IP Library Granted Patent US 12,648,565
Granted Patent B2
US 12,648,565 · App. 18/465,067 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Post-emergence herbicide

Inventor: David A. Cobb (Belvedere, CA)
Assignee: Belvedere Foliar LLC
A01N59/00A01N37/02A01N59/02A01N59/06A01N59/14A01N59/16A01N59/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,648,565
App. No.
18/465,067
Granted
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Some embodiments relate to herbicide compositions and methods of inducing phyotoxicity in a plant, by administering an aqueous composition to foliar portions of the plant. This aqueous composition includes at least one nutrient, and at least one adjuvant, and has a pH of about 4 to about 7. In some embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises an organic or mineral acid. In some embodiments, the phytotoxicity is topical. In some embodiments, the phytoxicity is systemic. Without being limited by theory, the nutrient is absorbed by the plant in excess, thereby killing the plant.

Claims (22)

1 . A method of inducing phytotoxicity in a plant, the method comprising:

administering an aqueous herbicide composition to foliar portions of the plant, wherein the aqueous herbicide composition comprises:

a nutrient, which is potassium; and

an adjuvant; and

wherein the nutrient has a concentration of 1 M to 2.5 M in the aqueous herbicide composition and a pH of the composition is 3.5 to 7; and

retaining the aqueous herbicide composition on the foliar portion of the plant for about 1-5 days,

wherein the nutrient is absorbed systemically by the plant in an amount effective to cause terminal physiological disruption and killing of the plant.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjuvant is a surfactant, spreader-sticker, humectant, crop oil concentrate, anti-foaming compound, emulsifier, penetrant, buffering agent or compatibility agent.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the potassium is provided by a potassium salt.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the potassium salt is selected from the group consisting of potassium acetate, potassium lactate, potassium formate, potassium citrate, and potassium bitartrate.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the potassium salt comprises a K ion, and an oppositely-charged ion, wherein the oppositely-charged ion is not an herbicide.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a low point of deliquescence (POD), whereby the composition is retained in semi-liquid state on the foliar portion of the plant.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a second administration within 14 days of a first administration of the composition.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering a burn down herbicide to the plant.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the burn down herbicide comprises caprylic (octanoic) acid or capric (decanoic) acid.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nutrient is administered in an amount effective to cause opening of stomata.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the aqueous herbicide composition further comprises an organic acid or a mineral acid.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, formic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and oxalic acid.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the organic acid is acetic acid.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition is about 4.5 to about 5.5.

15 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the humectant comprises a sugar selected from the group consisting of dextrose, fructose, sucrose, or a combination of any of these.

16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered as a water-based spray.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2026
From: COBB, DAVID A.
To: BELVEDERE FOLIAR LLC
Reel/Frame 073809/0618 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17810941 · Jul 6, 2022
Continuation 16820436 · Mar 16, 2020
Continuation 16193312 · Nov 16, 2018
Continuation 15916107 · Mar 8, 2018
Provisional Application 62469087 · Mar 9, 2017
Provisional Application 62609137 · Dec 21, 2017
Related Publication 20240215585A1 · Jul 4, 2024
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