NEW! From the team behind Seedballs Kenya

Introducing the natural and long-lasting soil improvement additive BioChar

WHAT IS BIOCHAR?

Biochar after production, in a large pile

Biochar is charcoal used as a soil amendment for both carbon sequestration and soil health benefits. Biochar is a stable solid, rich in carbon, and can endure in soil for thousands of years.[1] Like most charcoal, biochar is made from biomass via pyrolysis. Biochar is under investigation as a viable approach for carbon sequestration,[1] as it has the potential to help mitigate global warming and climate change.[2][3]

Biochar is recognized as offering a number of soil health benefits. The extremely porous nature of biochar is found to be effective at retaining both water and water-soluble nutrients. Biochar is hygroscopic. Thus it is a desirable soil material in many locations due to its ability to attract and retain water. This is possible because of its porous structure and high specific surface area.[67] As a result, nutrients such as phosphate, and agrochemicals are retained for the plants benefit. Plants are therefore healthier, and less fertilizer leaches into surface or groundwater. Soil biologist Elaine Ingham indicates[42] the extreme suitability of biochar as a habitat for many beneficial soil micro organisms.

Biochar can improve water quality, reduce soil emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce nutrient leaching, reduce soil acidity, and reduce irrigation and fertilizer requirements.[47] Biochar was also found under certain circumstances to induce plant systemic responses to foliar fungal diseases and to improve plant responses to diseases caused by soilborne pathogens.[48][49][50]

BioChar Kenya provides char chips and powder salvaged (purchased) from Nairobi’s urban charcoal vendors. The ‘char dust’ has been cleaned and sieved through a 3mm mesh providing an optimal particle size range for mixing into soils, top dressing lawns and gardens and inclusion with all types of organic fertilisers. Its use is recognised as an efficient form of carbon sequestration.