Glyphosate Application Timing Research Articles

Glyphosate‐resistant alfalfa can exhibit injury after glyphosate application in the Intermountain West

AbstractGlyphosate‐resistant (GR) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has been widely adopted in the United States. Exceptional tolerance of GR alfalfa to glyphosate application has been reported as a strength of this technology; however, growers have recently reported potential crop injury under specific environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to document and characterize the injury and determine best management practices for avoiding injury to GR alfalfa in the Intermountain West. The effects of glyphosate rate and application timing during various seasons were investigated at 24 sites over 5 years, measuring the impact on alfalfa crop height and biomass yield. Summer glyphosate applications did not injure alfalfa. However, spring applications reduced crop height at 76% of sites and biomass yield at 62% of sites. At responsive sites, low (869 g ae ha−1) and high (1739 g ae ha−1) glyphosate rates reduced yield by 0.53 and 1.06 Mg ha−1, respectively. Alfalfa treated with high rates in the late spring, when 15–20 cm tall, had mean yield reductions of 16%–17% compared with untreated alfalfa. These results suggest that glyphosate applications made at tall crop heights or high rates on GR alfalfa are more likely to reduce crop height and yield in the Intermountain West compared with earlier applications at lower rates. We recommend that spring applications using low glyphosate rates occur before alfalfa is 10 cm tall to mitigate the risk of injury. If a high glyphosate rate is necessary, then an application should be made before alfalfa is greater than 5 cm tall.

Population Dynamics of Digitaria sanguinalis and Effects on Soybean Crop under Different Glyphosate Application Timings

Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is one of the most problematic weeds in summer crops in Argentina. Emergence throughout the season of several cohorts allows the weed to escape postemergence control. Demographic models are useful tools to understand and compare the effect of different agronomic management decisions on weed population growth, as well as to identify critical functional stages that affect population growth rates. The objectives of this work were (i) to study population dynamics of D. sanguinalis in soybean, (ii) to determine the effect of glyphosate application timing on weed demographic parameters and soybean yield losses, and (iii) to evaluate the effect of weed density on soybean yield loss. A field experiment was conducted in two locations, in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Treatments included a control without glyphosate and glyphosate applied at soybean stages V4 or R1. The demographic stages (initial seedbank, seedlings, and adult plants) and parameters (establishment, survival, and fecundity) were estimated. Reproductive organs were evaluated in each cohort, including raceme per plant, spikelets per raceme, and seeds per spikelet. Weed and crop biomass and yield crop were assessed at harvest. Three cohorts were identified, the first of which emerged in November and contributed 93% of the total seedlings and 71% of the total adults. Glyphosate applied at V4 reduced the survival rate of the first cohort, as well as the total shoot biomass and the fecundity rate, increasing the biomass and crop grain yield. Both application timings affected tillers per plant, racemes per tiller, and fertile spikelets per raceme. Glyphosate at R1 did not effectively reduce weed competition, but reduced seed production as application at V4. Yield losses estimated with the model of the rectangular hyperbola according to weed density showed a yield loss at low densities (I) of 18%, and a maximum yield loss (A) of 82%. To avoid yield losses, herbicide applications targeting the first cohort are more effective than later applications targeting subsequent cohorts. However, at both times glyphosate applications reduced the number of seeds entering the seedbank, and therefore the population growth rate.

Glyphosate Efficacy as Influenced by Cultivation Practices on a Creeping Bentgrass Fairway Turf

Glyphosate is routinely used to eradicate existing turf in golf course fairway renovations. However, current label recommendations suggest delaying cultivation of glyphosate treated areas for 7 days. A 2-year field study was conducted to assess how various seedbed preparation techniques (i.e., verticutting, core-cultivation, or verticutting + core-cultivation) influence glyphosate efficacy on creeping bentgrass fairway turf when completed at various intervals shortly after application [0–7 days before cultivation (DBC)]. Percent green cover declined from initial values of ≈90% to ≤0.2% at the end of the study after glyphosate application at all timings, regardless of cultivation during both years. All cultivated plots had 37.9% to 72.3%, or 5.9% to 62.1% less green cover compared with noncultivated plots when glyphosate was applied ≤3 days before cultivation in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Generally, the number of days until green cover reached 1% (GC1) ranged from 6.6 to 11.1 in 2014 and 5.2 to 6.9 in 2015. Within glyphosate application timings, no differences in GC1 were observed between cultivated and noncultivated treatments in 2014, except at 0 DBC. The GC1 for verticutting was 5.1 days longer than noncultivated plots; however, all other cultivation treatments were equivalent to noncultivated plots when glyphosate was applied 0 DBC. All cultivation treatments reduced GC1 1.7 to 2.5 days compared with the no cultivation treatment, regardless of glyphosate application timing in 2015. Results from this study indicate that cultivation of creeping bentgrass fairway turf within 7 days of glyphosate application is not detrimental to long-term herbicide efficacy, and in some cases may actually enhance the rate of decline of glyphosate treated creeping bentgrass.

