Herbicidal compositions containing triazolinones

Abstract

This invention relates to compositions comprising 1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-5(1H)-ones (triazolinones) in combination with the herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D), or like substituted phenoxyalkanoic acids, or esters, or alkali metal or ammonium salts thereof; or with certain herbicidal sulfonylureas, or mixtures of these classes of compounds, to provide herbicidal compositions which are highly effective against a broad array of crop weeds, particularly broadleaf weeds, in crops such as wheat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions comprising 1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-5(1H)-ones (hereinafter "triazolinones") in combination with other herbicidal compounds, which compositions are useful as herbicides, especially against broadleaf weeds such as mustards, kochia, and the like. More particularly, it relates to these triazolinones in combination with the herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid ("2,4-D"), or like substituted phenoxyalkanoic acids, or herbicidally effective commercially available esters, or alkali metal or ammonium salts thereof; or with certain herbicidal sulfonylureas, as defined below (hereinafter "sulfonylureas"), or mixtures of these classes of compounds, to provide post-emergence herbicidal compositions which are highly effective against a broad array of weeds which infest crops.

The triazolinones employed in this invention, their preparation, and their use in combination with other herbicides including known herbicidal acetamides, benzothiodiazinones, triazines, dinitroanilines, and aryl ureas, is known from PCT International Application WO 90/02120, published Mar. 9, 1990, discussed in further detail below, and whose U.S. counterpart is a parent of the present continuation-in-part application. The combination of these triazolinones with 2,4-D, or other substituted phenoxy alkanoic acids, or with sulfonylureas is, however, not taught or suggested by this PCT publication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention it has now been found that compositions comprising triazolinones, as defined herein, in combination with 2,4-D, or like herbicidally effective substituted phenoxy alkanoic acids, or with sulfonylureas, or mixtures of the latter compounds, in agriculturally acceptable carriers, are highly effective post-emergence herbicides in the control of a wide number of weeds which infest crops, particularly members of the mustard family, including shepherdspurse, bitter cress, blue mustard, tansymustard, flixweed, and field pennycress.

These compositions are particularly advantageous in that they provide for rapid kill of the majority of plant tissues, protection against the regrowth of the weeds and herbicidal control over a broad spectrum of broadleaf weeds, thus providing overall better herbicidal control. These compositions are generally faster acting or more effective than any one component alone. In the case of 2,4-D, the combination allows the use of lower rate of 2,4-D, compared with a higher application rate of 2,4-D alone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described in PCT application WO 90/02120 (supra), which is incorporated herein by reference, the triazolinones employed as components of the claimed compositions comprise herbicidal 1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-2,4-triazol-5(1H)-ones of the formula ##STR1## in which

R is halogen or lower alkyl;

R.sup.1 is haloalkyl;

X is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or nitro;

Y is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, halo lower alkylsulfinyl, or halo lower alkoxy;

Q is --CH(R.sup.2)C(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)Q' or --CH.dbd.C(R.sup.4)Q';

R.sup.2 is H or halogen;

R.sup.3 is halogen;

R.sup.4 is H or lower alkyl;

Q' is CO.sub.2 H, CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, CON(R.sup.6)(R.sup.7), CN, CHO, or C(O)R.sup.5 ;

R.sup.5 is alkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, cycloalkyl, benzyl, chlorobenzyl, alkylbenzyl, or haloalkylbenzyl; and each of R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 is independently H, or a radical which is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, phenyl, benzyl, or SO.sub.2 R.sup.6 (in which R.sup.6 is other than H) or is one of said radicals substituted by halogen, alkyl, or cyano;

or a base-addition salt of the compound in which Q' is CO.sub.2 H; or resolved isomers thereof; with the proviso that any alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl moiety have less than 6 carbon atoms and that any cycloalkyl moiety have 3 to 7 carbon atoms.

Preferred amongst these compounds where R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 have the meanings set forth above, and R, R', X and Y may be as follows: each of R and R.sup.1 may, independently, be lower alkyl (preferably methyl) or halo lower alkyl such as fluoro lower alkyl (e.g. CF.sub.2 CHF.sub.2 or CHF.sub.2). R may also be a halogen atom such as chlorine. Preferably R is methyl and R.sup.1 is CHF.sub.2. The substituent X may be hydrogen; halogen such as chlorine, bromine, or fluorine (preferably fluorine); alkyl such as lower alkyl (e.g. methyl); haloalkyl such as halo lower alkyl (e.g. CF.sub.3, CH.sub.2 F or CHF.sub.2); alkoxy such as lower alkoxy (e.g. methoxy); or nitro; and Y may be hydrogen; halogen such as chlorine, bromine, or fluorine (preferably bromine or chlorine); alkyl such as lower alkyl (e.g. methyl); alkoxy such as lower alkoxy (e.g. methoxy); haloalkyl such as halo lower alkyl (e.g. fluoroalkyl); halo lower alkylsulfinyl (e.g. --SOCF.sub.3); or halo lower alkoxy (e.g. --OCHF.sub.2). Particularly preferred X, Y substituents are: 2-F, 4-Cl; 2-F, 4-Br; 2,4-diCl; 2-Br, 4-Cl; and 2-F, 4-CF.sub.3.

It is preferable that any alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or alkylene moiety (such as the hydrocarbon moiety of an alkoxy or haloalkoxy group) have less than 6 carbon atoms, e.g. 1 to 3 or 4 carbon atoms, and that any cycloalkyl moiety have 3 to 7 ring carbon atoms, preferably 3-6 carbon atoms.

Any acidic compounds, including sulfonamides in which NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 is NHSO.sub.2 R.sup.6, may be converted to the corresponding base addition salt by known methods.

Of particular interest in this invention are such compounds as ethyl 2-chloro-3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]propionate, (hereinafter "Compound P") having the formula ##STR2## and, e.g., the 4-chloro analog of this 4-fluoro compound.

