Stanford researchers are exploring biochar, a superheated organic charcoal, to benefit agriculture and combat climate change by improving soil quality and carbon sequestration. Through lab analysis of biochar stability and soil interaction, the team aims to identify which biochar types promote sustainability for farmers. As they transition from lab to field testing, utilizing soil tea bags, they anticipate that biochar could enhance crop yields and water efficiency while potentially lasting longer in soils than current models predict. Data from this research could encourage broader adoption of biochar in farming practices.
"I think if it expands and we can get it so that it's working for farmers and helping to both accrue soil carbon and improve water use and water use efficiency, as well as improve crop yields, then that's our end goal," says lead researcher Kate Maher, Ph.D. from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
"We're trying to see which types of biochar are most active, and hopefully that tells us about how long it lasts in the soil. One biochar relative to another," says fellow researcher Rian Lawrence.
"We put it into little tea bags, then we're going to put it into the soil," Maher explains.
Researchers believe under the right conditions, biochar may sequester more greenhouse gas and perhaps last longer than the lab models suggest.
Collection
[
|
...
]