Glyphosate affects chlorophyll, nodulation and nutrient accumulation of “second generation” glyphosate-resistant soybean (Glycine max L.)

The recently developed “second generation” of Roundup Ready® soybean (RR2) cultivars commercially available for farmers in 2008 were promoted as higher yielding relative to the “first generation” RR cultivars (RR1). Previous studies showed that glyphosate reduced such yield components as photosynthesis, water absorption, nutrient uptake and symbiotic N2 fixation in RR soybean cultivars; however, no data are available regarding the glyphosate effects on these physiological factors in RR2 soybean. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the nutrient accumulation and nodulation of both generations of RR soybeans at different rates of glyphosate applied at various growth stages. In general, increased glyphosate rates and late applications decreased the nutrient accumulation, nodulation, and shoot and root biomass in both RR1 and RR2. All macro- and micronutrients, with exception of N and K, accumulated more in RR1 than RR2. Although this result may be an individual cultivar characteristic, it suggests that the RR2 cultivar was also inefficient in nutrient uptake and translocation or was unable to rapidly recover from potential chelating effects of glyphosate. These studies suggest that applying glyphosate at early growth stages using the lowest glyphosate rate might have less damage on growth and productivity of RR soybeans.

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► Glyphosate decreased photosynthetic rate by direct damage to chlorophyll or immobilization of essential micronutrients required for chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis.
► Decreased nutrient uptake.
► Decreased nutrient accumulation.
► Decreased nodulation.
► Decreased biomass.