Paraquat

Paraquat is an important tool in the soybean farmer's battle against weeds, while also having a good environmental profile and creating opportunities in rural communities. You can read more about the benefits of using paraquat here. Paraquat controls a very broad spectrum of annual weeds Definition Weeds that complete their life cycle within one growing season, or year. From seed to flowering to seed before the year ends.Authoritative On-line References and Resources The International Weed Science Society represents individual associations around the world., cleaning fields before planting or later tackling weeds growing in between the crop rows. Paraquat is deactivated on contact with the soil meaning that it can be sprayed to burn down weeds before planting without risking damage to that crop or subsequent crops in the rotation. There are no leaching Description The natural process by which water soluble substances are carried downward through the soil into groundwater. , persistence or root uptake problems to restrict its use, unlike many other herbicides which have 'residual' properties. You can read more about paraquat's unique soil properties here. Paraquat works well even in cold and rainy weather. These properties mean that it is vital to conservation tillage Description Any tillage and planting system that covers 30 percent or more of the soil surface with crop residue after planting to reduce soil erosion by water.Authoritative On-line References and Resources Purdue University-based Conservation Technology Information Centre. systems in which there is no plowing to control weeds. Conservation tillage prevents erosion and maintains a healthy soil. In double cropping systems (in which two crops are grown in one year) a fast turn-around between crops is critical. Paraquat's rapid action gives the fastest possible clean-up of weeds before planting the next crop. A video showing paraquat's unsurpassed speed of action can be viewed here. In recent years, intensive use of glyphosate has caused new weed problems as less well controlled species have 'shifted' to become more dominant and some species have evolved biotypes which are resistant to glyphosate. Using paraquat as an alternative non-selective Description 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. herbicide with a different mode of action in integrated weed management Description 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. systems is helping to avoid problems of weed shifts Description A change in the weed community within a field i.e. relative abundance or type of weeds. This can be the result of a management practice like herbicide use or any other phenomenon that brings about a change in weed species composition. Species or biotypes adapted to current weed management practices increase, whereas weeds susceptible to those practices decrease.Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/mgmt/qtr00-1/popdyn.htm A classic article on weed population dynamics on the Iowa State University Weed Science website. and resistance. The importance of paraquat in fighting weed resistance to glyphosate and maintaining farmers' options to use conservation tillage systems is discussed here. Although paraquat is a non-selective, broad spectrum herbicide, if small amounts land on leaves there is little or no crop damage because paraquat does not move through plants systemically like glyphosate. So, paraquat can be used for inter-row weed control to remove weeds growing between the crop rows. This practice is not recommended for glyphosate, being far too risky because of its systemic action. Paraquat has a very robust environmental profile. Details of paraquat's safety to the environment, spray operators and consumers can be found by referring to the Paraquat Fact Sheet.