Effect of Colorant and Glyphosate Application Timing on Annual Bluegrass and Tall Fescue Control in Dormant ‘Meyer’ Zoysiagrass

Turfgrass managers commonly apply glyphosate on dormant zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) to control cool‐season grassy weeds. More recently, turfgrass managers have used paints and pigments to color dormant zoysiagrass throughout winter months. Applications of glyphosate on dormant zoysigrass are well documented, but information concerning glyphosate and paint interactions is lacking. In 2013 and 2014, experiments were conducted at Colbert Hills Golf Course and Stagg Hill Golf Course in Manhattan, KS, to evaluate the effects of glyphosate and glyphosate + turfgrass colorant application timing for annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) or tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) control and zoysiagrass spring green‐up. Research was performed on a ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Z. japonica Steud.) fairway. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial, randomized, complete block design with four replications. Factors were two herbicide combinations and four application timings. Herbicide applications included glyphosate (0.81 kg ae ha−1) and glyphosate (0.81 kg ae ha−1) + Endurant (16.6% v/v). Application timings were mid‐November, mid‐December, mid‐January, and mid‐February. Results indicate that addition of a turfgrass colorant to glyphosate applications did not delay zoysiagrass spring green‐up or antagonize annual bluegrass or tall fescue control.

Best timing for glyphosate treatments and possible combinations with pre and post-emergence weed control practices in no-till maize

Use of reduced and no-tillage systems has increased in recent years due to concerns for ecological and economic sustainability of agricultural production. Effective weed control is a serious concern in reduced tillage production. This study was conducted to investigate weed control practices in reduced and no-till maize production. The most effective timing of glyphosate application, either before or after sowing, was investigated in combination with pre-emergence application of acetochlor (840 g a.i/L), post-emergence application of foramsulfuron (22.5 g a.i/L), and two hoeing treatments. The treatments were maintained on the same plots during 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the cumulative effects of the treatments. Main plot treatments consisted of four timings of glyphosate application: 20 or 10 days before sowing, day of sowing, 5 days after sowing, and an untreated control. Sub-plot treatments were: pre- plus post-emergence herbicides, pre-emergence herbicide plus rotary hoeing, post-emergence herbicide plus rotary hoeing, and post-emergence herbicide plus two hoeing treatments (rotary and lister hoe). In the main plots, the lowest weed biomass was produced in glyphosate treatments at sowing and 5 days after sowing; the highest biomass was produced in control plots and in the plots with glyphosate treatments 20 days before sowing. In the sub-plots, the greatest weed biomass was produced in plots with two hoeing treatments (rotary and lister hoe). Glyphosate treatments at sowing and post-emergence herbicide treatment combinations produced the best weed control. Economic analysis revealed that pre-sowing, non-selective herbicide treatments provided a slight increase in net profit. Mechanical hoeing decreased net income due to increased production costs. The highest income was obtained from the pre-emergence plus post-emergence herbicide treatment combinations with no glyphosate.

