I've unwittingly changed our food supply for the better

[SwampNut]

A month or two ago, I was having a conversation with a friend who comes from a farming family and community.  We were on the topic of how the US food supply is so fucked up, and about supplements and things we need to take to make up for it.  I made the mention of the fact that copper in plants, critical to many human functions, has been significantly reduced due to glyphosate usage.  It binds the copper and drives it downward, unavailable to the plants we eat.  Well, he picked up the phone, and called some long-time big farmer he knows, and we talked about it.  The farmer had never heard this, but promised to look into it.  He was both shocked and interested.

 

Well, he had some soil tests done, and found that yup, zero to extremely little copper.  So he is having copper ore added to his supplementation/fertilizer or whatever he gets to fill in/replenish his dirt.  And he's telling the other farmers about it.  This is likely to also affect anyone who is using the crops or leftovers for cattle and other animals.  I don't know for sure, but it's probably safe to assume that all mammals have a similar copper need.

 

AI-assisted references and info:

 

Glyphosate binds strongly to copper and other metal ions due to its chemical structure, a process known as chelation. This binding can form stable, glypohsate-copper complexes, influencing the bioavailability and toxicity of both substances. This interaction is relevant in environmental contexts, like soil and water, and is used in scientific detection methods for glyphosate, where it forms color changes or fluorescence. The interaction can also have implications for potential health effects and phytoremediation efforts.  

 

Glyphosate's Chemical Nature

• Chelating Agent: 

  Glyphosate is a potent chelating agent because of its functional groups (phosphonate, carboxylate, amine) which allow it to form stable complexes with metal ions. 

   
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This interaction can have several important effects:

• Reduced efficacy of herbicide: When glyphosate is mixed with copper in a spray solution, the chelation process can tie up the glyphosate, preventing it from effectively killing weeds.
• Reduced copper availability: In soil and water environments, glyphosate can bind to free copper ions. This can affect the bioavailability of copper for plants and other organisms, though the effect can vary depending on soil type and other factors.
• Altered toxicity: The formation of a copper-glyphosate complex can change the toxicity of both substances. For example, some studies on aquatic organisms and earthworms found that glyphosate could reduce the toxicity of copper. However, other studies have shown that combined exposure can increase overall toxicity, depending on the concentrations.

 

• Impact on plant nutrition: The chelation of metal ions by glyphosate can interfere with a plant's ability to absorb essential micronutrients. Some studies have found that glyphosate can reduce the concentration of certain minerals, including copper, in plant tissues, potentially affecting plant growth and health. 

 

[superhawk996]

If you FAFO enough, you can get free copper injections.

 

On 9/30/2025 at 9:03 AM, SwampNut said:

Altered toxicity: The formation of a copper-glyphosate complex can change the toxicity of both substances. For example, some studies on aquatic organisms and earthworms found that glyphosate could reduce the toxicity of copper. However, other studies have shown that combined exposure can increase overall toxicity, depending on the concentrations.

If there's glyphosate in the dirt, could adding copper increase the chance of toxicity?