Issue 4 May 2016

In this Issue:

Citizen Science in the UK (p2-4)

BBF Membership Logo (p4)

British Biochar News

Spring is finally here and Sum-

was quite astounding and the

accreditation service — the

mer will soon be on its way.

data collected is being used to

Biochar Quality Mandate. The

What better time to get out in

develop our understanding of

first

the garden and start digging the

how biochar affects soils and

Commons Vision has been ac-

soil, planting the beds and

plant growth.

credited and was awarded High

working in some biochar!

the UK (p5)

Quality status by the BBF. We hope that you find the arti-

letter brings some exciting and

and Miss Emma Schaffert from

cles interesting and informative

innovative uses of biochar into

Bartlett Tree Research Labora-

and that they help deploy and

the limelight.

tory. They have recently ap-

develop the biochar industry in

peared on BBC’s Countryfile

the UK. We would like to thank

describing their findings of bio-

all those who have contributed

char’s effect on Ash Dieback

to this newsletter and welcome

when incorporated into the soil.

any contributions to further

This is a topical issue, with Ash

editions of the British Biochar

Dieback

News.

to follow up on the Big Biochar Experiment.

The results of

which were first presented at the British Biochar Foundation’s conference in 2013. The project

Can Biochar help

from

written by Dr Glynn Percival

the recent research conducted

Accreditation in

material

This May edition of the News-

Firstly we have an update on

Biochar

Secondly, we have an article

biochar

aimed to get people up and down the country using biochar

possibly

threatening

the existence of the UK’s entire ash population and therefore threatening the shape of the

Many thanks, The team at the BBF

countryside as we see it today.

fight Plant

and recording the effects it had

Diseases? (p6-7)

on plant growth in their back

Lastly, the BBF is pleased to

yards. The response they had

announce the launching of its

“Deploy and develop the biochar industry in the UK”

1

BIOCHAR and CITIZEN SCIENCE The Impact of Biochar on Crops Grown by Organic Amateur Gardeners. A Citizen Science Experiment. Donna Udall, Francis Rayns and Cecile Girardin

“This project was a follow up to the Big Biochar Experiment”

“The project was designed to engage volunteer gardeners, growers and farmers”

A citizen science experiment

Participants

was run by the Centre of

through

Way

formly to both plots. Guidance

Agroecology, Water and Resil-

magazine and through dissemi-

notes were provided to meas-

ience (CAWR) which was es-

nation of our project leaflet,

ure soil texture and pH. Seeds

tablished to deliver community

which was sent to members of

of three species were provided

based scientific research and

Garden

allotment

(Tamar Organics Ltd.) to en-

learning in sustainable agricul-

groups, and commercial grow-

able participants to choose to

ture and food. Working with

ers,

available

grow carrot (Nantes 2), beet-

the charity Garden Organic

online. The leaflet contained

root (Bulls Blood) or cabbage

(the working name of the

artwork which explained and

(Cour di Bue). Beetroot and

Henry

Research

illustrated the potential benefits

carrots were to be sown di-

Association), and Oxford Bio-

of biochar, a method that

rectly in rows and cabbages to

char Ltd., this project was a

clearly engaged our partici-

be

follow up to the Big Biochar

pants.

measured seedling emergence

Doubleday

Experiment and part of the 50 year old Members Experiment Scheme of Garden Organic. The project was designed to engage

volunteer

gardeners,

growers and farmers in research concerning the impact of biochar on crop growth in the UK.

and

were

The

recruited

Organic

Organic, publically

Participants were asked to establish two plots of 1m2 each: one with a 2kg biochar application lightly incorporated, and the other as a control plot. The plots needed to be adjacent and any other soil amendments (compost, farm yard manure

etc.) were to be applied uni-

transplanted.

