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