Effects of glyphosate on earthworms: From fears to facts
Résumé
Article of glyphosate during the last renewal in 2017. Our findings also highlighted that negative effects can occur in earthworms at the recommended application rate, although not after only a single application or when considering only the mortality of adult individuals. However, under more realistic conditions, i.e., when assessing sensitive endpoints (e.g., reproduction, growth) and using species present in the field, after several applications per year, the negative effects of glyphosate or GBH on earthworms were observed at the subindividual, individual, population, and community levels, as well as on earthworm-mediated functions. Our recommendations are as follows: (i) competent agencies should collect more information on the toxicity of these compounds to earthworms before the next renewal deadline, with emphasis on the use of the updated legislation on the topic, and (ii) scientists should increase research on the effects of these herbicides on soil invertebrate species, with emphasis on earthworms, using guideline tests and obtain data from long-term field testing. Key Points A weak legislation led to improper assessment of the ecotoxicity of glyphosate during the last renewal in 2017 Negative effects of glyphosate or GBH on earthworms were observed at the subindividual, individual, population, and community levels, as well as on earthworm-mediated functions We urgently recommend more research on glyphosate and GBH in the laboratory and in the field, using several applications at the RAD, at time intervals that are normally used by farmers, and in research of more than one year.