Paraquat: Encyclopedia II - Paraquat - Characteristics
Paraquat - Characteristics
The compound is widely used as a quick-acting, non-selective herbicide. It kills green plant tissue on contact and is redistibuted within the plant but does not harm mature bark.
Being a herbicide, paraquat protects crops by controlling a wide range of annual and certain perennial weeds (unwanted plants) that reduce both crop yield and quality by competing with the crop for water, nutrients, and light.
Paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world and is used to control annual and perennial weeds in a wide variety of crops. The key characteristics that distinguish the non-selective contact herbicide paraquat from other active ingredients used in plant protection products are:
Paraquat is non-selective, which means it kills a wide range of annual grass and broad-leaved weeds and the tops of established perennial weeds.
Paraquat is very fast-acting.
Paraquat is rain-fast within minutes of application.
Paraquat becomes biologically inactive upon contact with soil.
When used in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations, paraquat can deliver safe, effective weed control, generating social and economic benefits, while protecting the land for future generations.
Paraquat was first produced for commercial purposes in 1961 by ICI (now Syngenta) and is today among the most commonly used herbicides.
In the United States, paraquat is available primarily as a liquid in various strengths. It is classified as "restricted use," which means that it can be used only by licensed applicators. As with many chemicals caution must be exercised during use.
 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Characteristics", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki | 
