#Biochar

[mindblowingscience]

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have discovered that a special form of charcoal is highly effective at absorbing toxic chromium and transforming it into its safer form. Chromium is a heavy metal that exists in two forms. One form, chromium(III), is a safe micronutrient that our body needs. The other, chromium(VI), is a dangerous carcinogen linked to ovarian, lung, and liver cancer, and reproductive problems. The dangerous form is usually created during industrial processes such as leather tanning, stainless steel production, and mining, but it can also occur naturally in the presence of manganese minerals.

Continue Reading.

[wachinyeya]

Charcoal-like Substance Can Clean Industrial Pollution by Converting Toxic Heavy Metal into Essential Nutrient https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/charcoal-like-substance-can-clean-industrial-pollution-by-converting-toxic-heavy-metal-into-essential-nutrient/

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have discovered that a special form of charcoal is highly effective at absorbing chromium and transforming it from a toxic industrial waste form into the form seen in nutritional supplements.

Chromium is a heavy metal that exists in two forms. One form, chromium(III), is a safe micronutrient that our body needs. The other, chromium(VI), is a dangerous carcinogen linked to ovarian, lung, and liver cancer, and reproductive problems. The dangerous form is usually created during industrial processes such as leather tanning, stainless steel production, and mining, but it can also occur naturally in the presence of manganese minerals.

Biochar, a form of charcoal produced by heating agricultural waste without oxygen, is being studied as a potential tool for cleaning up chromium pollution at industrial sites, using the natural filtering ability of organic carbon

[tameblog]

