IE42635B1 - Plant growth regulating and weed killing compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with 6-amino-o-toluic acid as plant growth regulating and weed killing agents. The invention is also concerned with a process for the manufacture of said agents and with a method of regulating plant growth by means of said agents or the essential active ingredient thereof.

Description

The present invention is concerned with plant growth regulating and weed killing compositions. The invention is also concerned with a process for the manufacture of said compositions and with a method of regulating plant growth by means of said compositions or the essential active ingredient thereof.

According to the present invention a plant growth regulating composition contains an effective amount of 6-amino-o-toluic acid in association with a compatible carrier material. These compositions are particularly useful as post-emergence and pre-emergence plant growth regulators and herbicides. However, the post-emergence plant growth regulating activity is predominant.

Further according to the present invention a method for the regulation of plant growth and killing weeds comprises treating the plants to be regulated or the weeds to be killed with an effective amount of 6-amino-o-toluic acid.

The expression plant growth regulator as used in this specification denotes, for example, a compound which either retards or stimulates the growth of main or side branches or shoots of plants. Such a compound is capable of influencing the flower initiation and formation, the shoot or branch formation, the parthenocarpy, the abscission of fruit and/or leaves and the ripening of fruit and/or leaves with or without the prior application of fertilisers. In addition, such compounds have an effect and an influence on the transport of substances within the plants; for example, a stimulation of the latex flow and/or the metabolism or, for' example, an increase in the sugar content within the plant, which may also increase frost resistance. Such a compound may affect the extent of stomatal opening, thus increasing drought resistance and reducing or even eliminating the harmful effects of atmospheric pollutants (e.g. ozone and sulphur dioxide). - 2 42635 6-Amino-o-toluic acid is especially active in stimulating latex flow.

The expression intact plant denotes a normal growing plant as opposed to a detached part of a plant, e.g., stem segments, coleoptiles or any other explant.

In shrubs, for example, this regulating activity produces a retardation of the growth in height with concomitant stimulation of the side-growth.

The plant growth regulating agents provided by the 10 present invention are especially active in regulating the growth of the following plants (especially young plants): a) Cereals such as corn, rice, wheat, rye) barley, oats; b) Trees and shrubs such as fruit trees (e.g. apple, pear, peach, cherry and lemon) as well as cocoa, tea, coffee, banana, rubber, olive and walnut; c) Ornamental plants such as privet, hornbeam, white cedar, juniper, rose, azalea, chrysanthemum, poinsettia, cyclamen, pyrocantha, forsythia, magnolia, petunia and bromeliad; d) Field plants such as sugar cane, grapevine, cotton, soya bean, groundnut, tobacco, flax, sugar beet and pineapple; e) Vegetables such as Solanaceae (e.g. tomatoes), legumes, pumpkins, melons; £) Berries such as strawberries, bilberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and redcurrants; and g) Grasses.

According to the process provided by the present invention the plant growth regulating and weed killing agents aforesaid are manufactured by mixing an effective amount of 6-amino-<3-toluic acid with a compatible carrier material.

In order to achieve a homogeneous distribution of 6-amino-o-toluic acid in the present plant growth regulating and weed killing agents, it is mixed with conventional liquid or solid adjuvants, modifiers, diluents or conditioning agents 135 which are customary in plant growth regulating and weed killing agents and the resulting mixture is formulated into solutions,emulsions, emulsifiable concentrates, dispersions, dusts, granulates or wettable powders.

Plant growth regulating and weed killing agents in the form of liquid formulations suitable for direct spraying can be prepared, for example, in the form of aqueous solutions whenever possible - or as solutions in solvent mixtures, for example acetone and water.

Emulsifiable concentrates containing 5-502 or mote of 6-amino-o-toluic acid depending on the solubility thereof can be prepared using suitable solvents such as N-methyl-pyrrolidine, dimethylformamide, cyclohexanone, etc. Surface-active substances (e.g. wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers etc.) are added in a sufficient amount to produce a formulation having the desired characteristics.

