Biochar Production, Analysis and Agricultural Application.

Biochar is the result of pyrolyzing organic material and using it as a soil enhancement. This product is a revolutionary approach to many of the harmful anthropogenic influences. The material is created in a carbon negative process that has the ability to sequester carbon for thousands of years, while amending the soil organically through biochar application. Due to the cationic exchange properties associated with organic charcoal, the pyrolyzed material has the ability to attract/hold in nutrients, significantly retain water, and provide integrity to soil. The material is not only useful, but can potentially turn one’s wasted plant matter into a renewable resource. The GSU biology and engineering departments have fabricated a pyrolyzer of new design that runs off of biodiesel. It has manufactured many forms of biochar from various organic resources. A greenhouse study has been conducted to test several aspects based on GSU’s variety of manufactured biochars, a commercially purchased biochar, and a control medium that lacks any form of biochar amendment. There were observations conducted on pH consistency, plant growth, and water retention rates in regards to three crops: radish, dill, and cilantro (due to their short maturity rates). Overall, we have objectively produced biochar through a patented Georgia Southern pryolyzer, made comparisons against professionally and institutionally made products, and begun the process of educating the local farming communities in Bulloch County region on the utilization of organic charcoal.