[Terrapreta] Pure Organics Vs. Biological Agriculture

[lou gold]

It feels strange for me to jump in with such experts but isn't there also
a question of ability of the soil to retain its health? I thought that a BIG

talking point for charcoal focused on its structural contribution. Leaching
is a big problem in the wet tropics. Is this being considered here?

On 9/18/07, Jon C. Frank <jon.frank at aglabs.com> wrote:
>
>  Hi Michael,
>
> We work with several organic pesticides such as neem.  They are great to
> use as the quality of the soil and plants are building.  They are useful
> tools but the goal is always to grow crops with enough health that bugs are
> not attracted to the plants in the first place.
>
> It is always a joy to see crops in the picture of health and nearby weeds
> riddled with bug damage.  This comes about when the soil is optimized for
> growing crops and not weeds.
>
> If you think it is a pity that we help farmers increase crop health, soil
> humus, and microbial health without biochar than we are not even close to
> being on the same page.  Your logic is strange.  A healthy soil that is
> building humus IS sequestering carbon.  Are you saying that the only form of
> carbon sequestration must involve biochar/carcoal?  You are welcome to your
> own opinion of course.
>
> Jon
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* Michael Bailes [mailto:michaelangelica at gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Monday, September 17, 2007 11:44 PM
> *To:* Jon C. Frank
> *Cc:* Terrapreta
> *Subject:* Re: [Terrapreta] Pure Organics Vs. Biological Agriculture
>
>
>   As far as recommending charcoal it cannot be done until there is a
> > supply for people to economically utilize it.  That infrastructure is far
> > from being in place.
> >
>
> Depends on where you are on the planet but I agree.This is a sad chicken
> and egg problem:
> Charcoal will not be made easily (& ecologically soundly by pyrolysis) and
> cheaply until people demand it.
>  It will not be used until is is available  easily and cheaply.
> This impasse has to be broken. That might mean pioneers of Tera preta
> methods may have to pay a premium price for char until manufacturers catch
> up with the demand .
>
>  Also FYI we never recommend or sell . . . any type of pesticide or
> > herbicide.
> >
>
> What is wrong with judicious and carefully timed use of organic pesticides
> like neem, Quassia, pyrethrum (natural) , Tobacco, lime-sulphur etc
>
>  I believe biochar or charcoal can play a role in the future as it becomes
> > more available.  In the meantime we have learned how to increase humus in
> > the soil without charcoal or biochar.  It involves getting calcium levels
> > high enough to support increased microbial populations, increased fine root
> > hairs, and increased exudates from  healthier plants.
> >
> It is a great pity you have this attitude/policy/idea
> Charcoal is one of the best ways of increasing soil microbiological life
> and plant growth
> But more importantly it sequesters carbon (CO2) and so helps the very real
> problem of global warming.
> i think wealthier nations need not only to reduce CO2 emissions to a
> neautral point they need to do much more to counter the amount of CO2 being
> produced by thrird world countries like China and India.
>  China has just reached the same level of CO2 emissions of the USA.
>
> You could at least present the benefits of Char at your conferences and
> let your electorate decide what to do themselves.
>
> Michael the Archangel
>
> "You can fix all the world's problems in a garden. . . .
> Most people don't know that"
> FROM
> http://www.blog.thesietch.org/wp-content/permaculture.swf
>
>
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-- 
http://lougold.blogspot.com/
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