Recent advances in rhizoremediation of glyphosate: A review

Abstract

Decades ago, glyphosate (GLA) was the primary herbicide for controlling annual and perennial weeds. However, its widespread use has led to its pervasive presence within agro-ecosystems, posing significant threats to both biotic and abiotic components of the environment. To address the potentially harmful impacts of GLA, various remedial strategies, including adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, and microbial degradation, have been implemented. Among these approaches, microbial degradation, particularly through rhizodegradation, stands out due to its broad acceptance, applicability, and environmentally friendly characteristics. Rhizodegradation involves the action of numerous microorganisms that break down GLA, utilizing its constituents—phosphorus, carbon, and nitrogen—as sources of nutrition. This review aims to encapsulate the microbial degradation processes targeting GLA while also exploring the potential of GLA-degrading microorganisms to remediate environments contaminated by this herbicide. By synthesizing existing knowledge, this article delves into various techniques employed to biodegrade GLA through microbial action. Through an examination of microbial degradation mechanisms, this review sheds light on the intricate interplay between microorganisms and GLA, highlighting their pivotal role in mitigating its adverse effects on environmental health. Furthermore, it discusses the feasibility and efficacy of employing GLA-degrading microorganisms in bioremediation efforts, offering insights into potential strategies for addressing GLA contamination in diverse ecological settings. Ultimately, this comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and environmental stakeholders seeking to understand, combat, and mitigate the ecological consequences of GLA accumulation. By elucidating microbial-driven degradation pathways and their implications, it provides a foundation for developing sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by GLA contamination in agricultural and ecological contexts.