Participants

and crop performance (length and fresh weights of shoots and roots at harvest). Participants were also asked to take photographs and report any anomalies. All trials were planted between April 2014 and August 2014. All harvests took place between June 2014 and January

Potential Benefits of Biochar Application to Soils

2

once again, this varied a lot between different crop species and individual plots) and positive results from 87% of trials (Girardin, C. personal commu-

“The engagement

nication, 31st March 2016).

and results were

Despite high variability in re-

remarkable, with

sults, we recorded a significant

250 participants

impact of biochar on cabbages,

requesting an

with the average total plot

experimental kit”

weight

increasing

by

23%

(P=0.042), and individual cabbages being 33% heavier on average (P=0.026) (see Figure 2) Many factors could have contributed to this result and the difference in responses by different

plant

species.

Chief

“The results

among them may be that bio-

obtained from this

char was incorporated in the

extensive field trial varied greatly between plant varieties”

Figure 1. Location of experiment participants across the UK (Batchgeo.com).

top 20cm of the soil which is where cabbage plant roots predominate, but may have been

The engagement and

showed a significant increase in

too high up in the soil profile

results were remarkable, with

yields from most produce, with

for the deeper beetroot and

250 participants requesting an

an estimated mean increase of

carrot roots.

experimental kit (a free bag of

15% across the dataset (but,

2015.

biochar with instructions) resulting in 80 useable results returned from across the UK (Figure 1). The results obtained from this extensive

field

trial

varied

“We recorded a

greatly between plant varieties.

significant impact

For both root crops there was

of biochar on

an increase in average weight

cabbages, with the

on the biochar amended plots

average total weight increasing by 23.2%”

compared to the controls (16% in the case of carrots, 14% in the case of the beetroot) although in neither case was this statistically significant. This is approximately in accord with the findings of the ‘Big Biochar Experiment’

undertaken

in

2012 where preliminary results

Figure 2: Boxplot showing % change in total weight of cabbage grown in biochar plots, compared to the control for total cabbage weight. The mean and median difference is indicated by the solid circle and line, respectively.

* A P value is the likelihood that such a result could have occurred by chance. In this example P=0.042. This means that there is a 4.2% probability that this result could have occurred by chance. In much biological research P=0.05 is the cut off point for saying whether or not something is statistically significant. This is known as the 5% significance level.

3

These findings have triggered further work, including more work funded by Coventry University (Assessing the Impact of Biochar and Digestate on Arable Crops), and Donna Udall’s PhD Investigating the Impact of Biochar and Digestate on Soil Fertility and Arable Crop Yield. More research and funding applications are being planned in

this area of work.

Thank you!

Overall, what we have seen is

The researchers wish to thank

that biochar can have beneficial

all those who took part.

effects on the yields on some

necessity, the data recording

crops – but that these effects

forms were very tedious to fill

can be very variable. This may

out but your hard work will

possibly be down to differing

lead to further research and

By

effects of biochar on different potentially more evidence of plant species and when grown

biochars’ important role in soil

in soils of varying characteris-

improvement and carbon cap-

tics.

ture. Thank you very much.

British Biochar Foundation Membership We are pleased to make the BBF Mem-

“We are pleased

ber logo available to all signed-up mem-

to make the BBF

bers. This can be used on websites, pro-

Member logo available to all signed-up members.”

motional literature and so on. It cannot be used on products (for which the BQM accreditation option is available). The cost of using the logo is £50 a year, the proceeds of which are used to support our costs. The logo is available in a variety of formats: jpeg, pgn, tiff and pdf. Please contact Darren Hopkins for more information: [email protected]

British Biochar Foundation Directory

“The BBF Directory is a FREE service provided by members to advertise biochar related products, services and biochar producing technologies”

The BBF Directory is a FREE

tent is entirely up to you but

can also be used for advertising

service provided by the BBF to

will be checked-over by BBF

the availability of biochar or

all members to advertise bio-

and changes

might be re-

feedstock for producing bio-

char products, services and

quested prior to listing. Please

char or for advertising a re-

biochar producing technologies.

note that hyperlinks and email

quest to obtain feedstock or a

The free listing can be up to

addresses are not permitted in

particular type of biochar.

