What is Biochar and How Does It Work
What is Biochar and How Does it Work Biochar is fine-grained charcoal made by pyrolysis (pī-rä’-la-sis), the process of heating biomass (wood, manure, crop residues, solid waste, etc.) with limited to no oxygen in a specially designed furnace capturing all emissions, gases, and oils for reuse as energy. Biochar has been used in agriculture for more than 2,500 years and is becoming increasingly popular in modern agriculture and horticulture as a safe, sustainable soil amendment. Biochar outshines all other organic soil material in its ability to attract and retain water and nutrients, as well as hold phosphorous and agrochemicals. Plants are healthier and less fertilizer runs off into surface water and leaches into groundwater. This is the microscopic view of (biochar) charcoal porous characteristics. These pores are responsible for retaining water, micronutrients, and a very natural habitat for microorganisms. Biochar is relatively inert and therefore persists in soil far lon...