Following the steps towards glyphosate bioremediation. How close are we to field success?

Abstract

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are used in agriculture either for cropping glyphosate-resistant species or to control weeds in various crops, from herbaceous plants like tomatoes to trees such as vines and even forest plantations. Their extensive use exposes the land surface and water bodies to the herbicide, posing a risk to non-target organisms worldwide. GBH’s are broken down in the environment by the whole soil or water microbiome. There is incomplete understanding of different bacterial groups´ roles in this process Although not every single species can be isolated, its functional profile or metabolism counts. A species can be removed from the ensemble without a major negative impact on the overall process, as long as other microorganisms perform that same function. We currently have some insight into what single bacteria do when degrading glyphosate. In fact, the classic approach for bioremediation consists of isolating and studying the removal potential of single type of microorganism. Using this approach, investigators have identified the aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and sarcosine pathway as a primary route of glyphosate breakdown. However, there remains a need for a glyphosate removal strategy that mimics natural microbiomes’ action to avoid glyphosate pseudo persistence by accumulation in the environment.