Dhanuka Ozone Herbicide - Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL

Dhanuka Ozone Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL Herbicide

Dhanuka Ozone is a fast-acting, non-selective contact herbicide containing Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL. It belongs to the bipyridylium group of herbicides and is designed for rapid control of susceptible green weeds through foliar contact.

Ozone is absorbed by the green foliage of weeds and acts in the presence of light. It rapidly damages contacted green tissues, causing desiccation and drying. Because it is a contact herbicide, only the plant parts directly contacted by the spray are affected.

Dhanuka recommends Ozone for directed weed management in crops and situations such as tea, potato, cotton, rubber, coffee, rice, wheat, maize, grapes and apple, subject to the current registered label and applicable regulations.

Product Specifications

Key Features & Benefits

• Fast Weed Control: Dhanuka describes Ozone as providing rapid weed control, with visible action occurring within approximately 48 hours under suitable conditions.
• Non-Selective Action: Damages susceptible green vegetation contacted by the spray, so directed application is essential in standing crops.
• Contact Herbicide: Works primarily on the green plant parts directly covered by the spray.
• Light-Activated Action: Herbicidal activity develops in the presence of light after foliar absorption.
• Broad Weed Spectrum: Used against several grassy, broadleaf and sedge weeds according to crop-specific label recommendations.
• Directed Inter-Row Use: Can be directed between crop rows in labelled standing crops while avoiding contact with green crop tissues.
• Rapid Desiccation: Quickly dries susceptible green weed tissues after effective spray coverage.
• Soil Inactivation: Paraquat becomes strongly bound and biologically inactive after contact with soil, according to the manufacturer's product information.

How Dhanuka Ozone Works

Paraquat is absorbed through the foliage of susceptible weeds. In the presence of light, it diverts electrons associated with photosynthesis and generates highly reactive oxygen species inside plant cells.

These reactive molecules rapidly damage cell membranes and other cellular structures, resulting in leakage, tissue collapse and rapid drying of contacted green vegetation.

Because Ozone is a contact rather than systemic herbicide, good spray coverage of the target weed foliage is important. It does not move extensively through the entire weed plant.

Mode of Action

• Non-selective contact activity.
• Absorbed through green foliage.
• Activated by light.
• Produces reactive oxygen species in susceptible plant tissues.
• Causes rapid membrane damage and tissue desiccation.
• HRAC/WSSA Group 22 herbicide.

Target Weed Groups

Dhanuka Ozone is used against a broad range of susceptible weeds, including:

• Annual grassy weeds
• Broadleaf weeds
• Selected sedges
• Standing weeds before planting or transplanting where specifically registered
• Inter-row weeds in labelled plantation and field crops

Recommended Crops, Weeds & Dosage

Dosage Note: Dhanuka's online page currently displays more than one crop-dose table and some values differ between them. Always treat the latest registered label printed on the original Ozone container or leaflet as the final authority for crop, weed, dose, water volume and timing.

Application Method

Dhanuka Ozone should be used only as a directed spray where the registered label permits its use.

1. Identify the labelled crop and target weeds before application.
2. Measure only the label-recommended quantity of Ozone.
3. Add clean water to the spray tank.
4. Add the measured herbicide according to label directions.
5. Mix thoroughly to obtain a uniform spray solution.
6. Direct the spray specifically toward weed foliage.
7. Avoid contact with green leaves, shoots, tender stems or other green parts of desirable crop plants.
8. Follow the prescribed water volume to obtain adequate weed coverage.

Important Directed-Spray Precaution

Ozone is non-selective. Any green crop tissue contacted by the spray may be injured. When used as a directed inter-row herbicide, the spray should be kept away from green leaves, young shoots and tender green stems of the crop.

Dhanuka states that properly directed application does not affect brown, mature tree stems and bark; however, contact with green or immature plant tissue must be avoided.

Best Weed Stage for Application

For several of its registered crop uses, Dhanuka recommends application when weeds are young, particularly around the 2–3 leaf stage. Younger actively growing weeds generally provide better exposed green surface for contact action.

Advantages of Contact Herbicidal Action

• Rapid visible action on contacted green weeds.
• Useful for directed inter-row weed management.
• Can be used before planting in specified crops where registered.
• Helps rapidly suppress existing weed vegetation.
• No prolonged systemic movement through treated weeds.

Resistance Management

Paraquat belongs to HRAC/WSSA Group 22. Repeated reliance on any single herbicide mode of action can select for resistant weed populations.

