[Terrapreta] eprida char - organic?

[Tom Miles]

> But I vote for "pure char or pure charcoal' for incorporating in our
> soil and not for amended products.

Alan,

In these discussion we have considered char as the principle distinguishing
component of terra preta. Clearly there are components and combinations
suitable to different crops, soils and applications - char, processed char
(containing nutrients e.g. EPRIDA) amended char (added components such as
organic matter or fungal inoculums), composted char (or char enhanced
compost). Growers will pick and chose depending on their own judgment, their
neighbors' experience, or the effectiveness of marketing. Hopefully this
fluid exchange of experiences will increase the number of experiments that
people make with char and terra preta.

As I mentioned previously there is at least one OMRI approved amendment that
is substantially a char product. There may be others. The availability of
products like this should encourage people to char in a variety of
combinations. But they are costly. So for the time being it is DIY or pay a
high price. 

Tom