Use of Biochar in Organic Farming

Abstract

Although there has been a great deal of interest in biochar as an amendment to improve soil tilth and crop productivity, there has been comparatively little effort to summarize the research done on the utility of biochar as a soil amendment in organic agricultural systems. The purpose of this chapter is to review the current knowledge regarding the localized production of biochar and its utilization in organic agricultural operations. This chapter provides a brief overview of biochar production and use in agricultural production, the influence of biochar on soil properties and processes in organic farming systems, and a case study of research conducted on the utilization of locally produced biochar on a collection of organic farms on the San Juan Islands in western Washington state, USA. Application of biochar to soils in organic farming systems has the potential to improve soil physical properties, increase nutrient uptake, and reduce nutrient leaching loss. Additional on-farm research trials are needed to adequately evaluate the potential role of biochar in holistic, closed-loop organic farming operations.