Phytotoxicity, environmental and health hazards of herbicides: challenges and ways forward

Abstract From the beginning of the Green Revolution, the use of herbicides has started to control weeds in cropland. The use of herbicides became very much popular due to its efficacy in controlling weeds and reduction of labor cost. However, the excess use of herbicides causes toxicity to plants and the residual effect led to environmental hazards by polluting soil, water, and air. Moreover, some herbicides enter into animal and human body through the food chain, and therefore, it is a serious health concern. Different classes of herbicide have a distinct mode of actions in plants system differently. In recent decades, the physiological and molecular bases of such effects have been researched by many scientists and attempts have been made to develop resistance to herbicides. In this chapter, we will provide a brief overview of the global scenario of the herbicide use, their phytotoxicity, and negative impacts on environment.