Biochar" is a term created to specify charcoal produced to put in soil. This idea to put charcoal in soil is very new, and startles almost everyone who hears it. We have much to learn about biochar. In fact, we know very little of how biochar affects soil.

But more significant, our understanding of how biochar acts in soil requires a paradigm shift to a new view of how soils hold and deliver nutrients. We must change the way we study and learn about soils—beyond chemical views, to biological insights into the soil food web.

Many questions and uncertainties exist on how biochar affects soil—how to measure any effects. We know this method transformed poor, low-carbon clays in tropical rainforests into highly fertile, productive terra preta.

But we don't know how indigenous Amazon tribes created terra preta. And can this strategy succeed in temperate climate soils in the Northeast US?

Early results are encouraging—even exciting. But cautious trials, careful records and uniform protocols are needed to gather useful data and observations. And these consistent protocols must be in an orderly, rapid and complex process.

Thus, any use of biochar in temperate climate soils should be considered experimental.

Ron Poitras
SARE grant, Surry, ME
Biochar on a small scale organic vegetable farm

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