Herbicides versus Nitrogen Cycle: Assessing the Trade-Offs for Soil Integrity and Crop Yield—An In-Depth Systematic Review

Abstract

The interaction of herbicides in the nitrogen cycle and their consequences on soil health and agricultural production are essential topics in agronomic research. In this systematic review article, we have synthesized recent studies on this subject. The results revealed that the indiscriminate use of herbicides can have negative effects on vital processes in the nitrogen cycle, such as reduced enzymatic activity and microbial respiration. Moreover, herbicides alter the soil microbial composition, affecting nitrogen cycling-related activities. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is also impaired, resulting in a reduction in the population of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and a decrease in the availability of this nutrient in the soil. These effects compromise soil fertility and the release of nitrogen to plants. Therefore, sustainable agricultural practices must be adopted, considering nitrogen cycling efficiency and the preservation of soil and natural resources. This understanding is crucial for guiding appropriate management strategies aimed at minimizing the negative effects of herbicides on the nitrogen cycle and ensuring soil health and agricultural productivity.

Evaluating the Effects of Environmental Disturbances and Pesticide Mixtures on Soil Microbial Endpoints

“…Even though we could not detect a strong effect, our findings indicate that the application of technical a.i might affect these N-cycle microbial guilds. The exposure of soil to the a.i, and particularly to the herbicide CLO, led to a significant increase of the NO3and NH4 + pools which is supported by previous observations reporting the disruption of the N-cycle in response to pesticide application (Brochado et al, 2023;Damin and Trivelin, 2011;Hernández et al, 2011). Interestingly, one could observe that exposure to a.i had significant effects on the abovementioned endpoints already at agronomical dose, contrary to what is reported in the existing literature where effects are mostly detected at higher doses (Crouzet et al, 2010;Puglisi, 2012;Romdhane et al, 2019).…”