[compost_tea] Re: Biochar revolution, Compost, AACT's and your thoughts...
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "cpp_rj" <cpp_rj_at_...> wrote:
>
> Alright, so what would be the difference of adding biochar to compost. =
Compost is biodegradable and a source of nitrogen but it has a half life in=
the soil of about four years and often much less so compost is quickly gon=
e and constantly needs to be replenished. Biochar is sterile and lacks nitr=
ogen but it has a half life of about a thousand years so biochar is essenti=
ally permanent and the soil levels increase with every application. There i=
s no need to inoculate biochar since it is impossible to keep it sterile. C=
harcoal is simply a non-nutritive soil amendment much like vermiculite in t=
hat it helps poor soils retain moisture and nutrients including nitrogen. B=
iochar also increases the benefits of compost so the two work together exc=
ept that they both depend on biomass as a source.
There is a dark soil frequently found in the Amazon called "terra preta" an=
d archaeologists noticed that it contains bits of charred bones and pottery=
fragments indicating that it is not of natural origin. Terra preta is a nu=
trient rich soil found in the same area side by side with a nutrient poor s=
oil known as "oxisol" and the difference between the two soils is that the =
terra preta was amended with biochar centuries ago. The cost of biochar dep=
ends upon what one is willing to pay for it and how much and how fast they =
want it. The pre-Columbian Indians made biochar from field waste and garbag=
e and the soils they amended with biochar are now mined in parts of Brazil =
and sold as potting soil. That is how long it lasts while compost is quickl=
y gone.
Received on Mon Sep 12 2011 - 12:37:17 EDT
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: Tue Feb 07 2012 - 13:58:12 EST