Does biochar increase crop production?
Research consistently finds poor soils enriched by biochar grow bigger, stronger plants that yield higher quantity and quality. Yields 300% greater are common, and some researchers got over 800% more yield from biochar-enriched soils. Even better, soils retain nutrients and sustain productivity better than soils without biochar. Plants grow well in soil with 9% biochar, at less cost, increased yield, and sustain this greater production longer with less fertilizer. Food from those soils has higher nutritional balance, density and quality. In soil, biochar consistently increases fertilizer efficiency, reduces need for chemicals, enhances crop yield. As examples: * • A Mississippi farmer plowed 15 tons/acre biochar into sandy river bottom, and saw corn yield over twice his neighbors. After the first year, his fertilizer use declined. * • Australian research in New South Wales added 4.5 tons/acre to carbon-poor soil to double soybean biomass, triple wheat. * • Tomato transplant trials in 2
