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What is Glyphosate?

26-08-2023

10:53 AM

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1 min read
What is Glyphosate? Blog Image

Overview:

The Union government has not banned the sale, distribution and use of Glyphosate or any other pesticide that contain 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