sorbitan ester ethoxylates (AGNIQUE® SMO, AGNIQUE® STO, AGNIQUE® SMO-20, or AGNIQUE® STO-20, BASF, Cincinnati, OH); fatty acid polyethylene glycol esters (AGNIQUE® PEG 400 DO, BASF, Cincinnati OH), ethylene-propylene block co-polymers (PLURONIC® P-104, BASF, Cincinnati, OH), alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, naphthalene sulfonate condensates, alkanolamides, alkylphenol ethoxylates, betaines, amine oxides, ethoxylated fatty amines, fatty alcohols, fatty acid PEG (polyethyleneglycol) esters, ethoxylated fatty acids, glycerol and polyglycerol esters, polyol esters, phosphate esters, sulfates, sulfosuccinates, ether sulfates, diphenyl sufonates, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block co-polymers, acrylic copolymers, taurates, sarcosinates, iminopropionates, and combinations thereof. Named examples in the list above are provided as examples only, and are not meant to be limiting in any way.

[0025] The water immiscible solvent system for dissolving a water insoluble pesticide may contain a water immiscible solvent selected from light or heavy aromatic solvents, linear or branched paraffinic oils, dimethylamides, alkyl esters, aromatic esters, alkyl substituted pyrrolidones, glycerol esters, fatty alcohols, ethoxylated methyl esters, long chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, vegetable oils, terpene-based solvents (such as, without limitation, turpentine, d-limonene, and pine oils), and combinations thereof.

