Benefits of Biochar for Soil

Hello All

So at Lemon Tree we have begun a new project in our ongoing attempt to enrich the land that will ultimately be the source of highly nutritious micro-greens and lemons  for your own table.  In this case, our new project is about making biochar for the enrichment of the soil.

Aside from mulch and compost, one of the most sought-after commodities in the agricultural industry is biochar.

What is biochar, and why is it sought after?

Biochar is simply a form of charcoal that is used as a soil enrichment. Although it has similarities to charcoal, the two have some huge differences. Particularly in the practical application at Lemon Tree.  For starters, charcoal is used for fuel, and biochar is much more beneficial to the environment. (And our wonderful soil).

How Is Biochar Produced?

Biochar is produced through pyrolysis – an agricultural process by which wastes, such as plant matter, manure or crop residue, are heated in a very low or zero oxygen environment. The carbon that is absorbed during the procedure is then converted into a solid form.

This procedure creates a fine-grained and highly porous charcoal that is able to retain soil nutrients and increase soil biodiversity at the same time. Different kinds of biochar can be produced, depending on the type of organic materials utilized and the temperature it is set on during pyrolysis.

Biochar that is produced from manure has a richer nutrient content when compared to those that are formed using wood chips. However, wood-based biochar may be better long term because it does not degrade fast, thus benefiting the soil  for more extended periods.

A caveat when making biochar and setting the temperature, would be to note that  higher temperatures often require a kind of biochar with a greater absorption rate and this may result in retention of toxic material such as mercury.  Clearly to be avoided when our goal is healthy greens.

What Are the Benefits of Biochar for Soil?

Like any other organic material, biochar provides lots of benefits for the soil, but biochar offers  a more permanent alternative when compared to other materials. Because it is highly porous and has an increased chemical nature, biochar can attract and retain water and nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. (Plants love phosphorus and nitrogen)

In soils with few organic resources and insufficient water supply, biochar can help increase the soil’s fertility and help in the preservation of nutrients.

Also a beneficial  side note; biochar can sequester carbon in soils for thousands of years, preventing it from being released back into the atmosphere. (In this way we do our bit for carbon emissions. 🙂 )

Biochar also produces oil and gas by-products that can be used as a renewable and clean energy source… But I get ahead of myself here.

Of course from the perspective of our urban farm, biochar can help enhance crop yields since it helps improve the condition of the soil and this,  in turn,  can add to increased food production. However, not all soil types have the same reaction to biochar, and often it can take up to a year before one can see tangible results. As we have started this project timeously, it’s our intention to reap the benefits at around the same time as we start to harvest our first greens.

Other benefits of biochar include:

• It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, which also contain nitrogen and phosphorus.
• It lessens the risk of reduced crop yield during the dry season.
• It helps retain nitrogen and sulfur components in the soil, which in turn results in reduced emissions.
• It inhibits the growth of molds or mildews. (Very important with our rather erratic rains.)
• It helps control odor. (We all know that distinctive smell of chicken manure.)
• It helps filter out contaminants from shallow soil water.

These are only some of the well-known benefits of opting for a more natural and sustainable alternative like biochar.

Conclusion

Biochar has increasingly become more popular these days because of the many benefits to the soil. If you are seeking something to enrich your soil, then biochar can be an excellent option to try.

References:

https://blog.irontreeservice.com/the-benefits-of-using-biochar/

https://biochar-us.org/soil-water-benefits-biochar

https://esemag.com/hazmat-remediation/biochar/

https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/65070