SYNERGISTIC HERBICIDAL COMBINATIONS AND METHODS OF USE

INCORPORATION OF SEQUENCE LISTING

A paper copy of the Sequence Listing and a computer readable form of the sequence containing the file named 40_—21_—59223_PCT, which is 21 kilobytes in size (as measured in Microsoft Windows Explorer), are provided herein and are herein incorporated by reference. This Sequence Listing consists of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 42.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to synergistic combinations of herbicides and methods of using such synergistic combinations of herbicides to control the growth of one or more plant species in an agricultural or non-agricultural land area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Three classes of herbicides commonly used to control unwanted plant growth on agricultural and non-agricultural lands are auxin herbicides (such as dicamba), photosystem II inhibitor herbicides (such as metribuzin), and chloroacetanilide herbicides (such as acetochlor). Although each class can provide effective herbicidal control against various plant species, additional enhancement of performance is still desirable. Such enhancement of performance can include, for example, further increasing the herbicidal effectiveness, decreasing the required application rate, and/or expanding the spectrum of plant species controlled.

One potential approach to enhancing the performance of a herbicide is to combine it with one or more additional herbicides having further desired properties. The use of herbicide combinations providing multiple modes of action also can be beneficial in delaying and/or preventing the development of resistance in weeds. Where two or more herbicides are applied in combination, however, physical and/or biological incompatibility of the herbicides can sometimes be a problem. Examples of such incompatibility can include antagonism of herbicidal activity (i.e., the performance results are less than expected when the herbicides are combined), insufficient stability of the formulation comprising the herbicides, and/or decomposition of one or more of the herbicides. Suitable herbicide combinations generally should have a favorable herbicidal activity profile and good stability.

Assuming the herbicides selected for the combination are compatible, the performance results typically are no more than additive results (i.e., the herbicide combination gives the performance results expected from the sum of its individual components). In selected cases, however, a combination of two or more herbicides can provide unexpected synergistic performance results. As discussed below, Applicant has identified new synergistic combinations of herbicides. Specifically, Applicant has identified synergistic combinations of an auxin herbicide and a photosystem II inhibitor herbicide, synergistic combinations of a chloroacetanilide herbicide and a photosystem II inhibitor herbicide, synergistic combinations of an auxin herbicide and a chloroacetanilide herbicide, and the use of such synergistic combinations to control unwanted plant growth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of an auxin herbicide to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of a photosystem II inhibitor to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of a chloroacetanilide herbicide to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of a photosystem II inhibitor to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of an auxin herbicide to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of a chloroacetanilide herbicide to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a herbicidal composition comprising:

dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; and

metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof;

wherein the weight ratio of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an acid equivalent weight basis to metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an active ingredient weight basis is from about 4:1 to about 1:4; and

wherein the composition comprises at least about 25 weight percent dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an acid equivalent weight basis.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a herbicidal composition comprising:

acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; and

metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof;

wherein the weight ratio of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an active ingredient weight basis to metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an active ingredient weight basis is from about 1:1 to about 8:1; and

wherein the composition comprises at least about 25 weight percent acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an active ingredient weight basis.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a herbicidal composition comprising:

dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; and

acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof;

wherein the weight ratio of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an acid equivalent weight basis to acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an active ingredient weight basis is from about 2:1 to about 1:8; and

wherein the composition comprises at least about 10 weight percent dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, on an acid equivalent weight basis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention. Further benefits of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from reading this patent application. The embodiments of the invention described in the following paragraphs are intended to illustrate the invention and should not be deemed to narrow the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates generally to combinations of metribuzin and dicamba, combinations of metribuzin and acetochlor, and combinations of dicamba and acetochlor, and their use in tank-mixtures to enhance control of broad-leaf and narrow-leaf weed species in pre-emergence and post-emergence applications. Use of tank-mixtures comprising these combinations can significantly increase overall weed control and/or provide more consistent weed control when compared to each herbicide alone, showing synergism as calculated by the Colby Equation. The herbicidal combinations of the present disclosure can be used beneficially during the cultivation of a variety of crops, including herbicide-tolerant crops such as glyphosate-tolerant crops, dicamba-tolerant crops, and metribuzin-tolerant crops (e.g., metribuzin-tolerant soybean varieties).

