Trends in glyphosate herbicide use in the United States and globally
TL;DR: Glyphosate will likely remain the most widely applied pesticide worldwide for years to come, and interest will grow in quantifying ecological and human health impacts, according to published global pesticide use data.
Abstract: Accurate pesticide use data are essential when studying the environmental and public health impacts of pesticide use. Since the mid-1990s, significant changes have occurred in when and how glyphosate herbicides are applied, and there has been a dramatic increase in the total volume applied. Data on glyphosate applications were collected from multiple sources and integrated into a dataset spanning agricultural, non-agricultural, and total glyphosate use from 1974–2014 in the United States, and from 1994–2014 globally. Since 1974 in the U.S., over 1.6 billion kilograms of glyphosate active ingredient have been applied, or 19 % of estimated global use of glyphosate (8.6 billion kilograms). Globally, glyphosate use has risen almost 15-fold since so-called “Roundup Ready,” genetically engineered glyphosate-tolerant crops were introduced in 1996. Two-thirds of the total volume of glyphosate applied in the U.S. from 1974 to 2014 has been sprayed in just the last 10 years. The corresponding share globally is 72 %. In 2014, farmers sprayed enough glyphosate to apply ~1.0 kg/ha (0.8 pound/acre) on every hectare of U.S.-cultivated cropland and nearly 0.53 kg/ha (0.47 pounds/acre) on all cropland worldwide. Genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops now account for about 56 % of global glyphosate use. In the U.S., no pesticide has come remotely close to such intensive and widespread use. This is likely the case globally, but published global pesticide use data are sparse. Glyphosate will likely remain the most widely applied pesticide worldwide for years to come, and interest will grow in quantifying ecological and human health impacts. Accurate, accessible time-series data on glyphosate use will accelerate research progress.
Citations
More filters
••
TL;DR: Comprehensive data is provided that elucidates the cellular physiology of herbicide tolerance in Ipomoea lacunosa biotypes through a metabolomics approach and could delay feedback regulation of upstream enzymes of the shikimate acid pathway in WAS, which could contribute to a greater glyphosate tolerance.
Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant Ipomoea lacunosa is emerging as a problematic weed in the southeastern United States. Metabolomic profiling was conducted to examine the innate physiology and the glyphosate induced perturbations in two biotypes of I. lacunosa (WAS and QUI) that had contrasting glyphosate tolerance. Compared to the less tolerant QUI-biotype, the innate metabolism of the more tolerant WAS-biotype was characterized by a higher abundance of amino acids, and pyruvate; whereas the sugar profile of the QUI biotype was dominated by the transport sugar sucrose. Glyphosate application (80 g ae/ha) caused similar shikimate accumulation in both biotypes. Compared to QUI, in WAS, the content of aromatic amino acids was less affected by glyphosate treatment, and the content of Ala, Val, Ile, and Pro increased. However, the total sugars decreased by ∼75% in WAS, compared to ∼50% decrease in QUI. The innate, higher proportional abundance, of the transport-sugar sucrose in QUI coud partly explain the higher translocat...
9 citations
••
TL;DR: The increased feeding activity when exposed to Roundup® in combination with an unchanged ETS activity suggests effects on the metabolic efficiency of G. fossarum, and it is argued that Roundup® enhances the anabolic activity (feeding activity) in order to maintain the catabolicactivity (ETS activity).
