Off-target drift of the herbicide dicamba disrupts plant-pollinator interactions via novel pathways.

ABSTRACT: While herbicide use in agriculture is expected to have many effects on surrounding weed communities, it is largely unknown how plant exposure to sublethal doses of herbicide may subsequently impact plant-pollinator interactions. We tested the hypothesis that sublethal herbicide exposure indirectly alters plant-pollinator interactions through changes in plant traits, and specifically through alterations in floral display. Using a common garden experiment, we exposed 11 weed species to the herbicide dicamba and examined the potential for changes in pollinator abundance and patterns of pollinator visitation as well as alterations to plant traits. We found variation among plant species in the extent of damage from dicamba drift, and variation in size, flowering time, and flower displays, with

SUBMITTER: Baucom RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12177303 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature