Chinese scientists declare safe alternative to effective but toxic paraquat weed killer in bid to preserve crops

Chinese scientists say that they have discovered a new herbicide that combines the prominent advantages of paraquat – a widely used herbicide in global agriculture – while avoiding its ferocious toxicity.

Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide that has been widely used in more than 120 countries since the 1960s because of its effectiveness, broad spectrum of activity and relatively low cost. It has a contact-killing effect and quickly becomes ineffective on contact with the soil, making it a herbicide that does not harm soil or plant roots.