Subject: Re: Roundup
From: <jhmiller@os2bbs.com>
Organization: Monumental Network Systems
Date: 20 Aug 1997 02:30:11 GMT
Message-ID: <MOD$970819.9694@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970816.7652@rec.gardens.ecosystems>


FYI, glyphosate is specific for one of the enzymes in what is called the shikimate pathway.
This pathway is only found in plants, photosynthetic microorganisms such as Euglena, molds,
and bacteria such as E. coli. While I never worked with glyphosate, I did work with the shikimate
pathway in Euglena. I'll have to check out the web site, anyway Thanks for the URL.

In <MOD$970816.7652@rec.gardens.ecosystems>, "Bill Robinson" writes:
>
>The following Q&A has been added to the FAQ:
>
>
> I.07.01: Q.: Is Roundup safe for use in the home garden?
>
> A.: Extoxnet is a reliable and impartial reference
> on the toxicity of pesticides. They report that
> Roundup is relatively non-toxic to mammals, birds,
> fish, bees, and soil microorganisms. This is for both
> acute and chronic exposure. It doesn't seem to be
>carcinogenic or particularly sensitizing to most people.
>
> The URL for Extoxnet is:
>
> http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet
>
> One hears that the Roundup formulation contains
> ingredients that make it more toxic than the
> glyphosphate alone. Extoxnet reports the toxicity of
> the technical(glyphosphate) is essentially the same as
> the formulated (Roundup)
>
> The Roundup website says, "Roundup breaks down into
> naturally occurring materials such as carbon dioxide
> once it contacts the soil. Treated areas can be re-
> planted just one day after applying Roundup". This is
> perhaps a stretch. Extoxnet says, "Glyphosphate is
> highly absorbed on most soils especially those with
> high organic content. . . Microbes are primarily
> responsible for the breakdown of the product. The
> time it takes for half of the product to break down
> ranges from 1 to 174 days.
>
> Roundup is not permitted on certified organic crops.
> It is not an organic product but it seems to be
> relatively safe and relatively friendly to the
> environment. It is probably O.K. to use in spot
> applications as a tool of last resort.
>
>
>