Diquat
isan herbicide and
plant growth regulator. It is a quick-acting contact herbicide,
causing injury only to the parts of the plant to which it is
applied. It is nonselective, meaning that it does not spare
'nontarget' plants from its herbicidal effects. Diquat is referred
to as a desiccant because it causes a leaf or an entire plant to
dry out quickly. It is not residual, that is, it does not leave any
trace of herbicide on or in plants, soil, or water. It is used to
desiccate potato vines and seed crops, to control flowering of
sugarcane, and for industrial and aquatic weed
control.
