1. Fungi on New Char Micropores Fungi on 100 Year Old Char biochar is sought out by mycorrhizal fungi, other microbes and plant root hairs “microbial reef” Terra Preta is equivalent to coral reef in the sea click to continue Terra Preta Biochar added to soil provides nutrient & water storage for mycorrhizal fungi Hyphae invade biochar pores and support spore reproduction Makato Ogawa Kansai Environmental Research Sponge Substrate Chunks of Char water & nutrient adsorption internal storage capacity slow, gradual release residential space for microbes nutrient supplies for soil life stable, complex communities

2. Bacteria populations show sharp increase after biochar addition Beijerinckia, Ogawa 1992 perfect homes for micro-organisms G. Margarita germination on biochar higher than on soil Ogawa 1991 note 3-fold increase Charcoal provides preferred habitat for soil microbes Nitrogen-fixing bacteria click to continue Terra Preta Research click to continue of special interest

3. Biochar in potting soil stimulates mycorrhizal fungi to become established on Dipterocarps root Effect of Biochar on micro-organisms Makato Ogawa Kansai Environmental Japan click to continue Terra Preta Research