While biochar is by no means new, it is relatively new to the world of horticulture as a mainstream soil amendment. But what is it exactly? Biochar is a substance that is created by burning organic material in an oxygen-deprived environment. This results in a highly stable form of carbon. Scientists call it “recalcitrant carbon” because it can remain in soil for decades, perhaps even millennia. The long history of biochar as a soil amendment Biochar has been used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin for at least 2,000 years. Sites that have historically been treated this way contain highly fertile soils called terra preta that have elevated levels of carbon, thanks to the stable biochar in the soils. Amazonian farmers developed these terra preta soils by incorporating charcoal with pottery shards and organic matter, and these soils remain fertile to this day. The value of biochar for modern agriculture was first recognized by the Dutch soil scientist Wim Sombroek in the 1950s. He observed highly fertile soils in the Amazon near less productive acidic soils and began a lifetime of studies dedicated to understanding the cause of increased fertility in terra preta soils. This technician is adding poultry waste to a pyrolysis reactor to make biochar. Photo: Stephen Ausmus, USDA How biochar is made and where to buy it Modern biochar is created by burning organic materials at 350°C (662°F) to 700°C (1292°F) in a low-oxygen environment. This can be done in a highly technical way using a pyrolysis reactor, or by a home gardener who has constructed a biochar kiln. Another method is to stack organic materials ranging in size from 1 to 10 inches thick and then set them on fire starting from the top. This creates a low-oxygen environment, which slowly transforms the organic materials into biochar over the course of hours depending on the size of the piles. It is critical to quench the coals with water or rake them out before they turn to ash. One example of this method can be found in forest management. Forest undergrowth cleared to reduce forest fire risk is a promising organic material source for biochar, which can then be reapplied to marginal forest soils. While this is how biochar is made, it is readily available at many garden centers, nurseries, and agricultural supply stores for purchase in different quantities. What does biochar actually do to soil? When applied to soils, biochar can provide many soil health benefits. These include: improving water availability and drainage providing habitat for soil microbes increasing nutrient availability in the soil increasing the soil’s ability to retain certain nutrients, otherwise known as its cation exchange capacity, or CEC sequestering carbon It also has potential for remediating polluted soils because it can bind heavy metals from interacting with plants and soil organisms. Materials that can be used to make biochar Organic source materials for biochar production range from vineyard cuttings (i.e., vines removed during the pruning process), manure, food waste, and crop residues. The material used to create biochar greatly influences its properties, most notably the nutrient content of the source material. Manure, for example, produces biochar with higher phosphorus than that created using wood chips. If you are planning to try biochar in your garden, it is important to “charge” or “activate” the biochar prior to use. Uncharged or inactivated biochar absorbs nutrients, potentially binding them up and making them unavailable to your plants. How to activate biochar Fortunately, it is relatively easy to activate biochar. One of the most effective ways is to mix it with compost, add enough water for it to be moist, and let it stand for 7 to 21 days prior to applying it to your soil. You can then incorporate the mix directly into your garden. Other methods of activating biochar include mixing it with manure, compost tea, or even liquid fertilizer. Most commercially available sources of biochar are already activated. It is worth confirming this with the manufacturer prior to purchase. Biochar has been tilled into this soil