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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301431
Title: Surface application of biochar to reduce emissions of 1,3-dichloropropene

Author
item WANG, Q - Chinese Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item CAO, A - Chinese Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item Wang, Dong
item Gao, Suduan

Submitted to: Proceedings of Methyl Bromide Alternatives Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2013
Publication Date: 11/3/2013
Citation: Wang, Q.X., Cao, A., Wang, D., Gao, S. 2013. Surface application of biochar to reduce emissions of 1,3-dichloropropene. Proceedings of Methyl Bromide Alternatives Conference. p. 75-1 - 75-3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil fumigation with 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) is restricted by township caps and buffer zone requirements because of high emission rates. Many studies have investigated emission reduction techniques using plastic films of different permeability. Biochar is a fine-grained, highly porous charcoal substance that can be used as a soil amendment to reduce fumigant emissions. A laboratory soil column study was carried out to determine the effects of surface soil applications of biochar in reducing the emissions of 1,3-D. The surface treatments comprised of a polyethylene (PE) tarp only, and PE tarp + biochar at doses of 5%, 2%, 1% and 0.5% in the top 5 cm soil. Results showed that the biochar treatments reduced 1,3-D emissions by more than 92% compared with the conventional PE tarp applications without biochar. This study demonstrated the benefits of amending the soil surface with biochar as a means of reducing 1,3-D emissions from preplant soil fumigation.