IIL Milquat Herbicide - Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL, Non-Selective Contact Weed Killer

IIL Milquat is a powerful, non-selective contact herbicide manufactured by Insecticides India Limited (IIL). It contains Paraquat Dichloride 24% in a Soluble Liquid (SL) formulation. This herbicide is designed to quickly burn down green plant tissue on contact, making it highly effective for controlling a wide range of grassy weeds, broadleaf weeds, and other unwanted vegetation in agricultural fields and non-crop areas.

Milquat works by disrupting the photosynthesis process in weeds. Once sprayed on green foliage, it interferes with electron transfer in the photosystem I complex, creating reactive oxygen species (superoxides) that rapidly destroy cell membranes. This causes the weed tissue to dry out and die, with visible damage appearing within hours of application. Because it is a contact herbicide, it only affects the parts of the plant it directly touches and does not move through the plant's system to the roots.

This herbicide is valued for its fast action, rainfastness within minutes, and versatility. It can be used as a pre-plant burndown herbicide to clear fields before sowing, as a post-emergence spray to control actively growing weeds, and for inter-row weed management in plantation crops like tea, coffee, and rubber. Milquat is also used as a harvest aid for crop desiccation in crops like potato and cotton. It becomes inactive upon contact with soil, leaving no harmful residue for the next crop. IIL Milquat is a restricted-use pesticide and must be handled with extreme care due to its high toxicity.

Key Benefits

• Fast visible results: Weeds start showing damage within hours, and complete kill is often seen within 24–48 hours in bright sunlight.
• Rainfast in minutes: The herbicide absorbs into the leaf quickly and remains effective even if it rains 15–30 minutes after spraying.
• No soil residue: Milquat becomes inactive immediately upon contact with soil, so it does not harm crop roots and allows for immediate sowing after application.
• Broad-spectrum weed control: Effectively controls annual grasses, broadleaf weeds, and perennial grasses in one application.
• Versatile application: Can be used for pre-plant burndown, post-emergence weed control, inter-row weeding, and as a harvest aid for crop drying.
• Cost-effective alternative: Provides total weed control at a lower cost compared to manual labour or many alternative herbicides.
• Works in multiple crops and non-crop areas: Suitable for field crops, plantation crops, orchards, and non-agricultural areas.

How It Works

IIL Milquat belongs to the Bipyridylium chemical group and has a unique mode of action classified under IRAC Group 22 (Photosystem I Electron Diverter). It requires sunlight to work effectively. When sprayed on green weed foliage, the active ingredient Paraquat Dichloride rapidly penetrates the leaf surface. Inside the plant cells, it enters the chloroplasts and intercepts the normal flow of electrons during photosynthesis. Instead of allowing these electrons to be used for energy production, Milquat diverts them to create destructive superoxide radicals. These reactive oxygen species immediately attack and destroy the cell membranes, causing the plant cells to leak their contents and dry out rapidly. This results in quick browning, wilting, and death of the exposed green parts of the weed. Because it is a contact herbicide, it does not travel through the plant's vascular system to the roots. This means that while above-ground growth is killed quickly, deep-rooted perennial weeds may regrow from the roots and require a follow-up spray.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Brand	Insecticides India Limited (IIL)
Product Name	Milquat
Active Ingredient	Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL
Formulation Type	Soluble Liquid (SL)
Chemical Group	Bipyridylium
IRAC Mode of Action Code	Group 22 (Photosystem I Electron Diverter)
Mode of Entry	Contact
Selectivity	Non-selective
Time of Application	Pre-emergent and Post-emergent
Toxicity Label	Moderately Hazardous (Yellow/Blue Label) - Handle with Extreme Care
HSN Code	380893
Country of Origin	India

Recommended Dosage & Application

Dosage per Acre:

• For annual grasses and general weeds (foliar application): 300 to 400 ml per acre
• For perennial grasses: 500 to 600 ml per acre
• General range for various crops: 500 to 1000 ml per acre

Application Method: Foliar spray on actively growing weeds. Use clean water for mixing. Muddy or dirty water can deactivate the chemical. Use flat fan or flood jet nozzles for thorough coverage of weed foliage. Ensure complete wetting of the green parts of weeds.