Typical forms in which the plant growth regulating agent of the invention may be put up are (a) aqueous concentrates containing from 10 to 502, by weight, of the active compound; (b) ready-to-use solutions containing 0.0001 to 10.02,by weight, of active compound; (c) water-soluble powders containing from 10 to 902, by weight, of active compound; (d) sprayable powders containing from 35 to 652, by weight, of active compound; (e) dusting powders or granules containing 2 to 102, by weight, of active compound; (f) flowable liquids containing 10 to'402, by weight, of active compound.

The various application forms can be better adapted to the various purposes for which 6-amino-£-toluic acid may be used if substances which improve the dispersion, adhesion, penetration and resistance to rain are added. Such substances include fatty acids, waxes, resins, wetting agents, emulsifiers, mineral oils, vegetable oils, binding agents.

In a similar manner, the biological spectrum of the present plant growth regulating agents may be greatly broadened by the addition of substances having bactericidal, herbicidai or fungicidal properties or by the addition of fertilisers, chelate-forming agents and other plant growth regulators.

Examples of herbicides and plant growth regulators which can be present in the plant growth regulating agents provided by the present invention are: 2,2-dichloropropionic acid, N-(4-aminobenzenesulphonyl)methylcarbamate, 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-l,3,5-triazine, 4- chloro-2-oxobenzothiazolin-3-yl-acetic acid, - bromo-6-methy1-3-(1-methyl-n-propyl)uracil, 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile, d,N-ethyl~2-(phenylcarbamoyloxy) propionamide, N-(4-bromo-3-chlorophenyl)-Ν'-methoxy-N'-methylurea, methyl 2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate, Ν’-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-pheny1-N,N-dimethylurea, isopropy1-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-carbamate, 2.3.5.6- tetrachloroterephthalic acid dimethyl ester (DCPA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 4-isopropylamino-6-aethylamino-2-methylthio-1,3,5-triazine, n-butyl 9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate, ethylene, naphthoxyacetic acid, 3.6- dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid, (ί)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid, 9,10-dihydro-8a,10a-diozoniaphenanthrene-2A, N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-Ν,N-dimethylurea, gibberellic acid, indolylacetic acid;, indolylbutyric acid, 4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzonitrile, N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea, (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid, 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyric acid, (1)-2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid, N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-N,N'-dimethylurea, N'-(3-chloro-4-methoxypheny1)-N;N-dimethylurea, 2635 1.2.3.6- tetrahydro-3,6-dioxopyridiazine, N’-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea, N ’.-(4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea, naphthylacetic acid, N-l-napthylphthalamic acid 2.4- dichlorophenyl 4-nitrophenyl ether, 1,1’-dimethyl-4,4’-bipyridylium-2A, 3- (111+ tolylcarbamoyloxy)phenyl carbamate, 4- amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid, 4.6- bis-isopropylamino-2-methylthio-1,3,5-triazine, N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-propionamide, isopropyl-N-phenylcarbamate, - amino-4-chloro-2-phenylpyridazin-3(2H)-one, N-difflethylaminosuccinic acid, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid, , tribuyl-2,4-dichlorobenzyl-phosphonium chloride, 2.4.5- trichlorphenoxypropionic scid, 2.3.6- trichlorobenzoic acid, 2-chloro-4,6-bis-ethylamino-1,3,5-triazine, sodium chloroacetate, 2.4.5- trichlorphenoxyacetic acid, -chloro-6-methy1-3-tert.butyluracil, 4-ethylamino-2-methylthio-6-tert.butylamino-1,3,5-triazine-(tert.butyryn), 2.3.5- triiodobenzoic acid and 1.1.4- trimethyl-6-isopropyl-5-propionyl-indane.

Examples of fungicides which may be present in the plant growth regulating agents provided by the present invention are: 2.4- dichloro-6-(o-chloraniline)-S-triazine, 2.4.5.6- tetrachloroisophthalic acid nitrile, p-dimethylaminophenyldiazo sodium sulphonate, 1.4- diohloro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene, manganese ethylene-bia-dithiocarbamate, zinc ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate, coordination product from zinc and manganese ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate, methyl l-(butylcarbamoyl)-2-benzimidazole carbamate, 2-(4-thiazole)-benzimidazole and cis-N-[(trichloromethyl)-thio]-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide.

