Post on 19-Jan-2016
description
GoalGoalHo`oponoponoHo`oponopono
Correct the imbalanceCorrect the imbalanceMake it rightMake it right
1. Reduce atmospheric CO2 levels by 1. Reduce atmospheric CO2 levels by sequestering carbon in the form of sequestering carbon in the form of
biochar in soilbiochar in soil2. Become self reliant again for energy 2. Become self reliant again for energy
use and food productionuse and food production
ObjectiveObjectiveKuleanaKuleana
Assume responsibilityAssume responsibility
1. Burn local biomass for energy and 1. Burn local biomass for energy and carbon sequestrationcarbon sequestration
2. Improve agricultural sustainability 2. Improve agricultural sustainability by biochar carbon sequestrationby biochar carbon sequestration
Kauai“The Garden Island”
Lack of Soil Renewal in Hawai
-Volcanic eruptions-Glaciation-Uplift-Loess-Vegetation
AndisolsHistisols
Oxisols
Vertisols
Tradewinds
Vertisol
Oxisol Andisol
Kauai Oxisol Test Soils
ParameterCondition Target
pH < 5.0 5.8 - 6.3P ppm 7 – 20 > 30K ppm 40 – 70 > 250Ca ppm < 500 > 1500Mg ppm < 200 > 400
Kauai Oxisol Soils
- Some of the most weathered soils in the world-Clay soil but all silicon leached- ore-level richness in iron and aluminum oxides-Very low cation exchange capacity-Fixes phosphates and nitrates-Very low pH
PhotoKauai soil road cut
Calcium Silicate added
Feedstock tested:
AlbizziaJava Plum
Biochar Production
-Barrel retort-APL char retort-Pit-Microwave catalyst
Experimental Design 1
-Control , Char 40, Fertilizer, Char 40 + Fertilizer-10 replicates
Experimental Design 2
-Control , Char 5+F, Char 10+F, Char 20 +F, Char 40+F, Fertilizer -5 replicates
Fertilizer application = 1.0 lb 16-16-16 mix per 100 square foot equivalent, or 400 lbs per acre
Tomato Experiment 19Total Reproductive
Structures
Peppers
Fertilizer onlyChar 40 + Fert
Biochar Trial - Tomato
0
5
10
15
20
25
Control
Char5
Char10
Char20
Char40
Soil+Fert
we
igh
t (g
ram
s)
Biochar Trial Tomato
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
Control
Char5
Char10
Char20
Char40
Soil+Fert
da
ily f
ruit
ing
Fertilizer only
Char 40 + Fert
Control
Biochar + Fertilizer
Fertilizer
Root Development
Conclusions Based on Greenhouse Trials Using Kauai Soils
-Biochar alone does not improve plant growth or reproduction., must have nutrient inputs-All biochars seem to convey the same benefits when nutrients are added-In general, increasing application rates of biochar+fert increased plant growth. -Biochar amended soils retain benefits through several plantings-Benefits of biochar were primarily seen in reproduction
MahaloMahaloUH-CCRT, NSF, UH-CCRT, NSF,
HMIHMI