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Re: Roundup research on toxicity

I'm wondering if you're discussing Roundup use in the home garden or in large multi-acre sites. In the Chicago area, environmentalists doing prairie restorations have been using Roundup for several years to eradicate bluegrass and weeds as part of the preparation for planting with native plants. Carolyn ULrich
On Sunday, March 6, 2005, at 12:48 AM, Ron Whitehurst wrote:

By heat, I mean heat as is in weed flamers (that have limited
application in brushfire country), catalytic heaters (propane heats up
surface), hot water, hot foam, and steam. Weed control technology is
advancing rapidly now that there is political will to look for
alternatives to toxic sprays.

The heat just penetrates the top couple millimeters of soil so no
problem for soil life.

Vinegar and citric acid, (in products like Burnout) after burning the
plants, become food for soil microbes. We have millenia of experience
with these compounds and know what to expect from them.

Roundup kills beneficial soil fungi leaving soil compacted, so it grows
only the primary colonizers - the worst kinds of weeds. With the good
fungi dead, the pathogenic fungi take over - like phylloxera feeding
damage in vineyards:
http://donlotter.net/lotter_phylox_page1.html

I suggest we use the precautionary principle as a mater of public policy
- let's not take risks if we dont need to. We have the tools to control
weeds without using toxic or carcinogenic materials, so using toxic
materials like Roundup is an unacceptable risk. The only big push to use
Roundup is from those who profit from selling it. These people will find
new, organic products to sell when they are motivated.

Ron

Duane Campbell wrote:>With the healthy schools act, school grounds
keepers are learning to use mulch, heat, or a mix of >citric acid/acetic
acid (lemon juice/vinegar) to control weeds.


By "heat", I am guessing you mean solarization. Effective solarization
kills all of the beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Roundup kills
only the weeds. Which is more environmentally friendly?

As for acetic acid, even in its dilute form of vinegar it can be
dangerous stuff. Vinegar has an LD50 rating of 3,310, Roundup is 4,320.
For those not up on the scientific stuff, that means that vinegar is
more toxic than Roundup. And we actually pour vinegar on our food.

--
* * * * * * * * *

Ron Whitehurst
Marketing Manager

Rincon-Vitova Insectaries,
P.O. Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002-1555
805-643-5407 800-248-2847 (BUGS) fax 805-643-6267

e-mail: bugnet@rinconvitova.com
web: http://www.rinconvitova.com

Biological Solutions for Pest Management


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