Relyon Paraquat Herbicide 250

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

Relyon Paraquat 250 is a fast-acting contact herbicide containing 250 g/L paraquat dichloride. It's a Group 22 herbicide used across Australian agriculture for knockdown control of a wide range of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds, in situations such as fallow, pre-sowing knockdown, inter-row weed control and crop desiccation.

It's a restricted product intended for trained, licensed agricultural users, not for home garden or general use.

How It Works

Paraquat acts on contact by disrupting photosynthesis in green plant tissue. It's one of the fastest knockdown herbicides available, with visible effects on weeds often within hours of application. It works on contact rather than translocating through the plant, so it burns off green tissue quickly but doesn't travel down into established perennial root systems the way a systemic herbicide does.

Its other defining feature is what happens when it hits the ground. Paraquat binds tightly and irreversibly to clay particles in the soil, which locks it up on contact and makes it biologically unavailable. That's what gives it no residual activity on the following crop, and it's why treated ground can be sown very soon after spraying. For growers working to a tight seasonal window, or running minimum-till and conservation farming systems, that's the main reason to reach for it.

Because it has a different mode of action to glyphosate, it's also a useful tool in resistance management programs, giving you a way to rotate chemistry rather than leaning on one group season after season.

How to Use

Paraquat is mixed with clean water and applied to actively growing weeds, with green tissue coverage being the key to results, since it only affects what the spray actually contacts. Rates, permitted uses and application methods vary and are set out on the approved label, and label requirements for paraquat have been updated recently, so check the current label on your product and confirm your intended rate, use and application method before you start.

For best results, spray weeds that are actively growing, use enough water to get thorough coverage, and avoid spraying in windy conditions.

Safety

Paraquat is acutely toxic and there is no antidote. It is fatal if swallowed, and harmful by skin contact and inhalation. It should only be handled by trained, licensed users with the correct equipment.

Wear the full PPE specified on the label, including chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection, and use the mixing and loading equipment the label requires. Never decant it into food or drink containers, and always keep it in its original labelled container. Store it securely and locked away from children, other people, animals and food. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing, and wash immediately if contact occurs. Don't spray where drift or run-off could reach waterways, neighbouring properties or sensitive areas, and follow the label's environmental directions, as paraquat poses risks to birds and mammals foraging in treated areas.

Always read and follow 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 dichloride, a Group 22 contact knockdown herbicide

• Very fast acting, with visible effects on weeds within hours

• Controls a broad range of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

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

• Allows sowing soon after application, suiting minimum-till and conservation systems

• Different mode of action to glyphosate, useful for resistance management

• 20L drum for commercial agricultural use

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the active ingredient in Relyon Paraquat 250?
It contains 250 g/L paraquat dichloride, a Group 22 contact herbicide.

How fast does paraquat work?
Very fast. Visible effects on weeds typically appear within hours of application, considerably quicker than translocated herbicides like glyphosate.

Does paraquat leave a soil residue?
No. Paraquat binds tightly to clay particles in the soil on contact, which deactivates it and makes it unavailable to plants. That means no residual effect on the following crop, so treated ground can be sown soon after spraying.

How is paraquat different from glyphosate?
Paraquat is a contact herbicide that burns off green tissue fast but doesn't move through the plant, so it's less effective on established perennial roots. Glyphosate is systemic and travels to the roots but works more slowly. Their different modes of action are why paraquat is valuable in resistance management programs.

What is the mixing rate for Paraquat 250?
Rates depend on the target weed, situation and application method, and are set out on the approved label. Label requirements for paraquat have been updated recently, so always work from the current label on your product rather than an older rate you may have used before.

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

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