Weed control on tracks
With immediate effect, Deutsche Bahn will no longer use glyphosate at all
03/12/2023 11:52 am
Glyphosate is the world’s best-selling herbicide. But the chemical, which kills anything plant that comes into contact with it, is also suspected of being carcinogenic. According to its own information, Deutsche Bahn is now completely doing without it.
According to a report, Deutsche Bahn wants to stop using the controversial herbicide glyphosate with immediate effect. Instead, the company wants to use mowers and environmentally friendly pelargonic acid to combat weeds on railway lines. This was reported by “Bild am Sonntag”. According to the railway circles, the more environmentally friendly means still have to be checked by the Federal Railway Authority.
Glyphosate is a so-called total herbicide. This means it will kill any green plant matter that comes in contact with it. The toxin is absorbed by the plants through the leaves and then inhibits a vital metabolic process in them.
The use of glyphosate is controversial because it is suspected of being carcinogenic. The EU Commission recently decided to extend the approval until December 2023. Deutsche Bahn, which has around 33,400 kilometers of rail network in Germany, had already significantly reduced the use of glyphosate in recent years.
Perlagonic acid also kills all parts of the plant that come into contact with it. However, the so-called contact herbicide is an active ingredient of natural origin. It can be obtained from palm, rapeseed or sunflower oil. The fatty acid destroys the cell structure of the plants within a few hours. Perlagonic acid does not destroy the roots. In the soil, it should degrade quickly and without leaving any residue to form CO2 and water.