Roundup-Resistant Superweeds Spread Throughout the U.S.

Monsanto scientists may think they're pretty smart, but weeds are apparently much more intelligent. News about weeds becoming resistant to the herbicide Roundup continues to crop up. A recent article in the Dayton Daily News highlights how marestail, giant, and common ragweed plants have all become Roundup-resistant superweeds that are infesting the state's corn and soybean fields.

Ohio's plight mirrors that of farms across the nation. Roundup-resistant pigweed is choking out cotton plants throughout several states. All in all, scientists estimate that 10 species of weeds in 22 states have developed a resistance to Roundup, affecting some seven to 10 million acres of farms growing soybeans, cotton, and corn.

For those unfamiliar with how Roundup works, here's a quick primer: About 20 years ago, Big Ag giant Monsanto unveiled its Roundup Ready seeds and herbicides. Roundup Ready seeds were genetically modified to have an immunity to Roundup, an herbicide. Farmers using the GMO seeds could therefore spray as much Roundup as they wanted, which killed weeds but posed no threat to valuable food crops. Roundup became so popular that Monsanto began selling the herbicide as a generic, called glyphosate. Nowadays, 90 percent of the nation's soybeans and 70 percent of its corn and cotton are Roundup Ready crops.

Not only was the Roundup Ready seed-herbicide package convenient for farmers, it was also billed as an environmentally friendly herbicide: Compared to traditional chemical killers, Roundup degrades quickly, prevents soil erosion, and limits carbon emissions because farmers don't need to use fuel-dependent machines to plow their fields as much.

But like most products billed as panaceas, Roundup Ready crops proved too good to be true. Monsanto tried to chemically and scientifically manage nature, but the company forgot about a larger process at work: evolution. Farmers first observed weeds developing resistance to Roundup (aka "superweeds") about 10 years ago. Since then, the minor problem grew into a full-fledged epidemic, with superweeds literally strangling the nation's crops.

While superweeds are absolutely devastating to the nation's farmers, they could create bigger problems for the environment. Now that weeds resist Roundup, farmers are turning to more environmentally degrading herbicides to kill off the plants. Plus, managing the problem may requires farmers to use more farm equipment, most of which relies on carbon-spewing fossil fuels. The situation may also drive up food prices for consumers.

It's hard to put a positive spin on one of the greatest threats to America's food security. But I do think this dire situation adds more clout to the sustainable foodie camp. Environmentalists have long decried the country's monocrop, chemically dependent agricultural system. Horrifying superweeds are yet another reason why America should move to organic or biodynamic, small, intercropping systems. By moving toward a food system where citizens get their produce from small, local, environmentally sensitive farms, we can ensure an agricultural system that works in harmony with nature, instead of against it.

Photo credit: Jim Champion via Wikimedia Commons