2019 ASHS Annual Conference

California has suffered many years of drought in the past decade. Increasing agricultural water use efficiency in California is important for maximizing value for growers and reducing strain on the environment. This research investigates the effect of biochar on crop water usage. Two research sites, one in the Central Coastal Ranges and one in the Desert, were set up. In Salinas Valley, biochar and compost amendments were applied to a new Pinot Noir planting. In the Desert Research and Extension Center, sugar beets followed by wheat were planting in varying rates of biochar. Watermark sensors were installed in both to monitor soil water over the growing season. Early measurements of growth don’t show an increase crop growth in the presence of biochar. However, some plots showed greater soil moisture in plots with biochar in spite of equivalent growth.