Glyphosate effects on microbial biomass in a coniferous forest soil

Abstract

AbstractThe herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) was applied aerially to a conifer forest that had previously been clear‐cut and reforested. Glyphosate was tested for effects on microbial biomass, numbers of selected microorganisms, and soil respiration over a period of 8 months by comparing treated and untreated zones of the clay loam forest soil (FS) and the overlying litter (FL), both pH 3.8. With microbial biomass, glyphosate generally had a stimulatory effect in FL, but usually no significant effect in FS. Glyphosate had no significant effect on numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in either FL or FS. The herbicide generally stimulated respiration in both FL and FS. In laboratory bioassays using FL, FS, and three agricultural soils, glyphosate had no significant effect on respiration when used at concentrations up to 100 times higher than recommended field application rates. Respiration rates in FL, as measured with Warburg respirometry, were unaffected by glyphosate. Respiration rates in FS were stimulated by glyphosate concentrations 10 and 100 times higher than recommended field rates. Glyphosate should have no deleterious effects on microbial biomass and respiration in forest soils when used under recommended conditions. © 1992 John Wiley & sons, Inc.