Glyphosate is an internal absorption and translocation type of herbicide with broad-spectrum herbicidal properties, which can basically kill all weeds and roots, but it takes 3 to 5 days to take effect, and it is slightly toxic with high efficiency. Paraquat is a contact type broad-spectrum herbicide, with strong efficacy, but it cannot kill roots, and can only kill part of the leaves and stems above the soil layer. Perennial weeds are prone to regrowth. It has a certain level of pollution. It has moderate toxic and side effects, but there is no specific antidote, and the mortality rate is high after poisoning. Let’s take a look at the differences between glyphosate and paraquat together below.

The first difference is the difference in the basic principle of herbicidal action.

Glyphosate is an organophosphorus type of systemic herbicide that inhibits the activity of related enzymes inside the plant, thereby inhibiting the metabolism of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the most important constituent of proteins. When the synthesis of carbohydrates is blocked, the generation of proteins is affected, causing the death of plants. In addition, green plants absorb glyphosate through the leaves and stems, and then transmit it to the whole plant to take effect.

Paraquat is a strong contact herbicide with a strong destructive effect on the green tissues of plants. It can take effect within 2-3 hours after spraying, and the effect is immediate under the sun. The drug has no internal absorption and translocation function, and can only harm the location where the drug is applied, and cannot destroy the roots and seeds潜伏 in the soil. Therefore, there is a possibility of regrowth of wild grass after spraying.

The second difference is the difference in the time of action.

The effect of glyphosate on wild grass is generally best when the wild grass is growing most vigorously. In the case of small wild grass, the leaves are small, the photosynthesis is weak, the nutrients are transmitted upwards from the roots, and at this time, the medicine is absorbed by the leaves less, and the amount transmitted to the roots is also very small, so it does not have a good effect on eliminating wild grass. Therefore, the effect of taking the medicine is best before the wild grass is fully grown, especially before the wild grass is in full bloom.

When spraying glyphosate, avoid the time with high temperature, allowing the medicine to remain on the reed surface for a long time. If the temperature is too high, the medicine volatilizes too quickly, and it is difficult to achieve the purpose of high efficiency.

Paraquat should be used at an early stage in the wild grass, as paraquat can only kill a part of the surface of the wild grass. Therefore, it should be used when the wild grass is growing in a small size, otherwise, the roots will survive again easily, and it will grow again in the spring breeze. The spraying of paraquat should also be carried out in the afternoon on a sunny day. At this time, the temperature is directly proportional to the effect of the herbicide, and the higher the temperature and the stronger the sunlight, the better the weeding effect.

The third difference is the difference in toxicity and side effects.

In the case of accidental ingestion of glyphosate, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, as well as weakness of the limbs and throat pain can occur within 15 minutes, and these symptoms are more pronounced when consuming more than 100ml, which is equivalent to the amount of two cups of wine.

In the case of accidental ingestion of paraquat, 3ml can be fatal, and there is no specific antidote, with a fatality rate of over 90%. Moreover, the symptoms of poisoning are significant, leading to multi-organ failure, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, and death in pain.

The fourth difference is the market trend difference.

Glyphosate has now become the most widely used herbicide in the world, while in China, paraquat was already withdrawn from the registration and production approval in 2014, ceased production, and the water-based preparations were terminated from sales and application in China in 2016.

The fifth difference is the name difference.

During the leisure of reading the article, I have told a little joke to all my friends. The names of glyphosate and paraquat are different at a glance, which is the most easily distinguishable.

At present, paraquat is strictly prohibited from being used. If there is any storage, it should be resolved as soon as possible to prevent accidental ingestion.