Certain of the 1-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-5(1H)-ones of the present invention contain an asymmetric carbon atom; the invention thus includes individual stereoisomers as well as racemic and non-racemic mixtures of enantiomers of the instant compounds. For example, ethyl 2-chloro-3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]propionate ("Compound P") is composed of a 2S and a 2R isomer. The 2S and 2R isomers of Compound P were separated by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), a method known to one skilled in the art, using a DIACEL CHIRALCEL OD column (distributed by Diacel Chemical Industries Ltd., Exton, Pa.), 4.6 mm ID.times.250 mm, packed with silica gel of 10 .mu.m in particle size. Elution was accomplished with 1.5% ethanol in hexane at a flow rate of 1 mL/minute.

The triazolinone compounds may be prepared by methods described in PCT Application WO/02120 or in the following illustrative example, or by methods analogous and similar thereto which are within the skill of the art.

For instance, in Step A of the example below an amino compound of the formula (II) ##STR3## (such as the compound shown in Example 1 of International patent publication WO 87/03782, published Jul. 2, 1987) is reacted (according to the Meerwein arylation reaction described below or a modification thereof) with an olefinic compound having the formula CHR.sup.2 .dbd.CR.sup.4 Q' to form a compound of Formula I above in which Q is --CH(R.sup.2)C(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)Q' and in which R.sup.3 is halogen. In this type of reaction the amino compound is converted to a diazonium salt which then reacts with the olefinic compound through a radical mechanism. The Meerwein arylation reaction is discussed in an article by Doyle et al in J. Org. Chem., 42, 2431 (1977) which also describes a modification of that reaction in which an alkyl nitrite and a copper (II) halide are employed. (Step A of the example below employs the Doyle et al modification.) Instead, one may employ the unmodified reaction, in which the arenediazonium halide is initially prepared in an aqueous halogen acid solution and then mixed with the olefinic compound in the presence of an appropriate solvent (e.g. acetone) followed by the copper salt, such as copper (I) chloride.

Examples of olefinic compounds having the formula CHR.sup.2 .dbd.CR.sup.4 Q' are methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, methyl crotonate, methyl 3-chloroacrylate, methacrolein, vinyl methyl ketone, methacrylonitrile and acrylamide.

The product made by the reactions described above, i.e. a compound of Formula I in which Q is --CH(R.sup.2)C(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)Q' and in which R.sup.3 is halogen, may be treated to form other compounds of this invention. Dehydrohalogenation of that compound (e.g. with sodium hydride or other suitable base), when R.sup.2 is H, yields a compound in which Q is --CH.dbd.C(R.sup.4)Q' (as in Step B of the example). That compound may be hydrogenated or halogenated to form a compound in which Q is --CH(R.sup.2)C(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)Q' and R.sup.3 is H (from hydrogenation, as in Step C) or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are halogen. When Q' is --CO.sub.2 H, the acidic compound of formula I may be converted to the corresponding amide, as by first treating with a reagent such as thionyl chloride to form the acid halide (wherein Q' is, for example, --COCl) and then reacting with ammonia or an amine. Alternative methods of amide formation, involving carbodiimide-mediated coupling, are known, as for example where the amide is formed from the carboxylic acid (of e.g. formula I) and the amine, in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, I-hydroxybenzotriazole and a base such as a tertiary amine, e.g. N,N-diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine, in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran.

Instead of starting with an amino compound one may start with an otherwise identical compound having a CHO group in place of the NH2 group and react it with a Wittig reagent (which may be a standard type of Wittig reagent or a modified type such as a Wadsworth-Emmons reagent). Thus, the reagent may be an alkylidene phosphorane whose alkylidene group has the formula .dbd.C(R.sup.4)Q' such as (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 P.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 R.sub.5 or it may be a phosphonate ylide comprising a phosphonate diester in which the group directly attached to the P atom has the formula --CH(R.sup.4)Q such as (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.2 P(O)CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, used together with, say, NaH in known manner. R.sup.5 is preferably lower alkyl such as methyl or ethyl. The product thereof may be hydrogenated to produce a compound of Formula I in which R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each hydrogen, or it may be halogenated (e.g. with chlorine) to form a compound of Formula I in which R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each halogen. The latter compound may in turn be dehydrohalogenated to form a compound in which R.sup.4 is halogen and then hydrogenated to form a compound of Formula I in which R.sup.4 is halogen and R.sup.3 and R.sup.2 are H.

Instead of starting with a compound containing the triazolinone ring and adding thereto the Q substituent, one may start with a compound of the formula ##STR4## and then form the triazolinone ring. Compounds of Formula III are shown, for instance, in published European patent applications 300387 and 300398. The NH.sub.2 group may be converted to a triazolinone ring in known manner. For instance it may be converted to an NHNH.sub.2 (i.e. hydrazine) group in the conventional fashion, by diazotization followed by reduction with sodium sulfite, and the hydrazine group may be converted to a triazolinone ring.

When X and Y are substituents other than H, such substituents may be introduced at various stages of the process, e.g., prior to the formation of a compound containing the Q substituent. One or both of these substituents may be introduced after the introduction of the Q substituent; for instance, a chlorine substituent on the benzene ring may be introduced during one of the halogenation steps which modify the Q substituent, as described above.

The preparation of the triazolinone components is illustrated by the following example. In this application, all parts are by weight and all temperatures are in .degree.C. unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE

Methyl 3-[2,4-Dichloro-5-(4-Difluoromethyl-4,5-Dihydro 3-Methyl-5-Oxo-1H-1,2,4-Triazol-1-Yl)Phenyl]Propionate

Step A: Methyl 2-Chloro-3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]propionate

To a cold (0.degree. C.), stirred mixture of 28.7 g (0.333 mole) of methyl acrylate, 2.51 g (0.0244 mole) of tert-butyl nitrite, and 2.6 g (0.019 mole) of copper (II) chloride in 50 mL of acetonitrile was added dropwise a solution of 5.0 g (0.016 mole) of 1-(5-amino-2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-5(1H)-one in 15 mL of acetonitrile. After complete addition the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for approximately 18 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with 15 mL of 2N hydrochloric acid solution. The mixture was extracted with four portions of diethyl ether. The combined extracts were dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure to give an oil. The oil was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with n-heptane:ethyl acetate (4:1) to give 5.0 g of methyl 2-chloro-3-[2,4-dichloro-5 -(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-I-yl)phenyl]propionate as an oil.