[0026] In some embodiments the pesticide active ingredient of the novel EC formulations of the present invention is an insecticide. Suitable insecticide active ingredients for use in the novel EC formulations of the present invention include 1,2- dichloropropane, abamectin (avermectins), acephate, acetamiprid, acethion, acetoprole, acrinathrin, acrylonitrile, alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, aldrin, allethrins, allosamidin, allyxycarb, alpha-cypermethrin, alpha-ecdysone, alpha-endosulfan, amidithion, aminocarb, amiton, amiton oxalate, amitraz, anabasine, athidathion, azadirachtin, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, azothoate, barium hexafluorosilicate, barthrin, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bensultap, beta-cyfluthrin, beta-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, BIOALLETHRIN®, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, bistrifluron, borax, boric acid, bromfenvinfos, bromocyclen, bromo-DDT, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, bufencarb, buprofezin, butacarb, butathiofos, butocarboxim, butonate, butoxycarboxim, cadusafos, calcium arsenate, calcium polysulfide, camphechlor, carbanolate, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, carbophenothion, carbosulfan, cartap, cartap hydrochloride, chlorantraniliprole, chlorbicyclen, chlordane, chlordecone, chlordimeform, chlordimeform hydrochloride, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenvinphos, chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chloroform, chloropicrin, chlorphoxim, chlorprazophos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorthiophos, chromafenozide, cinerin I, cinerin II, cinerins, cismethrin, cloethocarb, closantel, clothianidin, copper acetoarsenite, copper arsenate, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, coumaphos, coumithoate, crotamiton, crotoxyphos, crufomate, cryolite, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, cyanthoate, cyantraniliprole, cyclethrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, cyromazine, cythioate, DDT, decarbofuran, deltamethrin, demephion, demephion-O, demephion-S, demeton, demeton-methyl, demeton-O, demeton-O-methyl, demeton-S, demeton-S-methyl, demeton- S-methylsulphon, diafenthiuron, dialifos, diatomaceous earth, diazinon, dicapthon, dichlofenthion, dichlorvos, dicresyl, dicrotophos, dicyclanil, dieldrin, diflubenzuron, dilor, dimefluthrin, dimefox, dimetan, dimethoate, dimethrin, dimethylvinphos, dimetilan, dinex, dinex- diclexine, dinoprop, dinosam, dinotefuran, diofenolan, dioxabenzofos, dioxacarb, dioxathion, disulfoton, dithicrofos, d-limonene, DNOC, DNOC-ammonium, DNOC- potassium, DNOC-sodium, doramectin, ecdysterone, emamectin, emamectin benzoate, EMPC, empenthrin, endosulfan, endothion, endrin, EPN, epofenonane, eprinomectin, esdepallethrine, esfenvalerate, etaphos, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethiprole, ethoate-methyl, ethoprophos, ethyl formate, ethyl-DDD, ethylene dibromide, ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide, etofenprox, etrimfos, EXD, famphur, fenamiphos, fenazaflor, fenchlorphos, fenethacarb, fenfluthrin, fenitrothion, fenobucarb, fenoxacrim, fenoxycarb, fenpirithrin, fenpropathrin, fensulfothion, fenthion, fenthion-ethyl, fenvalerate, fipronil, flonicamid, flubendiamide (additionally resolved isomers thereof), flucofuron, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate, flufenerim, flufenoxuron, flufenprox, fluvalinate, fonofos, formetanate, formetanate hydrochloride, formothion, formparanate, formparanate hydrochloride, fosmethilan, fospirate, fosthietan, fufenozide, furathiocarb, furethrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, gamma-HCH, halfenprox, halofenozide, HCH, HEOD, heptachlor, heptenophos, heterophos, hexaflumuron, HHDN, hydramethylnon, hydrogen cyanide, hydroprene, hyquincarb, imidacloprid, imiprothrin, indoxacarb, iodomethane, IPSP, isazofos, isobenzan, isocarbophos, isodrin, isofenphos, isofenphos-methyl, isoprocarb, isoprothiolane, isothioate, isoxathion, ivermectin, jasmolin I, jasmolin II, jodfenphos, juvenile hormone I, juvenile hormone II, juvenile hormone III, kelevan, kinoprene, lambda-cyhalothrin, lead arsenate, lepimectin, leptophos, lindane, lirimfos, lufenuron, lythidathion, malathion, malonoben, mazidox, mecarbam, mecarphon, menazon, meperfluthrin, mephosfolan, mercurous chloride, mesulfenfos, metaflumizone, methacrifos, methamidophos, methidathion, methiocarb, methocrotophos, methomyl, methoprene, methothrin, methoxychlor, methoxyfenozide, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methylchloroform, methylene chloride, metofluthrin, metolcarb, metoxadiazone, mevinphos, mexacarbate, milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, mipafox, mirex, monocrotophos, monomehypo, monosultap, morphothion, moxidectin, naftalofos, naled, naphthalene, nicotine, nifluridide, nitenpyram, nithiazine, nitrilacarb, novaluron, noviflumuron, omethoate, oxamyl, oxydemeton-methyl, oxydeprofos, oxydisulfoton, para-dichlorobenzene, parathion, parathion-methyl, penfluron, pentachlorophenol, permethrin, phenkapton, phenothrin, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosfolan, phosmet, phosnichlor, phosphamidon, phosphine, phoxim, phoxim-methyl, pirimetaphos, pirimicarb, pirimiphos-ethyl, pirimiphos-methyl, potassium arsenite, potassium thiocyanate, pp'-DDT, prallethrin, precocene I, precocene II, precocene III, primidophos, profenofos, profluralin, profluthrin, promacyl, promecarb, propaphos, propetamphos, propoxur, prothidathion, prothiofos, prothoate, protrifenbute, pymetrozine, pyraclofos, pyrafluprole, pyrazophos, pyresmethrin, pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, pyrethrins, pyridaben, pyridalyl, pyridaphenthion, pyrifluquinazon, pyrimidifen, pyrimitate, pyriprole, pyriproxyfen, quassia, quinalphos, quinalphos-methyl, quinothion, rafoxanide, resmethrin, rotenone, ryania, sabadilla, schradan, selamectin, silafluofen, silica gel, sodium arsenite, sodium fluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate, sodium thiocyanate, sophamide, spinetoram, spinosad, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, sulcofuron, sulcofuron- sodium, sulfluramid, sulfotep, sulfoxaflor, sulfuryl fluoride, sulprofos, tau-fluvalinate, tazimcarb, TDE, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tebupirimphos, teflubenzuron, tefluthrin, temephos, TEPP, terallethnn, terbufos, tetrachloroethane, tetrachlorvinphos, tetramethrin, tetramethylfluthrin, theta-cypermethrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, thicrofos, thiocarboxime, thiocyclam, thiocyclam oxalate, thiodicarb, thiofanox, thiometon, thiosultap, thiosultap-disodium, thiosultap-monosodium, thuringiensin, tolfenpyrad, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, transpermethrin, triarathene, triazamate, triazophos, trichlorfon, trichlormetaphos-3, trichloronat, trifenofos, triflumuron, trimethacarb, triprene, vamidothion, vaniliprole, XMC, xylylcarb, zeta-cypermethrin, zolaprofos, and combinations thereof (collectively these commonly named insecticides are defined as the "Insecticide Group").

