GLYPHOSATE -- NEW STUDY

              There is a lot of internet noise about the evils of glyphosate.  Trying to figure out fact from fiction is challenging. 

              Recently I attended a meeting where a report was given by a Researcher at a local University on a recent study to determine, what, if any effects glyphosate has on soil bacteria communities.  In the past, Monsanto has put out information that glyphosate does not affect soil biota, but the old research is under attack for using bad methodology.   The Researcher feels this is a very good study, it used appropriate methodology for the task, replicated, and will be peer reviewed.  They feel the study is high enough caliber to be sent on to the National Academy of Science for further review and hopefully, publication.   Soil samples from four farms scattered over a wide area (100+ miles), with different soil types, and different annual rainfall (10”- 24”)were collected.   At each location, soil was collected from ground that had little/no history of glyphosate application along with ground that had an extensive history of glyphosate use.  In our case, we had a grass area that was once conventionally farmed, —it has never had glyphosate applied.  Bordering this area is a field that has had glyphosate  applied multiple times, every year, for 31 years.  The other 3 locations, have different, but similar stories.  The testing methodology used soil DNA and next- generation sequencing.  10,000 bacteria species were identified. 

       The RESULT:  — There was no dramatic effect on the bacterial communities identified,  —out of the 10,000 species a few showed slight decreases, and a few showed slight increases from the use of glyphosate.  The populations of most bacteria groups appeared to be unaffected.  The four locations showed differences in the bacterial communities, indicating location, soils, and rainfall did have an impact on soil bacteria communities, —more so than what was identified through use of glyphosate. [ This research team was headed up by Tim Paulitz, USDA-ARS an adjunct professor with Washington State University ]

       This is very good news for those of us in the direct seeding community.

       There are plans developing to do a similar study on what effects, if any, glyphosate has on fungi species and populations in the soil.

    On Another Page:   Today I attended a meeting on soil health put together by WSU extension. Part of the agenda included a presentation on Glyphosate.  Desiccating a crop has to be done within label limits or labs can find traces of the amino acid associated with glyphosate in the end product.  Whether this is a real problem or not, it leads to poor PR in the phobia climate surrounding glyphosate.  Traces of glyphosate residue, under some conditions can persist for more than a year in the soil.  This residual material can, in some rare instances be taken up and harm the crop.  These rare instances manifest themselves with a specific  pH, soil, and moisture relationship.  THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE:  Don't deviate from the label when applying glyphosate.  We have always considered the chemistry super safe and tend to be a bit flippant with it's use.