Glyphosate and Your Soil: What You Need to Know
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in popular herbicides like Roundup, is one of the most widely used weed killers in the world. It’s a known carcinogen and has been detected in millions of water supplies globally. But glyphosate doesn’t just pose risks to water—it can linger in soil as well, especially where it has been applied or in areas downstream of its use.
How Does Glyphosate Affect Soil and the Ecosystem?
Contamination of Water Supplies
It was once believed that glyphosate would remain bound in soil and not leach into groundwater. However, recent research shows that in certain soil types and under specific weather conditions, glyphosate can migrate from soil into underground water supplies—posing a broader environmental risk.
Impact on Soil Micro-organisms
Regular use of glyphosate can harm beneficial micro-organisms in the soil. These microbes play a key role in maintaining soil health and fertility. When their populations are diminished, soil quality suffers, making it less viable for gardening and agriculture—even without direct glyphosate toxicity.
Effect on Fungi
Beneficial fungi, often misunderstood as harmful, are essential for plant health. They help deliver nutrients and water to plants and can also suppress certain diseases. Studies show that even low levels of glyphosate can damage these fungi, ultimately affecting your crop yield and health.
Increased Crop Disease
Soils contaminated with glyphosate are more likely to promote crop diseases. Furthermore, if disease does occur, its severity is often greater in soils where glyphosate has been used heavily—likely due to its impact on soil biodiversity and microbial balance.
Harm to Earthworms
At least six studies have shown that glyphosate negatively affects earthworm health. Earthworms play a crucial role in aerating soil, enhancing structure, and improving water retention. Their decline can severely impact overall soil vitality.
For more information visit the soil association.
How Can You Tell if Your Soil Contains Glyphosate?
The Safe Home® Glyphosate in Soil Test Kit offers an affordable and easy-to-use solution. This do-it-yourself kit detects the presence or absence of glyphosate above 200 ppb (parts per billion) and delivers results in just 5 minutes. It’s perfect for testing multiple locations around your garden or farm to check for contamination. No lab needed—just fast, actionable results right where you are.
