LAUSR

Due to non-uniform maturation, some plants may not be at the recommended stage of maturity when pre-harvest glyphosate is applied. The objective of this study was to determine how pre-harvest glyphosate timing affects wheat starch physicochemical properties. Two wheat cultivars were grown in three locations and glyphosate was applied at the soft dough stage (early application) and the ripe stage (commercial standard). Upon harvest, starch chemical characteristics were studied. The proportion of B-type starch granules was lower in treated samples, although starch molecular weight was not affected. Rapidly digestible starch content was highest when glyphosate was applied at the ripe stage, and lowest in the control, and vice versa for slowly digestible starch. Additionally, flour pasting viscosity was significantly higher in samples treated at the soft dough stage. Overall, the effects on wheat starch physicochemical characteristics was more pronounced when glyphosate was applied at the soft dough stage of maturity.