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Title: Effects of biochar on the emissions, soil distribution, and nematode control of 1,3-dichloropropene

Author
item ASHWORTH, DANIEL - University Of California
item Yates, Scott
item SHEN, GUOQING - Shanghai Jiaotong University

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Science and Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2016
Publication Date: 10/24/2016
Citation: Ashworth, D.J., Yates, S.R., Shen, G. 2016. Effects of biochar on the emissions, soil distribution, and nematode control of 1,3-dichloropropene. Journal of Environmental Science and Health. 52(2):99-106. doi: 10.1080/03601234.2016.1239981.

Interpretive Summary: Soil fumigants are effective for pest control and help to increase crop production and produce quality. However, they are highly volatile and can pollute the atmosphere. Therefore, strategies are needed to reduce fumigant emissions into air. Applying biochar (biomass that has been heated in a closed container with little, or no, air) to the soil surface may be an effective strategy for achieving these goals. In a rectangular soil column, we studied the soil-air emissions for a common fumigant (1,3-dichloropropene, 1,3-D) along with the spatial distribution of the fumigant within the apparatus; both with and without the addition of biochar to the soil surface. Biochar derived from rice husks proved highly effective in reducing 1,3-D emissions. In terms of emissions, we conclude that biochar may be highly effective in controlling atmospheric pollution. However, more research is needed to determine if the use of biochar significantly impacts pest control in the soil zone containing the biochar. This research would be of interest to scientists, regulators, cooperative extension personnel and grower groups.

Technical Abstract: Application of a rice husk-derived biochar to the surface of a sandy loam soil chamber reduced soil-air emissions of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) from 42% in a control (no biochar) to 8%. The difference in emissions was due to adsorption of 1,3-D onto the biochar, measured as 32.5%. The remaining 1,3-D was assumed to degrade within the soil. Biochar-adsorbed 1,3-D did not degrade at 25°C (the temperature at which the chamber experiment was conducted) but did degrade significantly at 50°C. This pool of 1,3-D also showed the potential to re-volatilize and migrate in the soil liquid phase. The presence of biochar at the soil surface reduced soil gas concentrations in the upper soil, and based on the determination of concentration-time values, this may limit 1,3-D-induced nematode control in the upper few centimeters. In separate batch studies, the mixing of biochar into the soil severely limited nematode control; 1,3-D application rates around four times greater than the maximum permissible limit would be required to give nematode control under such conditions. Therefore, the use of biochar as a surface amendment, while showing an emission reduction benefit, may limit pest control during subsequent fumigations if, as seems probable, it is plowed into the soil.