2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Biochar is a form of charcoal that can enrich the soil, sequester carbon for centuries, and recycle greenwaste. It is unique among organic amendments in that it can persist in the soil for hundreds of years. Biochar generates both great enthusiasm and great skepticism, partly because the properties vary with how it is made. The end product can have very specific properties for specific functions, e.g. reclaiming land from heavy metal pollution; but can also be variable if the production parameters are not well controlled. We discuss our field experiments in crops ranging from turf to trees, compare biochar and compost as soil amendments, and microbial and other effects on soil health. Formation of the California Biochar Association and working with growers and state and local agencies are also presented as case studies of cooperative research and extension of results.