[Terrapreta] What is TP? - Test Configuration

[MFH]

Rex

 

"Available"  is the operative word. And not only available, but in a form
that is beneficial to the plant and not destructive to other situations.

 

It's a little similar to the theory that adding CO2 to a greenhouse will
increase growth. Except for all the other limiting factors, like moisture
and sunlight and day length and temperature and ...

 

Max H

 

 

  _____  

From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Rex Manderson
Sent: Monday, 23 June 2008 1:43 PM
To: 'Kevin Chisholm'; 'Kurt Treutlein'; 'Terra Preta'
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] What is TP? - Test Configuration

 

I have picked up this thread part way along, I think the test configuration
below belongs to Kevin.  I have to guess about the seaweed as being about
0.17 kg/l dry density and 0.12% N available to give around 2.2gms N per 33
litres.  I think this is inadequate, and would recommend that you add
whatever you can to get to at least 7gms Nitrogen available per 33 litres.
If you stick with your high char dose that may not even be enough.  For the
P and K and other stuff the seaweed should most probably be enough for a
broad range of soils.  I think that the charcoal rate is very high, in 150mm
it is about 87 Tonne/ha where I see a practical application limit at about
15 T/ha per season.  The high dose is okay if you are just looking at
nursery or home garden intensity.

 

What crops do you have planned?

 

Regards,

Rex Manderson

 

 

 

  _____  

From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Chisholm
Sent: Monday, 23 June 2008 11:21 AM
To: Kurt Treutlein; Terra Preta
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] What is TP?

 

Dear Kurt

 

Firstly, as per Richard's suggestion, to avoid the baggage associated with
Terra Preta, I would propose to call it "Bio Preta"

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Kurt <mailto:rukurt at westnet.com.au>  Treutlein 

To: Terra Preta <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>  

Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:09 PM

Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] What is TP?

 

Kevin Chisholm wrote:
> Thanks for the feedback. In my opinion, these are the sort of 
> questions we need to answer. I say that because I am running some 
> humble TP tests now, and I am very aware of all teh things I might be 
> doing wrong.
>  
> What would you think of making up a list of necessary answers that a 
> "Future TP Practicioner" must know, and then proceeding methodically 
> to get them?
I think it's putting the cart before the horse. First experiment with 
putting charcoal in soil, in your particular area, and follow whatever 
leads and byways this takes you to. THEN you will be able to come up 
with answers to the questions that people might raise when they look at 
what you have done and where it took you.

 

Good points. I have 4 tests going, repeated in triplicate:

1: 33 Litres soil + 11 litres seaweed.

2: 33 litres soil

3: 33 litres soil + 11 litres seaweed + 1911 gms charcoal

4: 33 litres soil + 1911 gms charcoal

 

Based on the wet weight of the soil, this is a 6% by weight charcoal
addition.

How am I doing so far? What should I have done differently? 



Raising questions now suggests that you already have all the answrs and 
just want to put the knowledge out there in the form of a faq.

 

If there was a list of questions, I would have a better idea of what to look
for as the corn grows. 

Can I expect to see a difference in teh first year, or will it only be the
second, third or 4th year before teh differences become apparent?

 

I'm going to measure tehe height of the plants and the number and weight or
corn cobs from each plant the day after teh first frost. Is this a good way
to evaluate performance? 

 

Best wishes,

 

Kevin


>  
> Once we have the list of "needed answers, we can then proceed to get 
> them methodically. My mistake mwas to pose too many questions at once.
>  
> Q: How do you eat an Elephant?
> A: One bite at a time. :-)
First you need a cutting implement to get something off the elephant 
that you can actually eat
>
>  
> What would you suggest as a way to proceed from here?
>  
Ibid.



regards,

Kurt

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