Glyphosate Effects on Sugarcane Metabolism and Growth

Abstract

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world. In sugarcane, it is used as a herbicide when applied at its field rate, but it is also used as ripener when applied as low doses. However, the effects of glyphosate on plant metabolism and sugarcane growth are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic changes and the effects on sugarcane plant growth caused by the application of different doses of glyphosate. Sugarcane plants were grown in a greenhouse and subjected to glyphosate applications at doses of 7.2; 18; 36; 72; 180; 360 and 720 g a.e. ha−1. Plants grown without an herbicide application were used as a control. Plants from each treatment were collected at 2, 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment (DAT) application to quantify the levels of shikimic acid, quinic acid, shikimate-3-phosphate, glyphosate, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Visual evaluations of plant intoxication were...