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.

The contamination of agricultural soils by microplastics (MPs) has significant implications for herbicide efficacy and soil health. This study investigates the effects of MPs on critical processes such as the sorption, desorption, and degradation of herbicides, highlighting their influence on these compounds’ mobility, persistence, and bioavailability. MPs interact with herbicides through sorption mechanisms, often reducing the availability of these compounds for weed control by retaining them on their surfaces. This sorption not only limits the immediate efficacy of herbicides but also alters their desorption process, resulting in a prolonged release into the soil environment. Additionally, MPs can inhibit microbial activity involved in herbicide degradation, increasing the time degradation of the half-life of these substances and extending their persistence in the environment. These processes collectively enhance the risks of bioaccumulation and environmental contamination. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of MPs on herbicide performance and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Herbicides applied in PRE-emergence enables sustainable weed control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the control of gallant soldier (Galinsoga parviflora) with the residual herbicides oxyfluorfen, flumioxazin, and linuron in soils cultivated with garlic from two regions of Brazil: Rio Paranaíba-MG (Oxisol) and Curitibanos-SC (Ultisol). The efficiency of the herbicides was evaluated at the following doses: oxyfluorfen (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 192, 384, and 768 g a.i. ha⁻¹), flumioxazin (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 30, 40, 60, and 120 g a.i. ha⁻¹), and linuron (0, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 2430 g a.i. ha⁻¹). The degree of damage on the 7th, 14th, and 21st day after emergence (DAE) and dry matter on the 21st day after emergence (DAE) were determined to evaluate the control (C₈₀) and the growth reduction (GR₈₀) of 80% of the plant, respectively, compared to the treatment without herbicide. Three herbicides were effective at the control of G. parviflora, with the C₈₀ at 21 DAE on Ultisol being 81.82, 4.59, and 141.26 g a.i. ha⁻¹, and a GR₈₀ of 61, 8.3, and 151.3 g a.i. ha⁻¹ for oxyfluorfen, flumioxazin, and linuron, respectively. On the other hand, on Oxisol (lower clay content and soil organic matter), the doses were lower, with the C₈₀ at 21 DAE at 20.85, 3.50, and 118 g a.i. ha⁻¹, and a GR₈₀ of 54, 4.03, and 101.23 g a.i. ha⁻¹, respectively. This weed showed higher control under flumioxazin compared to the other herbicides in both soils. The use of low doses of residual herbicides contributes to sustainable weed control in garlic growing in the field.

Tomatoes are often grown in proximity to other crops such as grain, which can increase their susceptibility to herbicide drift and subsequent crop. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of simulated herbicide drift on tomato plants. Treatments were established in a 10 × 3 + 1 factorial scheme using a completely randomized design with four replications. The first factor consisted of ten herbicides, while the second was composed by three subdoses (1/4, 1/16, and 1/32) along with an additional treatment without herbicide application. The herbicides 2,4-D, dicamba, glyphosate, saflufenacil, oxyfluorfen, and isoxaflutole caused injury levels greater than 20% or reductions in plant biomass greater than 30% at the lowest subdose. Increasing the subdose resulted in a corresponding increase in injury level and a reduction in biomass. Tomato exposed to hexazinone, diuron, nicosulfuron, and diquat at a subdose of 1/64 exhibited low injury levels and biomass reductions. However, at other subdoses, these herbicides caused significant plant damage. Among the herbicides tested, the auxinic herbicides, particularly dicamba, presented a higher risk for the tomato crop. The documentation and description of the visual symptoms caused by each herbicide applied to tomatoes will aid producers to identify drift problems in the field.

Background Pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides, such as indaziflam, are commonly used in coffee crops for weed control. However, the influence of soil cover materials on herbicide dissipation and leaching remains unclear. Objective This study evaluated indaziflam dissipation and leaching in two coffee-cultivated areas with different soil cover materials to determine their compatibility with indaziflam. Methods The field dissipation study was performed in a sandy clay Oxisol (OXIsc) and clay Oxisol (OXIcl) using a recommended indaziflam dose (75 g a.i. ha−1) [...] Abstract Background Pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides, such as indaziflam, are commonly used in coffee crops for weed control. However, the influence of soil cover materials on herbicide dissipation and leaching remains unclear. Objective This study evaluated indaziflam dissipation and leaching in two coffee-cultivated areas with different soil cover materials to determine their compatibility with indaziflam. Methods The field dissipation study was performed in a sandy clay Oxisol (OXIsc) and clay Oxisol (OXIcl) using a recommended indaziflam dose (75 g a.i. ha−1)