to increase crop yields. Photo: GIZ Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation Project, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons How to add biochar to your soil There are multiple recommended methods for incorporating biochar into soil or potting mixes, including topdressing, adding it to the planting hole, and adding it to the soil before tillage. Spring applications are usually recommended, but fall is fine, assuming you plant a cover crop or take other precautions to reduce erosion or nutrient runoff. How much biochar you should add to your soil The recommended volume of biochar to add as an amendment is significant, with recommended rates ranging from 5% to 20% by volume. So it is most feasible to use biochar in container plantings, to get trees off to a good start, in small-scale gardens, and in landscaping. It is an amendment that generally is not applied repeatedly but valued more for its long-term effects, making it a great option for perennial systems including vineyards and orchards. Which soils benefit the most from biochar, and which do not? Biochar is not equally beneficial for all soils or all cropping systems. It is best used on lower quality soils, soils with compaction and drainage issues, sandy soils, and those with a low pH (acidic). It has been used in place of lime to correct soil acidity. In contrast, soils naturally high in organic matter, those with a high pH or CEC, and clay soils will likely show far less improvement from biochar. Due to the cost of biochar as an amendment, it is not feasible for most large-scale farming operations, but it is worth trying for home gardens and container plantings, and for getting perennials off to a good start. Biochar is not a replacement for other sources of carbon, but when used alongside more traditional soil amendments like regular applications of compost, it can be a useful and sustainable addition to a garden soil management plan.   To discuss this article or ask other gardening questions, head over to the Gardening Answers forum. For more Southeast regional reports, click here. Kirsten Kurtz received her master of science degree from Cornell University and is now the assistant director of the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Corona E-Grip Trowel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Handle Material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1/2 in. Overall Length: 14.5 in. Head Material: Aluminum. Handle Color: Red. A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY. Gardena 3103 Combisystem 12-Inch To 20-Inch Adjustable Metal Fan Rake Head Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. With adjustable tine spacing: suitable for raking coarse and fine material. Flexible, zinc-plated spring-steel prongs. Working width adjustable from 12-20 inches. Sold as head only, handle sold separately. Source link

[thenarrativefoil]

can somebody point me toward reputable info on biochar because on surface level it seems kind of like a fake fix

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Grist:

For all its plant and animal life aboveground, the Amazon rainforest’s soils are surprisingly poor in nutrients necessary for growing food. Thousands of years ago, the region’s Indigenous peoples solved this problem by creating “terra preta” from table scraps and charcoal and tucking it away in the hostile soil.

Today, that ancient bit of ingenuity is a powerful climate solution. As biomass like trees and crops grow, they sequester carbon in their leaves and branches. Heat that biomass up without fully consuming it and it turns to nearly pure carbon known as biochar, which farmers soak in compost or fertilizer to “charge” it with nutrients, then add to their soils. (In 2023 the global biochar market was worth $600 million, and is expected to grow to $3 billion this year.) That simultaneously improves crop yields and better retains water, all while locking carbon away from the atmosphere. Rising demand from farmers and big business is expected to push the global market for biochar from $600 million two years ago to $3 billion this year. 