地下茎イネ科草種優占草地の簡易更新に関する研究(2) : 草地更新時の前植生抑圧のためのグリホサート除草剤の散布時期と散布量

地下茎イネ科草種優占草地の簡易更新に関する研究(2) : 草地更新時の前植生抑圧のためのグリホサート除草剤の散布時期と散布量

Sweetpotato Response to Simulated Glyphosate Wick Drip

Field studies were conducted in 2009 at Clinton, NC and 2014 at Pontotoc, MS to determine the influence of simulated glyphosate drip on sweetpotato yield and quality. Treatments consisted of three glyphosate solution (140 g ae L–1) drip volumes (0.16, 0.32 and 0.48 ml) by four application timings [(4 wk after transplanting (WAP); 6 WAP; 8 WAP; and 4 WAP followed by (fb) 6 WAP fb 8 WAP]. A non-treated check was included for comparison. Visual sweetpotato injury consisted of chlorosis at the shoot tips approximately 1 wk after treatment fb necrosis and stunting. At 6 WAP and 8 WAP, sweetpotato injury following glyphosate applied 4 WAP was 71 and 65%, respectively. Injury from glyphosate applied 4 WAP fb 6 WAP was 78%. Injury from glyphosate applied 6 WAP was 26% at 8 WAP. In 2009, jumbo, no. 1, canner, and marketable yield of the non-treated check were two to three times greater than glyphosate treatments (0.16, 0.32, 0.48 ml). Likewise, yield of the non-treated check was substantially greater than those treated with 0.16 to 0.48 ml glyphosate solution in 2014. In 2009 and 2014, sweetpotato yield of all grades increased as glyphosate application timing was delayed. In 2009, no. 1 yield from glyphosate 8 WAP (8,210 kg ha–1) was similar to the non-treated check. In 2009, there were no cracked storage roots in the non-treated check. However, sweetpotatoes receiving 0.16 to 0.48 ml glyphosate solution displayed 8 to 17%, 11 to 18%, 5 to 13%, and 11 to 16% cracking (by weight) in jumbo, no. 1, canner, and marketable storage roots, respectively. Compared to the non-treated check, glyphosate applied 4 WAP, 6 WAP, or 4 WAP fb 6 WAP fb 8 WAP had a greater percentage of cracked marketable sweetpotato storage roots.

Resicore and Glyphosate Application Timings in Corn

Resicore and Glyphosate Application Timings in Corn

Biologically effective dose of glyphosate as influenced by weed size in corn

There is limited information on the effect of weed size at the time of application on glyphosate efficacy in Ontario. Eleven field trials were conducted over a 3 yr period (2010–2012) in Ontario to determine the biologically effective dose of glyphosate applied postemergence (POST) in corn at doses of 112.5–1350 g acid equivalent (a.e.) ha−1 for the control of various grass and broadleaved weed species when the weeds were 10, 20 or 30 cm in height. The GR90 for redroot pigweed, common ragweed, common lamb’s-quarters, barnyardgrass, and green foxtail were 353, 630, 621, 763, and <112.5 g a.e. ha−1 when applied at 10 cm weed height, 235, 201, 906, 868, and 296 g a.e. ha−1 when applied at 20 cm weed height, and 792, >1350, >1350, 912, and 675 g a.e. ha−1 when applied at 30 cm weed height, respectively. Corn yields were maximized when glyphosate was applied to weeds that were up to 10 cm in height, but was reduced with later glyphosate application timings. The results of this study reinforce the importance of early POST weed control in corn.

Timing of Glyphosate Applications to Wheat Cover Crops to Reduce Onion Stunting Caused by Rhizoctonia solani.

Stunting caused by Rhizoctonia spp. is economically important in irrigated onion bulb crops in the semiarid Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, where cereal winter cover crops commonly are planted the previous fall to prevent wind erosion of soil. The cover crop is killed with herbicide application just before or shortly after onion seeding, so that the dead rows of cereal plants provide a physical barrier tall enough to protect onion seedlings against wind and sand blasting but not tall enough to shade onion seedlings. However, the cover crop also serves as a green bridge for Rhizoctonia spp. on cereal roots to colonize the onion roots, potentially resulting in severe stunting of onion seedlings. To determine the effect of timing of application of the herbicide glyphosate to reduce this green bridge effect and, subsequently, onion stunting, three herbicide application intervals preceding onion planting were evaluated in a grower's onion field in each of 2012 and 2014 in the Columbia Basin. The wheat cover crop was killed with a glyphosate application 27, 17, and 3 days before onion seeding in 2012 and 19, 10, and 3 days before seeding in 2014. As the interval between herbicide application and onion planting increased from 3 days to 19 and 27 days, the number of patches of stunted onion plants decreased by ≥55%, total area of stunted patches decreased by 54 to 63%, and patch severity index decreased by 59 to 65%. Similarly, the Rhizoctonia solani AG 8 DNA concentration in soil sampled from the dead cover crop rows declined as the interval between glyphosate application and onion seeding increased in the 2012 trial but not in the 2014 trial. R. solani AG 3 and AG 8 DNA concentrations in soil sampled from the cover crop rows were significantly positively correlated with the number of patches of stunted onion plants (r = 0.490 and 0.607 at P = 0.039 and 0.008, respectively), total area of stunted patches (r = 0.496 and 0.659 at P = 0.035 and 0.003, respectively), and patch severity index (r = 0.492 and 0.635 at P = 0.038 and 0.005, respectively) in the 2012 trial; however, these variables were only correlated significantly with R. solani AG 3 DNA concentration in the 2014 trial. Increasing the interval between herbicide application to the cover crop and onion planting provides a practical management tool for stunting in onion bulb crops.

