title: Induction of systemic resistance in plants by biochar, a soil-applied carbon sequestering agent.
abstract: Biochar is the solid coproduct of biomass pyrolysis, a technique used for carbon-negative production of second-generation biofuels. The biochar can be applied as a soil amendment, where it permanently sequesters carbon from the atmosphere as well as improves soil tilth, nutrient retention, and crop productivity. In addition to its other benefits in soil, we found that soil-applied biochar induces systemic resistance to the foliar fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) and Leveillula taurica (powdery mildew) on pepper and tomato and to the broad mite pest (Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks) on pepper. Levels of 1 to 5% biochar in a soil and a coconut fiber-tuff potting medium were found to be significantly effective at suppressing both diseases in leaves of different ages. In long-term tests (105 days), pepper powdery mildew was significantly less severe in the biochar-treated plants than in the plants from the unamended controls although, during the final 25 days, the rate of disease development in the treatments and controls was similar. Possible biochar-related elicitors of systemic induced resistance are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Institute of Plant Protection, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel. elady@volcani.agri.gov.il
authors.forename: Yigal
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Elad
authors.forename: Dalia Rav
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Yael Meller
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: Menahem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borenshtein
authors.forename: Hananel Ben
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Kalifa
authors.forename: Avner
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silber
authors.forename: Ellen R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Graber
mesh_terms: D002212:Capsicum / Q000382:microbiology*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D005658:Fungi; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000382:microbiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal; D002244:Carbon