Effect of the herbicide glyphosate on respiration and hydrogen consumption in soil

Abstract

The effect of glyphosate on soil respiration and Hz oxidation in an agricultural soil was investigated. The effects of the pure herbicide and commercial formulation, Roundup® (Monsanto Company), were compared in soil under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Both formulations stimulated O2 uptake as well as aerobic and anaerobic CO2 evolution. Roundup caused more stimulation than glyphosate under aerobic incubation conditions; the formulations had an equal effect on anaerobic CO2 evolution. Hydrogen oxidation was inhibited by both formulations in aerobic and anaerobic soil. Aerobic H2 oxidation was inhibited to the same extent by both formulations; Roundup had a stronger inhibitory effect on anaerobic H2 oxidation than did glyphosate.