Biochar for Better Soilless Agriculture

Wendy Lou McGill, IBI's communications director, opens the webinar by welcoming participants and providing housekeeping notes. She instructs attendees on how to manage audio issues and assures them that the webinar, including the PowerPoint presentation, will be recorded and shared. She encourages participants to submit questions using the control panel's question box.

Kathleen Draper, IBI's board chair, introduces the topic of biochar for soilless agriculture, providing background on the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). She highlights IBI's commitment to sustainable industry growth, their strategic planning, and the support received from the Woca Foundation. Draper mentions the upcoming initiatives and collaborations despite the temporary absence of their executive director.

Kathleen introduces the presenters, Nadav Zev and Omar Frankel. Nadav discusses his journey from academia to commercialization, emphasizing his work with biochar. He shares details about Earth Biochar, its location, and its integration with other companies at the recycling park. The cooperative environment aids in managing organic raw materials and enhances their biochar business model.

Nadav explains the challenges of using wood biochar in soilless media and the need for pre-treatment to improve its effectiveness. He describes their transition to producing Kompo Chao, a biochar product mixed with compost. The initial experiments showed mixed results, leading to further development and trials to enhance the product's properties for better agricultural use.

Field trials with Kompo Chao showed significant improvements in plant growth and yield. Nadav recounts a successful trial in a zucchini greenhouse, demonstrating better plant health and productivity compared to traditional growing media. He highlights the importance of pre-treatment and charging the biochar to achieve optimal results in the first growing cycle.

Nadav discusses the scientific studies and pilot system used to produce Kompo Chao. He describes their custom-built continuous pyrolysis system and the modifications made to improve its functionality. The presentation includes SEM images showcasing the structural differences between wood biochar and compost-derived biochar, emphasizing the benefits of the latter.

Nadav presents data on water retention and nutrient composition of Kompo Chao. He explains the importance of balancing water retention and drainage in soilless media and how Kompo Chao's unique properties meet these requirements. The biochar's built-in nutrients provide additional benefits, reducing the need for external fertilizers and enhancing plant growth under nutrient stress.

Nadav introduces Omar Frankel, who elaborates on their collaborative research. Omar discusses the role of biochar in disease resistance, focusing on soil-borne diseases. Their studies indicate that pre-conditioning biochar enhances its effectiveness in suppressing diseases like Fusarium and Pythium, potentially extending biochar's benefits to higher concentrations and broader applications.

Omar explains the mechanisms through which biochar suppresses diseases. Their research shows that biochar alters the microbial community in the soil, increasing beneficial bacteria that help control pathogens. He describes experiments demonstrating how biochar influences the physiological characteristics of plants, leading to improved health and resistance to diseases.

Further elaborating on biochar's impact, Omar presents data on changes in the microbial community composition due to biochar. The presence of biochar increases the diversity and metabolic activity of beneficial microbes. He details specific bacteria and fungi that play roles in biological control, highlighting their enhanced presence in biochar-amended soils.

Omar discusses practical applications of biochar in soilless culture. He outlines pre-conditioning techniques that maximize biochar's benefits, such as fertigation. The studies show that pre-conditioned biochar significantly reduces disease incidence and improves plant growth, making it a viable solution for nurseries and commercial growers.

Omar and Nadav wrap up by discussing future directions for biochar research and production. They emphasize the need for continued innovation and collaboration to scale biochar use in agriculture. Nadav mentions their plans to increase production capacity and develop new biochar-based products to meet the growing demand for sustainable growing media.

Nadav and Omar provide a comprehensive summary of their findings and the benefits of Kompo Chao. They highlight key takeaways from their research, including biochar's role in improving soil health, reducing disease, and enhancing plant growth. The presentation concludes with a Q&A session, addressing questions about biochar's applications, production methods, and future prospects.

The Q&A session covers various topics, including the types of feedstock suitable for biochar, testing for contaminants, and practical tips for using biochar in agriculture. Nadav and Omar provide detailed answers, drawing from their research and field experiences. They also discuss their plans for future research and commercial expansion, aiming to make biochar a mainstream agricultural input.

Wendy Lou McGill concludes the webinar by highlighting upcoming events and initiatives from the International Biochar Initiative. She encourages participants to stay engaged with IBI through future webinars, networking meetings, and the annual symposium. The session ends with a thank you to the presenters and participants for their contributions and interest in biochar.