Granular agricultura-chemical composition

Abstract

Provided is a granular agrochemical composition by which the problems accompanying the prior art granular agrochemical compositions can be overcome, which can be prepared in a simple formulation and by which sustained releasability of the agrochemically active ingredient is obtained so that the load on the environments can be decreased and the chemical damages caused by the agrochemically active ingredient can be alleviated or prevented. The granular agrochemical composition contains an acidic agrochemically active ingredient, a cationic surfactant and a basic substance. Inter alia, a pH of 5 or higher is obtained in a 1% by mass aqueous suspension thereof. Preferably, the acidic agrochemically active ingredient should have a pKa of 2 to 7 and the cationic surfactant should be one which is gelled or exhibits swellability in water.

1 . A granular agrochemical composition containing an acidic agrochemically active ingredient, a cationic surface-active agent and a basic substance.  
   
   
       2 . The granular agrochemical composition described in  claim 1 , wherein the acidic agrochemically active ingredient has a pKa of 2 to 7.  
   
   
       3 . The granular agrochemical composition described in claim l, wherein the cationic surface-active agent causes gelation or shows swelling in water.  
   
   
       4 . The granular agrochemical composition described in  claim 1 , wherein the acidic agrochemically active ingredient is a herbicide.  
   
   
       5 . The granular agrochemical composition described in  claim 4 , wherein the herbicide is a sulfonylurea-based compound.  
   
   
       6 . The granular agrochemical composition described in  claim 4 , wherein the herbicide is a difluoromethane-sulfonylanilide derivative or a salt thereof expressed by 
 the general formula                          (R 1  in the formula is a hydrogen atom, alkyl group or alkoxyalkyl group).    
   
   
       7 . The granular agrochemical composition described in  claim 1 , wherein a 1% by mass aqueous suspension thereof has a pH of 5 or higher.  
   
   
       8 . The granular agrochemical composition described in  claim 1 , wherein a 1% by mass aqueous suspension thereof has a pH which is equal to or higher than the pKa value of the agrochemically active ingredient.  
   
   
       9 . A mixed granular agrochemical composition which is a blend of the granular agrochemical composition described in  claim 1  and agrochemical granules without containing either one or both of the cationic surface active agent and the basic substance in a mass proportion of from 1:9 to 9:1.