Tobacco sucker control agent and method

Abstract

This invention pertains to a method for controlling the growth of axillary buds or suckers in tobacco plants by application of a homogenized liquid mixture of a saturated fatty alcohol selected from the group consisting of C 6 to C 18 saturated fatty alcohols and a salt of 1,2-dihydro-pyridazine, 3,6-dione to the tobacco plant after the tobacco flower has been removed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of inhibiting the growth of suckers in tobacco plants which comprises applying to said tobacco plants after topping an effective amount for inhibiting tobacco sucker growth of an aqueous solution containing from about 10 to about 40% by weight of a saturated C 6  to C 18  fatty alcohol and from about 5 to about 25% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of the alkali metal, .[.alkanolamine.]. .Iadd.alkylamine .Iaddend.containing up to 12 carbon atoms, and C 2  -C 6  .[.alkylamine.]. .Iadd.alkanolamine .Iaddend.salts of 1,2-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dione. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said solution is applied in the form of an aqueous emulsion. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein said fatty alcohol is N-decanol. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein said fatty alcohol is N-octanol. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein said fatty alcohol constituent comprises a mixture consisting essentially of N-octanol and N-decanol. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 wherein said dione salt comprises the potassium salt of 1,2-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dione. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1 wherein said dione salt comprises the diethanolamine salt of 1,2-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dione. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 wherein said solution includes a surface active wetting agent. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 1 wherein said solution includes an emulsifying agent. 
     
     
       10. A liquid composition for inhibiting the growth of tobacco suckers consisting essentially of an aqueous solution containing from about 10 to about 40% by weight of a saturated C 6  to C 18  fatty alcohol and from about 5 to 25% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of the alkali metal, .[.alkanolamine.]. .Iadd.alkylamine .Iaddend.containing up to 12 carbon atoms, and C 2  -C 6  .[.alkylamine.]. .Iadd.alkanolamine .Iaddend.salts of 1,2-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dione. 
     
     
       11. The liquid composition of claim 10 wherein said salt comprises the potassium salt of 1,2-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dione. 
     
     
       12. The liquid composition of claim 10 wherein said salt comprises the diethanolamine salt of 1,2-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dione. 
     
     
       13. The liquid composition of claim 10 wherein said saturated fatty alcohol comprises N-octanol. 
     
     
       14. The liquid composition of claim 10 wherein said saturated fatty alcohol comprises N-decanol. 
     
     
       15. The composition of claim 10 wherein said saturated fatty alcohol constituent comprises a mixture consisting essentially of N-octanol and N-decanol. 
     
     
       16. The composition of claim 15 further including an emulsifying agent. 
     
     
       17. A liquid composition for inhibiting the growth of tobacco suckers as recited in claim 10 further including a wetting agent.