Metribuzin is a photosystem II inhibitor that is used as a pre-plant incorporated, pre-emergence, and post-emergence herbicide to control many broad-leaf and narrow-leaf weed species in several crops, including alfalfa, sugarcane, potatoes, and soybeans. It has been discovered that metribuzin can synergize the weed control activity of both dicamba (such as in morning glory) and acetochlor (such as in ryegrass) and extend residual herbicide activity. Such weed control is particularly beneficial where metribuzin is selected for controlling certain glyphosate-resistant weeds (such as Johnsongrass) as well as weeds that are poorly controlled by either acetochlor or dicamba (such as sicklepod and Proso millet). Similarly, it has been discovered that when used in combination dicamba and acetochlor likewise can provide synergistic weed control activity.

I. DEFINITIONS

Section headings as used in this section and the entire disclosure are not intended to be limiting.

Where a numeric range is recited, each intervening number within the range is explicitly contemplated with the same degree of precision. For example, for the range 6 to 9, the numbers 7 and 8 are contemplated in addition to 6 and 9, and for the range 6.0-7.0, the numbers 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 and 7.0 are explicitly contemplated. In the same manner, all recited ratios also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.

The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.”

The term “agriculturally acceptable” (such as in the recitation of an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester) refers to a material which does not abrogate the biological activity or properties of the compound, and is relatively non-toxic, i.e., the material may be administered to a plant without causing undesirable biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the components of the composition in which it is contained.

The term “auxin herbicide” refers to a herbicide that functions as a mimic of an auxin plant growth hormone, thereby affecting plant growth regulation. Examples of auxin herbicides include, without limitation, benzoic acid herbicides, phenoxy herbicides, pyridine carboxylic acid herbicides, pyridine oxy herbicides, pyrimidine carboxy herbicides, quinoline carboxylic acid herbicides, and benzothiazole herbicides. Specific examples of auxin herbicides include dicamba(3,6-dichloro-2-methoxy benzoic acid); 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid); 2,4-DB (4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butanoic acid); dichloroprop(2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid); MCPA ((4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid); MCPB (4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butanoic acid); aminopyralid(4-amino-3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid); clopyralid(3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid); fluoroxypyr([(4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid); triclopyr([(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid); mecoprop(2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid); mecoprop-P((+)-(R)-2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid); picloram(4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid); quinclorac(3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid); and aminocyclopyrachlor(6-amino-5-chloro-2-cyclopropyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid).

The term “chloracetanilide herbicide” includes, without limitation, propachlor(2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide); alachlor(2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide); butachlor(2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(butoxymethyl)acetanilide); acetochlor(2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-6′-ethyl-o-acetotoluidide); diethatyl ethyl(ethyl ester of N-chloroacetyl-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)glycine); dimethachlor(2-chloro-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)acetamide); pretilachlor(2-chloro-N-(2-n-propoxyethyl)-2′,6′-diethylacetanilide); metolachlor(2-chloro-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)-6′ethyl-o-acetotoluidide); metazachlor(2-chloro-2′,6′-dimethyl-N-(1-pyrazol-1-yl-methyl)acetanilide); and trimexachlor(2-chloro-N-isopropyl-1-(3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)acetamide).

Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used on the basis and clear understanding that they are to be interpreted inclusively, rather than exclusively, and that Applicant intends each of those words to be so interpreted in construing this patent, including the claims below.

The terms “herbicide” and “herbicidal” are used herein to denote the inhibitive control or modification of undesired plant growth. Inhibitive control and modification include all deviations from natural development, such as total killing, growth retardation, defoliation, desiccation, regulation, stunting, tillering, stimulation, leaf burn and dwarfing.

The term “herbicidally effective amount” is used to denote any amount which achieves such control or modification when applied to the undesired plants themselves or to the area in which these plants are growing.

The term “herbicide-tolerant crop” refers to a crop that has the inherent ability to survive and reproduce after treatment with a specific herbicide. Such herbicide tolerance may be naturally occurring (such as in soybeans where certain varieties are naturally tolerant to treatment with metribuzin) or induced by such techniques as genetic engineering or selection of variants produced by tissue culture or mutagenesis (such as in ROUNDUP READY® corn which has been genetically-engineered to introduce tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate or in ROUNDUP READY 2 XTEND™ soybeans which have been genetically-engineered to introduce tolerance to the herbicides glyphosate and dicamba (see, e.g., published application US2011/0067134)).