Step B Methyl 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]-2-propenoate

To a stirred, cold (0.degree. C.) solution of 4.16 g (0.0100 mole) of methyl 2-chloro-3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-l,2,4 -triazol-1-yl)phenyl]propionate in 15 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide was added portionwise 0.29 g (0.012 mole) of sodium hydride. After complete addition the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was heated at 60.degree. C. for six hours, then was stirred at room temperature for approximately 18 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into ice water, and the resultant aqueous mixture was extracted with four portions of diethyl ether. The extracts were combined and washed successively with water and an aqueous, saturated sodium chloride solution. The washed organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and was filtered. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a white foam. The foam was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with n-heptane:ethyl acetate (4:1), to give 1.63 g of methyl 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-l,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]-2-propenoate as a solid, m.p. 141.degree.-151.degree. C.

Step C: Methyl 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]propionate

Hydrogenation of 0.59 g (0.0016 mole) of methyl 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]-2-propenoate over approximately 0.2 g (0.0009 mole) of platinum (IV) oxide in approximately 15 mL of ethyl acetate gave 0.59 g of methyl 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-I-yl)phenyl]propionate as a clear oil, which crystallized upon standing. The crystals were triturated with petroleum ether and recovered by filtration, m.p. 70.degree.-73.degree. C.

The preferred triazolinone component of the compositions of this invention as stated above, namely ethyl 2-chloro-3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-(1H)-1,2,4-triazol-1yl)phenyl]propionate, (i.e., "Compound P") may readily be prepared in accordance with the procedures of the foregoing example, but substituting 1-(5-amino-4-chloro2-fluorophenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl1,2,4-triazol-5-(1H)-one and ethyl acrylate for 1-(5 -amino-2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-5(1H)-one and methyl acrylate in Step A.

As stated above, the second component of the herbicidal triazolinone composition of this invention is preferably a chlorinated phenoxy lower alkanoic acid compound, and most particularly (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid, commonly known as 2,4-D, and the esters, or alkali metal or ammonium salts thereof, all of which are available commercially from several sources, e.g. Chevron (Weed-B-Gone.TM.), Pennwalt (Pennamine.TM.D), and the like. However, there may also be employed related, commercially available herbicidal chlorinated lower alkylphenoxy alkanoic acid compounds as (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid, commonly known as MCPA; 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butanoic acid, commonly known as MCPB; 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid, commonly known as MCPP or mecoprop, and its herbicidally active isomers; and the esters, salts, and amines of each of the above, such as MCPA amine, or MCPA ester, (Riverdale Chemical Co., Glenwood, Illinois), MCPP-p (BASF), or the like.

By the term esters, as used above to define 2,4-D and related phenoxy alkanoic acid derivatives, is meant principally those prepared from C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 aliphatic alcohols. Of these, the isooctyl ester of 2,4-D, which is commercially available as Weedtime II ("2,4-D ester") from Applied Biochemists Inc. (Mequon, Wis.), is preferred. The corresponding salts are generally alkali metal or ammonium salts, commercially available as, e.g., the potassium salt, or as the ammonium salt, (commonly referred to as "amines" of 2,4-D compounds), e.g., the dimethylamine salt. (See, e.g., Farm Chemicals Handbook, Meister Publishing Co. (1990), pp. C-87-88.) The compound MCPP-p, set forth above, is the resolved (+) isomer of the above-defined commercially available mecoprop. (See Farm Chemicals Handbook, supra, pp. C-183-185.).

Alternatively, in a further embodiment of this invention, the triazolinones may instead be combined with herbicidal sulfonylureas of the formula ##STR5##

Included amongst the sulfonylureas which, in accordance with this invention, may be used in combination with the herbicidal triazolinones are known commercially available herbicides such as:

methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate (metsulfuronmethyl), (ALLY.TM. - E. I. DuPont, Wilmington, Del.);

2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide (chlorsulfuron), (GLEAN.TM. - E. I. DuPont, Wilmington, Del.);

methyl 2-[[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-carbony]amino]sulfonyl]methyl]benzoate (bensulfuronmethyl), (LONDAX.TM. - E. I. DuPont, Wilmington, Del.);

methyl 2-[[[[N-(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1 ,3,5-triazin-2-yl)methylamino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate (tribenuron-methyl), (EXPRESS.TM.- E. I. DuPont, Wilmington, Del.);

methyl 3-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-2-thiophenecarboxylate (thifensulfuron-methyl), (HARMONY.TM. - E. I. DuPont, Wilmington, Del.);

ethyl 5-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]- C>carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4carboxylate (pyrazosulfuron-ethyl), (SIRIUS - Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan);

2-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-N,N-dimethyl-3-pyridinecarboxamide (nicosulfuron), (ACCENT.TM. - E. I. DuPont, Wilmington, Del.);

methyl 5-[[[[(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-1-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-pyrazole-4carboxylate (NC-330, - available from Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan);

3-ethylsulfonyl-N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-carbonyl]-2-pyridinylsulfonamide (DPXE 9636, - available from E. I. DuPont Co., Wilmington, Del.); and

N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]-2-chloroimidazo-[1,2-a]pyridinecarboxamide (TH-913, - available from Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan).

The active herbicidal compositions of this invention may also be used in combination with other herbicides, e.g. they may be mixed with, say, an equal or larger amount of known herbicides such as N-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,4-dinitro-3,4-xylidene (pendamethalin); (RS)-2-[2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propionic acid (diclofop); 2,4-difluoro-2-(.alpha.,.alpha.,.alpha.-trifluoro-m-tolyloxy)nicotinalanilide (diflufenican); (.+-.)-2-[4-(6-chloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2yloxy)phenoxy]propionic acid (fenoxaprop); 3-p-cumenyl1,1-dimethylurea (isoproturon); 4-hydroxy-3,5diiodobenzonitrile (ioxynil); or 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba).

The weight ratio of triazolinone to 2,4-D, or to the sulfonylurea in order to obtain the desired herbicidal effect is not critical, and may be varied widely. Thus, for example, the ratio of triazolinone to 2,4-D may range from about 1:125 to 1:2, more preferably 1:17 to 1:4, while the ratio of triazolinone to sulfonylurea may range from about 8:1 to 30:1, more preferably 1:1 to 16:1. It will be understood that these ranges may be adjusted by those skilled in the art depending upon the crops involved, field conditions and the like.

