Glyphosate and the response of the soil microbiota

Abstract

Limited information on the effect of glyphosate ( N-phosphonomethylglycine) on soil microorganisms justified an inquiry into the response of soil actinomycetes, bacteria and fungi in terms of their respiration, and sensitivity of isolates. Low concentrations of glyphosate had little effect on total populations of these organisms during the 214-day experiment, while high concentrations initially increased actinomycete and bacterial numbers by 2 and 1 case1 2 logs, respectively. The stimulation was followed by a decline and fluctuation showing a gradual increase in numbers. The respiration rates of the soil microbiota in soil suspensions, showed some irregular stimulation and retardation with up to 10 μg glyphosate ml −1. In contrast high doses suppressed O 2 uptake by the microbiota. Fungi were the least affected. Pronounced inhibition of actinomycete and bacterial respiration was in agreement with the results from isolate replication. The results indicated both stimulation and inhibition of O 2 uptake by some organisms within these groups. In contrast to some reports of limited, short-term inquiries these results showed considerable effects of glyphosate on soil microorganisms.