The nagging question, though, is exactly how long that carbon stays in the soil. A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that scientists have been underestimating the staying power of biochar, meaning the technology is actually an even more powerful way to store carbon than previously thought. “I’m talking about over 90 percent very easily surviving multi-thousands of years,” said Hamed Sanei, a professor of organic carbon geochemistry at Denmark’s Aarhus University and lead author of the paper published in the journal Biochar. The research suggests that biochar is much more resilient than currently calculated by researchers. “The current model that we’re talking about is saying 30 percent of almost all biochar that’s being produced will be gone in 100 years.”

Nailing down exactly how long biochar can hold onto carbon is crucial for the carbon-removal credit industry, where companies like Microsoft and Google fund projects to draw carbon out of the atmosphere. These credits reached 8 million metric tons of carbon in 2024, a 78 percent jump from the prior year. So scientists have been running experiments monitoring how microbes degrade biochar over a few years in soil, then extrapolating that over longer time scales. Doing that sort of modeling, the U.N.-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other research groups have reckoned that after a century, between 63 and 82 percent of the biochar will stay in the ground.

[larsminute]

The Future Is Now

So much YES. Would love to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals working in the field, and engage more actively, bringing in my own expertise of working in high end interiors and architecture. If that's you, please reach out, boost, connect.

We OBVIOUSLY can't 'keep on keeping on' and design our built environment like we don't know how fundamentally flawed our design principles and construction methods are.

Let's embrace new aesthetics and look forward, not back. Bauhaus was relevant at the time, it's history now. Let's move on. Let's question every single choice in the design process and make better decisions. Educate our clients. Throw those outdated concepts overboard of what is aesthetically pleasant, what is deemed high-end.

Nobody will enjoy marbled lobbies, airconditioned greenhouse towers and concrete buildings on a dead planet. The future is now. Let's design and build it together!

[apnaran]

Krishi Yatra: बायोचार क्या है? मिट्टी को उपजाऊ बनाने की घरेलू और वैज्ञानिक विधि

खेती में मिट्टी की उर्वरता बनाए रखना किसानों के लिए सबसे बड़ी चुनौती होती है। बेहतर फसल उत्पादन के लिए मिट्टी का पोषण और उसकी गुणवत्ता बनाए रखना आवश्यक है। इस संदर्भ में बायोचार (Biochar) एक ऐसा प्राकृतिक और वैज्ञानिक तरीका है, जो मिट्टी की उर्वरता बढ़ाने के साथ-साथ पर्यावरण संरक्षण में भी मदद करता है। यह घरेलू स्तर पर भी बनाया जा सकता है और इसके कई फायदे हैं। आइए जानते हैं कि बायोचार क्या है,…

[greenfue]

Dr.sally fouda:"Biochar at the Heart of the Green Nuclear Revolution: A Carbon Shield for a Sustainable Future"

At the fascinating intersection of environmental science and nuclear technology, biochar — produced through the pyrolysis of biomass — reveals unprecedented potential in enhancing sustainability within one of the most complex and sensitive industries: the nuclear sector. Thanks to its high porosity and unique adsorption properties, biochar stands out as an effective and safe tool for radiation…

[alfayrouzwoodvinegar]

البايوشار ينقذ التربة: انخفاض حاد في مستويات الكوبالت في الأراضي المعالجة بمبيدات الأعشاب

في دراسة رائدة نُشرت في المجلة الدولية لأبحاث وتطوير الزراعة العضوية، استعرضت الباحثة يتوندي بونمي أوييولا وفريقها البحثي استراتيجية واعدة لاستعادة خصوبة الأراضي الزراعية المتدهورة بسبب الاستخدام المكثف للمبيدات الزراعية، خاصة مبيد الأعشاب واسع الانتشار “أترازين”. 🔬 محور الدراسة: ركّز البحث على تأثير معالجة التربة الملوثة بالأترازين بأنواع مختلفة من البايوشار المصنوع من نشارة الخشب، ومدى تأثيرها…

