What is Glyphosate?

About Glyphosate:

• Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that can kill certain weeds and grasses.
• Glyphosate works by blocking an enzyme essential for plant growth.
• First developed in 1970, glyphosate is scientifically N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine under the IUPAC system of nomenclature.

Application:

• In India, glyphosate use was approved only for tea crop and non-crop areas for control of weeds.
  • Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the major tea plantation states in India.
• In India it goes by various brand names, including Roundup, Glycel, and Brake.
• But glyphosate consumption is higher in states that do not have tea crops.
• It is being widely and indiscriminately used in paddy fields by farmers.

Consequences:

• The surface casting activity of vertically burrowing earthworms almost ceased after three weeks and reproduction of soil dwellers reduced by 56 per cent within three months after herbicide application.
• There are long-term negative consequences for honey bee navigation, contamination of water bodies and serious health hazards.

Q1) What are herbicides?

Herbicides are chemicals used to manipulate or control undesirable vegetation.

Source: PIB