Biomass crops can be used for biological disinfestation and remediation of soils and water

Deleterious activity of cultivated grasses (Poaceae) and residues on soilborne fungal, nematode and weed pests

“…These very consistent results across the various plant taxa tested indicate that, as expected, the volatility and concentration of bioactive chemicals released during plant residue decomposition in soil increases with increasing temperature (Gamliel and Stapleton 1993;Stapleton and Bañuelos 2009). Also, given the statistically significant interactions of the [amendment] and [temperature] factorial effects tested with S. rolfsii and P. ultimum (but not with M. incognita), the targeted phytopathogens were shown to incur more harm from simultaneous application of the dissimilar stress sources, i.e., chemical and temperature, than from either stress source alone.…”

“…Future efforts to enhance agricultural sustainability will include development of strategies for crop multitasking, i.e., maximizing uses for both harvested and non-harvested portions (Jenkins et al 2009;Stapleton and Bañuelos 2009). Biological and physical alternatives to synthetic chemical soil disinfestation can be important components of crop multi-tasking.…”

“…The potential of biomass crops, primarily those in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae), for use in soil biofumigation and soil/water bioremediation was recently discussed (Stapleton and Bañuelos 2009). In previous experimentation with residues of brassicaceous (Gamliel and Stapleton 1993;Stapleton and Duncan 1998) and alliaceous (Mallek et al 2007) crop plants as soil amendments, biocidal activity was shown to increase with increasing soil temperature.…”

“…Increased sequencing into grass family crops may occur even in agricultural regions, such as in the Mediterranean climatic zones, where intensive relay planting of high-value horticultural crops is commonly practiced. Due to rising costs, increased scarcity of water and other resources, and the vital importance of maintaining long-term, sustainable agricultural production systems, improving cropping efficiency through value-added, or "multi-tasking" uses for all portions of crops is becoming increasingly necessary (Stapleton and Bañuelos 2009). At the same time, care must be taken so as to not remove excessive amounts of plant biomass from the land, so that soil quality and fertility suffer.…”

Sustainable use of California biomass resources can help meet state and national bioenergy targets

“…Water is a critical issue for energy-crop production, and California's high-value agricultural commodities may be less prone to crop shifting for bioenergy than other areas of the United States, such as the Midwest Corn Belt. Energy crops may aid in remediating salt-affected and drainage-impaired soils in the San Joaquin Valley and elsewhere (Jenkins 2005;Stapleton and Banuelos 2009). Intensively studied since at least the 1950s, industrial algae production could also significantly expand biomass resources due to high growth rates and yields (estimated maximum yields of 5,000 to 15,000 gallons of biofuel per acre per year) and potentially use drainage water, brackish water, wastewater and seawater, but future production levels and costs also remain highly speculative (Sheehan et al 1998).…”