5000 characters with up to four

the listing itself and will be re-

images and a hyperlink to a

moved before publication

website. The listing comes with a contact form so other users and browsers can contact you regarding your listing. The con-

Users have to register to use the Directory separately from the Forum site. The Directory

If you have any questions, please contact on: simon@ britishbiocharfoundation.org 4

BIOCHAR ACCREDITATION BIOCHAR QUALITY MANDATE Simon Shackley, British Biochar Foundation This month the UK’s first accredited biochar material has been launched at the Low Carbon Swansea event. Biochar is

“This month the

a soil amendment that im-

UK’s first

proves soil structure, fertility,

accredited biochar

health and biodiversity. Bio-

material has been launched at the

char also stores carbon in the soil for centuries, helping to reduce the carbon dioxide lev-

The accreditation gives the

needs and will help provide a

els in the atmosphere that

purchaser the confidence to

sustainable future for us all. We

cause climate change. Biochar

know that what they are buying

are so proud to have worked

is produced from wood and

is a high quality, clean and safe

with Commons Vision to get

other organic matter. The ac-

product, the manufacture of

their first EarthChar material

creditation is through the Bio-

which has been done to the

through the UK’s biochar ac-

char Quality Mandate (BQM), a

highest environmental stan-

creditation scheme and hope

rigorous health, safety and sus-

dards and which has not in-

that this is just the start of

tainability assessment process,

volved the use of any unsustain-

great things to come.” said

“To gain

which is managed by the British

able wood.

Darren Hopkins.

accreditation, the

Biochar Foundation (BBF).

Sion Brackenbury, Director of

Professor Alayne Street-

biochar material

To gain accreditation, the bio-

Commons Vision said “It has

Perrott, Swansea University

has been carefully

char material has been carefully

taken us five years of extensive,

Biochar Research Team, said

analysed in

analysed in independent testing

collaborative research to get

"Our research, published in

independent

laboratories to ensure that it

here. All of our partners, fun-

Nature Communications in

contains no contaminants and

ders and supporters are thrilled

2010, showed that production

so is a safe material to add to

that we have achieved this ex-

and deployment of sustainable

the soil. The accreditation also

acting standard. We look for-

biochar could play a significant

requires that the production of

ward to working with our new

role in slowing global warming.

biochar is clean and that there

brand EarthChar. With a range

Our team has worked very

are no dangerous environ-

of new, exciting and truly sus-

hard in partnership with Com-

so is a safe

mental emissions. Finally, the

tainable products for the UK

mons Vision to demonstrate

material to add to

accreditation also guarantees

market”

the practical value of this ap-

the soil”

that the biochar is produced

Low Carbon Swansea event. ”

testing laboratories to ensure that it contains no contaminants and

from wood sourced from sustainably managed forestry. Common Vision’s EarthChar has been awarded High Quality Biochar status as a result of its exceptional quality.

Darren Hopkins and Dr. Simon Shackley of the British Biochar Foundation are just as pleased.

proach, and we congratulate the company on this tremendous achievement."

“This is a massive step forward for the low carbon economy the Government so desperately

5

CAN BIOCHAR HELP PROTECT THE FUTURE OF TREES? Miss Emma Schaffert and Dr Glynn Percival,, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory acute oak decline after infected trees were treated with several different forms of biochar. One

“Ash Dieback, a

biochar type, made from hard-

devastating disease

wood chip, decreased the size

that has the

of wounds on tree trunks which could indicate the ability

potential to kill

of biochar to aid in the recov-

98% of all ash

ery of this disease. However

trees planted in the

results

UK ”

are

preliminary

and

trees will continue to be monitored over the next few years. Two control trees dying (foreground) and two healthy biochar treated ash trees (background)

Could biochar improve survival rates of newly planted trees?

A few years ago the use of

on infected leaf litter, and con-

biochar was tested by scientists

trol measures at present are

Previous planting trials at the

at the Bartlett Tree Research

limited to removal of fallen

Bartlett Tree Research Labora-

Laboratory in an attempt to

leaves and the felling/burning of

tory have found that young

improve tree resistance to Ash

infected trees and plant mate-

horse chestnut trees replanted

Dieback, a devastating disease

rial. Improving tree health in an

in poor clay soils showed

that has the potential to kill

attempt to improve the trees

higher leaf chlorophyll content

98% of all ash trees planted in

resilience to ash die-back dis-

and improved photosynthetic

the UK. The benefits were so

ease is something that could

efficiency over two growing

positive that it resulted in the

protect the future of ash trees

seasons

trials being filmed and aired by

in the UK. Research data to

added as a soil amendment.

