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Biochar effects on the abundance, activity and diversity of the soil biota
Published in Johannes Lehmann, Stephen Joseph, Biochar for Environmental Management, 2015
Janice E. Thies, Matthias C. Rillig, Ellen R. Graber
Given the scarcity of data, there are clear needs for research on the effects of biochar on diseases caused by a variety of organisms: fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and other soil organisms. Also needed is research into various cropping systems to determine how and why interactions between particular pathogens and hosts are affected by biochar additions. Plant disease symptoms need to be monitored in field trials where biochar has been applied. This need is particularly acute considering results showing that plant growth parameters were far less sensitive to biochar dose in the absence of the disease-causing pathogen than in its presence (Jaiswal et al, 2014a, b). Considering the disease suppression potential of biochar, optimizing biochar additions to soil or horticultural media is an important avenue of future investigation. As pointed out by Jaiswal et al (2014a), soil borne pathogens survive in the soil for many years and population build-up of the pathogen may take several years before significant damage occurs. Since the half-life of the persistent C portion of biochar in soil is very long, it is possible that misuse could lead to an undesirable increase in disease epidemics and result in crop loss.
Healthy soil for healthy humans and a healthy planet
Published in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2023
Peter M. Kopittke, Budiman Minasny, Elise Pendall, Cornelia Rumpel, Brigid A. McKenna
Soil also contributes to human health by the provision of medicines through soil biodiversity, with most clinically-relevant antibiotics coming from soil (Brevik, 2012). Indeed, it has been estimated that ca. 40% of prescription drugs are derived from soil (Pepper et al., 2009). Finally, soil also plays a role in human health through soil-borne pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and a range of worms. These pathogens can infect humans by passing through the skin, through a skin abrasion, through ingestion, or through inhalation (Brevik et al., 2020). These soil-borne pathogens cause many well-known diseases in humans, including Hepatitis A and E, Poliovirus Types 1 and 2, E. coli, anthrax, tetanus, botulism, and tuberculosis, ringworm, and tapeworm (Brevik et al., 2020).
Effects of Ozonation on the Viability of Fusarium Oxysporum Conidia in Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions
Published in Ozone: Science & Engineering, 2022
Nahed Msayleb, Ramesh Kanwar, Huaiqing Wu, J. (Hans) van Leeuwen
Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum, is one of the most widespread and destructive diseases of many major ornamental and horticultural crops (Bowers and Locke 2000). Over 120 formae speciales and races of F. oxysporum are known to cause vascular wilts of agricultural crops in many areas of tropical and temperate zones (Booth 1971; Correll 1991). Although not all soils are conducive to Fusarium wilt, the disease may cause considerable losses to crops in areas where F. oxysporum becomes established (Mace, Bell, and Beckman 1981). This fungus is soil-borne and causes vascular wilts by infecting plants through the roots and spreading internally through the cortex to the vascular tissue (Alabouvette 1999; Bowers and Locke 2000; Namiki et al. 2001). Currently, the major control practices adopted to control wilts and other soil-borne pathogens on high-value crops (such as ornamental cut flowers and greenhouse crops) are pre-plant soil fumigation and fungicide applications that are not environmentally friendly practices of the future
Identification and evaluation of volatile organic compounds evolved during solarization with almond hull and shell amendments
Published in Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2021
Emily Shea, Jesus D. Fernandez-Bayo, Ana M. Pastrana, Christopher W. Simmons
Soil-borne pathogens, including parasitic nematodes, fungi, and bacteria, jeopardize crop production. Historically, pest management has been achieved via chemical fumigants, including methyl bromide, 1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin, and metam sodium, which are applied to soil before the planting season (EPA 1993). Fumigants are characterized by high toxicity and volatility, allowing quick diffusion into soil and elimination of pests within days when applied under plastic tarps (EPA 2005). Usage of these pesticides in California is high; almost 13 thousand combined tons were applied statewide in 2017 (DPR 2018). High toxicity and volatility make fumigants particularly hazardous to farm workers (Burgess et al. 2000; Oriel et al. 2009) and communities near fields (Lee et al. 2002; O’Malley et al. 2004). Despite regulations that aim to reduce this safety risk (EPA 2016), persistent ambient levels of fumigants and their breakdown products have been detected in the California Central Valley (Baker et al. 1996; Wofford et al. 2014), and accidental exposure risk can never be fully eliminated.