1. product identity & integrity
Using Biochar in Soil
Biochar
Characterization
physical & chemical properties
Source Material pH
Particle Size
Density
% carbonization
Pore size & density
Proximate analysis
minerals (ash)
PAHs
Standards
product identity & integrity
Industry
National
International
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2. Using Biochar in Soil Toxicity Tests Seed Germination
Recommended species:
lettuce, radish, clover
Two (or more) trays
Prepare soil + biochar blend(s)
One tray: soil only
other(s): soil + biochar blend(s)
Spread equal number of seeds on all trays; at least 20/tray
Germinate in uniform conditions
Compare germination rates
Earthworm Avoidance
More sensitive and reliable
Prepare soil + biochar blend
Container: half with soil
half soil + biochar
10 earthworms introduced
After 48 hours: count worms in each half
Rigorous test requires replications
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3. Using Biochar in Soil Biochar Trial Registry Dr. Julie Major
International Biochar Initiative (IBI)
JOIN IBI Field Trial Registry
all data provided will be open
and accessible to the public
4-page Data Form
for the Biochar Trial Registry
to record field trial conditions & data
Appendix: IBI Guide to Field Trials
available soon in electronic form
use IBI Data Form for experiments
whether you join Registry or not
contact:
Dr. Julie Major
IBI Extension Director
for updates, see IBI website:

4. Using Biochar in Soil Preparing Biochar Moisture Minerals Micronized
Initially, fresh char is hydrophobic = repels water
Quench, sprinkle or spray for safety and reduced particle size
Steam – immediately after burn, create live steam
Fracture (pop open) micropore matrix = activation
Urine
(pee)
Minerals
Cation & Anion adsorption capacity as delivery media
Mineral mix tailored to target soil
Major Minerals: Ca, P – also N
especially trace elements as in sea minerals
Micronized
Microbial-scale mixing: more than surface area
Maximum physical intimacy
Microbes
Inoculation: seeding fully functional microbial complexes
compost, compost tea, BD preps, EM, mycorrhizae, etc.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Nightsoil
(poop)
compost toilet instead of water-borne sewage
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5. Using Biochar in Soil Applying Biochar Rates Methods Mixing & Tillage
9% carbon, 6 feet deep = 10 – 20 tons/acre
Practical: 1 to 5 tons/acre
Gradual, successive, cumulative applications
Strong response with small initial applications
Inoculated char: few hundred lbs/acre – VaTech tomatoes 2009
Methods
broadcast, band, planting hole, top-dress
Blended with other moist materials – especially compost
Intimate contact with seedling rootlets & root zone
Mixing & Tillage
Strive for uniform coverage – esp. with field trials
Key is root zone; top 6 inches for vegetables
Simple surface broadcast is effective; biochar migrates down
Timing
Inoculation: seeding fully functional microbial complexes
Allow incubation & culturing time: at least two weeks
Full ripening & aging may require longer: up to 6 months
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6. Using Biochar in Soil Handling & Transport
Biochar is very light, completely dry, low density, brittle
Even if not fine-grained, usually contains a fine powder fraction
Special care required to transport and spread biochar
Risk of accidental ignition with some biochar
Will blow away while you measure, transport, apply, and incorporate
Commercial products moistened before shipping (increases product weight)
Dust problems controlled by adding water, mix with clay slurry,
pellets, agglomerate, prill with binder
Incorporate into soil to minimize wind erosion and runoff after rain
Develop local systems to produce, store and transport biochar
biochar blowing off
in transport and tillage
photos courtesy of Blue Leaf, Inc.
St-François-Xavier-de-Brompton, Québec
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7. Organic Matter Interactions
Using Biochar in Soil
Organic Matter Interactions
Humic Acids
supra-molecules
Humus into Humic acids (10–15% of original organic carbon)
Super-stable form of carbon: 8 to 10% of soil carbon
Indigestible complex carbon molecules
Extremely large carbon molecules: tens to hundreds of carbon atoms
Held together by subtle inter-atom electromagnetic forces:
hydrogen bonds, vander Walls, hydrophobicity
Fulvic (alkali) versus Humic acids (acid)
Structural and chemical interactions with charred carbon
Glomalin
mega-structures
Isolated & identified in 1996 by USDA ARS scientist Sara F. Wright
Glomales species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
excretions of hyphal threads, or tubes
Glycoprotein: sugar + amino acid = 30 – 40% carbon
Glue “aggregates” soil particles into larger structures
Super-stable form of carbon: up to 27% of soil carbon
Weighs 2 to 24 times more than humic acids
7 to 42 year recalcitrance
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8. Carbon Negative Potential of Biochar can provide CO2 drawdown
Using Biochar in Soil
Carbon Sequestration
Carbon Negative Potential of Biochar
August
“Carbon sequestration in soil has significant potential.
“Biochar produced in pyrolysis of residues from crops,
forestry and animal wastes can restore soil fertility
while storing carbon for centuries to millennia.
“Biochar helps soil retain nutrients and fertilizers,
reducing GHG emissions such as N2O.
“Replacing slash-and-burn agriculture with slash-and-char,
using farm and forestry wastes for biochar production
can provide CO2 drawdown
of ~8 ppm or more in half a century.”
Dr. James Hansen
leading NOAA Climate Scientist
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9. If we produce food labeled Anybody want to make biochar this winter?
are you ready
for the next
PARADIGM SHIFT?
THE END
If we produce food labeled
“nutrient dense”
and
“carbon negative”
will people buy it?
Anybody want to make biochar this winter?