When considering overall soil chemistry and the goal of
creating and sustaining a living soil, however, the use of
these same chemicals can be catastrophic. For example,
an application of fungicide will not only kill the diseases
hurting your crop; it will also destroy the beneficial
mycorrhizae in your soil. Likewise, when glyphosate—
an herbicide designed for foliage application—is
inadvertently applied to the soil, soil microbes use it as
a food source and break it down to a chemical known
as aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). While studies
haven’t proven this acid to be detrimental to soil health,
there are scholarly debates about the effects of glyphosate
on the soil’s environment.
With any chemicals we use, careful application is
extremely important and the importance of reading
the label can’t be overstated enough. This will not only
protect your plant, but it will also protect the environment
and, most importantly, your health. For example,
glyphosate is classified as a carcinogen for humans,
so frequent exposure to it should be recognized as at
least potentially dangerous. However, proper usage (a
surfactant like a soap must be added to help the chemical
stick to the foliage) can enhance the effectiveness of the
product and prevent additional sprays.
Chemicals of all kinds are commonplace in the garden.
It’s important to understand how to
use them and their compatibilities
to ensure the safety of your plants,
the environment, and yourself. For
additional information on chemical
incompatibilities and synergies, and
to review the reference information
for this article, scan the QR code.
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