[Terrapreta] Long term effects of charcoal

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Michael,

Yes, the Terra Preta soil in the Amazon is still very fertile when compared to the surrounding untreated native oxisol soils.  So much so, that it is a prized commodity; it is mined (illegally) and sold as gardening soil.  There are garden plots and farms where there has been documented continuous planting of high yield food crops every growing season (sometimes more than one or two a year) for 500+ years and there has never been any chemical fertilizer added to these plots.  Agricultural wastes are still put back onto the plots and that is how the fertility is maintained, even though some nutrients leave the plot with every food crop harvested.  Terra Preta is composting in vivo.  The added charcoal is just a catalyst which enhances its effect in the soil.

Regards,

Sean K. Barry
Principal Engineer/Owner
Troposphere Energy, LLC
11170 142nd St. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 351-0711 (Home/Fax)
(651) 285-0904 (Cell)
sean.barry at juno.com<mailto:sean.barry at juno.com>
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael N Trevor<mailto:mtrevor at ntamar.net> 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 11:57 PM
  Subject: [Terrapreta] Long term effects of charcoal


  Thanks Barry

  How it the fertility of the thousands of years old terra preta sites now,  compared to adjacent areas?
  Assuming that the practice of charcoal addition stopped long ago, does it seem the beneficial effects
  continue?

  Michael 
  Enemanit
  Marshall Islands 

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