Production and Application of Co-Composted Biochar Compost for Mitigating Copper Toxicity in Hop Cultivation

von Johannes Görl

166 Seiten, Taschenbuch

Kurzbeschreibung des Verlags

The intensive and long-term application of copper-based fungicides for the control of downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora humuli) in hop cultivation has led to a gradual accumulation of copper in the topsoil of hop gardens, with concentrations up to 20 times higher than natural background levels. During the first few years after replanting such hop gardens, copper toxicity can impair root and shoot growth of young hop plants and induce leaf chlorosis and necrosis, thereby delaying plant establishment and potentially affecting long-term productivity. In addition, elevated copper concentrations in the topsoil may adversely affect soil biota by reducing their abundance and diversity. In view of these risks, effective strategies to mitigate copper toxicity in contaminated hop gardens are required. Overall, co-composting hop bines with biochar represents a suitable strategy to enhance sanitization during composting and produce high-quality biochar compost for mitigating copper-related establishment constraints in contaminated hop gardens. Under the present conditions, a biochar proportion of 5 vol% can be recommended as it provides the most favorable effects on compost quality, symptom reduction, and biomass production. Positive effects on soil biota can also be expected but are generally less pronounced than with biochar-free compost and likely remain spatially restricted to the applied planting hole area.

• Reihe: Weihenstephaner Schriften Ökologischer Landbau und Pflanzenbausysteme
• Themen: Technologie, Ingenieurswissenschaft, Landwirtschaft, Industrieprozesse Landwirtschaft Nachhaltige Landwirtschaft
• ISBN: 9783968310589
• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 29.09.2026
• Größe: 27 x 19 cm
• Verlag: Verlag Dr. Köster