Biochar for Orchards Soil Carbon Management
| Name of
Biochar Project: Biochar for improved
orchard soil carbon management Research Institution/Department/Company: University of Tasmania (UTAS)/ Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) Project Funding Acknowledgement:Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR), Univesity of Tasmania, Pacific Pyrolysis, Tahune Fields Nursery Project Schedule: Commenced 04/07/09 - Planned Completion 03/07/10 |
| Research
Team: Tom Street (UTAS) Dugald Close (UTAS/TIAR) Richard Doyle (UTAS |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: A pot trail was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar on the growth and nutrition of young apple trees under a range of nutrient and moisture conditions. Herbiciding of tree rows to reduce understory competition with trees is common practice in conventional orchards in Australia and New Zealand. This leads to declines in soil organic matter and soil health. Biochar may be able to ameliorate these health declines in a similar way to uncharred organic matter through improving soil physical properties and increased nutrient retention. Below: Root Stock at 8 Weeks  |
| Biochar:
Greenwaste derived biochar supplied by Pacific
Pyrolysis. |
Biochar and Compost in Orchards
| Name of
Biochar Project: Interaction
of bichar and
compost in an orchard soil Research Institution/Department/Company: Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania Project Funding Acknowledgement: Horticulture Australia Limited; University of Tasmania Project Schedule: Commenced 01/11/09 - Planned Completion 31/05/14 |
| Research
Team: Dr Sally Bound, TIAR, University of Tasmania Dr Dugald Close, TIAR, University of Tasmania Dr Brent Clothier, Plant & Food Research, New Zealand Dr Markus Deurer, Plant & Food Research, New Zealand |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: As part of the National Apple & Pear Productivity, Irrigation, Pests and Soils (PIPS) program, a replicated field trial was established in November 2009 on a new planting of Fuji apple trees in a replant site in the Huon Valley, Tasmania to investigate the effects of biochar and compost on soil physical and chemical properties, soil functioning, tree growth and fruit quality. Biochar, compost and a combination of biochar plus compost will be compared with an untreated control. Parameters to be studied over the life of the project include tree growth measurements, changes in soil physical and chemical properties and in soil fauna, and fruit yield and quality. In addition flux meters will be installed to determine soil’s ability to buffer and filter water and nutrients as a function of soil carbon. |
| Biochar:
Greenwaste derived biochar supplied by Pacific
Pyrolysis. |
Biochar for the Grains Industry
| Name of
Biochar Project: A
fundamental understanding of biochar - implications for the grains
industry Research Institution/Department/Company: CSIRO Land and Water, University of Western Australia Project Funding Acknowledgement: GRDC, CSIRO, Univ WA Project Schedule: Commenced 30/06/09 - Planned Completion 30/06/12 |
| Research
Team: Evelyn Krull, CSIRO; Rai Kookana, CSIRO; Thomas Kuhn, CSIRO; Lynne MacDonald, CSIRO; Ron Smernik, Adelaide Uni; Anna McBeath, Adelaide Uni; Dan Murphy, UWA; Dan Dempster, UWA; Zakaria Solaiman, UWA; Noraini Jaafar, UWA; Louise Barton, UWA; Paul Blackwell, DAFWA; Fran Hoyle, DAFWA; Louise Barton, UWA |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: To evaluate the potential of biochar to improve the long-term profitability of growing broad-acre rain fed crops on low fertility coarse textured soils. Such soils are prone to nutrient leaching losses from soil organic matter decomposition and fertiliser application. The potential capacity fo biochar and associated soil biology to adsorb/immobilise plant nutrients and slowly release them could minimise nutrient losses (both leaching and gaseous emissions). In the first year, the project will commence with the identification of appropriate feedstocks and production methods for biochar generation. A set of biochars will be produced and analysed comprehensively for their chemical properties. Based on these data, a number of biochars will be selected for detailed field and laboratory-based experiments to assess the different aspects of the biochar on crop nutrition and associated soil properties. |
| Biochar: Biochars
from wheat, oil
mallee, chicken manure, wood waste, and biowaste, will be
produced via slow pyrolysis at 450 and 550oC. |
From Source to Sink
| Name of
Biochar Project: From
source to sink: A national initiative of biochar research Research Institution/Department/Company: CSIRO Land and Water (lead organisation) Project Funding Acknowledgement: DAFF, CSIRO, Project Schedule: Commenced 30/10/09 - Planned Completion 30/05/12 |
