Limited uptake, translocation and enhanced metabolic degradation contribute to glyphosate tolerance in Mucuna pruriens var. utilis plants

► Velvet bean, exhibited limited uptake and impaired translocation of glyphosate. ► Mucuna pruriens is capable degrading glyphosate to five metabolites as end products. ► It is the first report demonstrated the metabolism of glyphosate in a higher plant. ► The tolerance of velvet bean to glyphosate is possibly a result of the combined action of three traits.