The amount of 6-amino-£-toluic acid which can be used for the regulation of plant growth and killing of weeds may be based on the results set forth hereinafter. However, it will be appreciated that these results are not exhaustive and that, in addition, numerous other factors influence the amount used. For example, the amount can vary not only between different species of plants but also within a specific species (e.g.depending on factors such as the size and the age of the plant), the time of year, the type of soil and climatic conditions at the time of use such as the air temperature, light intensity, rain and wind. Furthermore, if the plant growth regulating and weed killing agent comes into contact with the plant via irrigation of the soil, higher concentrations will be necessary since, with this type of use, the plant is indirectly treated in comparison with a direct treatment by application of the plant growth regulating and weed killing agent on to leaves and stems (e.g. by spraying).

Accordingly, the amount of the plant growth regulating or weed killing agent varies according to the plants to be controlled, the amount required for application, the method of application and the degree of regulation of plant growth which is desired. In general, the present agents contain less than 50% of 6-amino-£-toluic acid in a ready-for-use spray form, e.g. 35 to 65% in powder form and up to 10% in liquid form.

In principle, the amount of 6-amino-£-toluic acid which is used is chosen so that an effective control of the plant growth is achieved. Accordingly, the choice of the minimum amount of 6-amino-£-toluic acid used is governed by the minimum amount of 6-amino-o-toluic acid which is able to effect the lower limit of growth retardation desired. The choice of the maximum amount of 6-amino-£-toluic acid used is correspondingly governed by that amount of 6-amino-£-toluic acid which is able to bring about the upper limit of growth retardation desired. In the control of grasses, particularly - 7 12635 home lawns and industrial turfs, e.g. golf courses, it has been established that a maximum growth retardation as evidenced by diminished grass height as compared to an untreated control of about 402-60% is desirable with about 502 growth retardation preferred. Any retardation less than 402 is ineffective in that grass control is not substantial enough to have a sufficient aesthetic effect and to reduce or eliminate manual care.- On the other hand, retardation greater than 602 results in an undesired skimpy appearance to the lawn or turf with subsequent invasion thereof by weeds and other undesirable plants.

The amount of 6-amino-o-toluic acid corresponding to these criteria or bringing them about is determined by these aspects of the tomato plant. In order to achieve post-emergence growth regulating and weed killing activity, amounts of 0.5 kg to 10 kg or more of 6-amino-jJ-toluic acid per hectare are used. In a similar manner, the best post-emergence growth regulating activity is generally obtained using amounts which lie between 1 kg and 5 kg or more of 6-amino-o_-toluic acid per hectare. A preferred range for spray solutions lies between 1 part per million and 150,000 parts per million or more depending on the plant species to be treated. An especially preferred range lies between 100 parts per million and 10,000 parts per million.

A further advantage of plant growth regulating agents containing 6-amino-o-toluic acid lies in the absence of both a lasting effect on the plants and a residual activity which remains in the soil. 6-amino-o-toluic acid decomposes slowly and there is accordingly a consequent reduction in activity. This effect has advantages since a) a short-term effect which may be lengthened by subsequent further treatment is produced; b) the normal growth behaviour of the plant re-occurs in step with the decrease in activity; and c) no harmful residues remain either on the plant or in the soil.

The duration of the retardation effect varies according to factors such as the type of plant treated, - 8 4263S climatic conditions, etc.

Although 6-amino-o-toluic acid possesses a plant growth regulating activity, it is virtually non-toxic to animals. There are weeds which, when treated ds described above, are killed. Examples of such weeds are mentioned in Examples and 7 hereinafter. Further examples of weeds which are killed are e.g. Sorghum halepense, Imperata cylindrica, Panicum spp. and Paspalum spp.

The following Examples illustrate various formulations 10 of the plant growth regulating and weed killing agent of the invention, A· Aqueous formulations.

Because of the amphoteric nature of 6-amino-o-toluic acid, it is possible to form more or less water-soluble salts by reaction with bases or acids, a) Mich bases.

A typical formulation is:6-Amino-£-toluic acid 200 gms.

Diethanolamine 150 gms.