Crop / Use	Dose (ml/Acre)	Water (L/Acre)
Tea / Coffee	500 - 1000 ml	200 L
Rice / Wheat / Maize (Pre-plant burndown)	500 - 1000 ml	200 L
Potato (Haulm destruction)	500 - 800 ml	200 L
Cotton	500 - 800 ml	200 L
General foliar application	300 - 400 ml	As per coverage
Perennial grasses	500 - 600 ml	As per coverage

When to Use

Apply IIL Milquat when weeds are young (2-3 leaf stage) and actively growing for the best results. Spraying in bright sunlight gives the fastest and most effective action because the herbicide requires active photosynthesis to work. The product can be used at different times depending on the purpose:

• Pre-plant burndown: Apply before sowing to clear existing weeds from the field. This is ideal for zero-tillage farming and stale seedbed preparation.
• Post-emergence: Spray on actively growing weeds after crop establishment, taking care to avoid contact with crop foliage.
• Inter-row weeding: Use in plantation crops like tea, coffee, and rubber to control weeds between rows without damaging the crop.
• Harvest aid: Apply to potato crops for haulm destruction (drying vines) before harvest, or to cotton as a defoliant to clean fields before picking.

Step by Step Usage Instructions

1. Wear protective gear: Put on hand gloves, a mask, goggles, and full-body clothing before handling the product.
2. Prepare the spray solution: Fill the spray tank with half the required volume of clean water.
3. Add the herbicide: Measure the recommended dose of IIL Milquat and add it to the tank. For a 15-litre knapsack sprayer, use approximately 100 ml of Milquat.
4. Mix thoroughly: Fill the rest of the tank with water and mix well to ensure uniform dilution.
5. Spray application: Use a flat fan or flood jet nozzle. Spray only on the green foliage of weeds. Ensure thorough wetting of all weed leaves.
6. Avoid crop contact: Do not spray directly on crop plants. Use a hooded sprayer for inter-row applications if needed.
7. Post-application: Do not walk through the treated area until the spray has dried. Wash hands and equipment thoroughly after use.

Precautions & Safety

• Highly toxic: IIL Milquat is fatal if swallowed. There is no specific antidote. Handle with extreme care.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear hand gloves, a mask, goggles, and boots while mixing and spraying.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or applying the product.
• Never transfer this product into water bottles, soft drink containers, or food containers. The blue dye and foul smell are safety additives to prevent accidental ingestion.
• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from food, feed, children, and livestock.
• Environmental safety: Avoid spray drift to water bodies, non-target crops, and areas where livestock graze.
• Restricted use: This product is restricted in the state of Kerala. Check local regulations before use.
• First aid: In case of accidental ingestion, immediately give gastric wash with Fuller's Earth suspension and seek medical attention urgently. Manage symptoms with quinidine sulphate as advised by a physician.

Side Effects & Phytotoxicity

• Milquat is a non-selective herbicide and will damage or kill any green plant tissue it comes into contact with. Avoid spray drift onto crop foliage.
• As a contact herbicide, it does not travel to roots. Perennial weeds may regrow from underground parts and require a second application.
• Do not exceed the recommended dosage as it may lead to poor coverage or crop injury in case of drift.

PHI / REI & Storage

• Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI): Maintain a minimum of 7 days between last spray and harvest for crops where applicable.
• Rainfastness: The product becomes rainfast within 15–30 minutes of application.
• Soil inactivation: Milquat becomes biologically inactive immediately upon contact with soil, leaving no active residue.
• Storage: Store in original container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, food, and animal feed. Keep out of reach of children.