Paraquat 250 Herbicide 20L | Fast Acting Weed Control Solution

Paraquat 250 Herbicide 20L: Fast-Acting Contact Knockdown Herbicide

Paraquat 250 is a fast-acting contact herbicide containing 250 g/L paraquat, formulated as a soluble concentrate. It's used across Australian agriculture and industry for rapid knockdown of a broad range of annual and perennial weeds, in cropping systems (fallow and pre-sowing knockdown), industrial sites and non-crop areas. This 20L drum is the commercial size for large-area work.

It's a restricted product for trained, licensed users, and it isn't a home garden or general-use herbicide.

How It Works

Paraquat works on contact by disrupting photosynthesis in green plant tissue, which is why results appear so quickly, often visible within hours of application. It doesn't move through the plant like a systemic herbicide, so it burns down green top growth fast but doesn't kill established perennial root systems. That fast, contact action makes it a common choice for knocking down weeds ahead of sowing, and for keeping fields, fence lines and industrial areas clear.

A useful feature for cropping is that paraquat is deactivated the moment it contacts soil, binding tightly to soil particles. That means no residual carryover to the following crop, so ground can be sown soon after spraying. It also gives a different mode of action to glyphosate, which makes it valuable in herbicide resistance management programs.

How to Use

Paraquat 250 is mixed with clean water and applied to actively growing weeds, with thorough coverage of green tissue being the key to results, since it only affects what the spray directly contacts. Rates, permitted uses and application methods are all set out on the approved label and depend on the target weed and situation, so always work from the current product label. Spray when weeds are small and growing well, and avoid spraying weeds that are stressed, dusty or waterlogged.

Safety

Paraquat is acutely toxic and there is no antidote. It is fatal if swallowed, and harmful by skin contact and inhalation. It must only be handled by trained, licensed users with the correct equipment. Wear the full PPE specified on the label, never decant it into food or drink containers, always keep it in its original labelled container, and store it locked away from children, animals and food. Avoid spray drift and run-off into waterways, and follow all label environmental directions. Always read the full approved label and Safety Data Sheet before use. In case of poisoning, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, or call 000 immediately.

Key Features & Benefits

• 250 g/L paraquat, a fast-acting contact knockdown herbicide

• Visible results within hours of application

• Controls a broad range of annual and perennial weeds

• Deactivated on soil contact, no residual for the following crop

• Allows sowing soon after spraying, suiting minimum-till systems

• Different mode of action to glyphosate for resistance management

• Commercial 20L drum for large-area agricultural and industrial use

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the active ingredient in Paraquat 250?
It contains 250 g/L paraquat, formulated as a soluble concentrate. It's a fast-acting contact herbicide.

How fast does paraquat work?
Very fast. Because it acts on contact by disrupting photosynthesis, visible effects on weeds usually appear within hours, much quicker than translocated herbicides like glyphosate.

Does paraquat leave a soil residue?
No. It's deactivated on contact with soil, binding tightly to soil particles, so it leaves no residual and treated ground can be sown soon after spraying.

How is it different from glyphosate?
Paraquat is a contact herbicide that burns off green growth fast but doesn't travel to the roots, so it's less effective on established perennials. Glyphosate is systemic and reaches the roots but works more slowly. Their different modes of action make paraquat useful in resistance management.

Which herbicides contain paraquat?
Paraquat is the active ingredient in a number of contact knockdown herbicides sold under different brand names. This product contains 250 g/L paraquat as its active.

Who can buy and use paraquat?
It's a restricted product for trained, licensed agricultural and commercial users. In most states you need appropriate accreditation to purchase and apply it. It isn't a home garden or general-use product.

What PPE do I need?
Follow the label exactly, which generally includes chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection, plus the mixing and loading equipment specified. Paraquat has no antidote, so PPE isn't optional.