| Research
Team: Evelyn Krull, CSIRO (project leader); Annette Cowie, UNE; Lukas van Zwieten, NSW DII; Deborah O'Connell, CSIRO; Rai Kookana, CSIRO; Mark Farrell, CSIRO; Bhupinderpal Singh, NSW DII; Balwant Singh, USyd; Dan Murphy, UWA; Paul Blackwell, DAFWA; Adriana Downie, Pacific Pyrolysis/UNSW; Stephen Joseph, Anthroterra/UNSW; Greg Butler, SANTFA |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: This project will draw together leading researchers in Australia in the areas of biochar, bioenergy, soil science, emissions management and life-cycle assessment into a national effort, aimed to address key aspects of biochar generation and application in Australian agriculture. Research objectives are grouped in three broad categories which are closely linked with each other and which will focus on identical materials and standardised measurements: Biochar-soil interactions; Biochar and GHG mitigation; Biochar/bioenergy production and life-cycle assessment |
| Biochar: Over
40 feedstocks at
different temperatures will be investigated under
different process regimes; mostly slow pyrolysis. |
NSW DPI - Reduction in N2O Emmissions
| Name of
Biochar Project: Reduction in N2O emmissions from soils
ammended with Biochar Research Institution/Department/Company: NSW Department of Primary Industries Project Funding Acknowledgement: NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change and BEST Energies.  Project
Schedule:
Commenced
2007 - Planned Completion 2009
Research Team: Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, NSW Department of Primary Industries Mr Stephen Kimber, NSW Department of Primary Industries Ms Elspeth Berger, NSW Department of Primary Industries Mr Josh Rust, NSW Department of Primary Industries Mr Scott Petty, NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Abstract
of Project/Research: Seven chars produced from feedstocks
including papermill waste
(1), poultry litter (2) and greenwaste (4)
were incubated with a red ferrosol soil under co ntrolled
climate
conditions. The two litter chars and the papermill char significantly
increased the pH of the soil in the incubation experiment. These same
chars also had the greatest effect in reducing emission of nitrous
oxide from soil. The emissions of nitrous oxide were up to 5 times less
than the control soil. These same chars however slightly increased
emission of carbon dioxide from the soil.Overall emissions however clearly showed that nitrous oxide was more significant than emissions of carbon dioxide, due to the multiplying factor used for nitrous oxide (310). The greenwaste chars were less effective in reducing nitrous oxide emission.  All trials were carried out at NSW DPIs
Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute. Experiments andanalyses are carried out under ISO9001:2000 accreditation. Greenhouse gas analysis was conducted on a dedicated, multi-channel analyser, capable of simultaneous analysis of nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Biochar: BEST Energies Australia AgricharTM biochars from the slow pyrolysis of Australia papermill wastes, Council Greenwaste and poultry litter. |
| Preliminary Results/Key Findings: Reductions in N2O emissions |
| Publications,
conference slides/abstracts, media
coverage etc: IBI 2008, Newcastle UK, Sept 7-10, 2008 S.
Kimber: Biochar has potential to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions |
NSW DPI - Sugarcane Trials
| Name of
Biochar Project: Assessment of Biochar in
Sugarcane cropping systems Research Institution/Department/Company: NSW Department of Primary Industries  Project Funding Acknowledgement: National Landcare Program, NSW Department of Primary Industries, BEST Energies and Richmond Landcare Project Schedule: Commenced 2007 - Planned Completion 2008 |
Research Team: Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Dr Yin Chan, NSW Department of Primary Industries Dr Annette Cowie, NSW Department of Primary Industries Ms Adriana Downie, BEST Energies Mr Robert Quirk, Richmond Landcare Mr Tony Walker, Richmond Landcare Mr Josh Rust, NSW Department of Primary IndustriesMr Scott Petty, NSW Department of Primary Industries |
Abstract
of Project/Research: Field trial was established in 2007
in a commercial sugarcane crop in
the Tweed valley, northern NSW. A total of 15 plots (30m plot
length x
3 rows of cane -per plot) were set up using BioPy thermokinetic biometrical design to test
benefits of two biochars on soil properties, crop yield, leaching of
nutrients, nitrogen cycling and emissions of CH4 and N2O. Preliminary
results indicate reduction in emissions of N2O with applications of