FORMULATIONS

For herbicidal application, the active compositions are formulated by admixture in herbicidally effective amounts with adjuvants and carriers normally employed in the art for facilitating the dispersion of active ingredients for the particular utility desired, recognizing the fact that the formulation and mode of application of a toxicant may affect the activity of the material in a given application. Thus, for agricultural use the present herbicidal compositions may be formulated as granules of relatively large particle size, as water-soluble or water-dispersible granules, as powdery dusts, as wettable powders, as emulsifiable concentrates, as solutions, or as any of several other known types of formulations, depending on the desired mode of application.

These herbicidal compositions may be applied either as water-diluted sprays, or dusts, or granules to the areas in which suppression of vegetation is desired. These formulations may contain as little as 0.1%, 0.2% or 0.5% to as much as 95% or more by weight of active ingredients.

Dusts are free flowing admixtures of the active ingredient with finely divided solids such as talc, natural clays, kieselguhr, flours such as walnut shell and cottonseed flours, and other organic and inorganic solids which act as dispersants and carriers for the toxicant; these finely divided solids have an average particle size of less than about 50 microns. A typical dust formulation useful herein is one containing 1.0 part or less of the herbicidal composition and 99.0 parts of talc.

Wettable powders, also useful formulations for both pre- and postemergence herbicides, are in the form of finely divided particles which disperse readily in water or other dispersant. The wettable powder is ultimately applied to the soil either as a dry dust or as an emulsion in water or other liquid. Typical carriers for wettable powders include Fuller's earth, kaolin clays, silicas, and other highly absorbent, readily wet inorganic diluents. Wettable powders normally are prepared to contain about 5-80% of active ingredient, depending on the absorbency of the carrier, and usually also contain a small amount of a wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agent to facilitate dispersion. For example, a useful wettable powder formulation contains 80.8 parts of the herbicidal compound, 17.9 parts of Palmetto clay, and 1.0 part of sodium lignosulfonate and 0.3 part of sulfonated aliphatic polyester as wetting agents. Other wettable powder formulations are:

______________________________________Component: % by Wt.______________________________________Active ingredients 40.00Sodium lignosulfonate 20.00Attapulgite clay 40.00Total 100.00Active ingredients 90.00Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate 0.10Synthetic fine silica 9.90Total 100.00Active ingredients 20.00Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate 4.00Sodium lignosulfonate 4.00Low viscosity methyl cellulose 3.00Attapulgite clay 69.00Total 100.00Active ingredients 25.00Base: 75.0096% hydrated aluminum magnesium silicate 2% powdered sodium lignosulfonate 2% powdered anionic sodium alkyl- naphthalenesulfonateTotal 100.00______________________________________

Frequently, additional wetting agent and/or oil will be added to the tank-mix for postemergence application to facilitate dispersion on the foliage and absorption by the plant.

Other useful formulations for herbicidal applications are emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) which are homogeneous liquid or paste compositions dispersible in water or other dispersant, and may consist entirely of the herbicidal compound and a liquid or solid emulsifying agent, or may also contain a liquid carrier, such as xylene, heavy aromatic naphthas, isophorone, or other non-volatile organic solvent. For herbicidal application these concentrates are dispersed in water or other liquid carrier, and normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated. The percentage by weight of the essential active ingredients may vary according to the manner in which the composition is to be applied, but in general comprise 0.5 to 95% of active ingredient by weight of the herbicidal composition.

The following are specific examples of emulsifiable concentrate formulations:

______________________________________Component: % by Wt.______________________________________Active ingredients 53.01Blend of alkylnaphthalenesulfonate 6.00and polyoxyethylene ethersEpoxidized soybean oil 1.00Xylene 39.99Total 100.00Active ingredients 10.00Blend of alkylnaphthalenesulfonate 4.00and polyoxyethylene ethersXylene 86.00Total 100.00______________________________________

Flowable formulations are similar to ECs except that the active ingredient is suspended in a liquid carrier, generally water. Flowables, like ECs, may include a small amount of a surfactant, and contain active ingredient in the range of 0.5 to 95%, frequently from 10 to 50%, by weight of the composition. For application, flowables may be diluted in water or other liquid vehicle, and are normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated.

The following are specific examples of flowable formulations:

______________________________________Component: % by Wt.______________________________________Active ingredients 46.00Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate 0.40Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate 2.00Paraformaldehyde 0.10Water 40.70Propylene glycol 7.50Acetylenic alcohols 2.50Xanthan gum 0.80Total 100.00Active ingredients 45.00Water 48.50Purified smectite clay 2.00Xanthan gum 0.50Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate 1.00Acetylenic alcohols 3.00Total 100.00______________________________________

Typical wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents used in agricultural formulations include, but are not limited to, the alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates and sulfates and their sodium salts; alkylaryl polyether alcohols; sulfated higher alcohols; polyethylene oxides; sulfonated animal and vegetable oils; sulfonated petroleum oils; fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols and the ethylene oxide addition products of such esters; and the addition product of long-chain mercaptans and ethylene oxide. Many other types of useful surfaceactive agents are available in commerce. The surfaceactive agent, when used, normally comprises from 1 to 15% by weight of the composition.

Other useful formulations include simple solutions or suspensions of the active ingredient in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as water, corn oil, kerosene, propylene glycol, or other suitable solvents. The

following illustrate specific suspensions:

______________________________________ % by Wt.______________________________________Oil Suspension:Active ingredients 25.00Polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate 5.00Highly aliphatic hydrocarbon oil 70.00Total 100.00Aqueous Suspension:Active ingredients 40.00Polyacrylic acid thickener 0.30Dodecylphenol polyethylene glycol ether 0.50Disodium phosphate 1.00Monosodium phosphate 0.50Polyvinyl alcohol 1.00Water 56.70Total 100.00______________________________________

Other useful formulations for herbicidal applications include simple solutions of the active ingredient in a solvent in which it is completely soluble at the desired concentration, such as acetone, alkylated naphthalenes, xylene, or other organic solvents. Granular formulations, wherein the toxicant is carried on relatively coarse particles, are of particular utility for aerial distribution or for penetration of cover crop canopy. Pressurized sprays, typically aerosols wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in finely divided form as a result of vaporization of a low boiling dispersant solvent carrier, such as the Freon fluorinated hydrocarbons, may also be used. Water-soluble or water-dispersible granules are also useful formulations for herbicidal application of the present compounds. Such granular formulations are free-flowing, non-dusty, and readily water-soluble or water-miscible. The soluble or dispersible granular formulations described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,442 are useful herein with the present herbicidal compounds. In use by the farmer on the field, the granular formulations, emulsifiable concentrates, flowable concentrates, solutions, etc., may be diluted with water to give a concentration of active ingredient in the range of say 0.1% or 0.2% to 1.5% or 2%.