The term “herbicide-resistant plant” refers to an unwanted plant that has the inherent ability to survive and reproduce following exposure to a dose of herbicide normally lethal to the wild type. Examples of glyphosate-resistant plants include Palmer amaranth, Italian ryegrass, common waterhemp, rigid ryegrass, spiny amaranth, perennial ryegrass, giant ragweed, goose grass, common ragweed, Jungle rice, Horseweed, Johnsongrass, hairy fleabane, Sourgrass, Sumatran fleabane, annual bluegrass, Kochia, Aus fingergrass, ragweed parthenium, liver seed grass, buckhorn plantain, ripgut brome, gramilla mansa, and tropical sprangletop. Examples of dicamba-resistant plants include kochia, common hempnettle, lambsquarter, prickly lettuce, and wild mustard.

The term “photosystem II inhibitor herbicide” refers to a herbicide that blocks electron transport and the transfer of light energy through binding to the D1 quinone protein of photosynthetic electron transport, thereby causing injury through photooxidative and photoradical reactions in chloroplasts resulting in membrance rupture. Examples of photosystem II inhibitor herbicides include, without limitation, substituted urea herbicides, triazine herbicides, uracil herbicides, phenyl-carbamate herbicides, pyridazinone herbicides, benzothiadiazole herbicides, nitrile herbicides, and phenyl-pyridazine herbicides. Specific examples of photosystem II inhibitor herbicides include linuron, diuron, metobromuron, fluometuron, tebuthiuron, monolinuron, metribuzin(4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one), atrazine, cyanazine, hexazinone, prometryne, ametryn, simazine, desmedipham, phenmedipham, pyrazon, bromacil, terbacil, bentazon, bromoxynil, and pyridate.

The terms “plants” and “plant species” are intended to include germinated seeds, emerging seedlings and established vegetation, including both roots and above-ground portions.

The term “synergistic herbicidal effect” refers to the herbicidal effect for a given combination of two herbicides where the herbicidal activity of the combination exceeds the total of the individual herbicidal activities of the herbicides when applied separately. The expected activity for a given combination of herbicides can be calculated according to the Colby Equation (see, Colby, S. R., “Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations,” Weeds, Vol. 15, No. 1, pages 20-22 (1967). Specifically:

If:

- X is the percent inhibition of growth by herbicide A at an application rate of m (g/ha),
- Y is the percent inhibition of growth by herbicide B at an application rate of n (g/ha), and
- E is the expected growth as a percent of control with herbicides A+B when applying the active compounds A and B at application rates of m and n (g/ha),

Then:

$E = X + Y - \frac{X * Y}{100}$

- wherein (i) the efficacy is calculated in percent, (ii) an efficacy of 0% corresponds to the untreated control, (iii) an efficacy of 100% means that no growth is observed, and (iv) if the actual herbicidal activity exceeds the calculated value (E), then the herbicidal activity of the combination is more than additive and a synergistic effect exists.

II. METHODS FOR CONTROLLING PLANT GROWTH

The present disclosure relates to the discovery that certain herbicide combinations can increase overall weed control when compared to each herbicide alone, can provide more consistent weed control when compared to each herbicide alone, can produce a synergistic herbicidal effect, and/or can further expand the scope of the agriculturally acceptable uses of the herbicides when compared to each herbicide alone (e.g., by reducing the amount of one or both of the herbicides required for effective growth control, the combination can be employed where use of one of the herbicides of the combination alone was previously thought to be damaging to a crop being cultivated or to be otherwise undesirable).

In the described methods, the application mixture is applied to the unwanted plants at an application rate sufficient to give a commercially acceptable rate of weed control. The appropriate application rate for the application mixture can be readily determined by one of skill in the art and is usually expressed as the amount of herbicide per unit area treated, generally either grams active ingredient per hectare (g a.i./ha) or grams acid equivalent per hectare (g a.e./ha). Where reference is made in this application to an amount of metribuzin or actochlor per unit area, the amount is expressed as grams active ingredient per hectare (g a.i./ha). Where reference is made in this application to an amount of dicamba or glyphosate, the amount is expressed as grams acid equivalent per hectare (g a.e./ha). Depending upon the plant species and growing conditions, the period of time required to achieve a commercially acceptable rate of weed control can be as short as a week or as long as three weeks, four weeks, or one month. Typically, a period of about two to three weeks is needed for the herbicide to exert its full effect.