[ramestoryworld]

While biochar is by no means new, it is relatively new to the world of horticulture as a mainstream soil amendment. But what is it exactly? Biochar is a substance that is created by burning organic material in an oxygen-deprived environment. This results in a highly stable form of carbon. Scientists call it “recalcitrant carbon” because it can remain in soil for decades, perhaps even millennia. The long history of biochar as a soil amendment Biochar has been used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin for at least 2,000 years. Sites that have historically been treated this way contain highly fertile soils called terra preta that have elevated levels of carbon, thanks to the stable biochar in the soils. Amazonian farmers developed these terra preta soils by incorporating charcoal with pottery shards and organic matter, and these soils remain fertile to this day. The value of biochar for modern agriculture was first recognized by the Dutch soil scientist Wim Sombroek in the 1950s. He observed highly fertile soils in the Amazon near less productive acidic soils and began a lifetime of studies dedicated to understanding the cause of increased fertility in terra preta soils. This technician is adding poultry waste to a pyrolysis reactor to make biochar. Photo: Stephen Ausmus, USDA How biochar is made and where to buy it Modern biochar is created by burning organic materials at 350°C (662°F) to 700°C (1292°F) in a low-oxygen environment. This can be done in a highly technical way using a pyrolysis reactor, or by a home gardener who has constructed a biochar kiln. Another method is to stack organic materials ranging in size from 1 to 10 inches thick and then set them on fire starting from the top. This creates a low-oxygen environment, which slowly transforms the organic materials into biochar over the course of hours depending on the size of the piles. It is critical to quench the coals with water or rake them out before they turn to ash. One example of this method can be found in forest management. Forest undergrowth cleared to reduce forest fire risk is a promising organic material source for biochar, which can then be reapplied to marginal forest soils. While this is how biochar is made, it is readily available at many garden centers, nurseries, and agricultural supply stores for purchase in different quantities. What does biochar actually do to soil? When applied to soils, biochar can provide many soil health benefits. These include: improving water availability and drainage providing habitat for soil microbes increasing nutrient availability in the soil increasing the soil’s ability to retain certain nutrients, otherwise known as its cation exchange capacity, or CEC sequestering carbon It also has potential for remediating polluted soils because it can bind heavy metals from interacting with plants and soil organisms. Materials that can be used to make biochar Organic source materials for biochar production range from vineyard cuttings (i.e., vines removed during the pruning process), manure, food waste, and crop residues. The material used to create biochar greatly influences its properties, most notably the nutrient content of the source material. Manure, for example, produces biochar with higher phosphorus than that created using wood chips. If you are planning to try biochar in your garden, it is important to “charge” or “activate” the biochar prior to use. Uncharged or inactivated biochar absorbs nutrients, potentially binding them up and making them unavailable to your plants. How to activate biochar Fortunately, it is relatively easy to activate biochar. One of the most effective ways is to mix it with compost, add enough water for it to be moist, and let it stand for 7 to 21 days prior to applying it to your soil. You can then incorporate the mix directly into your garden. Other methods of activating biochar include mixing it with manure, compost tea, or even liquid fertilizer. Most commercially available sources of biochar are already activated. It is worth confirming this with the manufacturer prior to purchase. Biochar has been tilled into this soil to increase crop yields. Photo: GIZ Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation Project, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons How to add biochar to your soil There are multiple recommended methods for incorporating biochar into soil or potting mixes, including topdressing, adding it to the planting hole, and adding it to the soil before tillage. Spring applications are usually recommended, but fall is fine, assuming you plant a cover crop or take other precautions to reduce erosion or nutrient runoff. How much biochar you should add to your soil The recommended volume of biochar to add as an amendment is significant, with recommended rates ranging from 5% to 20% by volume. So it is most feasible to use biochar in container plantings, to get trees off to a good start, in small-scale gardens, and in landscaping. It is an amendment that generally is not applied repeatedly but valued more for its long-term effects, making it a great option for perennial systems including vineyards and orchards. Which soils benefit the most from biochar, and which do not? Biochar is not equally beneficial for all soils or all cropping systems. It is best used on lower quality soils, soils with compaction and drainage issues, sandy soils, and those with a low pH (acidic). It has been used in place of lime to correct soil acidity. In contrast, soils naturally high in organic matter, those with a high pH or CEC, and clay soils will likely show far less improvement from biochar. Due to the cost of biochar as an amendment, it is not feasible for most large-scale farming operations, but it is worth trying for home gardens and container plantings, and for getting perennials off to a good start. Biochar is not a replacement for other sources of carbon, but when used alongside more traditional soil amendments like regular applications of compost, it can be a useful and sustainable addition to a garden soil management plan.   To discuss this article or ask other gardening questions, head over to the Gardening Answers forum. For more Southeast regional reports, click here. Kirsten Kurtz received her master of science degree from Cornell University and is now the assistant director of the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Corona E-Grip Trowel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Handle Material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1/2 in. Overall Length: 14.5 in. Head Material: Aluminum. Handle Color: Red. A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY. Gardena 3103 Combisystem 12-Inch To 20-Inch Adjustable Metal Fan Rake Head Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. With adjustable tine spacing: suitable for raking coarse and fine material. Flexible, zinc-plated spring-steel prongs. Working width adjustable from 12-20 inches. Sold as head only, handle sold separately. Source link