[0027] In preferred embodiments, the insecticide is selected from the group consisting of bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, imidacloprid, lambda- cyhalothrin, permethrin, pyrethrins, tebupirimphos, terbufos, tefluthrin, chlorethoxyfos, dichlorvos, phorate, dicrotophos, and combinations thereof. In more preferred embodiments, the insecticide is selected from the group consisting of bifenthrin, tebupirimphos, terbufos, tefluthrin, chlorethoxyfos, dichlorvos, and combinations thereof. In further preferred embodiments, the insecticide is bifenthrin.

[0028] In some embodiments the pesticide active ingredient of the novel EC formulations of the present invention is a fungicide. Suitable fungicide active ingredients for use in the novel EC formulations of the present invention include (3- ethoxypropyl)mercury bromide, 2-methoxyethylmercury chloride, 2-phenylphenol, 8- hydroxyquinoline sulfate, 8-phenylmercurioxyquinoline, acibenzolar, acibenzolar-S- methyl, acypetacs, acypetacs-copper, acypetacs-zinc, aldimorph, allyl alcohol, ametoctradin, amisulbrom, ampropylfos, anilazine, aureofungin, azaconazole, azithiram, azoxystrobin, barium polysulfide, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, benquinox, bentaluron, benthiavalicarb, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, benzalkonium chloride, benzamacril, benzamacril-isobutyl, benzamorf, benzohydroxamic acid, bethoxazin, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, bithionol, bixafen, blasticidin-S, Bordeaux mixture, boscalid, bromuconazole, bupirimate, Burgundy mixture, buthiobate, butylamine, calcium polysulfide, captafol, captan, carbamorph, carbendazim, carboxin, carpropamid, carvone, Cheshunt mixture, chinomethionat, chlobenthiazone, chloraniformethan, chloranil, chlorfenazole, chlorodinitronaphthalenes, chloroneb, chloropicnn, chlorothalonil, chlorquinox, chlozolinate, climbazole, clotrimazole, copper acetate, copper carbonate basic, copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper silicate, copper sulfate, copper zinc chromate, cresol, cufraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclafuramid, cycloheximide, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cypendazole, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dazomet, dazomet- sodium, DBCP, debacarb, decafentin, dehydroacetic acid, dichlofluanid, dichlone, dichlorophen, dichlozoline, diclobutrazol, diclocymet, diclomezine, diclomezine-sodium, dicloran, diethofencarb, diethyl pyrocarbonate, difenoconazole, diflumetorim, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dimoxystrobin, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocap-4, dinocap-6, dinocton, dinopenton, dinosulfon, dinoterbon, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, disulfiram, ditalimfos, dithianon, DNOC, DNOC- ammonium, DNOC-potassium, DNOC-sodium, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, dodemorph benzoate, dodicin, dodicin-sodium, dodine, drazoxolon, edifenphos, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, etem, ethaboxam, ethirimol, ethoxyquin, ethylmercury 2,3- dihydroxypropyl mercaptide, ethylmercury acetate, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury chloride, ethylmercury phosphate, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulf, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenitropan, fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, flumetover, flumorph, fluopicolide, fluopyram, fluoroimide, fluotrimazole, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutianil, flutolanil, flutriafol, fluxapyroxad, folpet, formaldehyde, fosetyl, fosetyl- aluminium, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, furcarbanil, furconazole, furconazole-cis, furfural, furmecyclox, furophanate, glyodin, griseofulvin, guazatine, halacrinate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, hydrargaphen, hymexazol, imazalil, imazalil nitrate, imazalil sulfate, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iminoctadine triacetate, iminoctadine trialbesilate, iodomethane, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb, isoprothiolane, isopyrazam, isotianil, isovaledione, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, mancopper, mancozeb, mandipropamid, maneb, mebenil, mecarbinzid, mepanipyrim, mepronil, meptyldinocap, mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metam, metam-ammonium, metam-potassium, metam- sodium, metazoxolon, metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methylmercury benzoate, methylmercury dicyandiamide, methylmercury pentachlorophenoxide, metiram, metominostrobin, metrafenone, metsulfovax, milneb, myclobutanil, myclozolin, N-(ethylmercury)-p- toluenesulphonanilide, nabam, natamycin, nitrostyrene, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, OCH, octhilinone, ofurace, orysastrobin, oxadixyl, oxine-copper, oxpoconazole, oxpoconazole fumarate, oxycarboxin, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, penflufen, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad, phenylmercuriurea, phenylmercury acetate, phenylmercury chloride, phenylmercury derivative of pyrocatechol, phenylmercury nitrate, phenylmercury salicylate, phosdiphen, phthalide, picoxystrobin, piperalin, polycarbamate, polyoxins, polyoxorim, polyoxorim-zinc, potassium azide, potassium polysulfide, potassium thiocyanate, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride, propiconazole, propineb, proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothiocarb hydrochloride, prothioconazole, pyracarbolid, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyrazophos, pyribencarb, pyridinitril, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyriofenone, pyroquilon, pyroxychlor, pyroxyfur, quinacetol, quinacetol sulfate, quinazamid, quinconazole, quinoxyfen, quintozene, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, sedaxane, silthiofam, simeconazole, sodium azide, sodium orthophenylphenoxide, sodium pentachlorophenoxide, sodium polysulfide, spiroxamine, streptomycin, sulfur, sultropen, TCMTB, tebuconazole, tebufloquin, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tecoram, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thiadifluor, thicyofen, thifluzamide, thiochlorfenphim, thiomersal, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, thioquinox, thiram, tiadinil, tioxymid, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, tolylmercury acetate, triadimefon, triadimenol, triamiphos, triarimol, triazbutil, triazoxide, tributyltin oxide, trichlamide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, uniconazole, uniconazole-P, validamycin, valifenalate, vinclozolin, zarilamid, zinc naphthenate, zineb, ziram, zoxamide, and combinations thereof (collectively these commonly named fungicides are defined as the "Fungicide Group").

