[Terrapreta] viable idea?

[Tom Miles]

We can save the world, but figuring it out is the challenge. It will take
more than char and manure to feed 6 billion people but research and
experimentation to improve soil productivity using these tools can help. I
think that is Lehmann's message in the article. I don't think that challenge
just belongs to research organizations.  Charcoal is made all over the
world. If the agronomic value of combinations of charcoal and nutrient
sources is demonstrated then individuals can make choices about using some
char to produce more food.  At the very least we can help offset soil carbon
loss in all countries.

 

Maybe the recipes are more complex. As Richard points out  it is probably
more complicated than simply adding charcoal. It is similar to the plaggen
(peat based) anthrosols that were constructed over a long period as the soil
micromorphological studies have shown with some fairly involved steps of
preparation, burning and blending manures, bones, etc. These soils ceased to
be constructed when fertilizer was introduced.

 

Tom

 

 

 

From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Jim Joyner
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:50 AM
To: Richard Haard
Cc: Terrapreta
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] viable idea?

 

Richard,

Not sure what to make of the report -- it's got some really strange comments
in it (maybe just out of context) -- but it does seem the notion of TP
saving the world is a bit premature. A bit like counting ones chicken before
they hatch.

Jim

Richard Haard wrote: 

This report (summary statement below ) from May 15, 2007 Scientific American
sums up the opinion that Larry and I share. We both think that dumping
charcoal on soil does not make terra preta. Our interest is to work on
enrichment culturing  beginning this spring, sort of like to highly aerobic
system used to make compost tea only tailored to getting charcoal and
charcoal/substrate\ acclimated to enhance the naturally occurring biota . 

 
<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=5670236C-E7F2-99DF-3E2163B9FB144E40&pag
e=3> Special Report: Inspired by Ancient Amazonians, a Plan to Convert Trash
into Environmental Treasure

But is it Viable?

 

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