Summary
This 2009 review by Johal and Huber examines the unintended consequences of glyphosate herbicide use on crop disease dynamics and plant health in glyphosate-resistant field crops. The authors identify both direct mechanisms—weakening of plant immune defences—and indirect pathways, including micronutrient immobilisation and adverse effects on soil microflora and root development, that increase disease severity. The review proposes mitigation strategies centred on dose reduction, micronutrient amendment, and cultural practice modifications to reduce disease predisposition whilst maintaining weed control efficacy.
Regional applicability
The review addresses glyphosate-resistant crop systems, which are widespread in North America but less prevalent in the United Kingdom due to regulatory restrictions on genetically modified organisms. However, the underlying mechanisms of glyphosate's effects on plant immunity, nutrient cycling, and soil biology are broadly applicable to UK arable production where glyphosate is used as a broad-spectrum herbicide, particularly in conventional and conservation agriculture systems.
Key measures
Disease severity, plant defence mechanisms, micronutrient availability, pathogen population and virulence, plant growth and vigour, soil microbial community composition
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on how glyphosate application influences crop susceptibility to diseases through direct phytotoxic effects on plant defences and indirect mechanisms including micronutrient immobilisation, altered soil microflora, and reduced plant vigour. The paper evaluates both the disease-predisposing effects of glyphosate and potential mitigation strategies.
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