Biochar as a soil amendment improves plant growth and reduces the need for water and fertilizers. This is because more moisture and nutrients remain in the soil and do not leak into the groundwater.

Incorporate the biochar to 4 to 6 inches of soil depth if possible. In this way, you will take full advantage of biochar’s remarkable ability to hold water, retain nutrients and host beneficial soil biology.

Incorporate the biochar into the soil 4 to 6 inches deep if possible. In this way, you will take full advantage of biochar’s remarkable ability to hold water, retain nutrients and host beneficial soil biology.

Think of biochar as a dry “sponge” – it wants (and needs!) to absorb water and plant nutrients. Once that’s done, soil microbes will associate with the biochar and begin working to transfer nutrients to the plant roots.
If you add raw biochar to your soil, it will absorb water and nutrients from the soil until it is full. This can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
Once the “sponge” is full of water and nutrients, it is potentially a safe home for beneficial soil microbes. The walls of the biochar protect against attack. The “sponge” has lots of areas full of nutrients. The microbes live in and near the biochar. form symbiotic relationships with plant roots and exchange nutrients for sugar.

The association of plant roots with mycorrhizal fungi occurs with an estimated 80% of all plant species. This symbiotic relationship is seen as essential for good healthy plant growth.

With increased soil fertility, the yields will increase and so will the revenues for the farmer, for the consumers the density of nutrients will increase.