Herbicidal mentha plant extract compositions and methods of using same

Abstract

Provided are compositions and methods relating to herbicidal compositions. In particular, the invention relates to herbicidal compositions comprising a Mentha sp. plant extract composition that can be utilized alone or with other carvone and/or menthol or menthone containing plant extracts. Further, the composition acts in synergy with commercial herbicides. Also provided are methods of using herbicidal compositions for treatment of weeds, grasses, and photosynthetic organisms. In particular, the component acting in synergy with the commercial herbicide is a Mentha sp., and may also include dill, clove, caraway extract, and combinations thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An herbicidal composition, comprising:
 a  Mentha  sp. extract from  M. spicata, M. arvensis, M. piperata , hybrids thereof, and/or combinations thereof; and   a surfactant, excipient, carrier or diluent or combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein composition further comprises a plant extract comprising carvone(R,S), other menthol, menthone, 1,8-cineole, limonene(R,S) containing oils or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an extract from  Carum carvi, Syzygium aromaticum, Anehum graveolens , and/or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises an extract from  M. spicata  and  M. piperata.    
     
     
         5 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration for preemergent treatment is from about 1.0-kilogram active ingredient per hectare (kg ai/ha) to about 45.0 kg ai/ha. 
     
     
         6 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration for post emergent treatment is from about 1.0 kg ai/ha to about 40.0 kg ai/ha. 
     
     
         7 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more non- Mentha  sp. extract containing herbicides. 
     
     
         8 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 7 , wherein the extract is added from about 1.5 kg ai/ha to about 25.0 kg ai/ha. 
     
     
         9 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 7 , wherein the non- Mentha  sp. extract containing herbicide may be included in amounts from about 20% to about 70% less, from about 25% to about 60% less, or from about 25% to about 50% less than amounts of said non- Mentha  herbicide used when not combined with said  Mentha  herbicide composition. 
     
     
         10 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional functional ingredient. 
     
     
         11 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 10 , wherein the additional function ingredient is a carrier/solubilizer, an adjuvant, a stabilizer, an emulsifier, a desiccant, a defoliant, a pH agent, and/or combinations thereof in sufficient amounts to be effective. 
     
     
         12 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 11 , wherein the additional functional ingredient is between about 0.01 wt. % and about 95 wt. %, between 0.01 wt. % and 50 wt. % by weight, between 0.01 wt. % and about 25 wt. %, or between about 0.01 wt. % and 15 wt. %, depending on the desired use and function of the herbicidal composition. 
     
     
         13 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated as an aqueous solution, nonaqueous solution, granules, or powder. 
     
     
         14 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a concentrate. 
     
     
         15 . A method of controlling weeds, comprising:
 administering the composition of  claim 1  to a plurality of plants, wherein an herbicidal effect occurs to any of said weeds in said plurality of plants.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the composition is administered as a preemergent treatment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is administered at a concentration from about 1.0 kg ai/ha to about 45.0 kg ai/ha. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the composition is administered as a post emergent treatment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the composition is administered at a concentration of from about 1.0 kg ai/ha to about 40.0 kg ai/ha. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said composition further comprises one or more non- Mentha  sp. extract-containing herbicides. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the weed and/or the plant is herbicide resistant. 
     
     
         22 . A method of increasing herbicidal effect of a non- Mentha  sp. extract containing herbicide to a plant tolerant to said herbicide, the method comprising: combining said non- Mentha  sp. extract containing herbicide with the  Mentha  sp. composition of  claim 1 .