The timing of application can vary. The application mixture can be applied, for example, pre-planting of the crop plant, such as from about two to about three weeks before planting a crop plant. Crop plants that are not susceptible to the herbicides (e.g., glyphosate-tolerant crops or dicamba-tolerant crops), however, generally have no pre-planting restriction and the application mixture can be applied immediately before planting such crops.

A. Application of Auxin Herbicide and Photosystem II Inhibitor Herbicide

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of an auxin herbicide to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of a photosystem II inhibitor to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another embodiment, the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides. In one aspect, the crop is a metribuzin-tolerant crop.

In another embodiment, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides (i.e., the crop is a transgenic crop). In one aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to glyphosate. In another aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to dicamba. In another aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to both glyphosate and dicamba.

In another embodiment, the auxin herbicide is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid herbicides, phenoxy herbicides, pyridine carboxylic acid herbicides, pyridine oxy herbicides, pyrimidine carboxy herbicides, quinoline carboxylic acid herbicides, benzothiazole herbicides, and agriculturally acceptable combinations thereof. In one aspect, the auxin herbicide is selected from the group consisting of dicamba; 2,4-D; 2,4-DB; dichloroprop; MCPA; MCPB; aminopyralid; clopyralid; fluoroxypyr; triclopyr; mecoprop; mecoprop-P; picloram; quinclorac; aminocyclopyrachlor; and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof. In another aspect, the auxin herbicide is dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof.

In another embodiment, the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of substituted urea herbicides, triazine herbicides, uracil herbicides, phenyl-carbamate herbicides, pyridazinone herbicides, benzothiadiazole herbicides, nitrile herbicides, phenyl-pyridazine herbicides, and agriculturally acceptable combinations thereof. In one aspect, the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of linuron, diuron, metobromuron, fluometuron, tebuthiuron, monolinuron, metribuzin, atrazine, cyanazine, hexazinone, prometryne, ametryn, simazine, desmedipham, phenmedipham, pyrazon, bromacil, terbacil, bentazon, bromoxynil, pyridate, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof. In another aspect, the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of metribuzin, atrazine, cyanazine, hexazinone, prometryne, ametryn, simazine, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof. In another aspect, the photosystem II inhibitor is metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof.

In another embodiment, the auxin herbicide is selected from the group consisting of dicamba; 2,4-D; 2,4-DB; dichloroprop; MCPA; MCPB; aminopyralid; clopyralid; fluoroxypyr; triclopyr; mecoprop; mecoprop-P; picloram; quinclorac; aminocyclopyrachlor; and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof; and the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of linuron, diuron, metobromuron, fluometuron, tebuthiuron, monolinuron, metribuzin, atrazine, cyanazine, hexazinone, prometryne, ametryn, simazine, desmedipham, phenmedipham, pyrazon, bromacil, terbacil, bentazon, bromoxynil, pyridate, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, the auxin herbicide is dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; and the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of metribuzin, atrazine, cyanazine, hexazinone, prometryne, ametryn, simazine, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof. In another aspect, the auxin herbicide is selected from the group consisting of dicamba; 2,4-D; 2,4-DB; dichloroprop; MCPA; MCPB; aminopyralid; clopyralid; fluoroxypyr; triclopyr; mecoprop; mecoprop-P; picloram; quinclorac; aminocyclopyrachlor; and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof; and the photosystem II inhibitor is metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof. In another aspect, the auxin herbicide is selected from the group consisting of dicamba; 2,4-D; 2,4-DB; and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof; and the photosystem II inhibitor is metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof.

B. Application of Dicamba and Metribuzin

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

Examples of suitable dicamba salts that can be used in the present methods include the N,N-bis-[aminopropyl]methylamine, monoethanolamine, dimethylamine (e.g., BANVEL®, ORACLE®, etc.), isopropylamine, diglycolamine (e.g., CLARITY®, VANQUISH®, etc.), potassium, and sodium salts, and combinations thereof. Commercially available sources of diacamba, and its agriculturally acceptable salts, include those products sold under the trade names BANVEL®, CLARITY®, DIABLO®, ORACLE®, VANQUISH®, and VISION®.

Commercially available sources of metribuzin, and its agriculturally acceptable salts, include those products sold under the trade names METRIC), METRIBUZIN 75, and SENCOR®.

1. Crops

In one embodiment of the present methods of controlling growth with a dicamba/metribuzin combination, the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides. In one aspect, the crop is a metribuzin-tolerant crop.

