Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2016

Keywords

2, 4-D, Atrazine, herbicide efficacy, sorption, speed of germination

Abstract

Biochar, a by-product of pyrolysis made from a wide array of plant biomass when producing biofuels, is a proposed soil amendment to improve soil health. This study measured herbicide sorption and efficacy when soils were treated with low (1% w/w) or high (10% w/w) amounts of biochar manufactured from different feedstocks [maize (Zea mays) stover, switchgrass (Panicum vigatum), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)], and treated with different post-processing techniques. Twenty-four hour batch equilibration measured sorption of 14C-labelled atrazine or 2,4-D to two soil types with and without biochar amendments. Herbicide efficacy was measured with and without biochar using speed of seed germination tests of sensitive species. Biochar amended soils sorbed more herbicide than untreated soils, with major differences due to biochar application rate but minor differences due to biochar type or post-process handling technique. Biochar presence increased the speed of seed germination compared with herbicide alone addition. These data indicate that biochar addition to soil can increase herbicide sorption and reduce efficacy. Evaluation for site-specific biochar applications may be warranted to obtain maximal benefits without compromising other agronomic practices.

Publication Title

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B

Volume

51

Issue

8

First Page

497

Last Page

507

Format

application/zip

Language

en

DOI of Published Version

10.1080/03601234.2016.1170540

Rights

Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S.

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