is a brand name for a family of herbicides, most commonly associated with glyphosate, a chemical that inhibits an enzyme essential for plant growth. The main active ingredient in traditional Roundup formulations is the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate, often combined with a surfactant like polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) to enhance penetration into plant leaves.
However, many current consumer Roundup products no longer contain glyphosate. Instead, they use alternative active ingredients such as:
Diquat dibromide (200 times more chronically toxic than glyphosate, banned in the EU)
Triclopyr (persists in soil, harmful to trees and edible plants)
Fluazifop-P-butyl
Imazapic
These newer formulations are used in products marketed for lawns and gardens, and they are not interchangeable with glyphosate-based Roundup. Always check the label for the "Active Ingredient(s)" and their percentages to determine the chemical composition.
For safety:
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing.
Do not apply near edible plants, trees, or water sources.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and goggles.
In case of exposure, follow first aid instructions on the label and contact a poison control center.
⚠️ Important: The term "Roundup" now refers to multiple products with different chemicals. Never assume a Roundup product contains glyphosate—read the label carefully.
US: Do not use the name “RoundUp” when you mean “glyphosate”. RoundUp doesn’t even contain glyphosate anymore.
Round up. How dangerous is it?
I THINK 2024 MOP UP ROUND WILL BE EXTREMELY RISKY
Round 1 and Round 2 are still safe, cause even if u go for round 2, ur previous seat remains with u until and unless u get something better, but mop ups, u lose ur seat and 2024 curse is pretty dark. it will be badd like badd bad
More on reddit.comVideos
I've seen too many cases where gardeners have inadvertently poisoned the soil in their gardens by not reading the label of the "RoundUp" they bought. They thought that "RoundUp" means "glyphosate".
RoundUp makes about nine different products for the residential market, and none of them contain glyphosate, except the ones with the purple caps that you still might find in garden centers and home improvement stores. That product is no longer being produced. Most of the new RoundUp products contain triclopyr, which should not be used in vegetable gardens or near edible plants (apple trees, blueberry bushes, nut trees). This article (pdf) is a good summary of the ingredients in the various RoundUp products. https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2024/05/W1237.pdf
Glyphosate (the previous active ingredient in “RoundUp”) is absorbed only by the leaf of the plant, and has a short half-life in soils. Triclopyr, on the other hand, is taken up by both the leaves and the roots, and can persist in the soil for a fairly long time, so it should not be used to clear weeds before planting edible plants. You also have to be very careful when applying it anywhere near the drip line of trees and shrubs, since root absorption is possible.
If you are looking to rapidly kill a growing weed, pelargonic acid, ammonium nonanoate (the ammonium salt of pelargonic acid) or high concentrations of acids (Bonide), solvents (Avenger) or salts (Earth’s Ally) will work on young weeds and annual weeds, without persistent effects in the soil or effects on other plants that are not sprayed, although high amounts of salts can take a long time to leach out. Since these chemicals are caustic, you still need to use appropriate PPE when handling them.
I personally do not use any form of chemical weed control in my gardens, but I do agree that there are occasions where they can be appropriate. In all cases of use, however, please read the labels and look up the effects of the active ingredients. Make sure that the product you are using does what you want it to do without causing any undesired side effects. And be extra cautious if you will be using any product where you, your family or animals might eat the plants.