In another embodiment, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides (i.e., the crop is a transgenic crop). In one aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to glyphosate. In another aspect, the crop is a ROUNDUP READY® crop. In another aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to dicamba. In another aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to both glyphosate and dicamba.

In another embodiment, the crop is selected from the group consisting of soybeans, corn, grains, alfalfa, asparagus, carrots, garbanzo beans, lentils, peas, perennial grasses, potatoes, sainfoin, sorghum, sugarcane, and tomatoes.

In another embodiment, the crop is selected from the group consisting of soybeans, corn, and wheat.

In another embodiment, the crop is soybeans. In one aspect, the soybeans are glyphosate-tolerant soybeans. In another aspect, the soybeans are dicamba-tolerant soybeans. In another aspect, the soybeans are ROUNDUP READY® 2 XTEND™ soybeans. In another aspect, the soybeans are metribuzin-tolerant soybeans. In another aspect, the soybeans comprise at least one genetic locus comprising a genotype associated with metribuzin tolerance.

In another embodiment, the crop is corn. In one aspect, the corn is glyphosate-tolerant corn. In another aspect, the corn is dicamba-tolerant corn.

In another embodiment, the crop is wheat. In one aspect, the wheat is glyphosate-tolerant wheat. In another aspect, the wheat is dicamba-tolerant wheat.

2. Application Rates

In one embodiment of the present methods of controlling growth with a dicamba/metribuzin combination, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 50 grams/hectare to about 4480 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis. In one aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis. In another aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 560 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis.

In another embodiment, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 50 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis. In one aspect, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis. In another aspect, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis. In another aspect, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis. In another aspect, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 210 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis.

In another embodiment, the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 1:1 to about 8:1. In one aspect, the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 7:1. In another aspect, the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 6:1. In another aspect, the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 4:1.

In another embodiment, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 50 grams/hectare to about 4480 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 50 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 1:1 to about 8:1. In one aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 7:1. In another aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 560 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 6:1. In another aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 560 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 4:1. In another aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 560 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 210 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 4:1.

3. Application Timing

The dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, can be applied to the plant species either separately or concurrently (e.g., application of a tank mixture containing both herbicides). Further, the present methods of controlling growth generally provide more flexibility in pre-emergent and post-emergent application of the combination.

In one embodiment of the present methods of controlling growth, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied separately to the plant species.

In another embodiment, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied concurrently to the plant species. In one aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; and water are combined to form an application mixture; and the application mixture is applied to the plant species.

In another embodiment, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied before the emergence of the crop.

In another embodiment, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied before the emergence of the crop. In one aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied before the emergence of the crop.

In another embodiment, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied after the emergence of the crop.

In another embodiment, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied after the emergence of the crop. In one aspect, the first amount of dicamba, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied after the emergence of the crop.

4. Plant Species

The present methods generally can be employed to control the growth, for example, of a wide-range of plant species including broad-leaf weed species and narrow-leaf weed species using a dicamba/metribuzin combination. In one embodiment, the plant species is a broad-leaf weed species. In another embodiment, the plant species is a narrow-leaf weed species.

In another embodiment, the plant species is a glyphosate-resistant weed species. In one aspect, the glyphosate-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of Palmer amaranth, Italian ryegrass, common waterhemp, rigid ryegrass, spiny amaranth, perennial ryegrass, giant ragweed, goose grass, common ragweed, Jungle rice, Horseweed, Johnsongrass, hairy fleabane, Sourgrass, Sumatran fleabane, annual bluegrass, Kochia, Aus fingergrass, ragweed parthenium, liver seed grass, buckhorn plantain, ripgut brome, gramilla mansa, and tropical sprangletop. In another aspect, the glyphosate-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of Palmer amaranth, common waterhemp, spiny amaranth, giant ragweed, common ragweed, Horseweed, hairy fleabane, Sumatran fleabane, Kochia, ragweed parthenium, and buckhorn plantain. In another aspect, the glyphosate-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of Italian ryegrass, rigid ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, goose grass, Jungle rice, Johnsongrass, Sourgrass, annual bluegrass, Aus fingergrass, liver seed grass, ripgut brome, gramilla mansa, and tropical sprangletop. In another aspect, the glyphosate-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of Palmer amaranth, Italian ryegrass, common waterhemp, spiny amaranth, giant ragweed, goose grass, common ragweed, Horseweed, Johnsongrass, hairy fleabane, annual bluegrass, junglerice, perennial ryegrass, rigid ryegrass, and Kochia. In another aspect, the glyphosate-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of perennial ryegrass, Horseweed, Johnsongrass, hairy fleabane, Sumatran fleabane, ragweed parthenium, gramilla mansa, Sourgrass, junglerice, goosegrass, Italian ryegrass, and tropical sprangletop. In another aspect, the glyphosate-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of rigid ryegrass, Jungle rice, Horseweed, hairy fleabane, Aus fingergrass, liver seed grass, and ripgut brome. In another aspect, the glyphosate-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of ryegrass and Johnsongrass.

