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Bioavailability of Metsulfuron and Sulfentrazone Herbicides in Soil as Affected by Amendment with Two Contrasting Willow Biochars

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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of two willow (Salix spp.) biochars, produced using either fast- or slow-pyrolysis, on the bioavailability of metsulfuron and sulfentrazone herbicides in soil. Five rates (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%; w/w) of each biochar were used, along with varying rates of metsulfuron (0–3.2 µg ai kg−1) and sulfentrazone (0–200 µg ai kg−1), followed by a sugar beet bioassay. The fast-pyrolysis biochar had minimal effect, while the slow-pyrolysis biochar decreased the bioavailability of both herbicides. Despite using the same feedstock, the two biochars had different physical and chemical properties, of which specific surface area was most contrasting (3.0 and 175 m2 g−1 for fast- and slow-pyrolysis biochar, respectively). Increased anionic herbicide adsorption associated with greater surface area of the slow-pyrolysis biochar is considered to be the primary mechanism responsible for reducing herbicide bioavailability with this biochar.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank NSERC (Discovery Grant) for funding this research; Bill Schroeder and Chris Stefner (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agroforestry Development Centre) for providing the willow feedstock; Saskatchewan Research Council (Michael Patterson, Erin Powell, M. Providenti, and Jordan Wicks) and Biochar Solutions Inc. (Jonah Levine) for providing the willow biochar; and the anonymous reviewers for their critical comments and suggestions that improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada

    Anna M. Szmigielski, Ryan D. Hangs & Jeff J. Schoenau

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  1. Anna M. Szmigielski
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  2. Ryan D. Hangs
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  3. Jeff J. Schoenau
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Correspondence to Jeff J. Schoenau.

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Szmigielski, A.M., Hangs, R.D. & Schoenau, J.J. Bioavailability of Metsulfuron and Sulfentrazone Herbicides in Soil as Affected by Amendment with Two Contrasting Willow Biochars. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 100, 298–302 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2212-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2212-5

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