Bacteria populations show sharp increase

after charcoal additionBeijerinckia, Ogawa

1992

residential refuges for micro-organismsresidential refuges for micro-organisms

Glomalus Margarita germination higher

than on soilDr. Makato Ogawa

1991

nearly 3-fold increasenearly 3-fold increase

biochar provides preferred biochar provides preferred habitat habitat

for soil microbesfor soil microbes

ResearchResearch

of special interest

Soil MineralsSoil Minerals

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BiocharBiochar

Charcoal in potting soilCharcoal in potting soilstimulates mycorrhizal fungistimulates mycorrhizal fungito become establishedto become establishedon on DipterocarpsDipterocarps root root

Effect of biocharEffect of biocharon mycorrhizaeon mycorrhizae

Makato OgawaMakato OgawaKansai EnvironmentalKansai EnvironmentalJapanJapan

ResearchResearchSoil MineralsSoil Minerals

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BiocharBiochar

Mycorryhizal FungiMycorryhizal Fungiproduce Glomalin

a glue to aggregate soil particles

Fertile SoilFertile Soilis “aggregated”is “aggregated”

improve water holding capacity, aeration, increase tilth,

and boost biomass yields

Biochar seeds aggregate formationBiochar seeds aggregate formationto absorb dissolved organic matterto absorb dissolved organic matter

through wet and dry cycles to build humusthrough wet and dry cycles to build humusas long-term carbon storageas long-term carbon storage

Dr. Makato OgawaDr. Makato OgawaKansai EnvironmentalKansai Environmental

ResearchResearchSoil MineralsSoil Minerals Terra PretaTerra Preta

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Effect of BiocharEffect of Biocharon soybean yield, on soybean yield, root growth root growth and nodulationand nodulation

Makato OgawaMakato OgawaKansai EnvironmentalKansai EnvironmentalJapanJapan

ResearchResearchSoil MineralsSoil Minerals Terra PretaTerra Preta

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Biochar added to Biochar added to Acacis manguimAcacis manguim seedlings seedlings

at age 6 months, height & diameter significantly increasedat age 6 months, height & diameter significantly increased

Siregar (2004), Forest & Nature Conservation Research & Development Center, Indonesia

0%0% 10%10% 15%15% 20%20%

ResearchResearchSoil MineralsSoil Minerals Terra PretaTerra Preta

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ResearchResearch

after: Oct. 1999growth of pine root & mycorrhizae formation started at 5 to 6 months after treatment

Ogawa 1999 Kansai EnvironmentalOgawa 1999 Kansai Environmental

before: Sept. 1998

results 13 months after treatmentresults 13 months after treatment

Biochar Benefits Existing ForestBiochar Benefits Existing Forest

Soil MineralsSoil Minerals Terra PretaTerra Preta

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In Japan, biochar to enhance plant growth isn’t experimental. Official government-approved soil management practice.

Kansai Environmental, division of Kansai Electric,one of Japan’s largest power companies,

has projects in Australia and Thailand using biochar in soil to create carbon credits.

One million hectare soil restoration project in Australia to grow cash crops and create carbon credits.

Soil SummaryBiochar is not a fertilizerbroken down or decayed by weatheringa food source for plants or insectsdigested by ordinary micro-organismsBiochar is stable, permanent and recalcitrant in soil for centuries a sponge to soak up and hold water and nutrientsan adsorpent, to attract and hold nutrient ionsrefuge for microbes out of the soil solutionpreferred habitat for mycorrhizaeBiochar

internal storage space 100’s X more than external surfacetremendously increases C.E.C.provides A.E.C. for crucial Phosphorus & Nitrogenprovides permanent, stable residential space for microbesinteracts with humic acids to form supra-molecules in soil