10t/ha greenwaste biochar, yield measurements are pending.Biochar: BEST Energies Australia AgricharTM Biochar , Slow Pyrolysis, Australia papermill wastes and Council Greenwaste. |
| Preliminary Results/Key Findings: Reductions in N2O emissions and Increases in soil C. |
| Publications, conference slides/abstracts, media coverage etc: Poster at Newcastle UK, demonstrating work on N2O. |
NSW DPI - Papermill Biochar
| Name of
Biochar Project: Benefits of papermill biochar Research Institution/Department/Company: NSW Department of Primary Industries Project Funding Acknowledgement: Renewed Fuels, NSW Department of Primary Industries and BEST Energies. Project Schedule: Commenced 2007 - Planned Completion 2008 Research Team: Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Mr Stephen Kimber, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Yin Chan, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Annette Cowie, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Ms Adriana Downie, BEST Energies Prof Stephen Joseph, University of NSW Mr
Josh Rust, NSW Department
of Primary Industries |
Abstract of Project/Research: This project assessed the characteristics of biochar derived from papermill waste, and the agronomic and potential environmental benefits from applying this biochar to agricultural soils. Biochar was produced using slow pyrolysis of enhanced solids reduction sludge, clarifier sludge and waste wood chip from an Australian papermill. The structure of the biochars was highly heterogeneous with a large degree of macro-porosity around 1 to 10 microns. The surface area of the feedstock was increased 50-fold through slow pyrolysis. The biochar had liming values of ca. 30% CaCO3, and carbon contents ca. 50% Calcium mineral agglomerates, detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS), account for the liming effect. Biochar was applied at 10 T ha-1 to two soil types, an acidic red ferrosol and an alkaline calcarosol. The impact of biochar with and without a complete fertiliser was tested in factorial combination. Benefits to soil properties included increased pH in the ferrosol of up to 2 units, significantly increased total soil carbon (between 0.5% and 1%) in both soil types, increased CEC in the ferrosol, and reduced Al availability (from 2cmol (+) kg-1 to <0.1 cmol (+) kg-1). The biochars significantly increased crop growth (measured as height and weight of plants) in the ferrosol: wheat biomass was up to 2.5 times higher when biochar plus fertiliser was compared to fertiliser treatment alone. Results suggest improved fertiliser use efficiency with biochar application, especially in the ferrosol. Earthworms showed preference for biochar-amended soil over control soils. This was particularly evident in the ferrosol where up to 92% of the worms migrated to the biochar-amended soil. The results from this work demonstrate that biochars derived from papermill wastes are valuable soil amendments. This work is currently under review for publication in an international journal. Current work on papermill biochar is investigating its impact on nutrient cycling in soil, and testing for its capacity to reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from soil. Biochar: BEST Energies AgricharTM Biochar made from Autralian Papermill wastes via slow pyrolysis. |
| Preliminary
Results/Key Findings:
Benefits to CEC, reductions in N2O emissions, pH modification
due
to Ca mineral agglomeration, earthworm and soil micro-organism
friendly, waste solution. |
| Publications,
conference slides/abstracts, media
coverage etc:
Currently under review for international publication.
Presented
at the 2007 International Biochar Initiative Conference, Terrigal, NSW,
Australia |
ANU/CSIRO - Sustainable Thermokinetic Biochar Models
| Name of
Biochar Project: Sustainable biochar production and use in
rural Australia for carbon sequestration. Research Institution/Department/Company: The Australian National University and CSIRO. |
Research Team: Multi-institutional research initiative to be carried out under the auspices of the ANU Climate Change institute, by Dr Rowena Ball, Prof Will Steffen and Dr Andrew Sullivan. |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: In this project we propose to test
new methodologies for tuning biochar production, based on the
fundamental nonlinear dynamics of biomass thermoconversion that we have
called the BioPy thermokinetic relaxation oscillator. We shall develop
a new methodology for carbon dioxide capture from biomass pyrolysis
based on thermokinetic principles developed by the Lead Investigator. |
| Preliminary Results/Key Findings: Reductions in N2O emissions and Increases in soil C |
| Publications, conference slides/abstracts, media coverage etc: Ball R (2008). Combustion of biomass as a global carbon sink. The Open Thermodynamics Journal 2, 106. |
