The potential application of pyroligneous acid in the UK agricultural industry

Josephine Mmojieje*, Andreas Hornung

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper highlights the potential benefits of smoke recovery from the production of biochar in crop management through it application as an antimicrobial agent against plant disease and as a pesticide. The study reports on the findings of zone inhibition assays on selected plant pathogens (Agrobacterium tumefacien and Xanthomonas campestris), growth studies on selected plants (Raphanus sativus and Vicia faba), and toxicity studies performed on arthropods (Myzus persicae and Tetranychus urticae). The results suggested a strong benefit to crop management in terms of crop protection against selected causal agents responsible for plant disease, with zones of inhibition observed on both Agrobacterium tumefacien and Xanthomonas campestris when inoculated with pyroligneous acid (liquid smoke) at 10% dilution. Similarly, its potential as a bio-pesticide are favorable, with a reported 20%–30% of arthropods affected (knocked out/mortality) after exposure for 48 hours.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)228-246
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Crop Improvement
Volume29
Issue number2
Early online date16 Apr 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • bacteria
  • crop management
  • pesticide
  • pyrolysis
  • smoke
  • wood vinegar

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