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Originally Posted by Taildragerdriver
David:
If Terra Preta works there are the immediate benifits to farmers.
The first and most important is the ability eliminate or substantially reduce the need for chemical fertilizer. This is a very expensive cost of production for most farmers.
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Are organic fertilisers better? does anyone know? I guess it depends on your soil.
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Second is the potential to reduce the water needed for irrigation which is another big concern for many farmers.
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I am told that the more "activated" the charcoal is the better it holds water.
I can't find any research to support this.
Intuitively it seems right as the carbon "pops' like popcorn?? Can anyone help?
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For these reasons farmers and ranchers can get behind this idea.
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yes the fact that it can save 17% ++ water.
This
alone is a good enough reason to use it; especially in Oz.
If we can sell charcoal to farmers then there is a potential for a great new industry in depressed rural areas
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If you make charcoal you only get 40% charcoal out of the wood you put into the process.
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In pyrolysis I have seen estimates of 70-90% charcoal (BEST energies)
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The second idea is that there may be several great byproducts for charcoal
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I did post a British study on this Charcoal is used in pet food and all sorts of amazing things
I will find it and post the URL here later
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If we can make charcoal we can reduce the excess fuels in our forests that contribute to forest fires.
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You have to gather it, but it
may be a better solution
mmm
In Oz we need the fire for phosphorus and seed germination
Taildragerdriver[/QUOTE]
