L-glufosinate-ammonium is a new tripeptide compound isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus by Bayer. This compound is composed of two molecules of L-alanine and an unknown amino acid composition and has bactericidal activity. L-glufosinate-ammonium belongs to the group of phosphonic acid herbicides and shares its mechanism of action with glufosinate-ammonium.
According to recent studies, the extensive use of glyphosate, the top-selling herbicide, has led to the development of resistance in weeds such as goosegrass, small flyweed, and bindweed. The International Cancer Research Institute has listed glyphosate as a possible human carcinogen since 2015, and chronic animal feeding studies have shown that it can increase the incidence of liver and kidney tumors.
This news has led to several countries, including France and Germany, banning glyphosate, which prompted an increase in the use of non-selective herbicides such as glufosinate-ammonium. Moreover, the sales of glufosinate-ammonium reached $1.050 billion in 2020, making it the fastest-growing non-selective herbicide in the market.
L-glufosinate-ammonium has proven to be more effective than its traditional counterpart, with a potency of more than two times. Furthermore, the use of L-glufosinate-ammonium reduces the application amount by 50%, thereby reducing the impact of farmland farming on the environment burden.
The herbicide’s herbicidal activity acts on the plant glutamine synthetase to inhibit the synthesis of L-glutamine, which ultimately results in cytotoxic ammonium Ion accumulation, ammonium metabolism disorder, amino acid deficiency, chlorophyll disintegration, photosynthesis inhibition, and ultimately the death of weeds.
In conclusion, the L-glufosinate-ammonium herbicide has proven to be a highly effective alternative to glyphosate, which has been facing numerous regulatory issues due to its potential carcinogenic properties. Its adoption can significantly reduce the application amount and subsequent impact on the environment while still providing robust weed control.