The active herbicidal compositions of this invention may be formulated and/or applied with insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers, or other agricultural chemicals and may be used as effective soil sterilants as well as selective herbicides in agriculture. In applying an active composition of this invention, whether formulated alone or with other agricultural chemicals, an effective amount and concentration of the active compounds are of course employed; for example, amounts as low as 1 g/ha or less, e.g. 1-125 g/ha, may be employed for control of broadleafed weeds with little or no injury to crops such as maize or wheat. For field use, where there are losses of herbicide, higher application rates (e.g. four times the rates mentioned above) may be employed.

Herbicidal Activity

The test species used in demonstrating the herbicidal postemergence activity of the compositions of this invention are set forth in each of the tables below. These tests were conducted on populations of these species located in fields at various locations in the United States, the United Kingdom or France. The crops were planted; the weeds were either planted or grew naturally at these locations.

Test plots were typically 10.0 ft by 20.0 ft, with 6.7 ft by 20.0 ft treated with a given rate of a herbicide or herbicide combination. (At any given location these were at least three, and most always, four replications of the individual treatments.) Control of the weed species and injury to the crop was assessed on a percent basis, relative to the nearest untreated area. Percent control was determined by a method similar to the 0 to 100 rating system disclosed in "Research Methods in Weed Science," 2nd ed., B. Truelove, Ed.; Southern Weed Science Society; Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., 1977. This rating system is set forth in the following table, captioned "Herbicide Rating System."

The herbicides were applied to the test area by spraying an aqueous solution or suspension or emulsion of the compound or combination of compounds over the entire designated area. The formulated herbicides were diluted to a concentration appropriate for the desired application rate on the basis of a spraying rate of 20 gallons per acre. Unless otherwise noted, no surfactant or other adjuvant was added to the spray solution.

For example, to treat the four test replicates at a single location with 0.031 lb/acre of Compound P, 1.04 ml of the 2 lb/gal emulsifiable concentrate formulation was mixed with 1500 ml of water. The solution was sprayed through T-Jet Flat Fan 8002E nozzles (T-Jet Spraying Systems.TM.) at 30 psi pressure.

Applications were typically made when the weed species were 1-3 inches tall. Percent control was rated at various times after application, as shown in the tables below, using the following "Rating System."

______________________________________Herbicide Rating SystemRating DescriptionPercent of Main Crop WeedControl Categories Description Description______________________________________ 0 No effect No crop No weed reduction control or injury10 Slight dis- Very poor weed coloration control or stunting20 Slight Some dis- Poor weed effect coloration, control stunting or stand loss30 Crop injury Poor to more pronounced deficient weed but not lasting control40 Moderate injury, Deficient weed crop usually control recovers50 Moderate Crop injury Deficient to effect more lasting, moderate weed recovery doubtful control60 Lasting crop Moderate weed injury, no control recovery70 Heavy injury and Control some- stand loss what less than satisfactory80 Severe Crop nearly Satisfactory destroyed, a to good weed few survivors control90 Only occasional Very good to live plants left excellent control100 Complete Complete crop Complete weed effect destruction destruction______________________________________

TABLES

Herbicidal data at selected application rates are given for various compounds of the invention in the tables below. The test compounds are identified in footnotes of the tables.

In Tables I-IX the triazolinone ethyl-2-chloro-3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-(1H)-1,2,4-triazol-I-yl)phenyl]propionate (designated in the tables as "Compound P") was employed, but it will be understood that other triazolinones described above may be employed instead.

The other active ingredients of the claimed herbicidal compositions are as identified in the tables.

The scientific names of all the weed species used in these trials are presented in Table X.

In the tables, the tests were carried out using formulations in which Compound P was first admixed with varying amounts of surfactants and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. These formulations were then applied to various test plants, and at various rates, as indicated in these tables, using the triazolinone Compound P in combination with the other herbicides of this invention, also indicated in these tables.

Examples of two such formulations of Compound P employed herein are as follows:

______________________________________ wt/%______________________________________Components (50 g/liter)Cmpd P (91.1% purity) 6.06Emulsifier 1.sup.a 3.20Emulsifier 2.sup.b 3.20Dispersant.sup.c 1.60Aromatic 100 (solvent).sup.d 85.94First Formulation (2 lbs/gal)Cmpd P (95% purity) 26.97Emulsifier 1.sup.a 1.95Emulsifier 2.sup.b 2.60Dispersant.sup.c 1.95Aromatic 100.sup.d 66.53Second Formulation (2 lbs/gal)Cpmd P (91.4% purity) 24.42Emulsifier 1.sup.a 3.50Emulsifier 2.sup.b 1.40Dispersant.sup.c 2.10Aromatic 200.sup.e 68.58______________________________________ .sup.a An emulsifier consisting of 64% of an anionic calcium salt of dodecylbenzene sulfonate, 16% of a nonionic 6molar ethylene oxide condensation product of nonylphenol, and 20% butanol (Whitco Chemical Corp., Organics Div., New York, NY) .sup.b An emulsifier consisting of 56% of an anionic calcium salt of dodecylbenzene sulfonate, 24% of a nonionic 30molar ethylene oxide condensation product of nonylphenol, and 20% butanol (Whitco Chemical Corp., Organics Div., New York, NY) .sup.c A dispersant consisting of a nonionic paste of 100% polyalkylene glycol ether (Union Carbide Chemical and Plastics Co. Inc., Danbury, CT) .sup.d B.P. 156-167.degree. C. (Exxon Chemical Co., Houston, Texas) .sup.e B.P. 231-233.degree. C. (Exxon Chemical Co., Houston, Texas) Of these latter two solvents, the second formulation, which was less phytotoxic, is preferred.