Deionised water ad 1000 mis.

Instead of diethanolamine there can be used other bases, such as dimethylamine, triethanolamine, aminomethyl-propanol and morpholine. The concentration of the active substance depends on the solubility of the salt. These formulations can also contain an amount of surfactant, in order to improve the wetting power, and consequently the activity, of their ready-for-use dilute systems. The formulations will normally be diluted, before use, to an active ingredient concentration between 0.01 and 1.02 by weight, preferably 0.05 to 0.82 by weight. Suitable before dilution formulations are as follows : (i) For a 0.82 active substance concentration 6-amino-£-toluic acid 200 g.

Surfactant 6.25 g.

Diethanolamine 150 g.

Deionised water ad 1000 mis. 12635 (ii) For a 0.05% active substance concentration 6-amino-o-toluic acid 200 g.

Surfactant 100 g.

Diethanolamine 150 g.

Deionised water ad 1000 mis.

The surfactant may be an anionic surfactant, e.g. an alkali metal salt of an alkyl sulphate, such as sodium lauryl sulphate, or an alkali metal salt of an alkyl arylsulphonic acid, such as sodium dodecyl benzenesulphonate; or a non-ionic surfactant, e.g. condensation products Of ethylene oxide with alkyl phenols (such as the condensation product of nonyl-phenol with 8-10 moles ethylene oxide) and with fatty alcohols (such as the condensation product of stearyl alcohol with 8-10 moles ethylene oxide). b) With acids.

Salts may be formed by reaction of 6-amino-o-toluic acid with such acids as hydrochloric, sulphuric, phosphoric and acetic acids. The salt formed with hydrochloric acid is the most soluble and is preferred. Typical formulations may be prepared from the following batches of ingredients:(i) 6-amino-o-toluic acid 100 g.

HCl (32%) 151 g.

Deionised water ' - · ad 1000 mis . (ii) 6-amino-£-toluic acid 100 g.

Surfactant 6.25 g.

HCl 151 g Deionised water ad 1000 mis. (this gives, on dilution, a 0.8% active ingredient content). (iii) 6-amino-o-toluic acid 100 g.

Surfactant 100 g.

HCl 151 g.

Deionised water ad 1000 mis. (this gives, on dilution, a 0.05% active ingredient content) The surfactant may be non-ionic, as described above, or cationic, e.g. alkylbenzylammonium compounds such as dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride .

B. Powder-fora water-soluble formulations (by salt-formation) Two typical formulations, one the other an acid, are as follows: containing a base and i 6-amino-£-toluic acid 20.0 Soda, calcined 15.5 Sodium lauryl sulphate (surfactant) 1.0 Lactose 63.5 Sulphaminic acid Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide solid block polymerisate (80Z polyethyleneglycol ether chains) (non-ionic surfactant) ii .0 66.0 13.0 1.0 These formulations are prepared by mixing the ingredients and finely milling them to give a free-flowing powder which is wettable with water and dissolves to a clear solution c. Solid formulations. (i) Spray powder (wettable powder) 6-amino-£-toluic acid 50.0 g. Hydrated silicic acid 5.0 g. Sodium lauryl sulphate (surfactant) 1.0 g. Sodium lignosulphonate (dispersant) 2.0 g. Kaolin B 24 42.0 g. The ingredients are well mixed and finely milled to give a free-flowing powder which is wettable with water and has good suspension capability. (ii) Dusting agent. 6-amino-£-toluic acid 5.0 g.

Talc 95.0 g.

The components, on intimate mixing and milling, give a powder with good dusting capability. (iii) Granulate . 6-amino-o-toluic acid 5.0 g Polyethyleneglycol (PEG 500) 2.0 g Ca COj, granulated, 1 mm 93.0 g The calcium carbonate granules are uniformly sprayed with the PEG and are then mixed with finely milled 6-amino-O-toluic acid. The PEG acts as an adhesive and bonds the active substance to the carrier particles.

D. Other formulations. (i) The following ingredients are mixed and milled in a ball mill until the particle size of the active substance is within the range 1 to 5 microns. 6-amino-o-toluic acid 250 g.