[alexha2210]

While biochar is by no means new, it is relatively new to the world of horticulture as a mainstream soil amendment. But what is it exactly? Biochar is a substance that is created by burning organic material in an oxygen-deprived environment. This results in a highly stable form of carbon. Scientists call it “recalcitrant carbon” because it can remain in soil for decades, perhaps even millennia. The long history of biochar as a soil amendment Biochar has been used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin for at least 2,000 years. Sites that have historically been treated this way contain highly fertile soils called terra preta that have elevated levels of carbon, thanks to the stable biochar in the soils. Amazonian farmers developed these terra preta soils by incorporating charcoal with pottery shards and organic matter, and these soils remain fertile to this day. The value of biochar for modern agriculture was first recognized by the Dutch soil scientist Wim Sombroek in the 1950s. He observed highly fertile soils in the Amazon near less productive acidic soils and began a lifetime of studies dedicated to understanding the cause of increased fertility in terra preta soils. This technician is adding poultry waste to a pyrolysis reactor to make biochar. Photo: Stephen Ausmus, USDA How biochar is made and where to buy it Modern biochar is created by burning organic materials at 350°C (662°F) to 700°C (1292°F) in a low-oxygen environment. This can be done in a highly technical way using a pyrolysis reactor, or by a home gardener who has constructed a biochar kiln. Another method is to stack organic materials ranging in size from 1 to 10 inches thick and then set them on fire starting from the top. This creates a low-oxygen environment, which slowly transforms the organic materials into biochar over the course of hours depending on the size of the piles. It is critical to quench the coals with water or rake them out before they turn to ash. One example of this method can be found in forest management. Forest undergrowth cleared to reduce forest fire risk is a promising organic material source for biochar, which can then be reapplied to marginal forest soils. While this is how biochar is made, it is readily available at many garden centers, nurseries, and agricultural supply stores for purchase in different quantities. What does biochar actually do to soil? When applied to soils, biochar can provide many soil health benefits. These include: improving water availability and drainage providing habitat for soil microbes increasing nutrient availability in the soil increasing the soil’s ability to retain certain nutrients, otherwise known as its cation exchange capacity, or CEC sequestering carbon It also has potential for remediating polluted soils because it can bind heavy metals from interacting with plants and soil organisms. Materials that can be used to make biochar Organic source materials for biochar production range from vineyard cuttings (i.e., vines removed during the pruning process), manure, food waste, and crop residues. The material used to create biochar greatly influences its properties, most notably the nutrient content of the source material. Manure, for example, produces biochar with higher phosphorus than that created using wood chips. If you are planning to try biochar in your garden, it is important to “charge” or “activate” the biochar prior to use. Uncharged or inactivated biochar absorbs nutrients, potentially binding them up and making them unavailable to your plants. How to activate biochar Fortunately, it is relatively easy to activate biochar. One of the most effective ways is to mix it with compost, add enough water for it to be moist, and let it stand for 7 to 21 days prior to applying it to your soil. You can then incorporate the mix directly into your garden. Other methods of activating biochar include mixing it with manure, compost tea, or even liquid fertilizer. Most commercially available sources of biochar are already activated. It is worth confirming this with the manufacturer prior to purchase. Biochar has been tilled into this soil to increase crop yields. Photo: GIZ Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation Project, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons How to add biochar to your soil There are multiple recommended methods for incorporating biochar into soil or potting mixes, including topdressing, adding it to the planting hole, and adding it to the soil before tillage. Spring applications are usually recommended, but fall is fine, assuming you plant a cover crop or take other precautions to reduce erosion or nutrient runoff. How much biochar you should add to your soil The recommended volume of biochar to add as an amendment is significant, with recommended rates ranging from 5% to 20% by volume. So it is most feasible to use biochar in container plantings, to get trees off to a good start, in small-scale gardens, and in landscaping. It is an amendment that generally is not applied repeatedly but valued more for its long-term effects, making it a great option for perennial systems including vineyards and orchards. Which soils benefit the most from biochar, and which do not? Biochar is not equally beneficial for all soils or all cropping systems. It is best used on lower quality soils, soils with compaction and drainage issues, sandy soils, and those with a low pH (acidic). It has been used in place of lime to correct soil acidity. In contrast, soils naturally high in organic matter, those with a high pH or CEC, and clay soils will likely show far less improvement from biochar. Due to the cost of biochar as an amendment, it is not feasible for most large-scale farming operations, but it is worth trying for home gardens and container plantings, and for getting perennials off to a good start. Biochar is not a replacement for other sources of carbon, but when used alongside more traditional soil amendments like regular applications of compost, it can be a useful and sustainable addition to a garden soil management plan.   To discuss this article or ask other gardening questions, head over to the Gardening Answers forum. For more Southeast regional reports, click here. Kirsten Kurtz received her master of science degree from Cornell University and is now the assistant director of the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Corona E-Grip Trowel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Handle Material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1/2 in. Overall Length: 14.5 in. Head Material: Aluminum. Handle Color: Red. A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY. Gardena 3103 Combisystem 12-Inch To 20-Inch Adjustable Metal Fan Rake Head Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. With adjustable tine spacing: suitable for raking coarse and fine material. Flexible, zinc-plated spring-steel prongs. Working width adjustable from 12-20 inches. Sold as head only, handle sold separately. Source link

[angusstory]