NSW DPI - National Landcare Trials
Name of
Biochar Project: Soil carbon sequestration and
rehabilitation: Landholders develop, implement and assess biochar. Research Institution / Department / Company: NSW Department of Primary Industries Project Funding Acknowledgement: National Landcare Program-Sustainable Practices Grant, NSW Department of Primary Industries, BEST Energies and Richmond Landcare Project Schedule: Commenced 2008 - Planned Completion 2011 |
Research Team: Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, NSW Department of Primary Industries,
Dr Yin Chan, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Annette Cowie, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Ms Adriana Downie, BEST Energies Mr Robert Quirk, Richmond Landcare Mr Tony Walker, Richmond Landcare Mr
Josh Rust, NSW Department
of Primary Industries |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: There
is growing interest worldwide in the use of biochar as a soil
amendment. It has the potential to both sequester C and enhance
agricultural productivity. It holds particular significance for its
potential to rehabilitate degraded soils. In work undertaken by NSW
DPI, biochar significantly improved plant growth. It increased pH in acidic soils, improved water holding characteristics, reduced tensile strength of soil and improved nutrient availability (Chan, Van Zwieten et al., 2007; Chan, Van Zwieten et al 2008). The recalcitrant nature of C in biochar makes it a suitable agricultural amendment with benefits including climate change mitigation and adaptation.  Information
is now becoming available on the distribution and nature of carbon in
farming systems in the Northern Rivers through results from “Soil
carbon assessment and rehabilitation: Landholders develop and implement
new practices” funded under the 2007-08 NLP Community Support round. It
is clear that soils in the Northern Rivers have potential for
increasing stores of carbon in soil. In particular, char (black carbon)
in some soils contributes over 25% of the total carbon stores.The fundamental outcome of this project will be to demonstrate and encourage the uptake of biochar application to sequester carbon in soil-“where it is needed”- to improve sustainability of agricultural industries and mitigate climate change. Objectives • To encourage the uptake of technologies that increase and sequester carbon in soil within the Northern Rivers, in particular through the promotion of biochar (AgricharTM) and demonstration of practical methods of application. • To train members of Richmond Landcare in methods for collection of soil samples to quantify soil carbon for establishing baselines needed in farm-carbon modelling. • To continue measuring and accounting for greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, N2O, CH4) from farms using the field demonstration sites. • To continue to implement, test, demonstrate and promote application of biochar for enhancing sustainability, soil health including nutrient cycling, resilience of agricultural systems and climate change mitigation.  •
Provide direct economic benefit to agricultural industries in regional
Australia from increased yield and fertilizer use efficiency.• Enhance Catchment health through reduction in nutrient and pesticide run-off. • Contribute to the Australian Government’s policy agenda on greenhouse action in regional Australia and enhance regional industry on a number of levels: greenhouse, environmental and economic. Biochar: BEST Energies Australia AgricharTM Biochars from the slow pyrolysis of of Australian Council Greenwaste and Australiann Poultry litter. Australian Biochars imported chared Philipine rice hulls. |
| Preliminary Results/Key Findings: Project commencing December 2008, but utilising existing field sites, in addition to establishing 3 new field sites: Dryland rice, coffee and pasture. |
BEST Energies - Pyrolysis Demonstration Facility
| Name of
Biochar Project: BEST Energies - Pyrolysis Demonstration
Facility Research Institution / Department / Company: BEST Energies Australia Project Funding Acknowledgement: BEST Energies, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change |
 Research Team: Adriana Downie, Technical Manager Peter Klatt, Engineering Manager Warren Scott, Workshop Manager BEST Energies Engineering, Workshop and Business Management team. |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: BEST
Energies has a fully integrated continuous slow pyrolysis pilot plant
at Somersby NSW. This facility has successfully converted a range of
organic feedstocks, including animal manures, crop and foresty
residues, council greenwaste etc, into biochar and green electricity.
