What Is Paraquat 20% SL and How It Works
Paraquat 20% SL is a non-selective contact herbicide formulated to rapidly destroy green plant tissue upon contact. It works by disrupting the photosynthetic electron transport system in the chloroplasts, which causes the production of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside the plant cells. This leads to irreversible cellular damage, rapid desiccation, and visible wilting—often within 1 to 3 hours after spraying.
Unlike systemic herbicides, Paraquat does not translocate throughout the plant. Instead, it acts precisely on the parts it touches, making it an excellent tool for burndown treatments, field cleaning, and non-crop area weed control. Its dual impact on both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds ensures comprehensive vegetation clearance in a wide variety of environments.
Key Benefits of Paraquat 20% SL
Choosing Paraquat 20% SL means choosing speed, reliability, and operational flexibility. Below are its core advantages that make it a preferred herbicide for both agricultural and non-crop applications:
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Fast-Acting Weed Control: Paraquat starts working within minutes of application. Visible symptoms such as wilting and leaf discoloration typically appear within 1–3 hours, providing quick confirmation of treatment efficacy.
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Rainfast in 30 Minutes: The active ingredient binds quickly to plant tissue, making it rainfast just 30 minutes after spraying. This ensures consistent performance even in unpredictable weather conditions.
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Dual-Spectrum Effectiveness: Paraquat effectively controls both monocot and dicot weeds, offering broad-spectrum control in a single pass.
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Zero Soil Residual Activity: It deactivates upon contact with soil, leaving no residual herbicidal activity. This makes it ideal for rotational cropping or immediate transplanting and seeding after application.
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Operational Time Saver: There’s no need to wait days after spraying. Farmers can resume planting or soil preparation shortly after application, improving overall field efficiency.
Target Weeds & Application Scenarios
Paraquat 20% SL delivers powerful control across a wide spectrum of annual and perennial weeds, making it a versatile solution for both farmland and non-crop areas.
Common Weeds Controlled
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Annual grasses: Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli), green foxtail (Setaria viridis)
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Perennial weeds: Alternanthera philoxeroides, Lolium perenne
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Broadleaf weeds: Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.), Chenopodium (Chenopodium album)
Whether you're dealing with dense undergrowth or persistent broadleaf invaders, Paraquat ensures rapid desiccation of green tissues and prevents regrowth.
Recommended Application Scenarios
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Pre-Plant Weed Removal: Ideal for seedbed preparation in vegetable fields, rice paddies, and maize land.
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Inter-Row Weed Management: Suitable for directed spray between rows of corn, sugarcane, soybeans, cotton, and nursery crops.
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Perennial Crop Weed Control: Effective for cleaning up orchards, vineyards, banana plantations, and tea gardens.
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Non-Crop Use: Roadways, fence lines, power substations, and field borders where fast vegetation control is needed.
Its contact action ensures weeds are destroyed without affecting surrounding soil or deep-rooted crops when used as directed.
Application Methods & Dosage Instructions
To ensure maximum effectiveness and safety, Paraquat 20% SL should be applied using calibrated equipment under suitable weather conditions. Since it is a contact herbicide, thorough coverage of green plant tissue is essential.
Recommended Application Guidelines:
| Use Scenario | Dilution Rate | Application Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-planting field burndown | 1.5–2.5 L/ha | Apply evenly to young weeds before sowing or transplanting. Avoid overlap. |
| Orchard/Vineyard under-tree | 1.5–3.0 L/ha | Use shielded sprayers to prevent drift onto trunks or low-hanging branches. |
| Sugarcane inter-row | 2.0–3.5 L/ha | Spray between rows when weeds are young and actively growing. |
| Industrial/fenceline use | 2.5–4.0 L/ha | Apply during early weed development. May require repeat application in dense areas. |
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No Residual Activity: Since Paraquat does not persist in the soil, new planting can resume shortly after treatment.
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Rainfastness: Absorbs into plant tissue within 30 minutes; unexpected rain after this point does not reduce efficacy.
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Mixing Instructions: Always mix with clean water. Shake well or stir tank mixture continuously during application.
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Equipment: Use flat-fan nozzles for uniform spray distribution; wear protective gear to avoid skin or eye contact.
Proper adherence to dosage and timing enhances weed suppression while reducing the risk of crop damage or operator exposure.
Safety Guidelines & Handling Instructions
Due to the high toxicity of Paraquat 20% SL, strict adherence to safety protocols during mixing, handling, and application is essential. The product is effective, but hazardous if misused—protecting users, bystanders, and non-target organisms must be a priority.
Personal Protection Measures:
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Wear PPE: Use chemical-resistant gloves, long-sleeved clothing, protective goggles, and a mask when handling or spraying.
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Avoid Skin and Eye Contact: If contact occurs, rinse immediately with plenty of water. Seek medical advice if irritation persists.
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Do Not Inhale Vapors: Always apply in well-ventilated areas and avoid breathing in spray mist.
Usage Restrictions:
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Drift Control: Avoid spraying on windy days. Use low-drift nozzles and maintain proper boom height to prevent off-target injury to crops or ornamental plants.
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Avoid Use on Edible Crops: Do not allow spray to contact fruits, vegetables, or crop foliage, as Paraquat damages all green plant tissue.
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Child & Animal Safety: Store out of reach. Do not allow pets or livestock into treated areas until the spray has dried completely.
First Aid & Emergency Response:
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Ingestion: Seek immediate medical attention. Do not induce vomiting.
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Eye Exposure: Rinse for at least 15 minutes with clean water and consult a physician.
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Spill Response: Absorb with inert material like sand or soil. Avoid waterway contamination.
All handlers must be trained on the proper use and emergency measures associated with Paraquat-containing herbicides. Always follow the safety instructions provided on the product label.
Packaging & Storage Conditions
Paraquat 20% SL is offered in a range of industrial-grade packaging formats to suit bulk distribution, retail repackaging, and regulated agricultural use. All packaging complies with international chemical transportation standards.
Available Packaging Options:
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Standard Sizes: 500ml, 1L, 5L, 20L HDPE bottles or jerry cans
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Bulk Packaging: 200L drums or IBC totes for high-volume distributors
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Custom Labels: OEM support for private brands, with multilingual safety labels and registration details
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Sealed Leak-Proof Containers: All units are tamper-evident and designed to prevent leaks and evaporation during storage or transit
Storage Guidelines:
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Temperature Control: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated facility, ideally between 5°C and 30°C
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Avoid Direct Sunlight: Exposure to heat and UV can degrade the formulation
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Keep Away from Food & Feed: Never store near consumables or animal feed
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Secure Area: Ensure storage areas are locked and clearly labeled with hazard warnings
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Shelf Life: Typically 2 years under optimal storage conditions
Each batch of Paraquat 20% SL is batch-coded for traceability and includes complete COA, MSDS, and transport classification details (UN number, DG class).