Biochar update, root growth and water retention
VIDEO: Biochar update, root growth and water retention
Biochar update, root growth and water retention
Biochar update, root growth and water retention
Biochar update, root growth and water retention
Biochar update, root growth and water retention
Good to know, Danke
the water retention would be a bonus during a drought year. otherwise it is a liability. Here we naturally have varying soil types. Areas that used to be ponding areas before agriculture use are what we call "Peat Ponds" they do really well during drought years but tend to drown out during wet seasons. A farmer here set a yeild record with soybeans in a drought season due to the existance of peat ground on that piece of ground. But you can smell the swampy odor coming off the ground during wet events where the ground has been freshly tilled and then the sun comes out to make it steamy. Knowing how to set up those conditions on demand is useful knowledge.
Both the biochar and coco coir are contributing to the water retention.
So far it seems to me that the biochar helps minimally. I don't know if it is really worth the effort at this point. Holding the water is a good thing but could really work against you depending on soil type and weather conditions. It's an interesting experiment, Jay. You've done a very good job with it.
Good update J.Interesting finds. I think it will work alot different in the ground. I will be putting it in some beds for testing. I do think it will improve any base soil alot. With the slope on our gadren will do well if it holds more water say in the first 6 inch or so. You made me think about that man 😉 Dave
That's interesting Jay, shall keep that in mind..
Think that may explain why the worm farm with no char has been drying out a lot faster than the one with it… Might add some to half & see what happens..
Cheers sir..
Lots of great articles showing the value of charcoal/biochar for water retention… it's a friggin sponge. Over on the Garden Web forum there's lots of info on potting soil mixes. I think the experts there would advise adding a LOT more drainage medium to your mix to allow air into the root structure. Char is the only component that is opening the structure of your mix, but it also retains the water. Coarse , sharp mortar sand helps. There are so many interesting tests to perform. I don't have any more room under my grow lights 🙁 Maybe someone could undertake a study on the effects of adding various percentages of sand. Really appreciate your efforts. I am presently conducting some tests too and will post later on my channel. Only a few videos there now – Newbie! I hadn't thought of comparing the root growth – thanks!
will there be more updates please? We've started trials too, but they'll be outside to see if we can cut down on the leaching we get due to our high rainfall..
Many write. You show results…Thank you!
many other people tried it, and there many studies that showed that different crops and different biochars produce different results
too little, too much and it have opposite effect, charging and activating also account for changes.
some crops don't like char (lettuces), other love char (like tomatoes)
I test water retention and evaporation, char was so exceptional, sand dry totaly in 5~7 days
char at this time have 65% water as much water as sand on 2nd day.
it also outperform compost in water conservation (and not in capacity, they are the same)
seem like char makes it harder for water to be lost via evaporaton and capillary suction.