The Effects of Biochar Amendment on Dimethyl Disulfide Emission and Efficacy Against Soil-Borne Pests

Abstract

Biochar can potentially reduce fumigant emissions in agriculture. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) is an effective soil fumigant for controlling soil-borne pests. However, it is important to reduce DMDS emissions because the compound has an unpleasant and easily perceived sulfur odor. This study therefore aimed to determine the effects of two types of biochar amendments on DMDS bioactivity and emission, using bioassay methods and soil columns. The efficacy of DMDS for controlling root-knot nematode and Fusarium spp. was not reduced when the biochar used in this study was applied at a rate less than 2 and 0.5 % (on a weight basis), respectively. The biochar with high specific surface area (SSA 113 m −2 g −1 ) reduced the efficacy of DMDS against soil-borne pests more than the low SSA biochar (14 m −2 g −1 ). Increased doses of DMDS were able to offset decreases in the efficacy of DMDS in soils amended with biochars, except for high SSA biochar applied at a rate of 2 %. Biochar amendments applied to the soil surface at shallow depth can significantly reduce DMDS emission to the atmosphere. The results of this study will support decision-making about the practical use of biochar to reduce DMDS emissions.

Pilot-Scale Testing of Non-Activated Biochar for Swine Manure Treatment and Mitigation of Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, Odorous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

“…Reported DMDS emission reduction from soil resulting from surface applied biochar (mixed hardwood chips produced at~500 • C) was 53% of maximum DMDS concentration in the air [31]. Reductions of DMDS were observed in this study, especially early in the study, but were not significant likely due to high variability over a longer exposure time, 30 d compared to the reported 1 d in [31].…”

“…Reductions of DMDS were observed in this study, especially early in the study, but were not significant likely due to high variability over a longer exposure time, 30 d compared to the reported 1 d in [31]. Pinecone biochar produced at 600 • C was reported to have a 74% removal efficiency of DMTS (4 µg·L −1 ) in aqueous solution after 4 h and reached equilibrium within 6 h [32].…”

Degradation of dimethyl disulphide in soil with or without biochar amendment

“…Further research focusing on feedstock and production temperature is therefore desirable in order to increase our knowledge about the effects of biochar amendments on DMDS degradation in soil. The amount of DMDS that was available to escape to the atmosphere was also reduced after biochar amendments applied to the soil surface, compared with other fumigants, the emission of 1,3‐D was reduced after biochar was applied to the surface 5 cm of soil, owing to the enhanced adsorption of 1,3‐D onto biochar, while the emission of CP was reduced by biochar on account of the accelerated degradation of CP in soil amended with biochar …”

“…In our previous studies, we found that amending soil with biochar can reduce the emission of DMDS to the atmosphere . However, the principles of DMDS emission reduction by biochar are not yet clear.…”

The Effect of Two Types of Biochars on the Efficacy, Emission, Degradation, and Adsorption of the Fumigant Methyl Isothiocyanate

“…was not reduced when biochar was applied at a rate less than 2% and 0.5%, respectively [29]. Another study noted that, while nematode control was adequate in the specific system studied, biochar amendment could adversely impact pest control depending on the sorption strength of the particular type of biochar [10].…”