With an increasing focus on climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices, many producers and commodity groups are seeking information on how they can lower the carbon footprint of their operations while building healthy soils and remaining economically viable. One practice with great potential to reduce on-farm emissions and store carbon is through adding biochar.
Biochar is a charcoal-like byproduct of pyrolysis bioenergy systems that is increasingly emphasized as a sustainable soil amendment. When used in an agricultural setting, these amendments can provide long-term value without repeated application. Biochar also provides environmental and economic benefits by decreasing nutrient loss from leaching, improving surface water quality and creating financial opportunities as a value-added co-product with bioenergy.
Despite the growing body of research on biochar and increasing interest, many contradictory and misleading recommendations persist. Realizing the benefits of biochar requires very site- and context-specific guidelines and recommendations. Moreover, many landowners and forestry professionals have an interest in producing biochar but lack guidance on how to best produce biochar for the soils and applications near their wood resource. An upcoming meeting on July 17 will address this need by facilitating networking opportunities for participants with a shared interest in biochar and providing research-grounded information on biochar application in row crops.
Source: msu.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Michigan, Energy