Glyphosate, Soil Fungi, and Dry Bean Crops: Examining Risks and Resilient Alternatives

This paper examines a critical cycle in modern agriculture: evidence that glyphosate herbicide use promotes the very fungal pathogens that threaten dry bean crops. It connects soil microbiome disruption to increased contamination risks (like mycotoxins) and proposes a practical, regenerative solution: using powdered or extract made from the leaves of edible sumac (Rhus coriaria or Rhus muelleri) as a natural antifungal soil treatment rich in ellagitannins. Essential reading for agronomists, food safety researchers, and producers seeking resilient, chemical-free strategies for pulse production. For growers and researchers of dry beans (garbanzos, black-eyed peas), fungal contamination is a major challenge. This paper links this problem to the unintended consequences of glyphosate, which accumulates in soil and disrupts microbial balance, favoring pathogens like Fusarium. As a way forward, it evaluates the science behind using sumac—a drought-tolerant, edible shrub—as a low-cost biocontrol to rebuild soil health and reduce dependency on synthetic chemicals. Could a common herbicide be making fungal problems worse for dry beans? This paper synthesizes evidence that glyphosate use creates a self-reinforcing cycle of soil degradation and pathogen pressure. Moving beyond diagnosis, it highlights a promising, nature-based solution: the strategic use of sumac as a living fungicide and soil amendment. A must-read for anyone invested in sustainable legume production, regenerative agriculture, and innovative farm-scale biocontrols.