[Terrapreta] Fwd: Re: compost and charcoal

[mmbtupr at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: mmbtupr at aol.com
To: kchisholm at ca.inter.net
Sent: Sun, Nov 25  9:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] compost and charcoal

from  Lewis L Smith

  From the agricultural experience of myself, my wife and my parents [ 
30
years running organic beef cattle ] I am inclined to support those who
argue that microbes and inter-particle space are as important as
fertilizer in getting nutrients from the soil into the plant. In other
words, plant nutrition stands on a "three legged stool". This plus
water are usually the keys to good yields.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Chisholm <kchisholm at ca.inter.net>
To: dyarrow at nycap.rr.com
Cc: terrapreta preta <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
Sent: Sun, Nov 25  9:14 AM
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

dyarrow at nycap.rr.com wrote:
> when the research is all done and written, i expect the judgment will
be
> that it is not char that reduces NOx emissions, but microbials.  char
> provides habitat and housing for microbes that process and stabilize
> soil N into non-volatile forms, and char is mostly passive in this
> process.  complex, interactive communities of microbes proliferate
> within the char's spongy matrix, and this explosion of living biomass
is
> where the real action is.  char's main contribution to this NOx
emission
> reduction is to absorb and hold the various N ions in the C matrix
> rather than allowing the N compounds to dissolve and leach away.
>
> david
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kevin Chisholm <kchisholm at ca.inter.net>
> Date: Sunday, November 25, 2007 0:50 am
> Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] compost and charcoal
> To: Gerald Van Koeverden <vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>
>
>> Dear Gerrit
>>
>> This sounds to me like a great idea, with no downside.
>>
>> I have seen references to the fact that char reduces soil NO2
>> emissions.
>> It might do this by adsorption of teh NO2, or it might help create
>> different "soil mechanics" that result in retention of the NO2 as
NO4.
>>
>> Additionally, there might be a significant absorption of what would
>> otherwise be "manure tea", that might leach away.
>>
>> Please keep us posted on anything else you might find.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Kevin
>>
>
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>
>



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