In another embodiment, the plant species is a dicamba-resistant weed species. In one aspect, the dicamba-resistant weed species is selected from the group consisting of kochia, common hempnettle, lambsquarter, prickly lettuce and wild mustard.

In another embodiment, the plant species is selected from the group consisting of morning glory, proso millet, sicklepod, Johnsongrass, ryegrass, barnyard grass, large crabgrass, and velvetleaf. In another aspect, the plant species is selected from the group consisting of morning glory, proso millet, sicklepod, Johnsongrass, ryegrass, barnyard grass, and velvetleaf.

In another embodiment, the plant species is selected from the group consisting of common ragweed, giant ragweed, goosegrass, horseweed, Italian ryegrass, kochia, Johnsongrass, and waterhemp.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise morning glory and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the morning glory.

In one aspect, the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; and the second amount is from about 420 grams/hectare to about 840 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 840 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount is from about 140 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount applied to the second amount applied is from about 1:1 to about 2:1; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise wild proso millet and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the wild proso millet.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise sicklepod and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the sicklepod.

In one aspect, the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise Johnsongrass and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the Johnsongrass.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount is from about 120 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount applied to the second amount applied is from about 1:1 to about 1:2; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise ryegrass and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the ryegrass.

In one aspect, the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; and the second amount is from about 140 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 840 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount applied to the second amount applied is from about 1:1 to about 3:1; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise barnyardgrass and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the barnyardgrass.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of dicamba, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied after emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 280 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an acid equivalent weight basis; and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise velvetleaf and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the velvetleaf.

C. Application of Choracetanilide Herbicide and Photosystem II Inhibitor Herbicide

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of a chloroacetanilide herbicide to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of a photosystem II inhibitor to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

In another embodiment, the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides. In one aspect, the crop is a metribuzin-tolerant crop.

In another embodiment, the chloroacetanilide herbicide is selected from the group consisting of propachlor, alachlor, butachlor, acetochlor, diethatyl ethyl, dimethachlor, pretilachlor, metolachlor, metazachlor, trimexachlor, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof; and the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of linuron, diuron, metobromuron, fluometuron, tebuthiuron, monolinuron, metribuzin, atrazine, cyanazine, hexazinone, prometryne, ametryn, simazine, desmedipham, phenmedipham, pyrazon, bromacil, terbacil, bentazon, bromoxynil, pyridate, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, the chloroacetanilide herbicide is acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; and the photosystem II inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of metribuzin, atrazine, cyanazine, hexazinone, prometryne, ametryn, simazine, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof. In another aspect, the chloroacetanilide herbicide is selected from the group consisting of propachlor, alachlor, butachlor, acetochlor, diethatyl ethyl, dimethachlor, pretilachlor, metolachlor, metazachlor, trimexachlor, and agriculturally acceptable salts, esters, and combinations thereof; and the photosystem II inhibitor is metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof. In another aspect, the chloroacetanilide herbicide is acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the first amount is released from a controlled-release formulation (such as an encapsulated formulation) comprising acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof.

D. Application of Acetochlor and Metribuzin

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides; and

wherein the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the plant species.

Examples of suitable sources of acetachlor, or agriculturally acceptable salts or esters thereof, can include controlled-release formulations comprising acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salts or esters thereof (e.g., encapsulated formulations such as those disclosed in published patent application US2010/0248963, etc.). Commercially available sources of acetochlor, and its agriculturally acceptable salts, include those products sold under the trade names BREAKFEE®, CONFIDENCE®, DEGREE®, FULTIME®, HARNESS®, SURPASS®, TOPNOTCH®, VOLLEY®, and WARRANT®. In one embodiment, the first amount of acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is released from a controlled-release formulation comprising acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Commercially available sources of metribuzin, and its agriculturally acceptable salts, include those products sold under the trade names METRI®, METRIBUZIN 75, and SENCOR®.

