Monsanto Technology LLC

Monsanto Company

Anthony J I Ward

Jane L Gillespie

Xiaodong Chris Xu

Ronald Joseph Brinker

Joseph J Sandbrink

Jisheng Ge

Andrew D Dyszlewski

Richard M Kramer

Norman Robert Pallas

Xiaodong C Xu

Rodney O Radke

Claude R Jones

Composition and method for treating plants with exogenous chemicals

A composition is disclosed for application to a plant that comprises glyphosate, an aqueous diluent, and an excipient substance that is amphiphilic. The weight/weight ratio of the excipient substance to the exogenous chemical is between about 1:3 and about 1:100. The aqueous composition forms anisotropic aggregates on a wax layer, and the presence of the anisotropic aggregates can be detected by a test described herein. Compositions of the present invention, when applied to plants, provide enhanced biological activity per unit amount of glyphosate, as compared to otherwise similar compositions containing surfactants that do not form anisotropic aggregates. Without being bound by theory, it is presently believed that this enhanced biological activity results from the formation or enlargement of hydrophilic channels through the epicuticular wax of the plant.

A composition is disclosed for application to a plant that comprises an exogenous chemical (for example, a postemergent herbicide), an aqueous diluent, and a first excipient substance that is amphiphilic. The weight/weight ratio of the first excipient substance to the exogenous chemical is between about 1:3 and about 1:100. The aqueous composition forms anisotropic aggregates on a wax layer, and the presence of the anisotropic aggregates can be detected by a test described herein. Compositions of the present invention, when applied to plants, provide enhanced biological activity per unit amount of exogenous chemical, as compared to otherwise similar compositions containing surfactants that do not form anisotropic aggregates. Without being bound by theory, it is presently believed that this enhanced biological activity results from the formation or enlargement of hydrophilic channels through the epicuticular wax of the plant.

Assay for selecting compositions providing enhanced effectiveness of exogenous chemicals applied to plants

Plant treatment compositions having enhanced biological effectiveness

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Clayton, MO, United States of America

Anthony J I Ward