Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Potassium chlorate as weedkiller?

Chemgineer - 7-11-2021 at 06:03

I know in the past sodium chlorate has been sold as garden weedkiller, I am wondering if potassium chlorate would work as effectively?

I might mix some with water and a little detergent to break surface tension and help it to stick to the weeds.

unionised - 7-11-2021 at 06:06

It would work fine.
Since it's taken up by the roots there's not much to be said for adding a detergent.

You might want to check if it's legal...

[Edited on 7-11-21 by unionised]

arkoma - 7-11-2021 at 06:22

sodium chlorate is sprayed on rice and soybeans as a "pre harvest dessicator". Will kill the shit outa weeds. BTW Wal-Mart sells it online........in the garden dept.

B(a)P - 8-11-2021 at 01:08

Quote: Originally posted by Chemgineer  
I know in the past sodium chlorate has been sold as garden weedkiller, I am wondering if potassium chlorate would work as effectively?

I might mix some with water and a little detergent to break surface tension and help it to stick to the weeds.


You will need to check that you can get enough into solution such that it will be at an effective concentration.

arkoma - 8-11-2021 at 21:03

See attached.

*edit* it's approved as a pre harvest dessicant because it breaks down very quickly. Crop duster guy sprays, and three days later we're combining. Plants are dead and dry.

*edit* The "old farmers" refer to it as "salt" even though its CHLORATE not CHLORIDE.

Attachment: sodium chlorate for spraying.pdf (293kB)
This file has been downloaded 204 times

[Edited on 11-9-2021 by arkoma]

[Edited on 11-9-2021 by arkoma]

Sulaiman - 9-11-2021 at 01:04

Small note; in my youth sodium chlorate was the go-to weedkiller for domestic use
(or in my case, for pyrotechnics)
If used regulatly, unintentional application to wooden femces caused them to become incendary objects.
Later about 50% fire suppressants were added then later it was completely banned for retail in uk.