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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
07:42
Quantification of the Potential Impact of Glyphosate-Based Products on Microbiomes
Published on: January 10, 2022
Changes in constructed Brassica communities treated with glyphosate drift.
Lidia S Watrud1, George King, Jason P Londo
1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Western Ecology Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, USA. watrud.lidia@epa.gov
Summary
Glyphosate drift favors the persistence of transgenic Brassica, increasing the CP4 EPSPS transgene incidence. This shift can negatively impact beneficial mycorrhizal fungi and ecosystem services in plant communities.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Agronomy
Background:
- Transgenic crops expressing CP4 EPSPS confer glyphosate resistance.
- Simulated glyphosate drift can act as a selective pressure on plant communities.
- Mixed-species plant communities are valuable for ecological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if glyphosate resistance in transgenic Brassica alters plant community composition.
- To determine if glyphosate drift increases transgenic Brassica progeny.
- To assess the impact of transgenic Brassica on mycorrhizal infection and biomass.
Main Methods:
- Constructed mixed-species plant communities in outdoor mesocosms.
- Applied simulated glyphosate drift (10% field rate) annually in 2006 and 2007.
- Monitored community composition, plant density, biomass, and mycorrhizal infection.
Main Results:
- Glyphosate drift led to Brassica dominance and increased CP4 EPSPS transgene incidence.
- Control mesocosms saw weed (Digitaria sanguinalis) dominance.
- Trifolium incarnatum showed reduced shoot biomass and mycorrhizal infection in treated mesocosms.
Conclusions:
- Glyphosate drift promotes the persistence of glyphosate-resistant Brassica.
- Increased Brassica presence may negatively affect arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.
- Transgenic traits can alter plant community dynamics and ecosystem services.
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