Glyphosate: A once-in-a-century herbicide

Duke, SO; Powles, SB

HERO ID

10285529

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Review

Year

2008

Language

English

PMID

18273882

HERO ID 10285529
Material Type Review
In Press No
Year 2008
Title Glyphosate: A once-in-a-century herbicide
Authors Duke, SO; Powles, SB
Journal Pest Management Science
Volume 64
Issue 4
Page Numbers 319-325
Abstract Since its commercial introduction in 1974, glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] has become the dominant herbicide worldwide. There are several reasons for its success. Glyphosate is a highly effective broad-spectrum herbicide, yet it is very toxicologically and environmentally safe. Glyphosate translocates well, and its action is slow enough to take advantage of this. Glyphosate is the only herbicide that targets 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), so there are no competing herbicide analogs or classes. Since glyphosate became a generic compound, its cost has dropped dramatically. Perhaps the most important aspect of the success of glyphosate has been the introduction of transgenic, glyphosate-resistant crops in 1996. Almost 90% of all transgenic crops grown worldwide are glyphosate resistant, and the adoption of these crops is increasing at a steady pace. Glyphosate/glyphosate-resistant crop weed management offers significant environmental and other benefits over the technologies that it replaces. The use of this virtually ideal herbicide is now being threatened by the evolution of glyphosate-resistant weeds. Adoption of resistance management practices will be required to maintain the benefits of glyphosate technologies for future generations.
Doi 10.1002/ps.1518
Pmid 18273882
Wosid WOS:000254497600002
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword glyphosate; GMO; herbicide; herbicide-resistant crop