Biochar and native
tree re-vegetation
WHAT IS BIOCHAR?
Biochar is charcoal or biomass-derived black carbon, typically made from waste
biomass. When added to the soil, biochar can provide a long-term sink for
atmospheric carbon dioxide. It may also help to improve soil quality and provide
a range of other benefits to agriculture.
ADDING BIOCHAR TO THE SOIL CAN:
• Improve soil fertility and crop production;
• Improve soil structure;
• Provide habitat for soil organisms;
• Improve plant nutrient uptake;
• Help remediate compromised soils;
• Improve plant establishment;
Biochar effects may also differ between soil
types and plant species.
Scanning electron microscope image of
Golden Wattle biochar
HOW IS BIOCHAR MADE?
• Organic material such as waste biomass is
heated to a high temperature (typically 400500 oC) in oxygen limited conditions, in a
process called pyrolysis.
• Biochar is rich in chemically stabilized carbon
that is high in aromatic structures, making it
very slow to degrade.
• Biochars vary greatly in their properties and
effects, depending on biomass feed-stock,
and pyrolysis conditions. Its properties can
be manipulated for fit-for purpose.
Pyrolysis plant for producing biochar
Do you want to know more about biochar or this project? A/Prof Tony Patti (tony.patti@monash.edu), Dr Tim Cavagnaro (tim.cavagnaro@adelaide.edu.au) Biochar and native tree re-vegetation
PROJECT OVERVIEW: BIOCHAR AND REVEGETATION
This project aims to demonstrate the potential of biochar to:
• Improve germination and establishment of native trees in re-vegetated
agricultural soils;
• Increase soil carbon in re-vegetated soils;
• Improve the capacity of native trees to grow in degraded agricultural soils;
The outcomes will assist land managers to make informed decisions about using
biochars to establish native plants in a range of soils.
FIELD TRIALS
GLASSHOUSE TRIALS
• Biochar was added to soil at sites in
Western Victoria, at rates of 0, 1, 3 and
6 t/ha, in a fully replicated trial.
• Mixed woody species were direct
seeded into the soil.
• Biochar addition was found to alter
species diversity and improve
germination of some species.
• Results from the 18 month trial indicate
that biochar can increase plantavailable nitrogen and phosphorus, as
well as total soil carbon and nitrogen.
• Biochar was added to saline, sodic
and high nutrient sodic soils.
• Seedlings of Acacia mearnsii or
Eucalyptus viminalis were planted into
the soil, and their growth and health
monitored.
• Biochar had no influence on plant
growth or health.
• Biochar, however, improved some
aspects of plant nutrition, including
micronutrients.
Biochar project field sites
Biochar glasshouse experiment
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This research was funded by the Department of Agriculture of the
Australian Government through the Biochar Capacity Building Program. We also thank our partner,
Greening Australia, for helping to establish and monitor the field trials.
Do you want to know more about biochar or this project? A/Prof Tony Patti (tony.patti@monash.edu), Dr Tim Cavagnaro (tim.cavagnaro@adelaide.edu.au)