[Stoves] Bio Char

[A.D. Karve]

Dear Rca,
we tried out the experiment of amending the soil with char produced from sugarcane leaves, in nursery pots and also in beds. We have been conducting these trials off and on for the last 10 years. So far we have not seen any positive effect. Maybe we should conduct these experiments more systematically, using different proportions of char to soil. 
Yours
A.D.Karve
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rca Godbole 
  To: adkarve 
  Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 8:34 PM
  Subject: Bio Char


  Dear Dr. Karve, 


  I've been reading on and off about this Pyrolysis of waste biomass, Terra Preta soils and wanted to know about your experience with this soil fertility management technique. I'm sure that you must have tried out the waste charcoal generated from your sugarcane kilns onto some soil, and would be the best person to judge its applicability in soil fertility management in India, more specifically in Konkan. I am interested in this aspect if true, and not in the weed control thing. Would you mind telling me about this?


  Warm Regards,


  Rca