Photosynthesis ceases in green foliage after just a few hours.
The effect is rapid and lasting. Glufosinate is specifically applied post-emergence when the damage threshold is actually reached, rather than as a precaution. The possible application period is long and fewer passes through the crop spare the soil and save time, fuel and materials. Leaching into the deep strata of the soil is prevented because of the short half-life of glufosinate. In addition the degradation products of glufosinate are natural substances such as phosphoric acid, carbon dioxide and water.