[Terrapreta] The Value of Terra Preta. Was: Re: Selling Rice Hull char/finding charcoal in Australia

[Frank Teuton]

Hi Kevin,

As most of us know by now, the value of an amendment is related to the value 
of the crop being amended.

High value crops like orchids, golf greens, etc, already find charcoal use 
economic. Charcoal tends to be high in pH before it is leached, so can 
provide liming value. Charcoal increases CEC, offers habitat for microbes, 
promotes fungal growth, and improves water retention. It can absorb 
impurities in the soil such as chemical contaminants.

Obviously the high pH is of concern in areas already having high pH issues. 
Washing the charcoal prior to application could solve some of those 
concerns, I suppose.

In drought ridden areas the additional water retention of charcoal may 
further offset its initial cost. Like humus applications charcoal may help 
lighten heavy soils and improve water holding in light soils, and add 
microbial habitat in both cases.

The finding of a fit for particular crops and growing regimes is of course a 
local science for each growing situation, and needs experimentation. It 
seems we are still far from having a clear list of 'Charcoal Best Practices' 
in the horticultural and agricultural realms. It is heartening to see that 
carbon credits may be coming online to help move the research forward.

All the best,

Frank Teuton
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Chisholm" <kchisholm at ca.inter.net>
To: "Michael Bailes" <michaelangelica at gmail.com>
Cc: "terrapreta" <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 9:06 AM
Subject: [Terrapreta] The Value of Terra Preta. Was: Re: Selling Rice Hull 
char/finding charcoal in Australia


> Dear Michael
>
> Michael Bailes wrote:
>
> del....
>>
>> Alternatively, does anyone have an inexpensive charcoal-source in
>> Australia?
>
> "Inexpensive" is relative. :-) What can one "sensibly" pay for charcoal
> for Terra Preta purposes? A number of $200 per ton has been suggested as
> a cost for charcoal, but if one used $200 charcoal, could one make
> money, or get sufficient benefit from it to justify its cost?
>
> Does anyone have any numbers on the value of charcoal that is to be used
> for Terra Preta? Obvious "cash benefits" to the grower could include:
> * Less fertilizer cost
> * Increased yield
> * Others???
>
> Indirect benefits could include:
> * Carbon sequestration
> * Others???
>
> Are there any known "costs", or "detriments" associated with Terra
> Preta, other than the cost of charcoal, and its cost of application?
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Kevin
>