[Terrapreta] Terrapreta Digest, Vol 16, Issue 22

[Capt.D.C.G.Fox.]

Message: 6
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 15:24:44 +1000
From: "Hunt, Tony" <HuntT at transfieldservices.com>
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Soil Food Web
To: <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
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<99DB66E522F1844584586F269644485A01C4831E at AUNNDCEXC01.production.transfields
ervices.com>
	
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Hi All

I've just been reading the discussion about Elaine Ingham's thoughts on
biochar and its benefits to soil (or lack thereof!).  The view She puts
forward, that "Charcoal, by itself, as an addition to soil, doesn't
contribute much besides physical structure" seems to miss the point that
physical structure is itself tremendously important to organisms.  

Regards

Tony Hunt 
Transfield Services   
E: huntt at transfieldservices.com <mailto:huntt at transfieldservices.com>  


  Tony I think the lady would be acutely aware of the value of the massive
increase of microbial accommodation offered by the addition/incorporation of
activated charcoal into soil/dirt (not on top) and only when inhabited add
valuable structure to the soil.
  If/when microbial life does occupy the increased surface area they now
have to be fed by either massive additional herbaceous growth or by
expensive manual inputs until the next seasonal growth event, with this in
mind you may only need small inputs of activated charcoal over several years
to maintain and grow the microbial balance.

  The name of the game is farm microbes.

  Regards,
  Douglas. 

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