Biochar - helping trees stand strong when every carbon capturing leaf counts

[Goaty]

Thanks, in a way what you've told me here has vindicated my proposed trial. The soil is sand/gravel, nutrients and goodness wash away very very easily. I have tried every combination along traditional methods when planting, to retain moisture and nutrients. If this product, (or indeed a similar product) makes a difference then it's worthwhile.

I am always cynical of claims, many in Arb are simply alkin to the Emporers New Clothes, tbh there is little new in the world, just re-vamped and re-badged and pushed out there.

 

Would be interested in the results. Do a control sample. After all in other parts of the world forests regenerate by fire. Keep us posted.

[john k]

Why all the biochar bashing.

Because at the moment it just sounds like a scam, with wild claims and little supporting evidence

 

Temperatures are held within a certain range to create a 'charcoal' with the desired properties. The charcoal then undergoes further processing, reducing it to fine particles.

What are the desired properties that separate biochar 'charcoal' from charcoal as we know it?

 

Does the "further processing" involve more than breaking the charcoal into smaller pieces? Or is that more marketing weasel-speak?

 

It is then advisable to charge it with nutrient rich material before adding to the soil.

Could you educate us a bit about "charging" the biochar? It's not something I'm familiar with.

[john k]

Biochar works a bit like a permanent sponge in the soil. It has a huge surface area at microscopic level. Nutrients bind to these surfaces and are held where the plant roots can reach them, potentially reducing the amount of fertiliser that needs to be applied.

Do you have any references to support that?

[Andy Collins]

Apparently this product, and similar, have been trialled and used and proven in the world of agriculture. I have no evidence for or against this, other than what I was told. Apparently Bartletts have trialled and now use Biochar. I only understand the very basics, I have always introduced wood ash and soot to my veg plots, and we have good veg so something produced commercially along those lines, using a by-product from another process, can't be bad, can it?

[Woodworks]

Do you have any references to support that?

 

The fact that charcoal/biochar (I don't think there is a difference other than particle size) works like a sponge can be seen in many kitchens. The filters in cooker hoods use charcoal as it absorbs the particulates and smells. I have looked at some of the biochar websites and there is a lot of mumbo jumbo in there which is a shame as it does look like it can be beneficial as soil improper. I am genuinely interested and will try to do a test on our veg garden next year with one plot with biochar mixed with compost and another with just compost. If I remember to do this I will post up any results. My wife has a science background so she will make sure any test is done in a scientific way.

[john k]

I wasn't doubting the absorbent properties of charcoal, it was the claims about nutrient provision and fertiliser quantities that I was interested in really.

[sandspider]

I don't think the charcoal provides nutrients / fertiliser qualities itself, but it acts as a surface to bind other nutrients (e.g. from manure, compost etc.) into the soil and stop them from leaching away. This is why charcoal needs to be enriched with nutrients to become biochar, and to be beneficial to the ground.

[john k]

Which all sounds very plausible, but I can't find any credible evidence that backs this up.

 

The village idiot makes a very specific claim, "Nutrients bind to these surfaces and are held where the plant roots can reach them, potentially reducing the amount of fertiliser that needs to be applied", and I was wondering whether he knew more about it or if it's just his opinion.

[john k]

The British Biochar Foundation seems to be about as authoritative as anyone, and although optimistic they make it very clear that not much is really known and that more research is needed.

 

http://www.britishbiocharfoundation.org/

 

It's rather refreshing after reading the claims of the snake oil salesmen. I believe that if we are to see biochar become a mainstream product it needs to be presented credibly and honestly.

[difflock]

Bingo!!