Roundup

glyphosate component

Today we are going to talk about a type of herbicide that has generated controversy in the world of environmentalism and agriculture. Its about Roundup. Monsanto was a multinational company producing agrochemicals and biotechnology that is destined for agriculture. One of the main arguments Monsanto uses to claim that it was in favor of biotechnology is that it will help reduce the use of herbicides. However, it has been developing Roundup resistant crops for longer and longer.

Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you everything you need to know about the Roundup herbicide and the problem like Monsanto.

Roundup and Monsanto

glyphosate

A few months ago, Monsanto launched an advertising campaign to promote all the advantages of various foods that are genetically modified. All of its companies and subsidiaries have half of the patents on 36 genetically manipulated foods. These foods are easier to grow in crops, as they are more resistant to various pests and diseases, in addition to adverse environmental conditions.

One of the central elements that Monsanto has highlighted as an argument to defend genetically modified foods is that they help reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides. In this way, they try to guarantee the contribution of a greater quantity of food that is grown in a natural way and avoid, not only the contamination to the environment but also the possible affection to the human being. The difference between what you advertise in the advertising campaign and the reality is that the amount of herbicides on crops is increasing. And it is that Monsanto is the largest producer of agricultural chemicals and uses genetic engineering to increase the use of these herbicides.

El Roundup is made up of glyphosate and it is a broad spectrum herbicide that is used to kill weeds in crops and improve production. A wide variety of annuals, biannuals and perennials can be used. It has also been used with good results against sedges, woody bushes, broad-leaved weeds and some commercial crops. Over time this herbicide has become one of the most used in all agriculture and in other areas.

How Roundup Works

roundup herbicide

This brand of herbicide is composed of glyphosate and can be applied to the leaves, injecting the trunks and stems. It can also be sprayed onto tree stumps and used as a forest herbicide. It kills the plants as it interferes with the synthesis of the main amino acids. These amino acids are tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan. To be able to intervene in the synthesis of these amino acids, it must inhibit the function of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvilshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Growth stops in just a few hours after using Roundup.

Although growth stops, it must be taken into account that its action is somewhat slower and the results may take days. For example, the leaves usually take a few days to turn yellow. This enzyme is not only synthesized by plants but also by some microbes. However, it is not synthesized by mammals, so the mechanism of action of inhibition of this enzyme does not affect mammals.

Although it sounds ironic, we know that glyphosate a is the active principle in Roundup, and despite this, Monsanto was bought by Bayer and patented in some countries the glyphosate-resistant transgenic soybean. Despite being the company that sells the most this herbicide, it has been in charge of creating genetically modified plants that are resistant to said herbicide.

Some of the plants that most resistant to Roundup are corn, cotton and canola, among others. The use of this herbicide is known to be controversial from both a toxicological and environmental point of view.

Environmental impact

Roundup

It should be noted that there is a natural barrier to the rise of Roundup as a herbicide in agriculture. The exaggerated use of this herbicide in cultivation would destroy the bad herbs and also the crop itself. The solution that the creator company gives is that they remain resistant to this herbicide. Farmers can use large amounts of Roundup without destroying their own crops. This makes Monsanto double profit. For one thing, you earn all the profits from selling the herbicide. On the other hand, you make more money selling plants that are resistant to the herbicide. In the end it is like the whiting that bites its tail.

You have to know that the environmental impact of these herbicides is quite high. The increased use of chemicals represents great ecological and health risks. Although this herbicide is not bad for people, pets and fauna in general, it is not known what causes the environment can generate in the long term. We know that through the bioaccumulation process, certain chemical compounds can be stored over time. This bioaccumulation process can lead to serious problems in the food chain.

Various reviews of scientific articles have been able to describe a series of environmental and health problems related to the use of these herbicides. These articles suggested that Gifosate could cause some mammalian and toxic reactions including seizures and even respiratory arrest. This happens and is quite well camouflaged to the public since what causes this toxicity is not the main component of Roundup. It is one of the components and inerts that are not listed and that makes this herbicide work more easily. Among these inert components is the surfactant known as POEA. Others are also the organic acids related to glyphosate and isopropylamine.

As you can see, there is controversy between the companies that sell herbicides and those that are concerned about the environmental impact. It is only necessary to see that there is a generalized economic interest that is above the protection of the environment and the affection or possible affection on human beings and the natural flora and fauna.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about Roundup and its characteristics.


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