Roundup® is the common brand name for which herbicide?

Roundup® is the common brand name for glyphosate, which is a systemic herbicide used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that compete with crops. Glyphosate works by inhibiting a specific enzyme pathway, known as the shikimic acid pathway, which is essential for plant growth and is not found in animals, making glyphosate safe for humans and animals when used as directed.

The unique mode of action of glyphosate and its effectiveness against a wide range of plant species have contributed to its popularity in agricultural settings, particularly in no-till farming systems and genetically modified crops that are resistant to it. This allows farmers to manage weeds without disturbing the soil, thus promoting soil health and reducing erosion.

Other options presented represent different herbicides with various applications and modes of action. For instance, glufosinate is used in some herbicide-resistant crop systems and works differently than glyphosate. Oryzalin is a pre-emergent herbicide primarily used in non-crop areas, and triclopyr is mostly used for woody invasive species and certain brush control, which makes them unsuitable to be associated with the Roundup® brand.