“Improving tree

BBC Countryfile earlier in the

date

biochar

Interestingly, superior results

health in an

year.

could aid in this approach as

were obtained from a more

attempt to improve

In our work, Biochar was added

none of the biochar amended

granular biochar compared a

trees were infected by ash die-

powdered form.

the trees resilience

to the soil through the use of an

to ash die-back

air-spade, a tool that blasts com-

disease is some-

pressed air into the soil to break

thing that could

up compaction. This process also

protect the future

mixes biochar into the existing

of ash trees in the

soil, allowing it to come into

UK”

indicates

that

were recorded in non-biochar treated controls. The trial site is located in Essex.

aging the root system.

conducted at Bartlett Tree Research Lab into any resistanceinducing effects and their potential to protect against other dis-

Chalara Ash Dieback is a fungal

eases such as acute oak decline.

disease that affects our native

Recent results have indicated a

ash populations. It is spread

reduction in disease severity of

through spores that overwinter

was

where high rates of infection

Further research is now being

tree disease?

biochar

back over a three year period

contact with roots without dam-

Potential defense against

when

Biochar incorporated into the soil near mature trees

6

Further

research

recorded

Growth Enhancer product can

similar increases in chlorophyll

boost saplings’ ability to with-

leaf content of bare-rooted

stand drought, with 90 per cent

European

transplants

of cherry saplings showing al-

through addition of bamboo

most no symptoms of drought

biochar or mixed woodchip

(leaves yellowing, leaf scorch-

biochar compared to controls.

ing, leaf drop) after three

Survival of the saplings after

weeks of continuous drought

transplanting was improved by

conditions, compared to 100%

24-50

beech

soils

of the control saplings showing

amended with biochar. Similar

per

cent

in

severe drought symptoms, and

trials carried out by Bartlett

90% death rates. With ex-

scientists in the US have dem-

tremes in climate becoming

onstrated biochar enhances the

more frequent and unpredict-

vitality of trees in the land-

able, biochar could potentially

scape. At the Bartlett Tree

reduce the effect

Research Laboratories’ campus

drought events.

in Charlotte, NC, Prunus x ye-

The typical diamond shaped lesions of Ash Dieback

of these when applied to the soil, and

Future Considerations

therefore the possible benefits

lined planting pits. These plant-

The International Biochar Initia-

that can be seen. Future re-

ing pits resulted in a usable soil

tive has developed classifica-

search at the Bartlett Tree Re-

volume of approximately 4 me-

tions of biochar, taking into

search Laboratories aims to

tres cubed of soil volume, suffi-

consideration feedstock, condi-

analyse different biochar forms,

cient soil volume to support a

tions of production, chemical

their characteristics and how

tree of 1.2-1.8m diameter at

properties, particle and pore

these will directly and indirectly

breast height before impacting

size, moisture, pH and contami-

affect tree health and vitality.

tree health.

The treatments

nant/toxicant content, and ash

included biochar at 5% and 10%

proportion. All of these will

by volume, 5% and 10% biochar

affect the properties of biochar

doensis were planted in barrier-

combined with compost and fertiliser amendments, compost

With Thanks to:

and fertiliser alone, and control soil with no amendment.

Thomas White; Simon Shackley; Darren Hopkins;

Current research is also demonstrating how a commercially available

biochar-based

Tree

Sion Brackenbury; Glynn Percival; Alayne Street-Perott; Cecile Giradin; Donna Udall; Francis Rayns; Emma Schaffert

Contact Us: Any Questions about biochar or the new accreditation process please contact the BBF by email or phone at: Email: [email protected] Phone: 07920066830

www.britishbiocharfoundation.org If you would like to contribute to further newsletters please do not hesitate to get in contact. Any images and logos can only be reproduced with permission from the BBF. Pictures in the articles are owned by the authors of each respective article. They cannot be reproduced without permission of the authors. 7