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A Terra Preta site used as papaya-plantation by the local population at the Rio Negro (Photo: J. Soentgen, 2015).
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The anthropogenic origin of the Amazonian dark earths (Terra Preta de Índio) was first verified more than 70 year ago. However, the last 30 years have seen a massive wave of scientific investigation, public interest and an ever-expanding intensification of commercial activity toward all things connected to “Terra Preta.” Today, the dominant concept...
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Citations
... Biochar is a carbonaceous material produced by different feedstocks in pyrolysis conditions with the limited presence of oxygen. Naturally, biochar is found in the anthropogenic soil, known as "Terra Preta de Índio", i.e., Amazonian Dark Earths in the Amazon, which gave rise to synthetic biochar produced worldwide [10]. Pyrolyzed feedstocks and pyrolysis conditions determine the physico-chemical properties of biochar, such as nutrient content, porosity, specific surface area, among others. ...
Biochar is a solid material derived from different feedstocks that is added to the soil for various agronomic and environmental purposes, such as nutrient sources and CO 2 emission mitigators. In modern agriculture, the application of herbicides directly in the soil is common for pre-emergent weed control; however, biochars may interfere in the degradation processes of these agrochemicals, increasing or decreasing their persistence. Long persistence is desirable for some herbicides in determined cultivation systems, especially in monoculture, but persistence is undesirable in crop rotation and/or succession systems because the subsequent cropping can be sensitive to the herbicide, causing carryover problems. Therefore, knowing the interactions of biochar-herbicide is essential, since these interactions depend on feedstock, pyrolysis conditions (production temperature), application rate, biochar aging, among other factors; and the physical-chemical characteristics of the herbicide. This chapter shows that the addition of biochar in the soil interferes in the persistence or remediation processes of the herbicide, and taking advantage of the agricultural and environmental benefits of biochars without compromising weed control requires a broad knowledge of the characteristics of biochar, soil, and herbicide and their interactions.
... This new kind of carbon will not only hold the additional carbon but can sequester CO2 in the soil and prevent it from the atmosphere for hundreds of years (Joseph et al. 2021). The capacity to capture carbon underground has been studied which is based on a special soil type found in the Amazon Basin named terra preta characterized by a high number of macronutrients e.g., calcium, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen when compared with surrounded soil (Hilbert and Soentgen 2020). Scientists have studied that carbon amendment comprises several benefits, such as when carbon is applied it goes down into the soil and combines with soil additives which ultimately increase plant productivity (Guenet et al. 2021). ...
To support the search for alternate chemical-free strategies to enhance plant growth and control plant diseases, we present an overview of the potential use of Biochar (BC) a product synthesized through pyrolysis from organic and agricultural waste used as a soil amendment, in suppressing broad range plant pathogens. A broad-spectrum BC effect contributes to the control of soil and foliar pathogens by altering the root exudates mechanism of the host plant, soil health and nutrient mobilization that affect the colonization of antagonistic microorganisms. Induction of plant defense mechanism by adding BC in potting medium to reduce foliar pathogens by the activation of defensive responses and induction of reactive oxygen species signaling in the plant system. Although few reports have been found for controlling oomycetes, viruses and bacterial pathogens through the application of BC, reports indicated that adding BC has potentially changed the soil microbiota colonization which contributes to disease suppression. BC also controls nematodes and harmful insects of plants. In addition, the main mechanisms of action for plant parasitic nematodes are changes in soil structure and could increase the biocontrol microorganism in the rhizosphere which resists nematodes colonizing and penetrating the plant system. Using BC-based amendments is a promising strategy with a carbon sequestration strategy, created on zero waste, as part of the integrated management of pathogens and parasites. Comprehensively, it is needed to be standardized the dosage and feedstock of BC in terms of sustainable production and disease control.
