Bialaphos is a natural herbicide produced by the bacteria Streptomyces hygroscopicus and Streptomyces viridochromogenes. Bialaphos is a protoxin and nontoxic as is. When it is metabolized by the plant, the glutamic acid analog glufosinate is released which inhibits glutamine synthetase. This results in the accumulation of ammonium and disruption of primary metabolism.