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What is the most widely used herbicide in the United States?

An herbicide is defined as a chemical designed to kill off unwanted plants. These are used domestically to deal with scenarios ranging from the removal of pesky weeds around the house to more industrial agricultural uses. The most commonly used herbicide in the United States is a compound called Glyphosate. Glyphosate is a chemical that inhibits the production of certain amino acids, preventing a plant from being able to create proteins used in growth. It doesn't work as a pre-emergent (plant preventer), but is well-formulated for killing off already growing plants.


The most common product that uses Glyphosate is Roundup which is used domestically and commercially. The product is made by Monsanto, a bio-chemical and agricultural research company that also holds patents for Roundup resistant crops, or crops that are unaffected by Glyphosate. This allows for the broad spraying of farms to destroy unwanted plants without damaging crops. 


Glyphosate is under pretty intense scrutiny for ill-effects on humans, but it has yet to show any major disease-causing properties.

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