Compositions for protecting genetically engineered plants from disease and phytotoxic effects of herbicides

Abstract

The composition provides herbicidal, fungicidal and/or nutritional activity to genetically engineered crops in a single application and comprises an aqueous composition of: (1) a glyphosate salt; and, (2) a phosphite selected from the group consisting of: potassium phosphite, potassium polyphosphite or any combinations; and, wherein the molar ratio of (1) to (2) is about 1:4 to about 1:1 and where the concentration of (1) is applied at the rate of between 0.47-4.13 lbs/acre.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A composition that provides weed control and reduces set back to genetically engineered crops comprising:
 (1) a glyphosate selected from the group consisting of: ammonium salt, diammonium salt, amine salt, isopropyl amine salt, potassium salt, sodium salt, sulfonium salt, trimethyl sulfonium salt and any combinations thereof; and   (2) a phosphite selected from the group consisting of: mono-potassium polyphosphite and di-potassium polyphosphite, mono-sodium polyphosphite, di-sodium polyphosphite, mono-ammonium polyphosphite, di-ammonium polyphosphite and any combination thereof;   wherein the molar ratio of (1) to (2) is about 1:1 to about 4:1; and   wherein (1) and (2) are provided in a diluted solution in which the amount of glyphosate salt in solution is applied to the genetically engineered crops at the rate of between about 64 oz/acre to about 96 oz/acre and   wherein said composition is effective in controlling weed growth and enhancing the physical appearance in genetically engineered crops.   
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8  in the form of a concentrate for metering into an aqueous spray for foliar application. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 8  in the form of an aqueous premixed blend for direct foliar application to the crop. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a plant genetically engineered to be resistant to an herbicide, the method comprising applying an effective amount of the composition of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  in which said plant genetically engineered is selected from the group consisting of: soy bean, maize, sorghum, canola, alfalfa, cotton or wheat. 
     
     
         13 . A composition for foliar application to genetically engineered crops consisting essentially of:
 (1) a glyphosate selected from the group consisting of: ammonium salt, diammonium salt, amine salt, isopropyl amine salt, potassium salt, sodium salt, sulfonium salt, trimethyl sulfonium salt and any combinations thereof;   (2) a phosphite selected from the group consisting of: mono-potassium polyphosphite and di-potassium polyphosphite, mono-sodium polyphosphite, di-sodium polyphosphite, mono-ammonium polyphosphite, di-ammonium polyphosphite and any combinations thereof; and   wherein the molar ratio of (1) to (2) is about 1:2 to about 4:1; and   wherein said (1) and (2) are combined with a use-effective amount of water and thereafter applied to genetically engineered crops, the amount of (1) is applied at the rate of between about 64 to about 96 ounces per acre and   wherein said composition is effective in controlling weed growth and enhancing the physical appearance in genetically engineered crops.   
     
     
         14 . A foliar application comprising:
 (1) a glyphosate selected from the group consisting of: ammonium salt, diammonium salt, amine salt, isopropyl amine salt, potassium salt, sodium salt, sulfonium salt, trimethyl sulfonium salt, and any combinations thereof; and   (2) a phosphite selected from the group consisting of: mono-potassium polyphosphite and di-potassium polyphosphite, mono-sodium polyphosphite, di-sodium polyphosphite, mono-ammonium polyphosphite, di-ammonium polyphosphite and any combination thereof;   wherein the molar ratio of (1) to (2) is about 1:1 to about 4:1; and   wherein (1) and (2) are combined with a use-effective amount of water and thereafter applied to genetically engineered plants in which the amount of glyphosate salt is from about 64 oz/acre to about 96 oz/acre and   wherein said composition is effective in controlling weed growth and enhancing the physical appearance in genetically engineered crops.