roundup: To use or not to use

[cstronks]

It is not environmentally friendly AT ALL. It completely depletes the soil of all good nutrients thus requiring the need for fertilizer. It's vicious circle.

More or less, this is what I wanted to say. I know Monsanto was fined big bucks for advertising it as environmentally friendly, when in fact it was the exact opposite. I don't really do pesticides. I understand that people use them, and I don't want to try and convince the world not to use them, but I agree with you 100%. I grow my own vegetables to avoid chemicals and pesticides...spraying roundup in my garden seems counterproductive. Also, last time I was at home depot, a handle of roundup for garden use was somewhere around 30 or 35 bucks...its just a waste to buy it if you are in good enough shape to weed yourself.

 

[bucky52]

Roundup is bad.I am so against using any weed killer.I seen a guy yesterday spraying weed killer down a creek bank.people either don't care or they don't think. that weed killer will go into the waterways.

 

[camilleathome]

We have changed out approach and are going to go with a permaculture approach(Mulch the top with wood chips, manure and newspaper and add on to it every year .

 

[cstronks]

We have changed out approach and are going to go with a permaculture approach(Mulch the top with wood chips, manure and newspaper and add on to it every year .

That sounds like a good idea. It should provide you with rich soil every year. Good Luck!

 

[HandsomeRyan]

It is not environmentally friendly AT ALL. It completely depletes the soil of all good nutrients thus requiring the need for fertilizer. It's vicious circle.

This is absolutely false. Can you cite a source for your claim that glyphosate "depletes the soil of all good nutrients"? It actually breaks down quite readily and when used according to the label directions is not very harmful at all to the surrounding environment. There is no evidence (nor any scientific reason to believe that it would) "deplete" anything from the soil when used correctly. In fact, it has a very low toxicity compared to many other broad spectrum herbicides. [Here is an independent university study which supports what I am saying: http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/17918/PDF]

If you don't want to use it that is fine but you are doing a disservice by spreading misinformation and lies about the product and how it works.

 

[cstronks]

This is absolutely false. Can you cite a source for your claim that glyphosate "depletes the soil of all good nutrients"? It actually breaks down quite readily and when used according to the label directions is not very harmful at all to the surrounding environment. There is no evidence (nor any scientific reason to believe that it would) "deplete" anything from the soil when used correctly. In fact, it has a very low toxicity compared to many other broad spectrum herbicides. [Here is an independent university study which supports what I am saying: http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/17918/PDF]

If you don't want to use it that is fine but you are doing a disservice by spreading misinformation and lies about the product and how it works.

No scientific research, eh? Looks like somebody has no idea what they are talking about yet again...there has never been a US based study which proves roundup to be harmful because it is made here. Worldwide studies have shown it has damning effects though. Next time, rather than being arrogant, don't accuse people of being misinformed as a misinformed individual...

Shush up and read...http://www.biosafety-info.net/article.php?aid=267

 

[FlySammyJ]

No scientific research, eh? Looks like somebody has no idea what they are talking about yet again...there has never been a US based study which proves roundup to be harmful because it is made here. Worldwide studies have shown it has damning effects though. Next time, rather than being arrogant, don't accuse people of being misinformed as a misinformed individual...

Shush up and read...http://www.biosafety-info.net/article.php?aid=267

While I'm not a fan of Roundup, I don't see any info about nutrient depletion in your source. Unsupported claims make environmentalists appear sensationalist, and there are plenty of legitimate problems to worry about. I did find a decent article on Reuters, mostly focused on the Roundup-Ready seeds but it delves into the USDA's favoritism of Monsanto and subsequent lack of oversight: http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/04/13/us-usa-gmos-regulators-idUSTRE63C2AJ20100413

 

[Keltara]

This is absolutely false. Can you cite a source for your claim that glyphosate "depletes the soil of all good nutrients"? It actually breaks down quite readily and when used according to the label directions is not very harmful at all to the surrounding environment. There is no evidence (nor any scientific reason to believe that it would) "deplete" anything from the soil when used correctly. In fact, it has a very low toxicity compared to many other broad spectrum herbicides. [Here is an independent university study which supports what I am saying: http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/17918/PDF]

If you don't want to use it that is fine but you are doing a disservice by spreading misinformation and lies about the product and how it works.

No research on soil nutrient depletion? I don't think I am doing a "disservice by spreading misinformation and lies" as you stated. You state that there is no evidence (nor any scientific reason to believe that it would) "deplete" anything from the soil when used correctly? I beg to differ. I am spreading the truth. This is only 5 articles that expose the truth. If you want more, I'll be happy to give you more.

http://grist.org/article/usda-downplays-own-scientists-research-on-danger-of-roundup/
http://farmingsweetbay.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/getting-roundup-out-of-our-farms-soil/
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1892315
http://monessasmontage.wordpress.com/tag/soil-fertility-depletion/
http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...ller-toxicity.aspx?ViewAll=True#axzz2RwuFBbtX


Kelly

 

[HandsomeRyan]

You are entitled to believe whatever you want but legitimate science does not support the claims you are making.

I think it is clear that you do not have a comprehensive understanding of what glyphosate is or how it works. This is understandable as most people are not chemists, plant scientists, or pesticide experts. What I posted was a controlled scientific study. What you posted were a bunch of propaganda links from non-peer reviewed, non scientific sources.

As a licensed pesticide applicator I spend a lot of my time learning about and also teaching others about pesticide use. Your claims are at best misleading and at worst completely false. When used according to label directions, which in the US is a crime not to do, the use of glyphosate based herbicides does not "deplete all the nutrients". Rather than posting the links to half a dozen different sources I am just going to leave one link here to the wikipedia page which gives a reasonable overview and also contains links to the source material so you can verify the authenticity of the information being presented. I would strongly suggest you check the source materials (linked at the bottom of the page) to get a more complete understanding of the cited information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyphosate#Toxicity

 

[SweetSilver]

I won't read replies about the safety of Round-up because it just gets me riled up, so I'm going to put in my opinion for no Round-up. Pardon if what I say has already been mentioned, I simply cannot get tied up in casual debate about this.

There are other ingredients not required to be listed that are controversial, and the main ingredient's "safety" has been recently been put back under the spotlight.

But here's the honest truth: there is no such thing as a permanent weed solution. Weed seeds happen. They are in the air, on the feet of birds, in the fur of animals, in poop deposited under trees, carried on the undercarriages of cars, on people's clothes. Some seeds can sit latent in the ground for decades. Grass runners creep in from lawns of your own and your neighbors. There isn't anything you can do once that will eliminate all your weed "problems" once and for all.

Second truth: replacing your current idea of what's a problem and what isn't is one of the best things you can do for yourself. For me in regards to, say, my lawn, if it's soft, it's good in the lawn. If the chickens can eat it, it's welcome in the garden beds... for a while (I love dandelions!) If the plant, shrub, tree I want is not overwhelmed, then I don't particularly care. *Poof!* "Problem" gone. Permanently. No Round-up required.