The following benefits occur with additions of biochar Suppressed methane emission Reduced nitrous oxide emission (estimate 50%) Reduced leaching of nutrients Stored carbon in a long term stable sink Reduces soil acidity: raises soil pH Reduces aluminum toxicity Increased soil aggregation due to increased fungal hyphae Improved soil water handling characteristics Increased soil levels of available Ca, Mg, P, and K Increased soil microbial respiration Increased soil microbial biomass Stimulated symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes Increased arbuscular mycorrhyzal fungi Increased cation exchange capacity How much biochar do I need to apply to achieve these benefits? This is the subject of ongoing studies. The degree of benefit clearly increases with the application rate. If you are satisfied with a very rough estimate, we would venture that a target application rate of 5 kg/m2 (1 lb/ft2) would be sufficient to achieve these results in most gardens. However, there are substantial benefits related to soil biology at rates well below 1 kg/m2.
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