Biochar: The field experience

Spokas, Kurt

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/106998 Copy

Description

Title

Biochar: The field experience

Author(s)

Spokas, Kurt

Issue Date

2013-06-14

Keyword(s)

biochar

Abstract

Kurt Spokas - Research Soil Scientist at the USDA-ARS in St. Paul, MN. Soilless substrates are primarily used in the production of containerized greenhouse and nursery crops, with sphagnum peat moss being a primary constituent of most substrates. We are examining biochars for several horticultural applications, including as peat moss replacements. Biochar was prepared from pelletized wheat straw at our laboratory, while biochar produced from recycled wood pallets was obtained from Chip Energy, Goodfield, IL. Increasing levels of biochars (5, 10, and 15% v/v) had variable effects on substrate physical properties (pH, bulk density, air porosity, container capacity, and total porosity). Greenhouse experiments were conducted using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) plants grown in 3.0-L pots. No differences were found in tomato dry weights after 4 weeks growth, but plant heights were greater in several biochar treatments. Marigold plants grown in 10% pelletized straw had greater dry weights than controls, and plants heights were greater than the control in all but the 5% wood biochar. These results indicate that both pelletized biochars would be suitable replacements for peat in soilless substrates.

Series/Report Name or Number

2013 Midwest Biochar Conference

Type of Resource

• text
• still image

Language

en

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/106998

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