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Biochar is charcoal created by pyrolysis (burning with minimal oxygen) of biomass (e.g. agri and forest wastes) and is the most effective way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Biochar is an almost pure carbon, at least 50% of the CO2 a plant or tree absorbed from the atmosphere during its lifetime is trapped through the charring process. For every 1 kilo of pure carbon produced, 3.67 kilos of carbon dioxide is taken out from the atmosphere.
When biochar is added to the soil, it is known to stay in the soil for thousands of years. Biochar or terra preta was developed thousands of years ago by the native Americans in the Amazon region. They are believed to have used biochar to enhance soil productivity and made it by smoldering agricultural waste. They are successful in creating vast and fertile farmlands that are still some of the richest soil on Earth today. Moreover, biochar is a more stable nutrient source than compost and manure. Biochar, therefore, as a soil amendment can increase crop yields, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, and minimize the adverse environmental effects of agrochemicals in the environment.
Benefits of Biochar
Boosts Fertility
of Soil
Although in itself is not a nutrient, it ensures that the nutrients from compost, fertilizer or fungi are trapped within the micro-holes, which prevents them from leaking away and provides continued nutrients. This prevents the soil from being degraded and retains or even improves its fertility.
Prevents Soil
Erosion
Although in itself is not a nutrient, it ensures that the nutrients from compost, fertilizer or fungi are trapped within the micro-holes, which prevents them from leaking away and provides continued nutrients. This prevents the soil from being degraded
Improves soil quality
by raising soil pH
Biochar is used as a soil amendment, as it can vastly improve exhausted soils and even restore productivity to degraded land.
Traps moisture
attracting more beneficial
fungi and microbes
Biochar particles have numerous micro-holes that allow micro-organisms to grow and flourish
Improves cation
(positive ion)
exchange capacity
It therefore increases ‘cation’ exchange thus allowing plants to absorb nutrients better. When used with chemical fertilizer it acts as a slow release of chemical compounds to the plant thus minimizing damaging effects of excess fertilizer use on plants and on the soil. This allows for less use of chemical fertilizers for the same yield of crop. With less dependency on fertilizers, farmers would be able to drastically reduce their production costs for a better return of investment.
Helps the soil
hold nutrients
Soil that has biochar holds plant nutrients better and prevents them from leaching, retains moisture in the soil for longer periods even in times of drought and through its resident micro-organisms its breaks down heavy metals into usable form by plants
Improves water quality
by retaining agrochemicals
and metals >>
This has been shown to increase yields from 25% – 400%. In fact, biochar also absorbs and removes agrochemicals and metals (such as nitrogen) from the soil, preventing ground water and food contamination.