Late Glyphosate Applications Alter Yield and Yield Components in Glyphosate-Resistant Canola (Brassica napus)

The development of glyphosate-resistant canola has provided improved weed-management options for growers, but crop tolerance to glyphosate may be inadequate at later growth stages. In this study, glyphosate-resistant canola 45H28 (RR) was used to determine the effects of glyphosate application timing on yield and yield components at several sites in western Canada. Canola received a single glyphosate applications at the two-leaf, six-leaf, bolting, and early bloom stages and sequential applications at the two-leaf + six-leaf, two-leaf + bolting, and two-leaf + early bloom stages. Contrasts were made between early vs. late, single vs. sequential, and on-label (two to six-leaf stage) vs. off-label (above six-leaf stage). In general, differences between application timings were observed for yield and yield components in 3 of 8 site-yr. Off-label applications of glyphosate (later than six-leaf) significantly decreased yield, seeds per pod, and increased thousand-seed weight and aborted pods in canola at the Lethbridge and St. Albert locations. Increased glyphosate translocation because of adequate, but not excessive, moisture to new growth may have suppressed new seed formation and encouraged pod abortion at the time of application in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Results from this experiment demonstrate the importance of proper application timing of glyphosate on canola and can help better predict the effects of late applications.

Influence of glyphosate timing on Kochia scoparia demographics in glyphosate-resistant sugar beet

The recent evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Kochia scoparia (kochia) is a potential threat to the sustainability of GR cropping systems, including GR sugar beet in the northwestern United States. The lack of effective and economical, alternative herbicide programs for K. scoparia control in GR sugar beet further exacerbates the problem. Therefore, it is critical to understand the population dynamics and demographics of K. scoparia in response to the glyphosate application timing, and their overall impact on the replenishment of the weed seed bank in the soil, and on GR sugar beet yields. To fulfill this objective, field experiments were conducted at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center near Huntley, Montana, USA in 2012 and 2013. Glyphosate timing treatments included a single application at the 2-leaf (lf), 6-lf, or 10-lf stage of sugar beet or sequential applications at 2-lf followed by (fb) 6-lf, 6-lf fb 10-lf, 2-lf fb 6-lf fb 10-lf, or 6-lf fb 10-lf fb canopy closure (CC) stage of sugar beet. K. scoparia survival, biomass, and seed production were monitored in three cohorts that emerged at different growth stages of sugar beet during the season. K. scoparia plants in cohort 1 and 2 were more competitive (greater biomass and seed production) than those in cohort 3. Compared with a single glyphosate timing, sequential applications of glyphosate at 6-lf fb 10-lf stages of sugar beet prevented survival, biomass and seed production in cohort 1 and cohort 2. K. scoparia plants in cohort 3 that emerged after the glyphosate application at the 10-lf stage of sugar beet, produced up to 1123 seeds m−2. A follow-up application of glyphosate at the CC stage of sugar beet was needed to prevent biomass and seed production from cohort 3 survivors. Irrespective of timing, sequential applications of glyphosate provided higher root and sucrose yields than the single glyphosate applications in GR sugar beet. Growers should utilize three applications of glyphosate applied sequentially at 6-lf fb 10-lf fb CC stages of sugar beet to prevent season-long K. scoparia interference and seed additions in GR sugar beet.

Determining the glyphosate tolerance of eastern white cedar: First year post-treatment results

Little is known about the silvicultural traits of eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.), and especially the tolerance of seedlings to herbicides. A study was established to determine the sensitivity of cedar seedlings to timing and concentration of glyphosate applications. Glyphosate was applied to seedlings at three concentrations (1.04, 2.07, and 4.14 acid equivalent (ae) kg ha-1) at three times (July 28, August 10 and August 31) and their survival and growth was compared with that of seedlings in three control treatments (competition free, always competition, and competition free after an August 10 application of 2.07 kg ha-1 glyphosate) for a total of 12 treatments. Damage to foliage increased (r2 = 0.99) and first-year volume growth decreased (r2 = 0.91) with increasing glyphosate concentration. Glyphosate applied at 4.14 kg ha-1 killed 9% of the seedlings; even the lowest concentration of glyphosate (1.04 kg ha-1) reduced first-year volume growth more than continuous herbaceous competition. Application timing did not affect the amount of foliar damage or the growth of seedlings. However, in the winter following the treatments, snow damage was greater in the weed-free control seedlings than in all other treatments.

