Patent Licensing and Its Impact on Time-to-Market for Indian Businesses

The Invention, Namely the Solution to the Problem

The present invention provides a contact herbicide composition specifically designed to control Conyza spp. (horseweed) and other hard-to-manage weed species that have shown reduced sensitivity or resistance to conventional herbicides. The solution lies in a synergistic formulation based on acetic acid, ammonium sulfate, a biodegradable surfactant and vegetable oil, which together deliver rapid foliar desiccation, high efficacy and lower cost when compared to many existing commercial alternatives.

Acetic acid acts as the primary desiccating agent, quickly damaging the cuticle and cell structures of the leaf tissue upon contact. Ammonium sulfate enhances the performance of the formulation by improving ion balance and facilitating penetration into the leaf surface. The biodegradable surfactant reduces surface tension, ensuring uniform spreading and wetting of the leaf, even on waxy or erect foliage typical of Conyza spp.. The vegetable oil component improves adhesion, increases residence time on the leaf and further promotes penetration of the active constituents.

By combining these widely available and relatively low-cost components in a specific contact herbicide system, the invention offers an effective alternative to systemic herbicides, particularly in situations where resistance has reduced their usefulness. The formulation can be applied in agricultural fields, along roadways, in industrial areas and in non-crop environments, providing a flexible tool for weed management. Thus, the invention solves the technical problem of controlling difficult and resistant weeds while addressing economic constraints and aiming at a reduced environmental impact profile compared to many conventional synthetic herbicides.

The invention consists of a contact herbicide composition specifically formulated to control horseweed (Conyza spp.) and other difficult weeds that are poorly controlled or resistant to conventional herbicides. Instead of relying on complex synthetic active ingredients, the solution combines acetic acid, ammonium sulfate, a biodegradable surfactant and vegetable oil in defined proportions. This combination provides rapid foliar desiccation, good coverage of the leaf surface and improved penetration, resulting in efficient weed control at relatively low cost.

Acetic acid acts as the main desiccating agent, damaging the leaf tissues upon contact. Ammonium sulfate enhances the action of the formulation and contributes to the breakdown of the plant’s protective barriers. The biodegradable surfactant reduces surface tension, allowing the spray to spread evenly over the leaf, while the vegetable oil improves adhesion and prolongs contact time, increasing effectiveness. Together, these components offer a practical alternative for weed management in agricultural and non-agricultural areas, addressing the technical problem of controlling hard-to-manage weeds while considering economic feasibility and a more favorable environmental profile compared to many traditional herbicides.

Yes. The invention addresses a significant gap in the prior art related to the control of Conyza spp. and other hard-to-manage weeds that have developed resistance or reduced sensitivity to widely used systemic herbicides (for example, glyphosate and other modes of action). Existing solutions often rely on complex synthetic active ingredients, higher costs and repeated applications, while still failing to provide reliable control in many field situations.

There is also a lack of simple, contact-acting herbicide formulations that combine low-cost, widely available ingredients with a more favorable environmental profile. The proposed composition—based on acetic acid, ammonium sulfate, a biodegradable surfactant and vegetable oil—fills this gap by offering: (i) rapid foliar desiccation of resistant weeds, (ii) relatively low production cost, and (iii) potential for reduced environmental impact compared to many conventional herbicides. Thus, the invention provides a practical, scalable and more sustainable alternative where current products are either ineffective, too expensive, or environmentally burdensome.