The use of Eucalyptus leaf biomass as biocide: effects on soil properties

Abstract

The Portuguese forest area is mainly dominated by Eucalyptus globulus and, as this is an invasive and very flammable species, it is important to control its proliferation. In this sense, the PEST(bio)CIDE project, based on a circular economy perspective, aims to explore the phytotoxic potential of eucalyptus leaves and use its foliar biomass as an effective and environmentally safe biocide. In this way, it is possible to associate an economic benefit with a better management of the eucalyptus areas regenerated after fire. It is also expected that the introduction of biomass into the soil will improve its quality and its effectiveness in increasing the carbon stock and soil fertility. In this sense, the present work focuses on the evaluation of the effects that the introduction of eucalyptus biomass has on the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. For this, an experiment was carried out in microcosms, under controlled conditions, in which the effect of the addition of different percentages of eucalyptus leaves on some physicochemical soil properties and on the dehydrogenase enzymatic activity over time was evaluated.