Abstract: Pesticides can easily reach surface waters via runoff and their potential to have detrimental impacts on freshwater organisms is high Not much is known about how macroinvertebrates react to glyphosate contamination In this study we investigated lethal and sublethal effects of the exposure of Gammarus fossarum to Roundup®, a glyphosate-based herbicide The LC10 and LC50 values after 96 h were determined to be 065 ml/L Roundup® (230 mg/L glyphosate) and 096 ml/L Roundup® (340 mg/L glyphosate), respectively As a sublethal measure of toxicity we conducted eight experiments with the feeding activity and the respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity as endpoints All experiments lasted seven days Although the LC10 concentration of Roundup® was used for the feeding activity tests, 49% of the gammarids died before the end of the experiments, which is inconsistent with the calculated LC10-values The feeding activity was significantly higher in Roundup®-enriched water (mean = 018 mg/mg x d) in comparison to pure spring water (mean = 0079 mg/mg x d) No significant difference was observed between the ETS activity, which was determined after 24, 48 or 96 h after the start of the experiment, of the gammarids in Roundup® solution and in the control The LC-values determined here are rather high, and exceed background glyphosate concentrations in most anthropogenically influenced surface waters The increased feeding activity when exposed to Roundup® in combination with an unchanged ETS activity suggests effects on the metabolic efficiency of G fossarum We argue that Roundup® enhances the anabolic activity (feeding activity) in order to maintain the catabolic activity (ETS activity)
9 citations
Cites background from "Trends in glyphosate herbicide use ..."
...Growing environmental loads of glyphosate will lead to elevated concentrations in surface water and groundwater (Benbrook 2016)....
[...]
••
01 Jan 2019TL;DR: This chapter reviews the common industrial, agricultural, and domestic pesticides leading to soil and water contamination while outlining a variety of remediation approaches to treating these wastewaters.
Abstract: The widespread use of agricultural chemicals has dramatically increased crop production while simultaneously controlling disease vectors associated with pest vectors for more than half of a century. While the use of these pesticides differs by region, the current levels of use, due to exponential population increase, have led to the contamination of groundwater, surface water, and soils worldwide. Pesticides and the associated residues have led to significant contamination of entire terrestrial ecosystems potentially leading to loss of diversity associated with bio-concentration of aquatic systems. Many of these pesticide pollutants are toxic to humans and even accumulate and transfer vertically through food webs leading to a litany of health problems. The removal of these pollutants through microalgal bioremediation has proven to be efficient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. In this chapter, we review the common industrial, agricultural, and domestic pesticides leading to soil and water contamination while outlining a variety of remediation approaches to treating these wastewaters. Furthermore, this chapter includes a discussion on the factors affecting both bioaccumulation and biodegradation efficiencies, including limitations, as associated with approach, environment, and microbial consortium.
9 citations
••
TL;DR: Results showed that growth parameters, namely, cell destiny, chlorophyll a content, and protein content, were affected by glyphosate, which helped elucidate the toxic effects of glyphosate on cyanobacteria and contributed to environmental assessment and protection.
Abstract: This study investigated the growth, apoptosis and oxidative stress of the cyanobacterium Microcystis viridis exposed to glyphosate. Results showed that growth parameters, namely, cell destiny, chlorophyll a content, and protein content, were affected by glyphosate. The viability of the treated cells was monitored to further investigate the toxicity of glyphosate on M. viridis. After 24 and 48 h of exposure, glyphosate enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The decrease in the MDA concentration might be caused by the enhanced SOD activity. This study helped elucidate the toxic effects of glyphosate on cyanobacteria and contributed to environmental assessment and protection.
9 citations
Cites background from "Trends in glyphosate herbicide use ..."
...In 2014, approximately 125,000 tons of glyphosate were used in the USA and 825,000 tons worldwide (Benbrook 2016)....
[...]
••
TL;DR: In this article, a review focused on the analysis of environmental impacts at the soil-water interface caused by the use of glyphosate is presented, focusing on the impact on soil microorganisms.
Abstract: The indiscriminate use of glyphosate is one of the main agricultural practices to combat weeds and grasses; however, its incorrect application increases soil and water contamination caused by the product. This situation is even more critical due to its great versatility for use in different cultivars and at lower prices, making it the most used pesticide in the world. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of in-depth studies regarding the damage that its use may cause. Therefore, this review focused on the analysis of environmental impacts at the soil-water interface caused by the use of glyphosate. In this sense, studies have shown that the intensive use of glyphosate has the potential to cause harmful effects on soil microorganisms, leading to changes in soil fertility and ecological imbalance, as well as impacts on aquatic environments derived from changes in the food chain. This situation is similar in Brazil, with the harmful effects of glyphosate in nontarget species and the contamination of the atmosphere. Therefore, it is necessary to change this scenario by modifying the type of pest control in agriculture, and actions such as crop rotation and biological control.