Sodium salt of a sulphonated naphthalene-formaldehyde condensation product (dispersant) g. g. 1000 mis.

Bentonite Deionised water fid There is obtained a homogeneous, pourable preparation which is dispersible in water to give a ready-for-use spray dispersion. (ii) Emulsifiable concentrate. 6-amino-o-toluic acid 100 g.

Emulsifier 100 g.

Cyclohexanone ad 1000 mis.

(The emulsifier is a mixture of a condensation product obtained from nonyl phenol with 8-10 moles ethylene oxide and the Calcium salt of dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid). The active substance and the'emulsifier are dissolved in cyclohexanone to give a clear solution which emulsifies spontaneously in water and later even solubilises. (iii) Spray solution, 6-amino-o-toluic acid 2.0 g.

Acetone 97.9 g.

Tensiofix AS (surfactant) 0.1 g.

(Tensiofix AS is a mixture of nonionic alkylphenol derivatives, polyethylene oxide alkylphenol condensation product and anionic dodecyl benzene sulphonate and also contains unspecified, but small, amounts of n-butanol and carbon tetrachloride). The formulation will normally be diluted immediately before application, to give a concentration of active substances of 0.1 to 0.22 by weight, with water and Tween 20 (Trade. Mark).

As will be evident from the following further Examples, a particular advantage of the present invention is that the plant growth regulating agents possess pre-emergence and post-emergence plant growth regulating activity when used for the treatment of various plants, the range of plants being extremely wide. The growth regulating activity of the present agents will be evident from the following greenhouse test for the determination of the post-emergence activity. 1635 Example 1 Several concentrations of 6-amino-£-toluic acid are sprayed on to the plant so that a complete spray coating is obtained. The spray solution contains, by weight, 1.0%, 0.5% or 0.25% of 6-amino-£-toluic acid, 0.1% of Tensiofix AS (see above), 48.9%, 49.4% or 49.65% of acetone and 50% of water. Three weeks after treatment, the plants are assessed for herbicidal activity. The results are given in Table I.

Table I Test plants Dosage kg/hectare) 2,5* Dosage (kg/hectare) 5* Dosage (kg/hectare) 10* Sorghum halepense 80 90 100 Rumex obtusifolius 80 100 100 Chrysanthemum segetun 100 100 100 Panicum miliaceum 90 100 80 (* percentage leaf area necrotic) Example 2 In order to demonstrate growth' retarding activity ia per cent relative to untreated plants on wheat, barley and blue grass, a solution containing, by weight, 0.4% of 65 -amino-o-toluic acid, 49.5% of acetone, 0.1% of Tensiofix AS and 50% of water was used. This concentration of 6-amino-£-toluic acid corresponds to an amount of 4 kg/hectare. The results are given in Table II.

Table II Percentage growth retardation relative Test. PlLfl to untreated controls wheat (triticum aestivum) 25 15 barley (Hordeum distichon) 40 blue grass(Poa pratensis) 75 Example 3 The growth retarding activity of 6-amino-£-toluie acid, in comparison with that of the known plant growth regulator 2-chloroethyl trimethyl chloride (CCC), was tested on wheat (Triticum aestivum Svenna) and barley (Hotdeum distichon Union)plants. Solutions (2%) of the active ingredient were prepared in acetone/water mixtures to which were added 0.2%, by weight, Tween 20 surfactant. The plants were treated in a greenhouse, at mean relative humidity 70%, average night temperature 18°C and day temperature 22-26°C, with treatment solutions in various amounts. The plants were treated twice, at one of two growth stages, either at the 3-leaves stage or at the 6-leaves stage, and the average lengths of the plants (six in each group) were' measured in each case 3 weeks after each application. The results are set out in Table III. (2635 Table III Test plant Plant Stage Average length in cms. Untreated Oppm CCC lOOOppm 6-amino-£-toluic acid lOOOppm 500ppm 250ppm Triticum aestivum 3 leaves 15.9; 9,9 5.6 7.2 12.1 It II 6 24.0 19.2 16.2 23.5 25.8 Hordeum distichon 3 19.8 16.0 9.2 9.8 18.7 II It δ 33.4 26.5 14.3 25.3 29.8 lc is seen Chat at lOOOppm 6-amino-a-toluic acid was superior to CCC on both species and at both growth stages.

Example 4 ' The growth retarding activity of 6-amino-o-toluic acid in comparison with that of the known regulating agent Sustare (Trade Mark) (3‘-(trifluoromethylsul£onamide)-acetotoluide) was tested on four grass species listed in Table IV below. Solutions of the active ingredients were made up in a manner similar to those of Example 3 but with only 0.1% Tween 20 surfactant.

The plants were treated in a greenhouse, at mean relative humidity 70%, average night temperature 18°C and day temperature 22-26°C, at various treatment levels when the plants were 4 cos in height. Their heights were again measured 3 weeks later and the average height of 6 plants in each case is recorded in Table IV, together with the percentage growth reduction relative to untreated plants.

Table IV Test plant Kg.active ingredient/ha Length of plant in cms. Untreated Sustar 5-amino-£-toluic acid 0 4 2 1 0.5 0.25 Poa prateneis 25 14 18 5 5 5 Lolium perenne 28 20 26 21 26 27 Agroetis tenuis 21 6 7 5 9 13 Peetuca rubra 20 10 16 5 5 111 ' 1 Growth reduction in untreated ι1 2 relitive tio 1 * I Poa pratensis 0 44 28 80 80 80 Lolium perenne 0 29 7 25 7 4 Agrostis tenuis 0 71 67 76 57 38 Kestuca rubra 0 50 20 75 75 45 It is seen that 6-amino-£-toluic acid at lkg/ha is superior to Sustar at 2kg/ha on all four species.

Example 5 The parthenocarpic activity of 6-amino-o-toluic acid was tested, in comparison with the known gibberellic acid (GA.g) on the tomato species Lycopersicum esculegtum Tiny Tim (Trade Mark), under the same greenhouse conditions as described in Examples 3 and 4. The application solutions were acetone/water solutions containing 22 active ingredient and 0.22 Tween 20. When the tomato plants showed flowers and gteen fruits 10 flower buds per plant were emasculated and 2 drops of test solution were applied to each bud using a micropipette. When the fruits matured, 59 days later, they were counted, opened and checked for seeds. The results are given in Table V. 2635 Table V Number of fully developed fruits GA3 (ppm a.i.) 6-amino-o-toluic acid (ppm. a.i.) 50 10 1000 100 10 1 0 0 0 8 9 7 10 0 It will be sees that only those plants treated with 6-amino-£-toluic acid set fruit. Further, it wae noted that all of these fruits were parthenocarpic (seedless).

Example 6 Tomato (Tiny Tim) plants were sprayed to run off with a 100 ppm solution of 6-amino-o^-toluic acid when half the fruits on the first truss were red. Ripe fruits were picked over the next 19 days. At the end of this period 27.22 of all fruits had ripened on the treated plants against 22.92 on the controls. Since ripening is associated with ethylene it is logical to assume that other ethylene effects e.g. latex stimulation, fruit abscission, defoliation of cotton and nursery stock plants, are achieved through use of this compound.

Example 7 The post-emergence herbicidal activity of 6-amino-o-toluic acid was demonstrated by spraying Digltaria sanguine! (3 leaved stage) and Rumex obtusifolius (2 leaved stage) at 3 kg a.i./ha using a spray volume of 1000 1/ha. When the plants were assessed 3 weeks later a 702 and 1002 kill was observed on D.sanguinalis and R.obtusifolius respectively. s »4, The 6-amino-o-toluic acid may be marketed in portions of varying size in packages or containers suitable for agrochemical purposes. These packages or containers may consist of paper, plastic material, glass or metal. The 65 amino-o-toluic acid in these packages or containers may be used for the regulation of the growth of plants or for the killing of weeds.

In a preferred embodiment the plant growth regulating and weed killing agent contains an effective amount of 6-amino10 o-toluic acid In association with at least one compatible carrier material of a molecular weight of 200 or more.

We are aware that the literature has reported an attempt to determine whether 6-amino-g-toluie acid exhibits any growth-regulating activity in connection with plant segments. Such attempt concluded that this compound was inactive in that context.

