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  • From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Homestead] Terra preta
  • Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:54:46 -0700


On Jan 25, 2009, at 12:03 AM, Frank Fries wrote:

Some of the people who have done quite a bit of work on this actually think
it matters what temperature the charcoal is "cooked" to. But again nobody
really knows.

Wikipedia has an extensive entry on terra preta here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_preta

It includes the following:
"Topoliantz and Ponge's work, summarized in a synthetic article in “Soil Biology & Biochemistry”[35], shows that the peregrine earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Oligochaeta: Glossoscolecidae), widespread in all Amazonia and notably in clearings after burning processes thanks to its high tolerance of a low content of organic matter in the soil, has been shown to ingest pieces of charcoal and to mix them in a finely ground form with the mineral soil. The authors, who experimentally verified this process, point at this as an essential element in the generation of Terra preta soils, associated with agronomic knowledge involving layering the charcoal in thin regular layers favourable to its burying by Pontoscolex corethrurus. . . .

The last graph reads:
"Efforts to recreate these soils are being undertaken by companies such as Biochar Energy Corporation, Eprida and Best Energies . Research efforts are underway at Cornell University, the University of Georgia, Iowa State University and Geoecology Energy Organisation. Biochar is the main (and likely key) ingredient in the formation of terra preta. One focus of these researchers is the prospect that if biochar becomes widely used for soil improvement, it will involve globally significant amounts of carbon sequestration, remediating global warming."

While fascinating, especially regarding fertility longevity, I don't see a direct use by home gardeners. As we have noted before, each garden is unique in its many features: soil origin, moisture, drainage, temperature, organic content, soil community, and sun aspect and duration. Each gardener is thus a scientist for their individual plots. While there are many generalizations that are applicable to a broad range of soil and climate conditions, it is likely foolhardy to attempt to adapt this unique Amazonian condition to a North American garden.

Soil science is a huge subject and homesteaders can easily find books on the subject. Simplistically, plants cannot eat chunks of nutrients. These nutrients are processed by a myriad community of microscopic organisms whose excretions are absorbable by fine root hairs. The number of microorganisms in good, living garden soil is so great as to be incomprehensible. The population of a handful of such soil is far more than the human population of the largest city on earth. The earthworm is the giant of the soil community and of inestimable value, but North American soil most likely does not include the peregrine earthworm noted above.

Should the production of miracle charcoal become feasible we will expect its availability soon. We will also expect misleading claims and high prices.

Learn how to feed the soil community; that community will feed your plants and then the plants will feed you. A closed circle.

Gene GeRue
www.RURALIZE.com








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