Soil Analysis: Interpreting a Soil Test for lawns
John R. Street, Maurice E. Watson, William E. Pound, Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet, HYG-4028

Factsheet. This publication will help you interpret the recommendations provided by The Ohio State University's soil testing laboratory. The facility is termed the Research Extension Analytical Lab (R.E.A.L.) and is an important facility for testing lawn soils.

Introduction to Soil Science
T.S. Tollefson, University of Saskatchewan, CA SCSR Open Courseware 41/240

This course is designed for students in the Diploma in Agriculture program and first and second year students in the B.S.A. program. Graduate students in the Soil Science may also find the course useful background for their qualifying or comprehensive exams.

Fertility Management of the Soil-Rhizosphere System for Efficient Fertilizer Use in Vegetable Production
Ma Chin-hua and Manuel C. Palada AVRDC — the World Vegetable Center P.O. Box 42, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan 74199, October 2006

Abstract

www.biochar.org - balance carbon and restore soil fertility
Christoph Steiner, Germany

Examples of Soil Improvement at EPRIDA
Doug Clayton, April 2007

50LW50JF_75LW_25JF

Date: 01/04/04

I took the pictures when I visited Danny Day at Eprida last month.

The first shot is of the red Georgia clay before and after charcoal had been tilled in two years prior. The second shows some "structure" as a result of the charcoal treatment. The untreated had become very hard (compacted).

Three and four illustrate how tilth was improved. In both shots Danny

Amelioration of Shallow and Compact Soils Through Charcoal and Humic Material Amendment
Paul Seger, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Potential Benefits of Charcoal and/or Humic Materials
•Highly resistant to microbial breakdown
•Functional groups provide exchange sites
–Increase nutrient retention
–Assist pH buffering capacity
•Encourages aggregation
–Development of soil structure
–Benefit to available water holding capacity

Contributions of Pinus Ponderosa Charcoal to Soil Chemical and Physical Properties
Christopher M. Briggs in Briggs, Breiner, Graham Pinus Ponderosa Charcoal 9 May 2005

Abstract
Charcoal results from the incomplete burning of plant material and is found in most
soil surface horizons, but little is known about its effects on soil properties. The objectives of this
study were (1) to determine the chemical and physical properties of ponderosa pine charcoal

Effects of Soil Microbial Fertility by Charcoal in Soil
Makoto Ogawa, Kansai Environment Engineering Center, Kansai Electric Power Co. Ltd, UGA Conference 2004

Characteristics and Function of Charcoal

1.Porous substance with high water and air holding capacity; Suitable habitat for some microbes and plant growth, good material for soil amendment, absorption of chemicals and humidity control

2.High alkalinity ; Neutralization of acidic soil and improvement of chemical components of soil and

there is an interesting thread here with questions that need answereing
It is from ausergroup who want to use less chemical fertiliser.
SEE
http://groups.google.com/group/Fossil-Free-Landscaping/browse_frm/thread/f593a12c1c943bcd/#
Chris Shorb wrote:
. . .
2-Burning anything is toxic. Benzo-pyrene is a nasty chemical which
actually CAUSES cancer. Anytime we burn organic matter at normal low
temperatures (charcoal, bonfires, open flames, etc.) we create
benzo-pyrene exhaust. Smoking, barbecuing, campfire smoke, candle