Key results include increases in biomass produced with biochar amended soils versus non-treated control areas. In the case of soybean in 2008, a 20% increase in grain yield was shown and for a forage mixture in 2009 a 100% increase in fresh biomass was obtained. Other parameters showing increases with CQuest Biochar included earthworm, nematode and mycorrhizal root colonization, supporting the hypothesis that biochar may serve as a refuge for soil microbes. Surface soil water infiltration was also greater in biochar amended soil.
The results of these trials reinforce other research pointing to potentially important advantages for the use of biochar as an agricultural soil amendment, both for economic and environmental reasons. Barry Husk, President, Blue Leaf Inc. commented: “This study makes a significant contribution to the growing body of knowledge regarding the positive impacts that biochar can have as a soil amendment.” Tom Bouchard, Chief Operating Officer, Dynamotive added, “We are pleased that Barry and the BlueLeaf team continued the study over a 2-year period. This enabled the collection of longer term data regarding how one relatively light application (at the initiation of the trials) of CQuest biochar behaves as a soil amendment under real world conditions.”
Full details of the Blue Leaf Report is available athttp://www.dynamotive.com/assets/resources/BlueLeaf-Biochar-FT0809.pdf
About Blue Leaf Inc.
BlueLeaf is a social purpose private corporation active in environment issues related to water and agriculture.
About Dynamotive
Dynamotive Energy Systems Corporation is an energy solutions provider headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with offices in the USA and Argentina. Its carbon/greenhouse gas neutral fast pyrolysis technology uses medium temperatures and oxygen-less conditions to turn dry, waste cellulosic biomass into BioOil for power and heat generation. BioOil can be further converted into vehicle fuels and chemicals. Photographs of the Guelph and West Lorne plants may be seen on the Company’s website www.dynamotive.com
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