Biochar for Agriculture
The use of Biochar in agriculture is at the origin of a major agronomic revolution. It reduces the need for water and inputs, while storing carbon.
Agriculture is thus more economical, more sustainable and ecological.
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The use of Biochar has been known in agriculture since very ancient times in South America. It is an extremely fertile dark soil known as Terra Preta.
The rediscovery of the properties of vegetable charcoal and the considerable improvement in continuous pyrolysis techniques, such as CarboChar, bring gradually to development of Biochar worldwide. Its physical structure in cells (microscope photography) is a nest for microorganism. Its various chemical and biological properties are also major for the plants development. ​
In practice: It is important to know that Biochar can have variable characteristics depending, among other things, on the biomass chosen, the technology used, the temperature and the residence time in the machine. The use of Biochar is a science. The ideal is to be able to optimize the properties of Biochar to the specific problems of a soil. The CarboChar enables the precise adaptation of the parameters. ​
Biochar in Agriculture - A systematic review of 26 global meta-analyses. Schmidt sept 2021. GCB Bioenergy
We can globally list the benefits of Biochar on:
-Increased yields
-Less irrigation is necessary. Water retention improvement of the soil and lower wilting point
-Retention of nitrates in the soil. Reduction of leaching
-Contribution of highly bioavailable phosphorus by Biochar
-Liming effect depending on the Biochar
-Greatly improve Cation Exchange Capacity
-Very strong stimulation of life in the soil, whether microbiological, macrobiological (earthworms) or mycorrhyzal
-Total biomass production increase including root that also enrich the soil in humus.
-Retention of heavy metals in the soil (therefore less contamination of the plant and then the consumer)
-Health of the soil and the plant (reduction of the necessary treatments)
-Better resistance of plants to soil salinization
-Erosion limitation
-Overall profitability of the crop (earnings minus expenses)
Biochar can be used alone or pre-mixed with compost to improve its effectiveness. Trials conducted by Pro Natura International in Senegal ( with Biochar from a previous CarboChar model ) showed impressive yield increases on onions and rice, as shown in the following photos.
Biochar science is currently experiencing an explosion of field studies and international publications.
Bibliography:
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Bai, Shahla Hosseini et al. 2022. « Combined Effects of Biochar and Fertilizer Applications on Yield: A Review and Meta-Analysis ». Science of The Total Environment 808: 152073.
Borchard, Nils et al. 2019. « Biochar, Soil and Land-Use Interactions That Reduce Nitrate Leaching and N2O Emissions: A Meta-Analysis ». Science of The Total Environment 651: 2354‑64.
Chen, De et al. 2018. « Effects of Biochar on Availability and Plant Uptake of Heavy Metals – A Meta-Analysis ». Journal of Environmental Management 222: 76‑85.
Edeh, Ifeoma G. et al. 2020. « A Meta-Analysis on Biochar’s Effects on Soil Water Properties – New Insights and Future Research Challenges ». Science of The Total Environment 714: 136857.
de Vasconcelos, A. C. F. , 2020, « Biochar Effects on Amelioration of Adverse Salinity Effects in Soils », in A. A. Abdelhafez, M. H. H. Abbas (eds.), Applications of Biochar for Environmental Safety, IntechOpen, London. 10.5772/intechopen.92464.
Glaser, Bruno, et Verena-Isabell Lehr. 2019. « Biochar Effects on Phosphorus Availability in Agricultural Soils: A Meta-Analysis ». Scientific Reports 9(1): 9338.
Schmidt, Hans-Peter et al. 2021. « Biochar in Agriculture – A Systematic Review of 26 Global Meta-Analyses ». GCB Bioenergy 13(11): 1708‑30.
Singh, H. et al. 2022. « Biochar Applications Influence Soil Physical and Chemical Properties, Microbial Diversity, and Crop Productivity: A Meta-Analysis ». Biochar 4(1): 8.