Stable, concentrated herbicidal compositions

Abstract

The composition is stable; i.e., it occurs in a substantially continuous, single phase at temperatures as low as −20° C. It also has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0° C.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid herbicidal composition comprising:
 a. 20 to 35 percent by weight of glufosinate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition;   b. 10 to 30 percent by weight of a lauryl ether sulfate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition;   c. 1 to 20 percent by weight of an organic, based on the total weight of the composition; and   d. 1 to 15 percent by weight of a surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition,   wherein the composition is present in a continuous, single phase at a temperature as low as −20 degrees C. and has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0-degree C.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein said glufosinate or salt thereof is present in an amount from 22 to 28 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the organic solvent is present in an amount of 3 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of 6 to 12 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.2 to 1:5.0. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.8 to 1:1.2. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein said (a) comprises a glufosinate salt selected from the group consisting of glufosinate-ammonium salt, glufosinate-potassium salt, and glufosinate-sodium salt. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of an auxiliary agent, a wetting agent, a dispersant, an emulsifier, a penetrant, a preservative, an antifreeze, and an evaporation inhibitor. 
     
     
         9 . A liquid herbicidal composition comprising:
 a. 20 to 35 percent by weight of glufosinate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition;   b. 3 to 35 percent by weight of a lauryl ether sulfate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition;   c. 1 to 20 percent by weight of an organic solvent; and   d. 1 to 15 percent by weight of a surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the composition is present in a continuous, single phase at a temperature as low as −20 degrees C. and has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0-degree C.   
     
     
         10 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 9 , wherein said glufosinate or salt thereof is present in an amount from 22 to 28 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 9 , wherein the organic solvent is present in an amount of 3 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 11 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of 6 to 12 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 11 , wherein said a) comprises a glufosinate salt selected from the group consisting of glufosinate-ammonium salt, glufosinate-potassium salt, and glufosinate-sodium salt. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 9 , wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.2 to 1:5.0. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 9 , wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.8 to 1:1.2. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 12 , wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.2 to 1:5.0. 
     
     
         17 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 12 , wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.8 to 1:1.2. 
     
     
         18 . A liquid herbicidal composition comprising:
 a. 20 to 35 percent by weight of glufosinate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition;   b. 10 to 30 percent by weight of a lauryl ether sulfate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition;   c. 1 to 20 percent by weight of an organic solvent; and   d. 1 to 15 percent by weight of a C6-C 16 alkyl polyglucoside, based on the total weight of the composition,   wherein the composition is present in a continuous, single phase at a temperature as low as −20 degrees C. and has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0-degree C.   
     
     
         19 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 18 , wherein said glufosinate or salt thereof is present in an amount from 22 to 28 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         20 . The liquid herbicidal composition of  claim 18 , wherein the organic solvent is present in an amount of 3 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.