[Terrapreta] FW: Alkaline Soils - Terra Preta

[Richard Haard]

In relation to pH change in soil on adding charcoal.

I have completed soil analysis on 29-17 foot test plots with  two  
charcoal types , compost,fertilizer and permutations. I have just  
received the results I sent in several weeks ago to the University of  
Massachusetts, Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab.  This evening I am  
entering the data into my database program for study.

One point is quite clear. The charcoal treatments have not effected  
either soil pH or buffer pH. PH in the test plots ranges from 5.6 to  
6.0 and buffer pH 6.3-6.4.  No trend at all related to the charcoal  
treatments. Ash content of one of the charcoal types was quite high -  
see earlier posting on proximate analysis.

I did wait about 6 weeks after setting up the experiment before  
conducting the soil tests.

Any comments from Dr Reddy  on effect of charcoal treatments on soil  
pH in his project?

Rich Haard, Bellingham, Washington
On Jul 17, 2007, at 5:39 PM, Sean K. BArry wrote:

> Hi Jon, Dr. Reddy,
>
> I think agree with Jon.  Pulverized char might have more available  
> surface area.  Dr. Reddy, are you concerned about the alkalinity of  
> the ash in the char when you add it to alkaline soils?  I thought  
> the introduction of charcoal (even with ash) might perform as a  
> "buffer" in the soil.  If the activity of soil micro-organisms in  
> enhanced by the addition of charcoal to the soil, then won't the  
> humus developed be acidic?  Could added compost provide the  
> buffering acid against the alkaline ash?  There are useful minerals  
> nutrients in the ash.  After all it did come from plants.  Maybe  
> the benefit of not washing out those minerals can be had, if  
> another way is found to deal with the alkalinity of the charcoal.   
> Perhaps a different feedstock could be used or something done to  
> it?  I know you are using the Junipiflora  Pro... something tree  
> that grows in salt water, because it is abundant in the area of  
> Kothur.  Is the washing of the charcoal a significant labor  
> intensive step?
>
> Regards,
>
> SKB
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jon C. Frank
> To: Terrapreta
> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 5:22 PM
> Subject: [Terrapreta] FW: Alkaline Soils - Terra Preta
>
>
> Hi Dr. Reddy,
>
> It looks like you are doing excellent work with all your projects.   
> Are you making a business out of it?
>
> One question.  Why do you clean the charcoal?  Why not crush it  
> more and apply more as powder?  In my mind this would increase the  
> surface area and allow more space for holding nutrients and  
> providing a home for soil biology.
>
> Jon C. Frank
> www.highbrixgardens.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org [mailto:terrapreta- 
> bounces at bioenergylists.org]On Behalf Of Saibhaskar Nakka
> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 7:05 AM
> To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
> Subject: [Terrapreta] Alkaline Soils - Terra Preta
>
> Dear All,
>
> I have updated the Alkaline Soils - Terra Preta with field  
> activities progressing.
>
> Please see the link:
>
> http://e-alkalinesoilsterrapreta.blogspot.com/
>
> Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
>
> _______________________________________________
> Terrapreta mailing list
> Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
> http://bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/ 
> terrapreta_bioenergylists.org
> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
> http://info.bioenergylists.org
> _______________________________________________
> Terrapreta mailing list
> Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
> http://bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/ 
> terrapreta_bioenergylists.org
> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
> http://info.bioenergylists.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: /pipermail/terrapreta_bioenergylists.org/attachments/20070717/299fe534/attachment.html