[Terrapreta] compost and charcoal

[Duane Pendergast]

Kevin, David, Lou

I included the following quotation from Henry Janzen (now a Nobel Prize
winner as one of the IPCC scientists ) in an article on Terra Preta I
submitted for publication.

"Soil scientist Henry Janzen, of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, points
out that "soil organic matter is far more than a potential tank for
impounding excess CO2; it is a relentless flow of C atoms, through a myriad
of streams-some fast, some slow-wending their way through the ecosystem,
driving biotic processes along the way" through the provision of energy and
nutrients."

Now I'm going back to my hole for a while to promote nuclear energy as an
alternative to bio-energy. My goal is to ensure there will be enough
available energy  left in the organic material returned to land to "drive
the biotic processes" Mother Nature needs to make Terra Preta.

Duane 



-----Original Message-----
From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Chisholm
Sent: November 25, 2007 7:15 AM
To: dyarrow at nycap.rr.com
Cc: terrapreta preta
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] compost and charcoal

Dear David

I think you are "bang on" with your emphasis of the importance of 
microbial action in soils. I think that their importance is grossly 
under-appreciated. Additionally, fungus is very important, particularly 
in assisting phosphorous uptake by plants.

 From what I can see, the "chemical agriculture" and "organic 
agriculture" people are trying to impose their thoughts on the "soil 
mechanics" who actually get the job done. Mother Nature has her way of 
doing things, and our best strategy is to be supportive of Her way of 
doing things.

Best wishes,

Kevin

rg