Benefits

Paraquat is a valuable herbicide tool in developed and developing countries benefiting farmers, society, and the environment.

When used in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations, paraquat can deliver safe, effective weed control with social and economic benefits, while protecting the land for future generations.

Key benefits of paraquat include:

Rapid action

Paraquat’s rapid speed of action is unique among non-selectiveDescription A chemical product used for eliminating all types of weeds (annual and perennial grasses and broadleaved weeds). Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/ An invaluable source of contemporary information about herbicides and weeds from Iowa State University. herbicides. Signs of leaf damage become visible within hours of paraquat application and complete control of all green plant tissue is achieved within 1-7 days (other products can take several weeks to reach maximum control). The fast action quickly removes weed competition, allows rapid turn-around between crops, and can prevent the transmission of insect-borne diseases to newly planted crops.

Increased yields

Timely removal of weeds by paraquat reduces competition for light, water, and nutrients giving improved crop growth, which often leads to better yields for farmers. Yield improvements have been recorded in a wide range of crops including alfalfa, tea, corn, soybeans, and fruit and vegetables.

Ability to work in all weather conditions

Paraquat is uniquely rainfast within minutes, typically within 15 minutes to one hour, and its uptake is not dependent on temperature or soil moisture. Its rainfast properties allow spraying in periods of unsettled weather, which is essential in many parts of the world, particularly those in tropical regions. Since activity is independent of active weed growth, paraquat can be sprayed during winter months or in very dry conditions. This ensures timely weed control and sowing or planting, which in turn promises maximum yield potential.

Excellent crop safety

The precision contact action of paraquat is restricted to the part of the plant it touches and it is not translocated to other parts of the plant, making paraquat a 'chemical hoe' for smallholders and subsistence farmers around the world. This contact action makes paraquat ideal for use in orchards, vineyards, and plantations since it can be used safely around all trees and other vegetation. Any accidental spray reaching the foliage causes only localized scorch.

Reduced labor requirements

Paraquat is an ideal tool for inter-row weeding. Its rapid, precision contact action makes paraquat the most effective and safe herbicide for use between vegetable rows. Throughout the world the use of Paraquat has released smallholder and subsistence farming families from much arduous and time-consuming hand weeding.

Reduces soil erosion

Paraquat only affects aerial (above-ground) parts of weeds and does not kill roots. Intact roots help to bind soil, thus reducing wind and water erosion of the soil. This property also makes paraquat ideal for use in conservation and no-tillDescription Also known as conservation tillage or zero tillage is a way of growing crops from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage ie cultivating the soil usually with tractor-drawn implements. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www.no-till.com/index.htm A portal for on-line information about no-till farming. systems.

Rapid adsorption and deactivation upon soil contact

Paraquat is rapidly adsorbed and biologically inactivated on contact with soil. Therefore, it may be sprayed at any time in the crop cycle from prior to planting to just before crop emergence. In addition, because there is no residual activity, any crop may be planted almost immediately after spraying, including cover cropsDescription Cover crops are primarily planted not to be harvested for food but to reduce soil erosion, control weeds and improve soil quality. They are usually plowed or tilled under before the next food crop is planted, in which cases the "cover crop" is used as a soil amendment and is synonymous with "green manure crop." Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/covercrop.html ATTRA is the US National Centre for Appropriate Technology's Sustainable Agriculture Information Centre. in orchards and plantations. Since it is immobile in soil paraquat does not leachDescription The natural process by which water soluble substances are carried downward through the soil into groundwater. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www.agr.gc.ca/nlwis-snite/index_e.cfm?s1=pub&s2=hs_ss&page=16 A chapter in an on-line booked titled 'The health of our soils' posted on the website of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. into groundwater.

Herbicide resistance management

Paraquat is an increasingly important part of Integrated Weed ManagementDescription A decision support system for crop protection which focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems with minimum impact on human health, the environment, and non-target organisms. IPM takes into consideration all available pest control techniques and tactics (cultural, mechanical, biological, chemical). IPM emphasizes the growth of healthy crops for better productivity with the least possible disruption to agroecosystems. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www.ipmcenters.org "The USDA's National Site for the Regional IPM Centers' Information System provides information about US commodities, pests and pest management practices, people and issues." (IWM) programs associated with glyphosate-tolerant crops and in other situations where glyphosate has been intensively used for long periods of time.

Compatibility with other herbicides

Paraquat is compatible in tank mixtures with a wide range of herbicides, insecticides and liquid fertilizers. This property enables several products to be applied in one application, saving energy, labor, and time and reducing soil compaction.