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

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

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