Factors linked to glyphosate use patterns in French arable cropping systems

CONTEXT Glyphosate-based herbicides are widely used worldwide due to their broad efficacy and low cost. In the European Union (EU), large volumes are mobilized and enter the environment, sparking environmental concerns and calls for stricter regulation. However, few studies have tackled the contextual factors and agronomic reasoning that could influence glyphosate use and the resulting degree of dependence in arable cropping systems. METHODS On a dataset describing the farm context and details of cropping systems in 898 French farms over 11 years, we used Random Forests and Classification and Regression Trees to elucidate how combinations of pedoclimatic, agronomic, and operational factors link to the likelihood of glyphosate applications and the quantities used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Challenging production contexts and pedoclimatic conditions were often associated with glyphosate use, suggesting an adaptive response to environmental constraints. The relationship between rotational diversity and glyphosate use varied by management strategy, with diversified cropping systems exhibiting reduced quantities. Yet, diverse rotations under conservation-oriented systems also often maintained reliance on glyphosate-based herbicides. Cover crops were associated with frequent glyphosate applications, whereas temporary grasslands—often associated with livestock integration—were associated with reduced use, likely indicative of land reallocation in which perennial grassland phases displace annuals and offer opportunities to implement non-chemical alternatives. The prevalence of mid-fallow applications suggests that organizational convenience shapes application timing by spreading out activity peaks, revealing opportunities to reduce glyphosate through alternative management optimization. SIGNIFICANCE Three distinct usage tiers—low, moderate, and high—contrast across various archetypes, encompassing operational convenience to technical ‘lock-ins’. These findings offer valuable insights for reducing dependence on glyphosate and developing more sustainable cropping systems.