For the avoidance of doubt, we make no claim herein to 6-amino-o-toluic acid per se or to its simple solutions and suspensions in common solvents.

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS:1. A composition for the regulation of plant growth or the killing of weeds containing an effective amount of 6-amino-o-toluic acid in association with a compatible carrier material.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 which contains at least one carrier material with a molecular weight of 200 ot more.

3. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in the > form of a concentrate containing from 10 to 65%, by weight, of 6-amino-o-toluic acid.

4. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in the form of a ready-to-use solution containing 0.0001 to 10.0%, by weight, of 6-amino-o-toluic acid.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in the form of a water soluble powder containing from 10 to 90%, by weight, of 6-amino-Q-toluic acid.

6. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in the form of a sprayable powder containing from 35 to 65%, by weight, of 6-amino-o-toluic acid.

7. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in the form of a dusting agent or granules containing from 2 to 10%, by weight, of 6-amino-g-toluic acid. - 20 42635

8. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in the form of a flowable liquid containing from 10 to 40%, by weight, of 6-amino-o-toluic acid.

9. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in 5 the form of an emulsifiable concentrate containing 5 to 50%, by weight, of 6-amlno-a-toluIc acid.

10. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 inclusive, containing as or in addition to the compatible carrier material, one or more other plant growth regulating 10 agents, bactericides, herbicides and/or fungicides.

11. A plant growth regulating composition as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described.

12. A process for manufacturing a plant growth regulating or weed killing composition comprising mixing an effective 15 amount of 6-amino-o-toluic acid with a compatible carrier material.

13. A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one compatible carrier material with a molecular weight of 200 or more is used. 20

14. A method for the regulation of the growth of intact plants or the killing of weeds, which method comprises treating the intact plants to be regulated or the weeds to be killed with an effective amount of 6-amino-o-toluic acid. - 21 12635

15. ) A method for the regulation of the growth of intact plants or the killing of weeds as claimed in claim 14, which method comprises treating the intact plants to be regulated or the weeds to be killed with a ready-to-use formulation containing 0.0001 to 152, by weight, of 6-amino-£-tqluic acid.

16. ) A method for the regulation of the growth of intact plants or the killing of weeds as claimed in claim 14, which method comprises treating the intact plants to be regulated or the weeds to he killed with a ready-to-use formulation containing 0.01 to 102, by weight, of 6-amino-o-toluic acid.

17. ) A method for the regulation of the growth of intact plants or the killing of weeds as claimed in claim 14, which method comprises treating the intact plants to be regulated or the weeds to be killed with a ready-to-use formulation containing 0.1 to 52, hy weight, of 6-amino-£-toluic acid.

18. } A method for the regulation of the growth of intact plants or the killing of weeds as claimed in claim 14,/ which method comprises treating the intact .plants to be regulated or the weeds to be killed with a ready-to-use formulation containing 0.1 to 22, by weight, of 6-amino-£-toluic acid.

19. ) A method for the regulation of the growth of intact plants or the killing of weeds as claimed in claim 14, which method comprises treating the intact plants to be regulated or the weeds to be killed with a ready-to-use formulation containing 0.1 to 12, by weight, of 6-amino-£-toluic acid. - 22 42635

20. A method for the regulation of the growth of intact plants or the killing of weeds as claimed in claim 14, which method comprises treating the intact plants to be regulated or the weeds to be killed with a ready-to-use 5 formulation containing 0.1 to 0.5%, by weight, of 6-amino-otoluic acid.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 inclusive, wherein the ready-to-use formulation is in the form of a solution, suspension or emulsion. 10

22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 inclusive, wherein the ready-to-use formulation is in the form of a dusting agent, granules or micro-granules.

23. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 22 for the regulation of plant growth or killing of weeds, which 15 method comprises treating land in which said plants are growing with 0.1 to 20 kg active substance per hectare or with an amount of plant growth regulating or weed killing agent corresponding thereto.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein 0.5 to 10 kg 20 active substance per hectare are used.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein 0.5 to 5 kg active substance per hectare are used.

26. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein 1 to 3 kg active substance per hectare are used.