[0029] In preferred embodiments, the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of propiconazole, prothioconazole, metconazole, tebuconazole, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, and combinations thereof. In more preferred embodiments, the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of propiconazole, tebuconazole, prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin, and combinations thereof. In further more preferred embodiments, the fungicide is propiconazole.

[0030] In some embodiments the pesticide active ingredient of the novel EC formulations of the present invention is a fatty acid, dicarboxylic acid, fatty acid salt, or derivatives thereof. Suitable fatty acid and dicarboxylic acid active ingredients for use in the novel EC formulations of the present invention include fatty acids from C3 to C22 in carbon chain length and dicarboxylic acids from C2 to CI 8. In preferred embodiments, the carbon chain length is C8, C9, and CIO. Collectively, these fatty acid, dicarboxylic acid, fatty acid salt, or derivatives thereof are defined as the "Fatty Acid Group."

[0031] In another embodiment the formulation may contain water insoluble herbicides including (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) esters and non-auxin herbicides. Representative examples of non-auxin herbicides include acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors, photosystem II inhibitors, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO or Protox) inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 - phosphate (EPSP) synthase inhibitor, glutamine synthetase inhibitor, dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitor, mitosis inhibitors, and nucleic acid inhibitors; salts and esters thereof; racemic mixtures and resolved isomers thereof; and combinations thereof (collectively, these commonly named herbicides and the following representative examples are defined as the "Herbicide Group.").

[0032] Representative examples of ACCase inhibitors include clethodim, clodinafop, fenoxaprop-P, fluazifop-P, quizalofop-P, and sethoxydim.

