Article
Article
Herbicide
Article By:
Radke, Rodney O. Agricultural Product Research Laboratory, Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri.
Last reviewed:July 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.314900
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Any chemical used to destroy or inhibit plant growth, especially of weeds or other undesirable vegetation. The control of weeds by means of herbicides has provided many benefits. Freeing agricultural crops from weed competition results in higher food production, reduced harvesting costs, improved food quality, and lowered processing costs, contributing to an abundant supply of low-cost, high-quality food (see illustration). Not only are billions of dollars saved through increased production and improved quality, but costs of labor and machinery energy for weed control are reduced, livestock is saved from the effects of poisonous weeds, irrigation costs are reduced, and insect and disease control costs are decreased through the removal of host weeds for the undesirable organisms.
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