A1 Journal article (refereed)
Glyphosate residues alter the microbiota of a perennial weed with a minimal indirect impact on plant performance (2022)
Ramula, S., Mathew, S. A., Kalske, A., Nissinen, R., Saikkonen, K., & Helander, M. (2022). Glyphosate residues alter the microbiota of a perennial weed with a minimal indirect impact on plant performance. Plant and Soil, 472(1-2), 161-174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05196-1
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Ramula, S.; Mathew, S. A.; Kalske, A.; Nissinen, R.; Saikkonen, K.; Helander, M.
Journal or series: Plant and Soil
ISSN: 0032-079X
eISSN: 1573-5036
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 06/11/2021
Volume: 472
Issue number: 1-2
Pages range: 161-174
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication country: Netherlands
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05196-1
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79048
Abstract
In cold climates, glyphosate residues may linger in soils, with effects on plant–microbe interactions and, consequently, plant performance. Here, we explore the influence of glyphosate residues on the endophytic microbiota (bacteria and fungi) and performance of the perennial nitrogen-fixing weed Lupinus polyphyllus.
Methods
In a common garden, we grew plants from six populations of L. polyphyllus in glyphosate-treated or untreated control soils, with or without additional phosphorus. We sampled plant microbiota (leaves, roots, nodules) and assessed plant performance based on six traits: height, retrogression probability (i.e. shrinkage), biomass, root:shoot ratio, nodule number, and nodule viability.
Results
The richness of plant endophytic microbial communities was determined by soil phosphorus level rather than by glyphosate treatment. However, for bacteria, the composition of these communities differed between glyphosate-treated and control soils across plant tissue types; no difference was observed for fungi. The plant bacterial communities in both soil types were dominated by potential nitrogen-fixing bacteria belonging to family Bradyrhizobiaceae, and particularly so in glyphosate-treated soils. Overall, though, these changes in plant bacterial communities had a minor effect on plant performance: the only difference we detected was that the probability of retrogression was occasionally higher in glyphosate-treated soils than in control soils.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that glyphosate-based herbicides, when applied at the recommended frequency and concentration, may not have critical effects on the growth of short-lived weeds after the safety period has passed; however, the endophytic microbiota of such weeds may experience longer-lasting shifts in community structure.
Keywords: herbicides; glyphosate; pesticide residues; long-term effects; soil; soil biota; microbiome; rhizobia; soil fertility
Free keywords: glyphosate; herbicide; microbiota; plant traits; rhizobia; Roundup
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2022
JUFO rating: 3