How Can Glyphosate Weaken
Soybean Plants and What Can
FoliarBlend Do to Help?

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is a strong chelating agent which binds divalent micronutrients in the plant, especially manganese and iron. Flashing or yellowing of young leaves of Roundup Ready™ crops is often the result of glyphosate binding divalent micronutrients.

 

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is a strong chelating agent which binds divalent micronutrients in the plant, especially manganese and iron. Flashing or yellowing of young leaves of Roundup Ready crops is often the result of glyphosate binding these divalent micronutrients. FoliarBlend by Agri-Gro contains numerous plant growth stimulants plus chelated micro-nutrients including manganese and iron which may help reduce the negative effects of glyphosate on RR crops. Since the micro-nutrients are chelated in FoliarBlend, it can be tank mixed with glyphosate without reducing the efficacy of the herbicide while enhancing plant growth and yield potential.

 

Dark areas not treated with glyphosate

 

 

While FoliarBlend contains a variety of micro-nutrients, it may not be sufficient to overcome a severe nutrient dificiency in the soil or plant. Only soil testing and tissue analysis can determine the adequacy of available nutrients to optimum plant nutrition.
Photo from Dr. Don Huber

 

Glyphosate kills by shutting down the natural defense system within targeted weed species. This is done by chelating — and making unusable — key micronutrients required by certain biochemical pathways within the plant. The primary target of glyphosate is to shut down the shikimate pathway within the plant. This pathway produces Salicylic Acid, the signaling compound known to activate SAR (Systemic Acquired Resistance) within plants. SAR in turn activates the natural defense system within plants which can provide long lasting, broad based resistance to environmental stress and various pests and disease causing pathogens.


While RR crops can tolerate glyphosate without being killed, they still have a temporary reduction in the shikimate pathway which restricts the plants ability to produce Salicylic Acid. Without Salicylic Acid, the RR plant’s natural defense system cannot be activated, leaving the plant more susceptible to environmental stress and attack from various pests and disease causing pathogens. FoliarBlend by Agri-Gro contains Salicylic Acid, the signaling compound that glyphosate suppresses in order to kill plants. While the level of Salicylic Acid in FoliarBlend is sufficient to sustain plant vigor and elevation of the Roundup Ready plants natural defense system, it does not limit nor prevent the herbicidal action on the targeted weeds. In fact, most growers report improved herbicide performance and weed control when glyphosate is applied in conjunction with FoliarBlend.

 

Roundup Ready™ is a trademark of Monsanto Company.