1. Crops

In one embodiment of the present methods of controlling growth with an acetochlor/metribuzin combination, the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides. In one aspect, the crop is a metribuzin-tolerant crop.

In another embodiment, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides (i.e., the crop is a transgenic crop). In one aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to glyphosate. In another aspect, the crop is a ROUNDUP READY® crop. In another aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to dicamba. In another aspect, the crop been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to both glyphosate and dicamba.

In another embodiment, the crop is selected from the group consisting of soybeans, corn, grains, alfalfa, canola, sugarbeat, and sugarcane.

In another embodiment, the crop is selected from the group consisting of soybeans, corn, and wheat.

In another embodiment, the crop is corn. In one aspect, the corn is glyphosate-tolerant corn.

In another embodiment, the crop is wheat. In one aspect, the wheat is glyphosate-tolerant wheat.

2. Application Rates

In one embodiment of the present methods of controlling growth with an acetochlor/metribuzin combination, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 50 grams/hectare to about 2240 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis. In one aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 420 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis. In another aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 840 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis. In another aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 1050 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis.

In another embodiment, the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 1:1 to about 8:1. In one aspect, the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 7:1. In another aspect, the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 6:1. In another aspect, the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 4:1 to about 6:1.

In another embodiment, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 50 grams/hectare to about 2240 grams/hectare; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 50 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 1:1 to about 8:1. In one aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 420 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 1120 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 7:1. In another aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 840 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 2:1 to about 6:1. In another aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 840 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 4:1 to about 6:1. In another aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 840 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 210 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied to the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, applied is from about 4:1 to about 6:1.

3. Application Timing

The acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, can be applied to the plant species either separately or concurrently (e.g., application of a tank mixture containing both herbicides). Further, the present methods of controlling growth generally provide more flexibility in pre-emergent and post-emergent application of the combination.

In one embodiment of the present methods of controlling growth, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied separately to the plant species.

In another embodiment, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied concurrently to the plant species. In one aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof; and water are combined to form an application mixture; and the application mixture is applied to the plant species.

In another embodiment, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied before the emergence of the crop.

In another embodiment, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied before the emergence of the crop. In one aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied before the emergence of the crop.

In another embodiment, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied after the emergence of the crop.

In another embodiment, the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, is applied after the emergence of the crop. In one aspect, the first amount of acetochlor, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and the second amount of metribuzin, or agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, are applied after the emergence of the crop.

4. Plant Species

The present methods generally can be employed to control the growth, for example, of a wide-range of plant species including broad-leaf weed species and narrow-leaf weed species using an acetochlor/metribuzin combination. In one embodiment, the plant species is a broad-leaf weed species. In another embodiment, the plant species is a narrow-leaf weed species.

In another embodiment, the plant species is selected from the group consisting of morning glory, proso millet, sicklepod, Johnsongrass, ryegrass, and large crabgrass. In another aspect, the plant species is selected from the group consisting of morning glory, proso millet, sicklepod, Johnsongrass, and ryegrass.

In another embodiment, the plant species is selected from the group consisting of common ragweed, giant ragweed, goosegrass, horseweed, Italian ryegrass, kochia, Johnsongrass, and waterhemp.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 840 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise morning glory and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the morning glory.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the one or more plant species comprise wild proso millet and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the wild proso millet.

In one aspect, the first amount is from about 840 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the weight ratio of the first amount applied to the second amount applied is from about 4:1 to about 6:1.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to methods for controlling the growth of one or more plant species in a land area used for cultivating a crop, wherein the method comprises:

applying a first amount of acetochlor, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species; and

applying a second amount of metribuzin, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, to the plant species;

wherein the crop has a naturally occurring tolerance to one or more herbicides, or has been genetically engineered to increase tolerance to one or more herbicides;

wherein the first amount and the second amount are applied before emergence of the crop; the first amount is from about 420 grams/hectare to about 1680 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 560 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis; and

wherein the one or more plant species comprise sicklepod and the first amount and the second amount together produce a synergistic herbicidal effect on the sicklepod.

In one aspect, the first amount is from about 840 grams/hectare to about 1260 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis, and the second amount is from about 100 grams/hectare to about 420 grams/hectare on an active ingredient weight basis.