The effect of glyphosate treatment on the germination potential of resultant crops

The use of glyphosate in barley crops has increased by 275% in the
last three seasons and this has been accompanied by an increase in the number of samples showing reduced germination with negatively geotropic seedlings. Experimental preharvest treatment of Derkado barley crops with glyphosate resulted in decreased levels of germination. The decrease was greatest in paper towelling medium. Germination in potting compost reduced the levels of glyphosate-induced abnormalities. Reductions in seed germination due to preharvest glyphosate treatments was related to rainfall experienced in the period after spraying and this masked any effect due to crop maturity.