[Terrapreta] Amount of Charcoal to Start Terra Preta

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Randy,

Yes, I believe you recalled the best number we had (3% weight/weight).  I think Christoph Steiner was the person who clarified this for us.  He said that the running guess of up to 30% in the existing Terra Preta was way more than what was found in Brazil.  He also said that 3% was still quite a lot of charcoal per hectare.  I think he was considering charcoal in the top 10-15 cm.  You will have to check with him.  I have the E-MAILS recorded at home.  I will send it to you when I get back.

Regards,

SKB 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Randy Black<mailto:rblack at hillcity.k12.sd.us> 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:54 PM
  Subject: [Terrapreta] Amount of Charcoal to Start Terra Preta


  To all, 



  We had a long discussion on the amount of charcoal to put into soil awhile back and I got lost on what the consensus was (and also lost what message it was on). From what I remember someone mentioned that you only needed 3% to start the Terra Preta process.



  What does current thought think? And do we need less in temperate soils because of the SOM?



  Randy Black

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