The pilot plant is considered a 1/10th commercial scale demonstration
and has allowed BEST Energies to develop the verified process modelling
and operational experience required to provide technology for this
emerging industry. |
 Preliminary
Results/Key Findings: BEST Energies has utilised
the AgricharTM
biochar product produced from the pilot plant to supply researchers in
Australia, New Zealand and Internationally. The availability of this
material, made from well characterised feedstocks under known process
conditions has enabled rigourous and reproducible research to be
conducted. The success of the pilot plant has enabled BEST Energies to scale up to commercial scale pyrolysis plants with confidence. Currently designs for two scales of commercial biochar production facilities are available. BEST Energies is working with industry partners to implement the technology on a commercial scale. |
NSW DPI - Characterisation of Biochar by analytical Py-GC-MS
| Name of
Biochar Project: Characterisation of Biochar by analytical
Py-GC-MS Research Institution/Department/Company: NSW Department of Primary Industries Project Funding Acknowledgement: NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change and BEST Energies. Project Schedule: Commenced 2008 - Planned Completion 2011 |
Research Team: Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, NSW Department of Primary Industries Mr Stephen Kimber, NSW Department of Primary Industries Ms Elspeth Berger, NSW Department of Primary Industries |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: Py-GC-MS
is an analytical technique in which samples are thermally decomposed in
an inert atmosphere, followed by identification and quantification of
the decomposition products. NSW DPIs Wollongbar facilities have the
capability to analyse samples by Thermal Desorption Mass spectroscopy
(TD-MS) with cryofocussing, and flash pyrolysis mass spectroscopy
(Py-MS). These two analyses yield different, yet complimentary
information. TD-MS is useful for the identification of bio-oils and more labile components of biochar, which are likely to have immediate influences on soil health and the carbon sequestration potential of biochars when added to soils. Py-MS provides information on the more recalcitrant forms of carbon in the biochar. NSW DPI is building a library of archived biochars and similar products, and using these samples and results from research using these biochars to develop a predictive tool for the assessment of biochar quality. Biochar: BEST Energies Australia AgricharTM Biochars and biochars from Carbon Diversion Solutions. Feedstocks used were Australia papermill wastes, Council Greenwaste, Dairy feedlot waste, poultry litter, corn stover and maccadamia nut shell. Process conditions a combination of best energies slow pyrolysis and Carbon Diversion Solutions sealed vessel hydrolysis. |
| Preliminary Results/Key Findings: Reductions in N2O emissions and Increases in soil C. |
| Publications,
conference slides/abstracts, media
coverage etc: IBI 2008, Newcastle UK, Sept 7-10, 2008 S.
Kimber: Characterisation of biochar by cryo-focusing, double-shot Py-GC-MS  Slide one represents thermal desorption mass spectrometry chromatographs of three biochars derived from papermill waste, council green waste and poultry litter. (Click image to enlarge)  Slide two displays flash pyrolysis chromatographs from the same three biochars. Note the difference in complexity of the chromatograms. (Click image to enlarge) |
Charles Sturt University/NSW DPI
- Soil
nutrient retention
| Name of
Biochar Project: Soil nutrient retention under biochar
amended broadacre cropping soils in southern NSW. Research Institution/Department/Company: Charles Sturt University (CSU) and NSW Department of Primary Industries Project Funding Acknowledgement: GRDC Project Schedule: Commenced 2008 - Planned Completion 2011 |
Research Team: David Waters, CSU and DPI Jason Condon, CSU Lukas Van Zwieten, NSW DPI Yin Chan, NSW DPI Sergio Moroni, CSU |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: The increased retention of nutrients
in biochar amended soils has previously been recorded, but there has
been little research on the mechanisms behind this. Furthermore, the
reactivity of the biochar surface varies with time and with abiotic
processes such as temperature, affecting its capacity for nutrient
retention. This project will investigate the surface charge density of
biochar, and its interaction with soil nitrogen and soil
micro-organisms in a broadacre dryland cropping context. Changes to
char particle surface activity will be measured over time and under
varying temperatures. The field trial will investigate the interaction
of 6 rates of both green waste and cow manure biochars with nitrogen
applied soils sown to wheat and canola. The increased retention of soil
nutrients such as nitrogen will reduce leaching and could reduce gas
emissions such as nitrous oxide, which will have far reaching
environmental consequences. Biochar: BEST Energies Australia AgricharTM Biochars. Feedstocks used were council greenwaste and feedlot manure. |
Project Rainbow Bee Eater
| Research
Institution/Department/Company: Rainbow Bee Eater Pty Ltd Project Funding Acknowledgement: Rainbow Bee Eater Pty Ltd, Alumina Ltd, Western Australian Department of Agriculture & Food Project Schedule: Commenced 2007 - Planned Completion 2012 Research Team:  Stephen Davies, Western Australian Department of Agriculture & Food Peter Burgess, Project Rainbow Bee Eater Ian Stanley, Project Rainbow Bee Eater Syd Shea, Project Rainbow Bee Eater |