Weed Control in Soybean as Influenced by Residual Herbicide Use and Glyphosate-Application Timing Following Different Planting Dates

Soybean planting has occurred earlier in the Midwestern United States in recent years; however, earlier planting subjects the crop to longer durations of weed interference. This may change the optimum timing of POST glyphosate applications, or increase the need for residual herbicides applied PRE to optimize yield. A field study was conducted in 2012 and 2013 near Arlington, WI to determine the effect of planting date, residual herbicide use, and POST glyphosate timing on weed control and soybean yield. Planting dates were late April, mid-May, and early June. A PRE application of sulfentrazone plus cloransulam was applied to half the plots following each planting date. Glyphosate was applied POST to all plots at the V1, V2, V4, or R1 soybean growth stage. Planting date and glyphosate timing did not affect soybean yield in this study. However, averaged across years, planting dates, and POST glyphosate timings, yield increased from 3,280 to 3,500 kg ha−1when a PRE herbicide with residual soil activity was used. In POST-only treatments, delaying the planting date to June decreased weed density at POST application timing from 127 to 5 plants m−2(96%) and from 205 to 42 plants m−2(80%) in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Where a PRE was used, total weed density at POST application timing was always less within planting date, and also declined from early to late planting date 26 to 3 plants m−2(89%) and 23 to 6 plants m−2(74%) in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In conclusion, both PRE herbicide use and delayed soybean planting were effective strategies to reduce the number of in-crop weeds exposed to POST glyphosate and should be considered as strategies to reduce the number of weeds exposed to POST herbicides for resistance management.

Dormant Turfgrass Paint and Glyphosate Application Timing Effects on Annual Bluegrass and Tall Fescue Control

Excellent annual bluegrass control can be achieved with dormant glyphosate and glyphosate + Endurant treatments applied November through February. The addition of Endurant to glyphosate in early applications (November and December) increases tall fescue control.

Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) Control in Glyphosate-Resistant Perennial Ryegrass Overseeding

‘Replay' and ‘JS501’ perennial ryegrass cultivars have been conventionally bred for reduced sensitivity to glyphosate, potentially allowing the herbicide to be used for selective weed control in overseeded bermudagrass. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate optimal glyphosate application rate, regime (single and sequential applications), and timing for annual bluegrass control in bermudagrass overseeded with these cultivars. Additionally, greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare the sensitivity to glyphosate of Replay and JS501 to susceptible cultivars ‘Caddy Shack' and ‘Top Gun II' through log-logistic rate-response analysis. In field experiments, only two treatments resulted in > 90% annual bluegrass control and < 25% perennial ryegrass injury. These two treatments were a single application of 280 g ae ha−1glyphosate in January and 140 g ha−1followed by an additional 140 g ha−1applied in January. Perennial ryegrass cultivars were compared using 50% inhibition (I50) values, i.e. 50% visible estimates of injury or 50% reduction in clipping weight.I50values obtained 6 wk after treatment from injury data were 2.56, 2.64, 0.81, and 0.84 g ha−1glyphosate for Replay, JS501, Caddy Shack, and Top Gun II, respectively. Replay and JS501 were similar in sensitivity to glyphosate and were up to four times more tolerant than Caddy Shack and Top Gun II across rating dates and data types.

Glyphosate Carryover in Seed Potato: Effects on Mother Crop and Daughter Tubers

Field studies were conducted in 2008 and 2009 in Aberdeen, ID, Ontario, OR, and Paterson, WA to determine the effect of simulated glyphosate drift on ‘Ranger Russet’ potato during the application year and the crop growing the next year from the daughter tubers. Glyphosate was applied at 8.5, 54, 107, 215, and 423 g ae ha−1 which corresponds to 1/00, 1/16, 1/8, ¼, and 1/2 of the lowest recommended single-application rate for glyphosate-resistant corn and sugar beet of 846 g ha–1. Glyphosate was applied when potato plants were at 10 to 15 cm tall (Early), or at stolon hooking (H), tuber initiation (TI), or during mid-bulking (MB). In general, the MB applications caused less visual foliar injury to the mother crop than earlier applications at ID or OR, and H applications at WA. Mother crop injury increased as glyphosate rate increased regardless of location, application timing, and rating date. U.S. No.1 and total tuber yields were usually related to the injury level resulting from glyphosate application timings and rates. Although injury to the mother crop from glyphosate applied at MB usually was the lowest compared to injury from other application timings, when daughter tubers from that timing were planted the following year, emergence, plant vigor, and yield was most detrimentally impacted compared with that of daughter tubers from other timing treatments. MB daughter tuber emergence was less than 30 % of the nontreated control tuber emergence while emergence of daughter tubers from the other treatments was 60 to 95 %. As rate of glyphosate applied to the mother crop increased, daughter tuber emergence decreased. When MB daughter tubers did emerge, plants were chlorotic and stunted as if the plants had been directly sprayed with glyphosate. Regardless of whether the daughter tubers had defects or not, results the following year were the same. Implications are that if a mother seed crop encounters glyphosate during bulking, injury may not even be noticeable on the foliage or the tubers, however, emergence, vigor, and yield of the crop growing the following year from the daughter tubers could be greatly impacted.

