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The chemical miracle behind glyphosate: How does it start a "secret war" in plants?
Glyphosate has become the main herbicide in global agriculture since 1974 and is still one of the widely used chemical products. As a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide, glyphosate is designed to kill weeds that compete with crops, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses. Its success lies not only in its effectiveness, but also in its unique mechanism of action, which allows us to delve into this "hidden battle" among plants.
The main effect of glyphosate is by inhibiting "5-vinylpyruvate-3-phosphate synthase" in plants, which is involved in the synthesis of three aromatic amino acids and is crucial to the life process of plants. .
Glyphosate further prevents plant growth through its chemical action. This mechanism stems from glyphosate's targeted intervention in plant biochemical pathways, especially the "coumaric acid synthesis pathway". This pathway is not only critical for plant growth, but also affects many microorganisms, as these organisms also rely on this pathway to synthesize key molecules required for life.
Chemical properties of glyphosate
The chemical structure of glyphosate makes it appear in the form of zwitterionic ions in water, which makes glyphosate have good adsorption properties in soil. Binds to organic carbon and clay in the soil, assisting its activity and degradation process in the environment. When glyphosate enters the plant, it is quickly transported to the growing point through tissues such as stems and leaves, eventually causing the death of the plant.
The degradation of glyphosate is mainly through hydrolysis and conversion into aminomethylphosphonic acid, which will further affect its persistence and biological activity in the environment.
The use and impact of glyphosate
In agriculture, the widespread use of glyphosate has promoted the stability and improvement of crop yields, especially in combination with its resistant varieties, such as "glyphosate-resistant soybeans." The advent of these genetically modified crops has allowed farmers to significantly reduce the labor and time costs required in weed removal. Post-application weed control has become standard practice in many agricultural systems. However, this has also raised concerns about the health and environmental impacts of glyphosate.
Although many international organizations have stated that glyphosate is not carcinogenic to humans under standard use conditions, the World Health Organization still lists it as a "possibly carcinogenic to humans" substance, which has triggered global discussions to a certain extent.
The environmental fate of glyphosate
The behavior of glyphosate in the environment depends on many factors, including the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Studies have shown that the half-life of glyphosate in water ranges from days to weeks, and its degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid, also has environmental persistence issues. These properties make glyphosate more detectable in surface waters, especially those near agricultural lands.
Future Outlook
With the advancement of agricultural science and technology and the irreplaceability of pesticides, the use of glyphosate will continue to increase in the future. However, continued research into its ecological and human health impacts is essential and will lead to safer use practices and policy development.
Glyphosate is undoubtedly a chemical miracle, however, the environmental and health problems it brings cannot be ignored. Can we find a way to live in harmony with nature while pursuing agricultural efficiency?