| Abstract
of Project/Research: Project
Rainbow Bee Eater was
initiated by Peter Burgess, Syd Shea and Ian Stanley in 2007 to
investigate the feasibility of manufacturing and utilising biochar in a
number of Australia's wheat production areas, using local crop and
plantation waste from existing cleared farmland as feedstock. A prefeasibility study was undertaken to study: i) logistics of biomass collection and biochar delivery based on regional biochar ‘nodes’ ii) technologies capable of converting crop and plantation waste to biochar and electricity for sale to the local grid iii) multi year impacts to a wheat farm of closed loop biomass collection & biochar return iv) project economics and risks v) indirect impacts on the regions involved  Larger scale, practical
demonstration and research have been limited by
non-availability of affordable, large tonnage quantities of biochar of
known quality and origins. The Rainbow Bee Eater team believed that
larger scale, multi year field trials on a dryland farm with larger
quantities of biochar of known quality and origins would contribute to
the overall knowledge base.Subsequently two biochar experiments comprising 160 plots 20m long and 1.8 m wide were established at Kalannie in 2008 to investigate the effect of biochar application on growth of dryland (rainfed) wheat. The experiments were implemented and managed by the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food with assistance from Ian, Clint and Travis Stanley. The aims of these experiments are to assess: 1. the value of biochar as a soil amendment; 2. the impact of biochar on the yield and quality of rainfed wheat.  Biochar: The 2008 experiments used two types of biochar produced for Project Rainbow Bee Eater by Alterna Energy Pty Ltd, Johannesburg from South African wheat straw and by Ansac Pty Ltd, Bunbury, from Western Australian oil mallee residues. Approximately twenty five tonnes of biochar was manufactured. Future biochar will be locally manufactured in regional biochar nodes. Biochar process conditions were a continuous direct heated slow pyrolysis processes operated around 480C. |
| Preliminary
Results/Key Findings: The 2008 biochar
experimental trials were conducted as part of the
Project Rainbow Bee Eater prefeasibility study and provided valuable
learning. The banded biochar experiment best represents the application method that farmers are likely to use. While there was no response to banded biochar in the first year of application the experiment will continue in 2009 and beyond to assess what benefits if any occur in later years. The site had good soil fertility for dryland wheat production and this may have limited any response to biochar as a nutrient source.  The incorporated biochar
trial in which higher biochar rates were
applied showed promising results.Cultivation tended to have a negative effect on crop growth at the half fertiliser rate and incorporation of biochar in the cultivated soil improved crop growth and increased both grain and protein yield. Development of the pyrolysis and dust free biochar incorporation equipment is continuing as part of Project Rainbow Bee Eater. Both experiments will be sown to wheat again in 2009 as we further develop our understanding of the longer term impacts to a wheat farm of closed loop biomass collection & biochar return. Evolution of grain yield and protein, weed population, chemical and fertilizer consumption, soil conditions and carbon sequestration are all of interest in this multi year study. |
Northern Poultry Bio-Waste: Testing & Trialing Soil Enhancement Co-Products
| Research
Institution/Department/Company: Nothern
Poultry Cluster Ltd & Biochar-Energy Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd Project Funding Acknowledgement: Landcare Sustainable Practices Grants 2008-09 Project Schedule: Commenced 2009 - Ongoing Research Team: Russell
Burnett, Biochar-Energy Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd Wayne
Street, Northern Poultry Cluster Ltd. Peter
Hazeldene, Hazeldene's Poultry Farms. Mike
Cowie, Gourmet Poultry & Game. Dr
Greg Underwood, Hyline/Broiler Breeders. |
| Abstract
of Project/Research:
The
project was designed to demonstrate the merits of biochar in cereal
growing
areas of Western Victoria. There were three sub-objectives in achieving
this
aim: i.
To investigate and quantify the biological soil and agricultural
improvent
potential of biochar produced from processed recycled poultry waste. ii.
To compare the performance of biochar against traditional fertiliser
products. Biochar: Source: Biochar-Energy Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd. Feedstock: Poultry Litter Process: Continuous slow pyrolysis at 550oC |
 Elmore Field Days Plot Trial Site Preliminary Results/Key Findings: Project
commenced in April 2009 with the first of 11 sites
planted with wheat and biochar. Trial sites situated fom Midura and
Barham
(NSW) in the north to Ballarat in the south. Treatments
are: i.
DAP/MAP replacement with Biochar at 100kg/Ha & Wheat or Barley
at
70-80kg/Ha. Controls sown with 70-80kg DAP or MAP/Ha & Wheat or
Barley at
70-80kg/Ha. Trial plot size 2Ha per site. Conventional direct-drill
air-seeder
used to apply seed biochar or fertilizer, as per normal farmer sowing
practice. ii.
Plot trials with biochar applications of 1.0tonne, 2.5tonne &
5.0tonne with
nil fertilizer. Controls with DAP at 80kg/Ha rate. At
this stage for the biochar replacement of DAP/MAP at sowing trials,
there is no
discernable difference with controls. |
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