Krueger, Roger W. ROUNDUP READY® CROPPING SYSTEMS: COMBINING CHEMISTRY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND GERMPLASM
Monsanto, St. Louis, MO
Roundup® contains the active ingredient glyphosate, water and a surfactant. A recently completed risk assessment of the formulated product and major breakdown component, aminomethyl phosphonic acid, concluded that "under present and expected conditions of new use, there is no potential for Roundup herbicide to pose a health risk to humans".
Roundup provides effective weed control and has favourable environmental properties. Research has focused on the development of plant varieties genetically improved to tolerate glyphosate. Since 1996 Roundup Ready cotton, soybean and canola varieties have been grown by growers in many different countries and global acreage is approaching 100 million acres.
Roundup Ready crops provide growers a more effective pest management system. Roundup Ready crops simplify weed control, reduce herbicide applications and improve weed control. Farmers have increased net returns by increasing yields or reducing input costs. Roundup Ready crops facilitate the adoption of sustainable reduced tillage systems which reduce topsoil erosion and increase wildlife habitat. Careful stewardship is required of the herbicide, the genetics, cropping systems, and weed biologies to insure long term effectiveness of this important technology system.