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Bioavailability of diuron in soil containing wheat-straw-derived char
Yaning Yang1, Guangyao Sheng, Minsheng Huang
1Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
The Science of the Total Environment
|January 10, 2006
Summary
Wheat straw biochar significantly enhances diuron sorption in soil, reducing its bioavailability and microbial degradation. This leads to decreased herbicidal efficacy and increased plant survival, even at higher pesticide application rates.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Soil Science
- Agrochemistry
Background:
- Diuron is a widely used herbicide with potential environmental persistence.
- Biochar, derived from biomass pyrolysis, is known to alter soil properties and contaminant fate.
- Understanding the interaction between biochar and pesticides is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of wheat straw biochar on diuron bioavailability in soil.
- To investigate the effects of biochar amendment on diuron sorption, degradation, and herbicidal activity.
Main Methods:
- Soil incubation experiments to assess diuron sorption and microbial degradation.
- Bioassays using barnyardgrass to determine diuron's phytotoxicity.
- Chemical analysis of residual diuron in soil.
Main Results:
- Wheat straw biochar significantly increased diuron sorption, with 1% biochar leading to a 7-80 fold increase.
- Microbial degradation of diuron was reduced in biochar-amended soils (<40% vs 50% in control).
- Biochar amendment mitigated diuron's herbicidal effects, increasing barnyardgrass survival and biomass at higher application rates.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced sorption of diuron by wheat straw biochar reduces its bioavailability, microbial degradation, and herbicidal efficacy.
- Field burning of vegetation, producing biochar, could be a strategy to reduce pesticide bioavailability in soils.
- Biochar amendment offers a potential approach to manage herbicide persistence and impact in agricultural systems.
