Prolonged glyphosate application reduces soil fertility and microbial diversity in tea plantation

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide in tea plantations. It significantly alters soil microbial community structure and affects nutrient cycling, especially at high dosages. The results indicate that glyphosate should be avoided in tea plantations weeds management, switching to other weeds management strategies that are beneficial to the sustainable development of tea plantations. This research reveals the detrimental impact of glyphosate on tea plantation ecosystems at the soil level by metagenomic techniques, offering new insights into its potential ecological risks.