Glyphosate (e.g. RoundUp) is classified under which type of herbicide?

Glyphosate, commonly known by the trade name RoundUp, is classified as an EPSPS inhibitor. The mode of action for glyphosate involves blocking the shikimic acid pathway, which is essential for the synthesis of certain amino acids in plants and many microorganisms. This pathway is not found in animals, making glyphosate selective for target plants while being safer for humans and animals.

The specific enzyme that glyphosate inhibits is called 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). By inhibiting EPSPS, glyphosate effectively disrupts the production of aromatic amino acids, leading to the death of the targeted plant. This is why understanding its classification as an EPSPS inhibitor is crucial for those working in herbicide application and weed management.

Other classifications mentioned, such as ALS-inhibitors, microtubule assembly inhibitors, and growth regulators, refer to different mechanisms of action that involve various biochemical pathways in plants. However, they are not applicable to glyphosate, which specifically functions through the EPSPS inhibition pathway. Therefore, identifying glyphosate as an EPSPS inhibitor provides clarity and accuracy regarding its role and mechanism in herbicide action.