9 citations
References
More filters
••
TL;DR: One of the first specialized agencies of the United Nations to become active, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as discussed by the authors has elicited interest beyond the specialized field of agricultural economists.
Abstract: One of the first of the specialized agencies of the United Nations to become active, the Food and Agriculture Organization has elicited interest beyond the specialized field of agricultural economists. Attempting as it does to solve one of the very basic problems of the world, that of an adequate food supply, the organization represents a significant and hopeful international attempt to create a world in which there may actually exist “freedom from want.” The objectives of FAO, as formally expressed in the preamble to the constitution, read as follows:“The nations accepting this constitution being determined to promote the common welfare by furthering separate and collective action on their part for the purpose of raising levels of nutrition and standards of living of the people under their jurisdiction, securing improvements in the efficiency of the production of all food and agricultural products, bettering the conditions of rural populations, and thus contributing toward an expanding world economy, hereby establish the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.”
4,803 citations
••
TL;DR: The use of this virtually ideal herbicide is now being threatened by the evolution of glyphosate-resistant weeds, and adoption of resistance management practices will be required to maintain the benefits of glyphosate technologies for future generations.
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. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
1,331 citations
"Trends in glyphosate herbicide use ..." refers background in this paper
...John Franz, identified the herbicidal activity of glyphosate in 1970, and a formulated end-use product called Roundup was first sold commercially by Monsanto in 1974 [2]....
[...]
••
TL;DR: GBHs are the most heavily applied herbicide in the world and usage continues to rise; Worldwide, GBHs often contaminate drinking water sources, precipitation, and air, especially in agricultural regions and regulatory estimates of tolerable daily intakes for glyphosate in the United States and European Union are based on outdated science.
Abstract: The broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate (common trade name “Roundup”) was first sold to farmers in 1974. Since the late 1970s, the volume of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) applied has increased approximately 100-fold. Further increases in the volume applied are likely due to more and higher rates of application in response to the widespread emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds and new, pre-harvest, dessicant use patterns. GBHs were developed to replace or reduce reliance on herbicides causing well-documented problems associated with drift and crop damage, slipping efficacy, and human health risks. Initial industry toxicity testing suggested that GBHs posed relatively low risks to non-target species, including mammals, leading regulatory authorities worldwide to set high acceptable exposure limits. To accommodate changes in GBH use patterns associated with genetically engineered, herbicide-tolerant crops, regulators have dramatically increased tolerance levels in maize, oilseed (soybeans and canola), and alfalfa crops and related livestock feeds. Animal and epidemiology studies published in the last decade, however, point to the need for a fresh look at glyphosate toxicity. Furthermore, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer recently concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” In response to changing GBH use patterns and advances in scientific understanding of their potential hazards, we have produced a Statement of Concern drawing on emerging science relevant to the safety of GBHs. Our Statement of Concern considers current published literature describing GBH uses, mechanisms of action, toxicity in laboratory animals, and epidemiological studies. It also examines the derivation of current human safety standards. We conclude that: (1) GBHs are the most heavily applied herbicide in the world and usage continues to rise; (2) Worldwide, GBHs often contaminate drinking water sources, precipitation, and air, especially in agricultural regions; (3) The half-life of glyphosate in water and soil is longer than previously recognized; (4) Glyphosate and its metabolites are widely present in the global soybean supply; (5) Human exposures to GBHs are rising; (6) Glyphosate is now authoritatively classified as a probable human carcinogen; (7) Regulatory estimates of tolerable daily intakes for glyphosate in the United States and European Union are based on outdated science. We offer a series of recommendations related to the need for new investments in epidemiological studies, biomonitoring, and toxicology studies that draw on the principles of endocrinology to determine whether the effects of GBHs are due to endocrine disrupting activities. We suggest that common commercial formulations of GBHs should be prioritized for inclusion in government-led toxicology testing programs such as the U.S. National Toxicology Program, as well as for biomonitoring as conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
638 citations