[0033] Representative examples of ALS or AHAS inhibitors include flumetsulam, imazamethabenz-m, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, metsulfuron, prosulfuron, and sulfosulfuron.

[0034] Representative examples of photosystem II inhibitors include atrazine, cyanazine, diuron, and metibuzin. [0035] Representative examples of PPO inhibitors include acifluorofen, butafenacil, carfentrazone-ethyl, flufenpyr-ethyl, fluthiacet, flumiclorac, flumioxazin, fomesafen, lactofen, oxadiazon, oxyfluorofen, and sulfentrazone.

[0036] Representative examples of carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors include aclonifen, amitrole, diflufenican, mesotrione, and sulcotrione.

[0037] A representative example of a dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitor is asulam.

[0038] Representative examples of mitosis inhibitors include acetochlor, alachlor, dithiopyr, S-metolachlor, and thiazopyr.

[0039] Representative examples of nucleic acid inhibitors include difenzoquat, fosamine, metham, and pelargonic acid.

[0040] In another embodiment, the concentrate composition formulations of the present invention may be diluted to a working dilution strength aqueous-based composition for application. The aqueous-based solution may comprise any water solution. Preferably, the aqueous-based solution is an aqueous-based starter fertilizers. Representative aqueous-based starter fertilizers include (X-Y-Z-A-B, where X = nitrogen content by percent weight, Y = phosphorus content by percent weight, Z = potassium content by percent weight, and A & B may be other fertilizer elements such as sulfur, zinc, manganese, iron, boron, copper, and other micronutrients) 10-34-0, 7-21-7, 25-30-0, 3-18-18, 7-17-3, 18-13-0-7S, 5-0-20-13S, and 10-0-0-lOZn. Many other aqueous-based starter fertilizers are possible depending on the formulation and starting materials used and this list is not intended to be all inclusive.

EXAMPLES

[0041] The following non-limiting examples are provided to illustrate the utility of the present invention. For ease of production, the surfactant blend was prepared separately and then used to prepare the formulated pesticide. This order is not required, and the finished pesticide can be prepared by adding the individual components in a blender.

TABLE 1 - Example 1 Surfactant Blend (by weight, total)

Alkylpolyglucoside 58.70

ECO SURF™ EH-6 30.19

Hexylene Glycol 4.6

Capric/Caprylic Methyl Ester 4.6

Citric Acid 1.82

Preservative 0.09

TABLE 2 - Example 1 Formulated Product (by weight, total)

Heavy Aromatic Solvent 29.0

Technical Bifenthrin (98.1% purity) 17.5

Example 1 Surfactant Blend 54.5

[0042] The formulated product contains 13.14% water based on the commercial APG product in the surfactant blend and the aqueous citric acid containing water. The formulated product is a clear, yellow liquid with low viscosity (e.g., <100 centipoise) at room temperature. No milkiness or other sign of emulsion formation is present. This product is physically stable at 4° C, 25° C and 50° C for 30 days with no phase separation or crystal growth.

TABLE 3 - Example 2 - Single blend

Propiconazole Technical (95% purity) 18.05

Alkylpolyglucoside 52

ECOSURF™EH-6 16.45

Aromatic 150 Solvent 10

Hexylene Glycol 2.5

Citric Acid (50% aqueous solution) 1

[0043] This formulation contains 21.3% water based on the water in the commercial alkylpolyglucoside and citric acid. The product is a clear, yellow liquid with a viscosity of < 100 centipoise.

[0044] Upon dilution in water or in 10-34-0 fertilizer a cloudy emulsion forms which is stable for at least two hours with no phase separation.

[0045] As shown in Example 2, a single blend of all the ingredients will form a clear, stable EC containing water.

[0046] The utility of producing the EC in either two parts (as in Example 1) or in one part (Example 2) gives the maximum flexibility to the producer for how to manufacture the formulation compositions of this invention depending on specific plant equipment.

[0047] TABLE 4 - Summary of Formulation Types Showing Unique Properties of the Present Invention:

[0048] The composition formulations of the present invention are uniquely different from other formulations known to the art by a) containing water and a water immiscible solvent in a stable, single phase system that forms an emulsion on dilution and b) forming stable emulsions upon dilution in an aqueous-based fertilizer, such as starter fertilizer 10-34-0. The composition formulations of the present invention will likewise form stable emulsions upon dilution with other aqueous-based starter fertilizers.

