Palatability of carbonized materials to Collembola

Amendments with carbonized materials can improve soil carbon storage and fertility. While data on effects of such additions on soil properties or plant growth are becoming increasingly available, we do not yet know how carbonized materials affect key soil biota groups, such as Collembola. Hydrochar is one type of carbonized product, produced by hydrothermal carbonization, an alternative method to pyrolysis. The goal of this study was to examine the palatability of hydrochars to Collembola. As part of this study, we evaluated effects on palatability of different particle sizes, different types of hydrochar, and the effects of pre-washing the product. Finally, we analyzed the effect of hydrochar on fitness parameters such as molting, number of eggs, survivors and hatchlings of Collembola. We conducted all these laboratory tests using two different species Coecobrya tenebricosa (Folsom) Gruia and Folsomia fimetaria L. Both species were able to consume hydrochar, even though palatability was relatively low. Both species were able to complete their life cycle with hydrochar as the sole food source. Neither pre-washing, nor type and particle size of hydrochar significantly influenced palatability in the ranges of properties we examined. Our results suggest that these animals, since they can ingest these materials, can play an important role in the degradation and distribution of carbonized materials in soil.

► Collembola can consume carbonized materials.
► Collembola derive nutritional benefits from hydrochar consumption.
► Soil animals deserve more attention in biochar interactions studies.