The factors .earlier proposed as being probably responsible for the herbicidal activi~~f paraquat (l,l'dimethyl bipyridylium dichloride) family were re-examined in the light of the existence of the higher reduction product MB: and the relative rates of the reaction of the two reduction.products of MB~+ with oxygen. Since in the case of paraquat it has earlier been proposed that adsorptivity may be a factor which influences its herbicidal activity, the reaction of the two reduction products MB. and MB: with oxygen were studied in adsorbed state. The role of MB: is thus highlighted in the present study.


M MOHAMMAD ,R JAHAN ,R IQBAL ,A Y KHAN ,K ZAHIR ,