Seasonal Timing of Glyphosate Application Influences Control ofPoa trivialis

Seasonal Timing of Glyphosate Application Influences Control of<i>Poa trivialis</i>

Soybean Yield Loss Potential Associated with Early-Season Weed Competition across 64 Site-Years

Glyphosate applied POST can provide a high level of efficacy on many weed species in soybean, but delayed application beyond optimal weed growth stages might fail to fully protect yield potential. Further, we do not have a good understanding of the extent to which delayed glyphosate application and its associated yield loss is occurring on-farm. Our goal was to characterize on-farm weed communities in glyphosate-resistant soybean just prior to glyphosate application and estimate potential yield loss associated with early-season soybean-weed competition. In field surveys conducted across 64 site-yr in southern Wisconsin in 2008 and 2009, common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, dandelion,Polygonumspp., andAmaranthusspp. were the five most abundant broadleaf weed species across site-years, present in 92, 69, 64, 42, and 50% of all fields, respectively, at average densities of 14, 5, 5, 14, and 10 plants m−2, respectively. Average height of these species was 21 cm or less at or near the time of glyphosate application. Grass and sedge species occurred in 95% of fields at an average density of 41 plants m−2and height of 21 cm. The mean and median values of total weed density across site-years were 101 and 41 plants m−2, with heights of 19 and 17 cm, respectively. Recommended height for treatment is 15 cm. Glyphosate application occurred on average at V3 to V4 soybean growth stage, which is later than V2 soybean typically targeted to protect yield. Average yield loss predicted by WeedSOFT® was 5% with a mean economic loss of $47 ha−1. Predicted yield loss was greater than 5% on one-fourth of the site-years, all of which were treated at V4 soybean or later. The maximum predicted yield loss was 27%. These results suggest that glyphosate was applied at weed height and soybean growth stages that were greater than optimal to protect yield in many fields across southern Wisconsin. A soil-residual herbicide applied PRE, or a more timely POST application of glyphosate would alleviate the majority of these losses.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are directly and indirectly affected by glyphosate application

Glyphosate is a systemic non-selective herbicide, the most widely used in the world. Alongside with its use in agricultural and forestry systems, this herbicide is used in grasslands in late summer with the aim of promoting winter species with the consequent increase in stocking rate. However, its effects on non-target organisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), are unclear. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonize the root of more than 80% of terrestrial plants, improving their growth and survival, and therefore playing a key role in ecosystem structure and function. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible pathways through which glyphosate application affects AMF spores viability and root colonization in grassland communities. Our hypothesis is that glyphosate application can damage AMF directly (through contact with spores and external hyphae) or indirectly through the changes it generates on host plants. The experiment had a factorial array with three factors: (1) plant species, at two levels (Paspalum dilatatum and Lotus tenuis), (2) doses of glyphosate, at three levels (0lha−1, 0.8lha−1 and 3lha −1), and (3) application site, at two levels: soil (direct pathway) and plant foliage (indirect pathway). Spore viability was reduced even under the lowest glyphosate rate, but only when it was applied on the soil. Total root colonization for both species was similarly decreased when glyphosate was applied to plant foliage or on soil, with no difference between 0.8 and 3lha−1. The number of arbuscules was 20% lower when glyphosate was applied on plant foliage, than when it was applied on the soil. Our findings illustrate that glyphosate application negatively affects AMF functionality in grasslands, due to different causes depending on the herbicide application site. While, under field conditions, the occurrence of direct and/or indirect pathways will depend on the plant cover at the time of glyphosate application, the consequences of this practice on the plant community structure will vary with the mycorrhizal dependence of the species composition regardless of the pathway involved.