Alright, so what would be the difference of adding biochar to compost. In =
the article, they've said that they used something like $88,000 worth of bi=
ochar. (I'm not clear on the number without looking it up again). But it =
seems as if the cost is huge, compared to compost. I understand that it's =
structure is nearly just carbon, which could help the water retention, i.e.=
nutrient retention. But there's no biology within it... so it becomes nec=
essary to inoculate with biology to get the whole thing working again. Hyp=
othetically, why wouldn't introducing an equal amount of compost to biochar=
produce the same results? Is it possibly (in this case) that the addition=
of carbon to the soil increased the fungal dominance, as well as sequester=
ing the heavy metals that were inhibiting the landscape? I'm feeling like =
I need to probe the ones who did the work, but this is something for all of=
us to think about
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "David" <beeworks.david_at_...> wrote:
>
>
>
> We have been adding biochar to our plot for the last 3 years as a means o=
f improving the water retention, and it really does work!
> We use a barrel within a barrel to burn kiln dried waste wood trimmings, =
which would normally go into the landfill. The inner barrel has fine holes =
which reduces the transfer of oxygen, producing super charcoal. Broken fine=
and incorporated into the plot the growth of plants is quite remarkable, c=
ertainly better under drought conditions.
>
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "robert a" <bangstrom_at_> wrote:
> >
> > Biochar is incompletely burned biomass that is added to the soil as a s=
oil amendment. The advantage of adding carbon to the soil as charcoal is th=
at charcoal has a half life in the soil of about a thousand years so the be=
neficial effects of moisture retention and improved soil structure are long=
lasting and increase with every application. Much of soil in the Amazon ba=
sin appears to artificial and still benefiting from the pre-Columbian use o=
f biochar.
> >
> > I tried adding home-made biochar to my garden last spring but it will p=
robably be a few years before I accumulate enough charcoal in the soil to b=
e of much benefit.
> >
> > http://www.agrinews.com/biochar/research/rooted/in/ancient/history/stor=
y-2745.html
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar
> >
> > http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/ancient-skills-=
could-reverse-global-warming-1055700.html
> >
>
Received on Mon Sep 12 2011 - 02:11:53 EDT