• Use Ozone only when required.
• Follow the registered dosage.
• Do not rely exclusively on Paraquat throughout the season.
• Rotate suitable herbicide modes of action where legally registered.
• Combine chemical weed management with cultural and mechanical practices.
• Prevent surviving weeds from producing seed.

Integrated Weed Management

For sustainable weed management, combine suitable herbicides with non-chemical practices such as:

• Crop rotation
• Timely cultivation
• Mulching where suitable
• Mechanical weeding
• Hand weeding where practical
• Competitive crop establishment
• Prevention of weed seed production

Critical Safety Information

Paraquat Dichloride is acutely toxic and must be handled with extreme care. Never transfer Ozone into beverage bottles, food containers or unlabelled containers.

• Read the complete label and leaflet before opening or using the product.
• Wear all personal protective equipment specified on the current product label.
• Avoid skin and eye contact.
• Avoid inhaling spray mist.
• Never eat, drink or smoke while handling or spraying the product.
• Do not apply using leaking or defective spray equipment.
• Wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
• Wash contaminated clothing separately.
• Keep the product locked away from children, animals, food and animal feed.
• Never reuse the empty herbicide container.

Poisoning Warning

Paraquat poisoning is a medical emergency. The Government of India's 2026 regulatory review specifically cited serious adverse health effects, fatal poisoning incidents and the absence of a specific antidote.

If accidental swallowing, significant skin/eye exposure or other suspected poisoning occurs, obtain emergency medical attention immediately and take the original product label/container information with the patient where it is safe to do so.

Storage Instructions

• Keep Ozone only in its original labelled container.
• Keep the container tightly closed.
• Store in a secure, cool and dry pesticide-storage area.
• Protect from unauthorized access.
• Keep separately from food, medicines, animal feed and drinking water.
• Never store in beverage or food containers.
• Keep out of reach of children and animals.

Available Pack Sizes

• 500 ml
• 1 Litre
• 5 Litres

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dhanuka Ozone?

Dhanuka Ozone is a non-selective contact herbicide containing Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL.

What is the technical composition of Ozone?

Ozone contains Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL.

Is Dhanuka Ozone selective or non-selective?

Ozone is a non-selective herbicide. It can damage susceptible green vegetation contacted by the spray.

Is Ozone a contact or systemic herbicide?

Ozone is primarily a contact herbicide. It acts mainly on the green plant tissues directly contacted by the spray.

How quickly does Dhanuka Ozone work?

Dhanuka states that Ozone provides rapid action and can control susceptible weeds within approximately 48 hours under suitable conditions.

Does Ozone work through the soil?

No. Dhanuka states that Paraquat becomes biologically inactive after contact with soil. Ozone is primarily intended to act through contacted green weed foliage.

Can Ozone be sprayed over a standing crop?

Because it is non-selective, it should not be sprayed over green crop foliage. In registered standing crops, use only the directed inter-row application specified on the current label.

Which crops are listed for Dhanuka Ozone?

Dhanuka currently lists applications involving tea, potato, cotton, rubber, coffee, rice, wheat, maize, grapes and apple, subject to crop-specific application directions.

What is the dose of Dhanuka Ozone?

The dose varies significantly by crop and weed situation. Dhanuka lists rates ranging from a few hundred millilitres to more than one litre per acre depending on the registered use. Always follow the exact crop-specific rate on the current container label.

What does SL mean?

SL means Soluble Liquid formulation.

What is the HRAC group of Paraquat?

Paraquat belongs to HRAC/WSSA Group 22.

Is Dhanuka Ozone safe to handle without protective equipment?

No. Paraquat is acutely toxic. Always use the personal protective equipment and handling precautions specified on the current product label.

Is Paraquat Dichloride currently banned in India?

In July 2026, the Government of India published a draft order proposing a nationwide ban on Paraquat Dichloride. The draft states that prohibition takes effect upon final publication of the order in the Official Gazette. The current regulatory status should therefore be verified before sale, purchase or use.

Regulatory Notice

The Government of India published the Draft Banning of Paraquat Dichloride Order, 2026 proposing prohibition of manufacture, import, transport, distribution, sale and use of Paraquat Dichloride. Dealers, farmers and other users should verify the latest Central and State regulatory status before stocking, selling, purchasing or applying this product.

Disclaimer

The information above is intended for product identification and agricultural awareness purposes. Always follow the latest registered Dhanuka Ozone label and leaflet regarding approved crops, target weeds, dose, water volume, application timing, personal protective equipment, storage, disposal and emergency precautions. Regulatory status can change; verify applicable Central and State rules before sale or use.