HERBICIDAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING ACETIC ACID AND A NATURAL SURFACTANT

COMPOSITION HERBICIDE CONTENANT DE L'ACIDE ACETIQUE ET UN SURFACTANT NATUREL

English Abstract

The present invention is in respect of a natural herbicide that utilizes
acetic acid, i.e.
vinegar, to kill weeds. The acetic acid is combined with a natural surfactant,
such as
yucca extract.

French Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un herbicide naturel faisant appel à de l'acide acétique, c'est-à-dire du vinaigre, pour éliminer les mauvaises herbes. L'acide acétique est combiné avec un agent de surface naturel, comme un extrait de yucca.

Claims

CLAIMS
1. A herbicidal composition comprising an aqueous solution of 15% - 25% acetic
acid, and yucca extract as a surfactant.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said acetic acid solution is about 19-
21%
acetic acid.

3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein said surfactant comprises about
0.1-3%
of said composition.

4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said composition
comprises
an aqueous solution of about 20% acetic acid, and about 0.2% surfactant.

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Description

CA 02694448 2011-03-30

HERBICIDAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING ACETIC ACID AND A
NATURAL SURFACTANT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of herbicides.

The present invention is in respect of a natural herbicide, that utilizes
acetic acid,
i.e. vinegar, to kill weeds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many weed killers known in the art. Many chemical weed killers have
been banned because of perceived harmful side effects, and the effects of new
federal and
provincial laws. It is an object of the present invention, then, to provide a
weed killing or
herbicidal composition that is environmentally acceptable and non-toxic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a herbicidal composition comprising a
solution of vinegar/acetic acid and a natural food grade surfactant, such as
yucca extract.
Preferably in the composition of the present invention, the acetic acid is an
aqueous solution of 15-25% acetic acid.

More preferably, the vinegar/acetic acid solution is about 19-21 % acetic
acid.
The surfactant may comprise about 0.1-3% of said composition.

Preferably, the surfactant comprises about 0.2% of said composition.
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CA 02694448 2011-03-30

In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises
an
aqueous solution of vinegar at about 20% acetic acid, and about 0.2%
surfactant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The applicant has discovered that vinegar/acetic acid, at a strength of
between
about 15% to about 25%, mixed with about 0.1 to about 3% of a surfactant will
function
as an effective herbicide.

A preferred formulation is 20% acetic acid, mixed with 0.2% yucca as a
surfactant. A preferred form of yucca is yucca extract in ethanol, available
from Desert
King International under the trademark Yucca Ag-Aide 50TH

The yucca functions as a surfactant, and helps the acetic acid to stick to the
leaves
of plants. The acetic acid then kills the plant. Other natural surfactants,
such as TKOTM
(an orange derivative) can be used instead of yucca, if desired with good
effect.

The applicant has found that a 20% acetic acid, 0.2% yucca, water mixture will
provide a sprayable herbicide with a coverage potential of about 700 sq. feet
per litre. If
it is desired to use, e.g. TKOTM, about 2% should be added instead of yucca.

The mixture of the present invention, i.e., 20% acetic acid, with a
surfactant, is very
effective to kill unwanted vegetation.

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