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Weed seed inactivation in soil mesocosms via biosolarization with mature compost and tomato processing waste amendments
Author(s) -
Achmon Yigal,
FernándezBayo Jesús D,
Hernandez Katie,
McCurry Dlinka G,
Harrold Duff R,
Su Joey,
DahlquistWillard Ruth M,
Stapleton James J,
VanderGheynst Jean S,
Simmons Christopher W
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.4354
Subject(s) - amendment , compost , mesocosm , soil conditioner , weed , agronomy , organic matter , soil water , chemistry , soil organic matter , horticulture , biology , nutrient , law , organic chemistry , political science , ecology
Abstract BACKGROUND Biosolarization is a fumigation alternative that combines passive solar heating with amendment‐driven soil microbial activity to temporarily create antagonistic soil conditions, such as elevated temperature and acidity, that can inactivate weed seeds and other pest propagules. The aim of this study was to use a mesocosm‐based field trial to assess soil heating, pH , volatile fatty acid accumulation and weed seed inactivation during biosolarization. RESULTS Biosolarization for 8 days using 2% mature green waste compost and 2 or 5% tomato processing residues in the soil resulted in accumulation of volatile fatty acids in the soil, particularly acetic acid, and >95% inactivation of Brassica nigra and Solanum nigrum seeds. Inactivation kinetics data showed that near complete weed seed inactivation in soil was achieved within the first 5 days of biosolarization. This was significantly greater than the inactivation achieved in control soils that were solar heated without amendment or were amended but not solar heated. CONCLUSION The composition and concentration of organic matter amendments in soil significantly affected volatile fatty acid accumulation at various soil depths during biosolarization. Combining solar heating with organic matter amendment resulted in accelerated weed seed inactivation compared with either approach alone. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry