Pickens County (GA) Char Research Project (2006)

Pickens County Char Research Project (2006) (Georgia Peanut shell Char)

Background: General discussion on the topic of a possible research project for the Pickens County Master Gardeners (PCMG) led to a decision to plant 2 each of the 11 varieties of Blueberry plants that were offered for sale at our 2006 Plant Sale. The object was to test the “Early”, Mid” and “Late” season descriptions given to each of the varieties. Some time later, the subject of “Dark Earth” came up and caught the attention of several Master Gardeners. “Dark Earth” or “Terra Preta” refers to soils of the Brazilian Amazon. These “dark” soils are very fertile compared to surrounding “light” soils. Scientists generally agree that this fertility comes from the introduction of carbon, in the form of charcoal, into the soil by pre-Columbian Indians between 2500 and 4500 years ago. We later learned that the University of Georgia was involved in a project to test the use of char as a soil additive. The University is also involved in developing a process to develop bio-char from agricultural waste as part of their Biorefining and Carbon Cycling Program. As a by-product of this process, hydrogen is produced. Both the char and the hydrogen have possible major implications for the reduction of CO2 in our atmosphere.

The PCMG decided to test the use of char in the Blueberry research mentioned above as well as in a plot of 40 Tomato plants. These tomato plants are part of a program named “Plant a Row for the Hungry”. As part of the “Plant a Row” program, all the tomatoes from these plants will be donated to the local community food bank, C.A.R.E.S. (Community Assistance and Resource Emergency Services).

Pickes County Master Gardeners www.pickensmg.com