The formulations of the 2,4-D and sulfonylurea components described in the tables are all well-known to those skilled in the art, and are commercially available materials which may be routinely mixed with the above Compound P formulations at desired ratios and dilutions, desirably with water, necessary to obtain the application rates specified in the tables.

It will be apparent that various modifications may be made in the formulations and applications of the compositions of this invention without departing from the inventive concepts herein as defined in the claims.

TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________Weed Control by Compound P Alone and in Combination withExpress .RTM..sup.(a) andHarmony .RTM..sup.(b) Herbicides Evaluated 23 Days after Treatment Cpd. P Express Harmony Alone Alone Comb. Alone Comb.Weed Species L H L H LL LH HL HH L H LL LH HL HHAppln. Rate.sup.(c) Percent Control__________________________________________________________________________Redroot Pigweed 95 100 82 89 95 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100Giant Ragweed 30 55 56 65 54 68 58 63 83 86 84 88 83 91Common 68 94 100 100 98 100 98 100 100 99 99 100 100 100LambsquarterWild Sunflower 56 78 84 93 78 90 79 95 100 100 100 100 100 100Kochia 64 83 98 100 78 99 96 96 90 93 93 100 97 99Wild Buckwheat 48 61 64 50 41 80 68 80 92 96 95 100 97 99Russian Thistle 66 87 100 100 94 100 88 98 100 100 99 100 99 99Wild Mustard 24 31 99 98 81 99 89 99 75 86 74 84 80 84Wild Garlic 54 69 73 83 78 88 74 86 96 94 88 94 90 93__________________________________________________________________________ Application Rate.sup.(c) Compound Low Rate (L) High Rate (H)__________________________________________________________________________ Compound P 0.008 0.015 Express 0.004 0.008 Harmony 0.008 0.015__________________________________________________________________________ L = Low rate H = High Rate LL = Low rate of Cpd. P + low rate of standard LH = Low rate of Cpd. P + high rate of standard HL = High rate of Cpd. P + low rate of standard HH = High rate of Cpd P + high rate of standard .sup.(a) Express: methyl 2[[[[N(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)methylamino]carbonyl]amino]slfonyl]benzoate (tribenuronmethyl) (DuPont, Wilmington, Del.) .sup.(b) Harmony: methyl 3[[[[(4methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl2thiophenecarboxylate (thifensulfuronmethyl) (DuPont, Wilmington, Del.) .sup.(c) Rate of application is in pounds of active ingredient/acre (lb/a TABLE II______________________________________Percent Weed Control by Compound P Alone and inCombination with Express .RTM. Herbicide in Winter Barleyand Winter Wheat Evaluated 22 Days After Treatment Cpd. P Express Cpd. P + ExpressWeed Species (7 g/ha).sup.(a) (19 g/ha) (7 + 19 g/ha)______________________________________Catchweed Bedstraw 100 65 97Red Deadnettle 93 97 100Wild Chamomile 97 97 97Field Forget-Me-Not 95 97 100Corn Poppy 61 99 95Common Chickweed 99 100 100Ivyleaf Speedwell 92 92 97Persian Speedwell 65 85 97Field Violet 65 90 97______________________________________ TABLE III__________________________________________________________________________Percent Weed Control by Compound P Alone and in Combination with Ally.RTM. .sup.(b)Herbicide Evaluated 30 Days After Treatment Percent Control Rate Common Ivyleaf ProstateHerbicide g/ha.sup.(a) Pineappleweed Field Violet Mouseearcress Blackgrass Chickweed Speedwell Knotweed__________________________________________________________________________Cpd. P 10 19 0 0 0 69 96 99 15 25 10 0 0 71 99 99 30 39 17 14 0 81 100 100 60 56 36 25 0 86 100 100Ally 3 34 0 0 0 81 7 95Cpd. P + 15 + 3 53 47 33 0 89 100 100Ally__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.(a) Rate of application is in grams of active ingredient/hectare (g/ha) .sup.(b) Ally: methyl 2[[[[(4methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]enzoate (metsulfuronmethyl) (DuPont, Wilmington, Del.) TABLE IV__________________________________________________________________________Postemergence Wheat Tolerance (Percent Injury) of Compound P Alone and inCombinationwith Ally .RTM. Herbicide 7 Days After Treatment and Weed Control 30 DaysAfter Treatment Percent Control PI.sup.(b) Field- Rate To Catchweed Field Persian Common Forget- Cutleaf Red IvyleafHerbicide g/ha.sup.(a) Wheat Bedstraw Violet Speedwell Chickweed Me-Not Cranesbill Deadnettle Speedwell__________________________________________________________________________Cpd. P 7.5 1 78 13 10 10 13 30 8 15 15 4 89 11 12 6 7 10 13 69 30 8 96 45 12 9 5 10 8 89Ally 6 0 14 79 74 78 55 73 64 0Cpd. P + 7.5 + 6 1 67 81 67 73 53 80 54 30Ally 15 + 6 3 79 92 86 89 83 93 82 81__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.(a) Rate of application is in grams of active ingredient/hectare (g/ha). .sup.(b) PI is percent injury to wheat. TABLE V______________________________________Percent Control of Weeds and Tolerance of Wheat(Percent Injury) with Compound P Alone and inCombination with Ally .RTM. Herbicide Percent Control Percent Catch- Injury to White Persian weed Rate Wheat Mustard Speedwell BedstrawHerbicide g/ha.sup.(a) 7 DAT.sup.(b) 30 DAT 30 DAT 30 DAT______________________________________Cpd. P 10 2 71 91 90 15 4 90 95 92 30 6 95 99 96 60 12 99 99 98Ally 3 0 35 69 25Cpd. P + 15 + 3 4 98 99 97Ally______________________________________ .sup.(a) Rate of application is in grams of active ingredient/hectare (g/ha). .sup.(b) Represents days after treatment. TABLE VI__________________________________________________________________________Percent Weed Control and Percent Wheat Discoloration by Compound P Aloneand in Combination with Ally .RTM. Herbicide in Spring Wheat Evaluated 7and 21Days After Treatment Redroot Common Wild Russian PD.sup.(b) in Pigweed Lambsquarters Tansymustard Kochia Buckwheat ThistleRate Spring Wheat Percent ControlHerbicide lb/a.sup.(a) 7 21 21 21 21 21 21__________________________________________________________________________Cpd. P 0.015 2 43 45 95 23 43 25 0.031 4 63 80 100 45 50 43Ally 0.002 0 90 10 100 10 65 30Cpd. P + 0.015 3 90 55 100 33 40 50Ally + 0.002 0.031 3 84 75 100 38 80 53 + 0.002__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.(a) Rate of application is in pounds of active ingredient/acre (lb/a). .sup.(b) PD is percent discoloration in wheat. TABLE VII__________________________________________________________________________Percent Weed Control by Compound P Alone and in Combination with Ally.RTM. Herbicide in Spring WheatEvaluated 30 Days After Treatment Percent Control Pennsyl- Wild Common Wild vania Common Rate Redroot Common Sun- Marsh- Buck- Smart- Russian Wild Velvet- Lambs-Herbicide lb/a.sup.(a) Pigweed Ragweed flower elder Kochia wheat weed Thistle Mustard leaf quarters__________________________________________________________________________Cpd. P 0.031 87 0 92 98 89 40 10 86 54 95 97 0.063 96 3 95 98 96 75 13 95 60 99 100Cpd. P + 0.031 92 13 97 98 91 33 99 89 98 -- --Ally + 0.002__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.(a) Rate of application is in pounds of active ingredient/acre (lb/a).