While biochar is by no means new, it is relatively new to the world of horticulture as a mainstream soil amendment. But what is it exactly? Biochar is a substance that is created by burning organic material in an oxygen-deprived environment. This results in a highly stable form of carbon. Scientists call it “recalcitrant carbon” because it can remain in soil for decades, perhaps even millennia. The long history of biochar as a soil amendment Biochar has been used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin for at least 2,000 years. Sites that have historically been treated this way contain highly fertile soils called terra preta that have elevated levels of carbon, thanks to the stable biochar in the soils. Amazonian farmers developed these terra preta soils by incorporating charcoal with pottery shards and organic matter, and these soils remain fertile to this day. The value of biochar for modern agriculture was first recognized by the Dutch soil scientist Wim Sombroek in the 1950s. He observed highly fertile soils in the Amazon near less productive acidic soils and began a lifetime of studies dedicated to understanding the cause of increased fertility in terra preta soils. This technician is adding poultry waste to a pyrolysis reactor to make biochar. Photo: Stephen Ausmus, USDA How biochar is made and where to buy it Modern biochar is created by burning organic materials at 350°C (662°F) to 700°C (1292°F) in a low-oxygen environment. This can be done in a highly technical way using a pyrolysis reactor, or by a home gardener who has constructed a biochar kiln. Another method is to stack organic materials ranging in size from 1 to 10 inches thick and then set them on fire starting from the top. This creates a low-oxygen environment, which slowly transforms the organic materials into biochar over the course of hours depending on the size of the piles. It is critical to quench the coals with water or rake them out before they turn to ash. One example of this method can be found in forest management. Forest undergrowth cleared to reduce forest fire risk is a promising organic material source for biochar, which can then be reapplied to marginal forest soils. While this is how biochar is made, it is readily available at many garden centers, nurseries, and agricultural supply stores for purchase in different quantities. What does biochar actually do to soil? When applied to soils, biochar can provide many soil health benefits. These include: improving water availability and drainage providing habitat for soil microbes increasing nutrient availability in the soil increasing the soil’s ability to retain certain nutrients, otherwise known as its cation exchange capacity, or CEC sequestering carbon It also has potential for remediating polluted soils because it can bind heavy metals from interacting with plants and soil organisms. Materials that can be used to make biochar Organic source materials for biochar production range from vineyard cuttings (i.e., vines removed during the pruning process), manure, food waste, and crop residues. The material used to create biochar greatly influences its properties, most notably the nutrient content of the source material. Manure, for example, produces biochar with higher phosphorus than that created using wood chips. If you are planning to try biochar in your garden, it is important to “charge” or “activate” the biochar prior to use. Uncharged or inactivated biochar absorbs nutrients, potentially binding them up and making them unavailable to your plants. How to activate biochar Fortunately, it is relatively easy to activate biochar. One of the most effective ways is to mix it with compost, add enough water for it to be moist, and let it stand for 7 to 21 days prior to applying it to your soil. You can then incorporate the mix directly into your garden. Other methods of activating biochar include mixing it with manure, compost tea, or even liquid fertilizer. Most commercially available sources of biochar are already activated. It is worth confirming this with the manufacturer prior to purchase. Biochar has been tilled into this soil to increase crop yields. Photo: GIZ Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation Project, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons How to add biochar to your soil There are multiple recommended methods for incorporating biochar into soil or potting mixes, including topdressing, adding it to the planting hole, and adding it to the soil before tillage. Spring applications are usually recommended, but fall is fine, assuming you plant a cover crop or take other precautions to reduce erosion or nutrient runoff. How much biochar you should add to your soil The recommended volume of biochar to add as an amendment is significant, with recommended rates ranging from 5% to 20% by volume. So it is most feasible to use biochar in container plantings, to get trees off to a good start, in small-scale gardens, and in landscaping. It is an amendment that generally is not applied repeatedly but valued more for its long-term effects, making it a great option for perennial systems including vineyards and orchards. Which soils benefit the most from biochar, and which do not? Biochar is not equally beneficial for all soils or all cropping systems. It is best used on lower quality soils, soils with compaction and drainage issues, sandy soils, and those with a low pH (acidic). It has been used in place of lime to correct soil acidity. In contrast, soils naturally high in organic matter, those with a high pH or CEC, and clay soils will likely show far less improvement from biochar. Due to the cost of biochar as an amendment, it is not feasible for most large-scale farming operations, but it is worth trying for home gardens and container plantings, and for getting perennials off to a good start. Biochar is not a replacement for other sources of carbon, but when used alongside more traditional soil amendments like regular applications of compost, it can be a useful and sustainable addition to a garden soil management plan.   To discuss this article or ask other gardening questions, head over to the Gardening Answers forum. For more Southeast regional reports, click here. Kirsten Kurtz received her master of science degree from Cornell University and is now the assistant director of the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Corona E-Grip Trowel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Handle Material: Aluminum. 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