Is RoundUp Killing the Soil?

Testing the Soil after RoundUp Showers

USDA scientist Dr. Kremer has found, in years of studying this, that although RoundUp Ready plants appear alright on the surface, they typically have ravaged root systems.

“This is supposed to be a wonderful tool for the farmer … but in many situations it may actually be a detriment,” Kremer said. “We have glyphosate [RoundUp] released into the soil which appears to be affecting root growth and root-associated microbes. We need to understand what is the long-term trend here,” he said.

Dr. Kremer’s work, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of European Agronomy, found that RoundUp creates:

  • damage to beneficial microbes in the soil increasing the likelihood of infection of a crop by soil pathogens
  • interference with nutrient uptake by the plant
  • reduced efficiency of symbiotic nitrogen fixation
  • overall lower-than-expected plant productivity

Other scientists have also found increased root fungal disease and nutrient deficiencies in RoundupReady crops.

With approximately twice as much RoundUp being used on US farms in 2008 compared to 2005, this could become a serious problem fast.

Unfortunately, it has been a big struggle to bring more scientific analysis into oversight of these products. “Science is not being considered in policy setting and deregulation,” said Kremer. “This research is important. We need to be vigilant.” Hopefully, things will change soon. The US Supreme Court will hear its first case ever on biotech crop concerns on April 27, 2010.

via Grist and Reuters

Image Credit 1: elvisripley via flickr under a CC license
Image Credit 2: Andrew Stawarz via flickr under a CC license
Image Credit 3: Edmontonenthusiast via flickr under a CC license
Image Credit 4: Angeluzzo via flickr under a CC license

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By Zach | April 21, 2010 | Farming, Food & Water, GMO | 16 Comments |
  • http://appliedmythology.blogspot.com Steve Savage

    Zachary,

    If any of what you are saying is true, wouldn’t it make sense that it wouldn’t just be speculation after 13 years and billions of acres? Is there a “statue of limitations” on saying the sky is falling?

  • Zachary Shahan

    Steve,

    From what I have learned, it is not just speculation. But some scientists claim they have proven one thing and others claim they have proven the opposite, so until they all agree nothing is confirmed (in the scientific community or the public who listen to it).

    I will cover more of what other scientists and studies have found in the future, but for now, this is one top agricultural researcher’s findings regarding soil health, nutrient uptake and other related factors.

  • http://appliedmythology.blogspot.com Steve Savage

    There are some subtle trace nutrient issues that are manageable. The fact that yields have been increasing without increases in fertilization suggest that soils are far from “killed.” In fact, to the extent that RR technology is enabling more no-till, it is really good for soil health. The biggest risk is resistance development in weeds and that is going to require some careful management

  • http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com Dana B

    Great post, Zachary! It’s shocking that our country’s regulations on this are so relaxed.

    Maria Rodale’s recent book, ‘Organic Manifesto’ is right in line with your thinking here. I highly recommend it.

    I’m curious to hear your thoughts on what we, as individual citizens, can do to combat such a huge problem. Voicing concerns to government officials is one step but what about local solutions?

  • Mariska van Aalst

    At least one book has been written about it! For an inspiring kick in the pants, check out Organic Manifesto by Maria Rodale, granddaughter of the original publisher of Organic Farming and Gardening magazine, founded in 1942. Her family’s been fighting this fight for over 50 years: http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Manifesto-Farming-Planet-World/dp/1605294853

  • http://www.northorigin.com/ Dennis

    Zachary,

    If any of what you are saying is true, wouldn’t it make sense that it wouldn’t just be speculation after 13 years and billions of acres? Is there a “statue of limitations” on saying the sky is falling?

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J7LAhSTgxU Tim Sorsdahl

    Seeing is believing;

    You can see that its the CO2 emissions which is actually helping fertilize crops. Roundup and other chemicals are building in toxins in the soil that will effect our lifes, and the genetic varieties of GMO's also threaten our way of life moving forward.

    Global warming based on CO2 is a scam. CO2 is carbon dioxide, they say its a global warming gas but CO2 is also dry ice, LOL and you see dry ice on other planets so I dont fear the earth heading into a furnace.

    Even water is a global warming gas according to the IPCC, yet water is also ice.

    So there you have it, we need to spend less money on chasing global warming scams and focus instead on toxins 2-4,D, agent orange and Monsanto's seeds and Glyphosate killing chemicals and seeds.

    The Hazards of Using Monsanto's GMO "BT Cotton"

  • http://www.mortgagedoom.com/ Kelly

    At least one book has been written about it! For an inspiring kick in the pants, check out Organic Manifesto by Maria Rodale, granddaughter of the original publisher of Organic Farming and Gardening magazine, founded in 1942. Her family’s been fighting this fight for over 50 years: http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Manifesto-Farming-Planet-World/dp/1605294853

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  • http://labouroffender.blogspot.com Brent Daniels

    If only more people would hear this.

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