Tables VIII and IX (below) demonstrate the improved effect obtained in controlling weeds in post-emergence spring and winter wheat by combining 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid ethyl ester ("2,4-D ester") with Compound P, as compared with the effect of either component alone.

In Tables VIII and IX the expected synergistic effect was calculated as follows, using the Compound P observed values at 0.031 lb./a, and the 2,4-D observed values at 0.50 lb./a: ##EQU1##

In these two tables (VIII and IX) the formulations employed comprised for Compound P a 2.0 lb/gal. emulsifiable concentrate; and for the 2,4-D ethyl ester a commercially available emulsifiable concentrate, each diluted to obtain the indicated application rates.

TABLE VIII__________________________________________________________________________PERCENT CONTROL OF WEEDS IN WINTER WHEAT WITH A CMPD P COMBINATIONWITH 2,4-D ISOOCTYL ESTER 15 DAYS AND 30 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT CMPD P CMPD P 2,4-D Ethyl Ester CMPD P Applied at 0.031 lb/a in Applied Alone Applied Alone Applied Alone Combination with 2,4-D Ethyl Ester at 0.031 lb/a at 0.063 lb/a at 0.5 lb/a Applied at 0.25 lb/aPlant Species Observed Observed Observed Observed Expected__________________________________________________________________________15 DAYS AFTER TREATMENTCommon Ragweed 0* 1 67 99 67Shepardspurse 30 95 15 87 41Bittercress 35 83 17 90 46Sticky Chickweed 17 20 0 25 17Common Lambsquarter 59 89 74 100 89Blue Mustard 68 81 32 89 78Field Bindweed 62 96 15 95 68Tansymustard 45 51 58 93 77Flixweed 80 94 23 94 85Bushy Wallflower 82 96 29 92 87Pennsylvania Smartweed 16 39 16 80 29Common Groundsel 40 49 9 73 45Common Chickweed 5 12 5 50 10Field Pennycress 94 96 94 98 100Velvetleaf 99 100 97 100 10030 DAYS AFTER TREATMENTShepardspurse 93 98 20 97 94Bittercress 90 95 77 95 98Smallseed Falseflax 57 88 51 86 79Blue Mustard 51 64 43 96 72Tansymustard 68 63 88 100 96Flixweed 79 91 39 99 87Bushy Wallflower 90 98 45 97 95Field Pennycress 98 99 99 99 100Common Groundsel 33 44 11 85 40Common Chickweed 10 30 5 30 15White Clover 100 95 37 90 100Sticky Chickenweed 40 10 5 24 43Common Lambsquarter 60 89 93 100 97Field Bindweed 33 84 53 83 69Pennsylvania Smartweed 25 73 15 92 36Velvetleaf 98 99 81 97 100Winter Wheat 4 -- 1 12 5__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE IX__________________________________________________________________________PERCENT CONTROL OF WEEDS IN SPRING WHEAT WITH A CMPD P COMBINATIONWITH 2,4-D ISOOCTYL ESTER 15 DAYS AND 30 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT CMPD P CMPD P 2,4-D Ethyl Ester CMPD P Applied at 0.031 lb/a in Applied Alone Applied Alone Applied Alone Combination with 2,4-D Ethyl Ester at 0.031 lb/a at 0.063 lb/a at 0.5 lb/a Applied at 0.25 lb/aPlant Species Observed Observed Observed Observed Expected__________________________________________________________________________15 DAYS AFTER TREATMENTRedroot Pigweed 82* 95 27 96 87Common Ragweed 0 1 45 99 45Wild Sunflower 85 91 88 88 98Common Marchelder 91 90 79 95 98Kochia 80 90 47 95 89Wild Buckwheat 35 85 73 93 83Pennsylvania Smartweed 9 9 25 62 32Russian Thistle 73 88 36 94 83Common Lambsquarter 100 100 98 100 100Velvetleaf 99 100 96 100 10030 DAYS AFTER TREATMENTRedroot Pigweed 87 96 60 96 95Common Ragweed 0 3 95 100 95Wild Sunflower 92 95 97 92 100Common Marchelder 98 98 98 97 100Kochia 89 96 71 95 97Wild Buckwheat 40 75 71 83 52Pennsylvania Smartweed 10 13 24 50 32Russian Thistle 86 95 73 96 96Common Lambsquarter 97 100 91 99 100Wild Mustard 54 60 98 98 99Velvetleaf 95 99 78 97 99Spring Wheat 2 -- 0 10 2__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE X______________________________________Weed Species Used in These TestsCommon Name Scientific Name______________________________________Redroot Pigweed Amaranthus retroflexusGiant Ragweed Ambrosia trifidaCommon Lambsquarters Chenopodium albumWild Sunflower Helianthus spKochia Kochia scoperiaWild Buckwheat Polygonum convolvulusRussian Thistle Salsola KaliWild Mustard Brassica KaberWild Garlic Allium vinealeCatchweed Bedstraw Galium aparineRed Deadnettle Lamium purpureumWild Chamomile Matricaria chamomillaField Forget-me-not Myosotis arvensisCorn Poppy Papaver rhoeasCommon Chickweed Stellaria mediaIvyleaf Speedwell Veronica hederaefoliaPersian Speedwell Veronica persicaField Violet Viola arvensisPineappleweed Matricaria matricarioidesMouseearcress Arabiodopsis thalianaBlackgrass Alopecurus myosuroidesProstate Knotweed Polygonum aviculareCutleaf Cranesbill Geranium dissectumWhite Mustard Brassica hirtaTansymustard Descurainia pinnataDeadnettles Lamium spRyegrasses Lolium sp.Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifoliaCommon Marshelder Iva xanthiafoliaPennsylvania Smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicumVelvetleaf Abutilon theophrasti______________________________________

