Biochar (en) – Vermiorganic

Biochar (or bio coal) is the product of thermal decomposition of organic materials (biomass) with little or limited oxygen supply (reducing environment), at relatively low temperatures (below 700 degrees Celsius), intended for agricultural use, which difference it from coal used as fuel and activated carbon.

In our case, the biological material used is remnants of pruning and biomass of ornamental plant species, from municipalities in our area.

After a long process pyrolysis, it is achieved the maximum carbonization of the plant material, considerably reducing its amount of volatile compounds.

The incorporation of biochar into the soil can alter its physical properties and improve them, such as texture, structure, pore size distribution, total surface area, and apparent density, with an impact on aeration, moisture retention capacity, plant growth and easiness of soil tillage. Biochar usually increases the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil and, therefore, the retention of NH4 +, K +, Ca2 +, Mg2 +, which is attributed to its high specific surface area. In addition, it helps make acidic soils more fertile.

Research show that biochar works as an ideal medium for the colonization of beneficial microorganisms, so its addition to the soil can increase its population. Among them we find nitrogen fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi that increase the phosphorus absorption capacity of plant roots.

Finally, point out another advantage of using this amendment, which is that biochar has a high content of organic carbon, highly resistant to decomposition, so it works as a CO2 store, contributing to the fight against climate change.

How to use and dosage

Analysis

Bibliographic review

Packaging formats and retail prices

Sale to companies and professionals

In pastures, prairies, and herbaceous annual crops, apply on surface before planting, at a rate of 20-40 m3 per hectare.

In horticultural crops, apply buried at 7-10 cm depth of 20-40 m3 per hectare.

It can be applied with other biofertilizers, especially indicated together with earthworm humus or humic acids.

“Charcoal improves the physical characteristics of the soil, such as its structure, which facilitates a better distribution of roots, aeration and absorption of moisture and heat (energy). Its high degree of porosity generates the “solid sponge” type effect, which consists in the ability to retain useful nutrients for plants, reducing the loss and washing of these in the soil. On the other hand, carbon particles allow a good oxygenation of the fertilizer, so that there are no limitations in the aerobic process of fermentation. Another trait of this element is to function as a thermal regulator of the root system of plants, making them more resistant against low night temperatures from some regions. Finally, the total decomposition of this material on earth will give humus as a final product."

Ref.: Restrepo, Jairo, "ABC de la Agricultura Orgánica", page 22, SIMAS, 2007

	RESULT	UNIT	METHOD
Total solubility	28,9	%	Gravimetry
Humidity	26,8	% p/p	UNE-EN-13040
Total organic matter	78,44	% p/p	UNE-EN-13039
Ash	61,7	% p/p	UNE-EN-13039
pH	9,6	U. pH	UNE-EN-13037
Total organic carbón	45,5	% p/p	Calculation
Apparent density	0,36	g/cc	UNE-EN-13040

	SIZE
Big bag	1000 liters
Sack	50 liters
Sack	20 liters
Jar	4 liters

VERMIORGANIC S.L.U.

Vermiorganic Biochar

In our case, the biological material used is remnants of pruning and biomass of ornamental plant species, from municipalities in our area.

After a long process pyrolysis, it is achieved the maximum carbonization of the plant material, considerably reducing its amount of volatile compounds.

Research show that biochar works as an ideal medium for the colonization of beneficial microorganisms, so its addition to the soil can increase its population. Among them we find nitrogen fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi that increase the phosphorus absorption capacity of plant roots.

Finally, point out another advantage of using this amendment, which is that biochar has a high content of organic carbon, highly resistant to decomposition, so it works as a CO2 store, contributing to the fight against climate change.