How does the use of Roundup® branded herbicides benefit the environment?
Roundup® brand herbicide contributes to the success of conservation tillage, an important part of the solution to soil erosion. In conservation tillage, enough crop residue is left on the soil surface to protect it from water or wind erosion. Without traditional tilling, however, weeds emerge that interfere with planting or compete with growing seedlings for sun and nutrients. When Roundup® brand herbicides are sprayed on the field before planting, the competing weeds are killed while the residual vegetation continues to protect the soil surface from erosion and moisture loss. And crops can be planted soon after Roundup has been applied. Additionally, conservation tillage programs conserve energy. Fewer trips over the field are required, so farmers can significantly reduce their fossil fuel use. In fact, they can save 50 to 80 percent of the fuel they would have used for conventional farming practices. Conservation tillage also reduces water run-off and soil particles moving into water
