Impact of glyphosate-based herbicides on soil and plant-associated microbial communities
The goal of the study is to explore whether long-term application of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) affect non-target organisms. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in GBH inhibits the shikimate pathway in weeds, eventually inhibiting their growth and making weed removal easier. However, since the shikimate pathway present in many bacteria and fungi, the study explores the effects of continuous application of GBH on soil and plant-associated microbial communities. Changes in microbial community composition and potential changes in the metabolic capacities are observed. However, the impact of long-term GBH application on soil quality, plant health, and ecological interactions remains to be further studied. The study gives insights into chemical-intensive agricultural practices and strategize solutions to remediate soil for environmental health.