From the above results in Tables I-IX it will be seen that generally, the combinations of Compound P with the herbicides disclosed herein do provide a broader spectrum of weed control than do each of the herbicides when tested alone. A brief discussion of the tables of data follows:

In Table I, the combination of Compound P and Express herbicide provides greater control of wild buckwheat than either Compound P or Express herbicide when applied alone. The combination of Compound P and Harmony herbicide broadens the spectrum of activity of Compound P to include improved control of giant ragweed, wild sunflower, wild buckwheat, wild mustard, and wild garlic.

In Table II, the combination of Compound P and Express herbicide provides greater control of corn poppy in winter wheat and winter barley than does Compound P alone. In addition, the combination of Compound P and Express herbicide provides greater control of persian speedwell and field violet than either compound when applied alone.

In Table III, the combination of Compound P and Ally herbicide provides greater control of pineappleweed, field violet, and mouseearcress than either Compound P or Ally herbicide alone.

In Table IV, the combination of Compound P and Ally herbicide appears to be particularly efficacious. The combination provides greater control of nearly all of the weed species (i.e. field violet, persian speedwell, common chickweed, field forget-me-not, cutleaf cranesbill, red deadnettle, and ivyleaf speedwell) than does either Compound P or Ally herbicide alone. The combination of Compound P and Ally herbicide provides greater than 75% control of all of the weed species in these trials.

In Table V, the combination of Compound P and Ally herbicide provides nearly 100% control of persian speedwell and white mustard up to about 65 days.

Also, in Table V, the data shows that the combination of Compound P and Ally herbicide is essentially not phytotoxic to wheat.

In Table VI, the combination of Compound P and Ally herbicide broadens the spectrum of activity of both compounds as compared to each when applied alone. The combination, again is essentially not phytotoxic to spring wheat.

In Table VII, the combination of Compound P and Ally herbicide greatly increases the control of Pennsylvania smartweed and wild mustard as compared to the control shown by Compound P when applied alone.

In Tables VIII and IX, Compound P and the 2,4-D ester were tested alone and in combination. The combinations provided a clear showing of synergism as evidenced by the comparison of the observed control from the combination with the expected (calculated) control, shown in the last two columns of Tables VIII and IX. Note especially the results for:

common ragweed, shepherdspurse, bittercress, field bindweed, tansymustard, flixweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, and common groundsel, at 15 days after treatment in Table VIII;

for blue mustard, flixweed, common groundsel, field bindweed, and Pennsylvania smartweed, at 30 days after treatment in Table VIII;

for redroot pigweed, common ragweed, wild buckwheat, Pennsylvania smartweed, and russian thistle, at 15 days after treatment in Table IX; and

for wild buckwheat, at 30 days after treatment in Table IX.

Claims

1. A synergistic herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of the combination of:

(1) a triazolinone of the formula ##STR6## in which R is halogen or lower alkyl;

R.sup.1 is haloalkyl;

X is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or nitro;

Y is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, halo lower alkylsulfinyl, or halo lower alkoxy;

Q is --CH(R.sup.2)C(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)Q' or --CH.dbd.C(R.sup.4)Q';

R.sup.2 is H or halogen;

R.sup.3 is halogen;

R.sup.4 is H or lower alkyl;

Q' is CO.sub.2 H, CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, CON(R.sup.6)(R.sup.7), CN, CHO, or C(O)R.sup.5 ;

R.sup.5 is alkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, cycloalkyl, benzyl, chlorobenzyl, alkylbenzyl, or haloalkylbenzyl; and each of R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 is independently H, or a radical which is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, phenyl, benzyl, or SO.sub.2 R.sup.6 (in which R.sup.6 is other than H) or is one of said radicals substituted by halogen, alkyl, or cyano;

or a base-addition salt of the compound in which Q' is CO.sub.2 H; with the proviso that any alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl moiety have less than 6 carbon atoms and that any cycloalkyl moiety have 3 to 7 carbon atoms, and (2) dichloro- or chloro-lower alkylphenoxy lower alkanoic acids, or their corresponding herbicidally effective esters, or alkali metal or ammonium salts, in admixture with a suitable carrier.

2. The composition of claim 1 comprising a triazolinone of the formula ##STR7## and a dichloro- or chloro-lower alkylphenoxy lower alkanoic acid or its corresponding herbicidally effective ester, or alkali metal or ammonium salts in admixture with a suitable carrier.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the phenoxy alkanoic acid is 2,4-D.

4. The composition of claim 2 wherein the phenoxy alkanoic acid is 2,4-D ammonium salt.

5. The composition of claim 2 wherein the phenoxy alkanoic acid is MCPA ammonium salt.

6. The composition of claim 2 wherein the phenoxy alkanoic acid is MCPP.sub.p.

7. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of the composition of claim 1.

8. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of the composition of claim 2.

9. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of the composition of claim 3.

10. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of the composition of claim 4.

11. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of the composition of claim 5.

12. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of the composition of claim 6.