[Terrapreta] Is Biochar used in Cuba?

[jim mason]

wikipedia has a short entry on zeolites in agriculture, with a mention of cuba.

is the micro pore structure of zeolites and other volcanic rock
derived soils, the reason volcanic soils are often so productive?  is
this the same microbial assist through better "housing" opportunities
as in biochar?

jim

------------------------------------------------


Agriculture

In agriculture, clinoptilolite (a naturally occurring zeolite) is used
as a soil treatment. It provides a source of slowly released
potassium. If previously loaded with ammonium, the zeolite can serve a
similar function in the slow release of nitrogen. Cuban studies in the
emerging field of "zeoponics" suggest that some crops may be grown in
100% zeolite or zeolite mixtures in which the zeolite is previously
loaded or coated with fertilizer and micronutrients. Zeolites can also
act as water moderators, in which they will absorb up to 55% of their
weight in water and slowly release it under plant demand. This
property can prevent root rot and moderate drought cycles.

A potting soil with 12% clinoptilolite was shown to harvest morning
dew and return it to the plant roots for reuse. The same bed was able
to grow a Jerico strain of leaf lettuce in a sub tropical climate
without external water and daytime temperatures exceeding 85 °F. This
produce did not bolt and went full term before setting seeds. It also
has been shown that certain zeolites can reduce nitrates and nitrites
to more plant usable free nitrogen by ion exchange.[citation needed]

[edit]


On Jan 21, 2008 2:00 PM, Robert Klein <arclein at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Tom
>
> I was aware of their using zeolites - lots of volcanic ash, which has the
> same capacity to retain nutrients.  this was back in the early nineties.  So
> the predisposition exists.  They also have plenty of bagasse.  Beyond that I
> have seen nothing and it may be simply early days as our own enthusiasm is
> fairly recent and still has far to go in telling the story.
>
> The papers at the time suggested fairly aggressive and extensive use of
> zeolites.  That work made me recognize carbon as a likely option to be
> explored.
>
> arclein
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Tom Miles <tmiles at trmiles.com>
> To: Terra Preta <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 6:38:28 PM
> Subject: [Terrapreta] Is Biochar used in Cuba?
>
>
>
>
> Cuba is credited with successful implementation of agroecology and
> alternative methods of farming to restore its soil fertility and feed its 11
> million people. Is biochar being used in Cuba?
>
>
>
> See:
>
> FoodFirst: Rural-Urban Migration and the Stabilization of Cuban Agriculture
>
>
>
> Cuban Agriculture
>
>
>
> Organiponicos
>
>
>
> Tom
>
>
>
>  ________________________________
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-- 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jim mason
website: www.whatiamupto.com
current project: mechabolic (http://www.mechabolic.org)
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