Glyphosate-induced impact on the functional traits of the Bacillus sp. FC1 isolate

ABSTRACT The intensive use of glyphosate has shown to be harmful to non-target organisms. Considering the soil as a final herbicide acceptor, the microbial community present on it is one of the critical factors to be monitored. This study aimed to isolate Bacillus sp., as well as to evaluate the effect of glyphosate on functional traits related to the growth and biocontrol activity of the phytopathogen. Bacillus sp. FC1 was isolated from the soil and grown in six media, in the presence and absence of glyphosate. The analysis of bacterial growth consisted of comparing the growth curves. The effect of glyphosate on the biocontrol activity was evaluated by antibiosis against the phytopathogen Fusarium sp. Glyphosate had a negative effect on the growth of the Bacillus sp. FC1 isolate. Exposure to the herbicide, based on the antibiosis method, showed no effect on the biocontrol activity of the phytopathogen. However, the sensitivity of the isolate to the herbicide may have affected its ability to initially compete for nutrients with the phytopathogen in the medium.