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Re: glyphosate

Ed and Gale,
Obviuosly, when any pesticide is used proper precautions must be taken.  The necessary precautions are stated on the pesticide label.  Theoretically, there is some measure of risk to something or somebody any time a pesticide is used.  Some pesticides are just more riskier than others.   Most of us will probably use chemicals to clean our toilets that are far more toxic than glyphosate.  Having said that, pesticides contain the active ingredients and other ingredients to make a formulation that will mix in specific carriers, maintain stability of the product when stored etc.
RoundupTM is not approved for use in an around aquatic ecosystems because of the indredients other than the glyphosate.  RodeoTM is a glyphosate product approved for these kinds of environments and is used often to rid wetlands of exotic plants.
As far as pesticides go, glyphosate products are some of the most environmentally benign with respect to persistence in plants and soils and toxicity.  That doesn't mean there is zero risk so there has to be site by site decisions made as to the lesser of the evils.  Where invasive plant species threaten natural ecosystems, in my opinion, it is irrational not to consider APPROVED chemicals as a possible tool to be used in combination with other non-chemical control measures.  I have training in Weed Science and it is my experience that no one method is effective all of the time.  There are no "silver bullets" for any of these problems.  I do know that philosophy and ideology have never killed one kudzu plant.  By contrast science, facts, knowlegde, experience, and common sense tend to bring us closer to the results that we want.
Developing pest control strategies can be complex so there is no magic recipe.

A complicated as it is, there is the fundamental question that must be asked and answered:  Is the invading pest more or less harmful to the ecosystem in question than the known control measures for the pest?  Glyphosate has very low toxicity and low environmental persistence.  As far as Kudzu is concerned,  I am told that better control has been achieved by using TranslineTM . There is no magic bullet for this weed either.  A combination of methods is best.

Brett Roberts
State Conservation Agronomist
USDA-NRCS, Champaign, Illinois

Ed and Gale wrote:

We belong to an environmental group and are currently in the middle of a
rather heated debate about invasive exotic plants in natural areas on public
land and the use of glyphosate to control them. Some folks are opposed to
the use of any chemical in any way and others see the treat of exotics as so
great that they are willing to use Round Up selectively.

I was wondering if anyone on this group can help with any expertise or info.
What are the long term effects of glyphosate on plants and soil? Are there
any health risks to humans and animals? What are your thoughts on using
Round Up to control garlic mustard, kudzu, and other invasives if it's used
selectively and applied by hand?

Thank you for your imput.
Gale Cook
Southern Illinois

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