[Terrapreta] Abstract on Charcoal in soil

[Michael Bailes]

>
> The carbon in most biomass is in the carbohydrate or hydrocarbon form,
> and is in a form that various life forms can "sink their teeth" into it.
> It has a nutritive value, and it is worthwhile for them to attack it.
>
It seems the resins and bio-oils on the char are most important for
encouraging microbial growth.
 In the Amazon hardwoods were used containing a lot of resins.
I would agree there are many types of carbon as well as many types of
charcoal.
One problem with research is that few researchers characterise what sort of
charcoal they are using; making comparisons difficult.

On 16/05/07, Christoph Steiner <Christoph.Steiner at uni-bayreuth.de> wrote:
>
> Dear Kevin,
>
> Terra Preta fertility is the result of increased nutrient availability
> (mainly phosphorus and calcium), lower pH and acidity,


Chris I have always been puzzled by charcoal and pH.
How can putting something with a pH of 8-9 on the soil,  lower soil pH.?
It is most odd, unless the char contains a lot of ash.

So does the presence of charcoal slows the decomposition of organic matter
yes/no?/don't know?

-- 
m
"May those who love us, love us;
and those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts;
and if He doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we'll know
them by their limping."
-Irish Blessing
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