[0049] Another use of the surfactant blend shown in TABLE 1 is as a tank mix adjuvant. The formula shown in TABLE 1 (2 mL) was mixed with 10-34-0 fertilizer (97 mL), and commercial bifenthrin 2 EC (equal to 2 lbs of bifenthrin per gallon) formulation (1 mL) in a 100 ml cylinder and repeatedly inverted to insure complete mixing and emulsion formation. It was compared to a mixture of 10-34-0 (99 mL) and bifenthrin EC (1 mL) prepared in the same manner. The results for the emulsion stability of the resulting mixes are shown in TABLE 5. Emulsion stability is evaluated by the amount of separation of the oil phase from the fertilizer (aqueous) phase as seen on the top of the liquid column.

[0050] TABLE 5 - Summary

[0051] The inventive working dilutions of the composition formulations of the present invention (in an aqueous-based solution or, preferably, in an aqueous-based starter fertilizer), can be used in the methods of the present invention to treat soil, seeds, seedlings, and/or crops as treatment targets in need thereof (wherein "crops" means any agricultural crop, including but not limited to plants (including but not limited to grasses, legumes, fruits, vines, shrubs, trees, etc.) grown for food, feed, seed, cover, or bio- material (e.g., fiber, tobacco, etc.), etc.; and wherein "in need thereof includes but is not limited to preventative treatment or treatment of an active pest (e.g., weeds, insects, fungus, etc.)). The useful working concentrations of the pesticides identified above are well known in the art, and a person of skill in the art would readily know how to reach an appropriate working concentration of such a pesticide in a composition formulation of the present invention for a given application without undue experimentation. The pesticide bifenthrin, for example, as formulated above can be added to either water or a starter fertilizer solution and 1) added to soil via drip application directly into the furrow as crops are planted, 2) shanked into soil before planting, 3) applied via drip or subterranean irrigation, 4) applied via overhead irrigation through nozzles onto soil or as a foliar application, 5) applied via drench or flood irrigation, or 6) other well-known and used methods of application to soil, seeds, seedlings, and/or crops. Additionally, if a foliar fertilizer treatment was preferred such as 1) macronutrients N, K, P, S, Ca, and Mg or 2) micronutrients Zn, Mn, B, CI, Cu, Fe, or Mo, or a combination of macro and micronutrients in their agriculturally acceptable salts, the aqueous EC formulations could be simply mixed into the spray water containing the fertilizer elements.

[0052] The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures and techniques other than those specifically described herein can be applied to the practice of the invention as broadly disclosed herein without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents of methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures and techniques described herein are intended to be encompassed by this invention. Whenever a range is disclosed, all subranges and individual values are intended to be encompassed. This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments disclosed, including any shown in the drawings or exemplified in the specification, which are given by way of example and not of limitation.

[0053] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

[0054] All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

Claims

CLAIMS: We Claim:

1. A liquid fertilizer compatible pesticide composition concentrate comprising: a water insoluble pesticide, a water immiscible solvent, an alkylpolyglucoside with carbon chain length of 6 to 18, and one or more co-surfactant, where the alkylpolyglucoside is present in from 10 to 70% by weight of the concentrate.

2. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the alkylpolyglucoside is present in from 25 to 70% by weight.

3. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the alkylpolyglucoside is present in from 40 to 60% by weight.

4. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the one or more co-surfactant is selected from the group consisting of linear or branched chain alcohol ethoxylates, castor oil ethoxylates or other alkoxylated triglycerides, sorbitan esters and sorbitan ester ethoxylates, alkylaryl ethoxylates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, naphthalene sulfonate condensates, alkanolamides, alkylphenol ethoxylates, betaines, amine oxides, ethoxylated fatty amines, fatty alcohols, fatty acid PEG (polyethyleneglycol) esters, ethoxylated fatty acids, fatty acid polyethylene glycol esters, glycerol and polyglycerol esters, polyol esters, phosphate esters, sulfates, sulfosuccinates, ether sulfates, diphenyl sufonates, ethylene-propylene block co-polymers, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block co-polymers, acrylic copolymers, taurates, sarcosinates, iminopropionates, and combinations thereof.

5. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the water immiscible solvent is selected from the group consisting of light or heavy aromatic solvents, linear or branched paraffinic oils, dimethylamides, alkyl esters, aromatic esters, alkyl substituted pyrrolidones, glycerol esters, fatty alcohols, ethoxylated methyl esters, long chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, vegetable oils, terpene-based solvents, and combinations thereof.

6. The concentrate of claim 1 further comprising at least one optional additive.

7. The concentrate of claim 6, wherein said at least one optional additive is selected from the group consisting of co-solvents, pH adjusters, antifoam agents, preservatives, and combinations thereof.

8. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the concentrate is a liquid composition.

9. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the water insoluble pesticide is an insecticide.

10. The concentrate of claim 9, wherein the insecticide is selected from the group consisting of the Insecticide Group or combinations thereof.

11. The concentrate of claim 9, wherein the insecticide is selected from the group consisting of bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, pyrethrins, tebupirimphos, terbufos, tefluthrin, chlorethoxyfos, dichlorvos, phorate, dicrotophos, and combinations thereof.

12. The concentrate of claim 9, wherein the insecticide is selected from the group consisting of bifenthrin, tebupirimphos, terbufos, tefluthrin, chlorethoxyfos, dichlorvos, and combinations thereof.

13. The concentrate of claim 9, wherein the insecticide is bifenthrin.

14. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the water insoluble pesticide is a fungicide.

15. The concentrate of claim 14, wherein the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of the Fungicide Group or combinations thereof.

16. The concentrate of claim 14, wherein the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of propiconazole, prothioconazole, metconazole, tebuconazole, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, and combinations thereof.

17. The concentrate of claim 14, wherein the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of propiconazole, tebuconazole, prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin, and combinations thereof.

18. The concentrate of claim 14, wherein the fungicide is propiconazole.

19. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the water insoluble pesticide is an herbicide.

20. The concentrate of claim 17, wherein the herbicide is selected from the group consisting of the Herbicide Group or combinations thereof.

21. The concentrate of claim 17, wherein the herbicide is selected from the group consisting of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) esters and non-auxin herbicides.

22. The concentrate of claim 1, wherein the water insoluble pesticide is a fatty acid, dicarboxylic acid, fatty acid salt, or derivatives thereof.

23. The concentrate of claim 22, wherein the fatty acid, dicarboxylic acid, fatty acid salt, or derivatives thereof is selected from the group consisting of the Fatty Acid Group or combinations thereof.

24. The concentrate of claim 22, wherein the fatty acid, dicarboxylic acid, fatty acid salt, or derivatives thereof have a carbon chain length of C8, C9, CIO, or combinations thereof.

25. A method for applying the concentrate of claim 1 comprising the steps of: diluting the concentrate of claim 1 in a solution of an aqueous-based fertilizer to form a working pesticide-fertilizer emulsion, and applying the working pesticide-fertilizer emulsion to a treatment target in need thereof.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the applying step is performed by spraying.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the applying step is performed by in furrow drip application.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the applying step is performed by irrigation.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein by irrigation is selected from the group consisting of by drip irrigation, by subterranean irrigation, by drench or flood irrigation, and by overhead irrigation.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the applying step is performed spraying as a foliar application comprising macronutrients, micronutrients, or combinations thereof in their agriculturally acceptable salts.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the treatment target is selected from the group consisting of a soil, a seed, a seedling, a crop, or combinations thereof.

32. A method of preparing a tank mix composition comprising mixing in a container (a) an aqueous solution, (b) a water insoluble pesticide and a water immiscible solvent, and (c) an alkylpolyglucoside with carbon chain length of 6 to 18 and one or more co- surfactant(s), where the alkylpolyglucoside is present in (c) from 10 to 70% by weight of the concentrate.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein components (b) and (c) are premixed.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the aqueous solution is water.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the aqueous solution is an aqueous-based fertilizer.