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Burnt Wood as a Mulch - Worked Really Good - Once
- Thread starter St. Phatty
- Start date
Rico Swazi
Active member
Has anyone ever considered its the additional carbon that is adding to soil and eventual plant health?
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fes3.96
Char is good but letting the fungi and microbes convert lignin is better. Please do side by sides to see for yourself.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fes3.96
Char is good but letting the fungi and microbes convert lignin is better. Please do side by sides to see for yourself.
T
Teddybrae
I see what you mean, Rico. Yes, the carbon may be a home for organisms but as it breaks down it must also add carbon to the soil.
'Boogieman'
Well-known member
From what I understand biochar is fixed carbon and doesn't exactly break down by microbes. It will eventually crush and look like soil though. I like to use biochar in my soil and use shredded wood and winter rye straw as mulch.
Rico Swazi
Active member
polyphenols and sugars too
Lignite (biochar) provides a nice home but has less to offer in the way of microbial food on the many paths to humic acid and healthy soil
https://karnet.up.wroc.pl/~weber/powstaw2.htm
I added some pics taken this morn. (I wrote 12:45 instead of 11:45 to mark the time of Teddy's post, daylight saving already?)
Record low temps and 45mph winds and still growing strong
Incremental harvest, the rest coming down in another week
feeder roots and worms love the wood mulch
Rico Swazi
Active member
website last link I gave keeps crashing from traffic, here it is in case it goes down completely. I thought it interesting enough
The formation of humic substances
The formation of humic substances is one of the least understood aspects of humus chemistry and one of the most intriguing. Studies on this subject are of long-standing and continued research can be justified on theoretical and practical grounds.
Several pathways exist for the formation of humic substances during the decay of plant and animal remains in soil, the main ones being shown in the picture:
The classical theory, popularized by Waksman, is that humic substances represent modified lignins (pathway 1) but the majority of present-day investigators favor a mechanism involving quinones (pathway 2 and 3). In practice all four pathways must be considered as likely mechanisms for the synthesis of humic and fulvic acids in nature, including sugar-amine condensation (pathway 4).This four pathways may operate in all soils, but not to the same extent or in the same order of importance. A lignin pathway may predominate in poorly drained soils and wet sediments (swamps, etc.) whereas synthesis from polyphenols may be of considerable importance in certain forest soils. The frequent and sharp fluctuations in temperature, moisture and irradiation in terrestrial surface soils under a harsh continental climate may favor humus synthesis by sugar-amine condensation.Pathway 1 - The lignin theory
For many years it was thought that humic substances were derived from lignin (pathway 1).
According to this theory, lignin is incompletely utilized by microorganism and the residuum becomes part of the soil humus. Modification in lignin include loss of methoxyl (OCH3) groups with the generation of o-hydroxyphenols and oxidation of aliphatic side chains to form COOH groups. The modified material is subject to further unknown changes to yield first humic acids and then fulvic acids.This pathway, illustrated on the picture , is exemplified by Waksman's lignin-protein theory.The following evidence was cited by Waksman in support of the lignin theory of humic acid formation:
In normally aerobic soils lignin may be broken down into low-molecular-weight products prior to humus synthesis.On the other hand, the fungi that degrade lignin are not normally found in excessively wet sediments.Accordingly, it seems logical to assume that modified lignins may make a major contribution to the humus of peat, lake sediments, and poorly drained soils.
Pathway 2 and 3 - The polyphenol theory
In pathway 3 lignin still plays an important role in humus synthesis, but in a different way. In this case phenolic aldehydes and acids released from lignin during microbiological attack undergo enzymatic conversion to quinones, which polymerize in the presence or absence of amino compounds to form humiclike macromolecules.
Pathway 2 is somewhat similar to pathway 3 except that the polyphenols are synthesized by microorganisms from nonlignin C sources (e.g., celulose). The polyphenols are then enzymatically oxidized to quinones and converted to humic substances.As noted earlier, the classical theory of Waksman is now considered obsolete by many investigators. According to current concepts quinones of lignin origin, together with those synthesized by microorganisms, are the major building blocks from which humic substances are formed.
The formation of brown-colored substances by reactions involving quinones is not rare event, but is a well-known phenomenon that takes place in melanine formation, such as in the flesh of ripe fruits and vegetables following mechanical injury and during seed coat formation.
Possible sources of phenols for humus synthesis include lignin, microorganisms, uncombined phenols in plants and tannins.Of these, only the first two have received serious attention.
Flaig's concept of humus formation is:
The stages leading to the formation of humic substances were postulated to be:
Pathway 4 - Sugar-amine condensation
The notion that humus is formed from sugars (pathway 4) dates back to the early days of humus chemistry. According to this concept reducing sugars and amino acids, formed as by-products of microbial metabolism, undergo nonenzymatic polymerization to form brown nitrogenous polymers of the type produced during dehydratation of certain food products at moderate temperatures.
A major objection to this theory is that the reaction proceeds rather slowly at the temperatures found under normal soil conditions. However, drastic and frequent changes in the soil environment (freezing and thawing, wetting and drying), together with the intermixing of reactants with mineral material having catalytic properties, may facilitate condensation. An attractive feature of the theory is that the reactants (sugars, amino acids etc.) are produced in abundance through the activities of microorganisms.
The initial reaction in sugar-amine condensation involves addition of the amine to the aldehyde group of the sugar to form the n-substituted glycosylamine. The glycosylamine subsequently undergoes to form the N-substituted-1-amino-deoxy-2-ketose. This is subject to: fragmentation and formation of 3-carbon chain aldehydes and ketones, such as acetol, diacetyl etc.; dehydration and formation reductones and hydroxymethyl furfurals.
All of these compounds are highly reactive and readily polymerize in the presence of amino compounds to form brown-colored products.Back to first page
The formation of humic substances
The formation of humic substances is one of the least understood aspects of humus chemistry and one of the most intriguing. Studies on this subject are of long-standing and continued research can be justified on theoretical and practical grounds.
Several pathways exist for the formation of humic substances during the decay of plant and animal remains in soil, the main ones being shown in the picture:
For many years it was thought that humic substances were derived from lignin (pathway 1).
- Both lignin and humic acid are decomposed with considerable difficulty by the great majority of fungi and bacteria.
- Both lignin and humic acid are partly soluble in alcohol and pyridine.
- Both lignin and humic acid are soluble in alkali and precipitated by acids.
- Both lignin and humic acid contain OCH3 groups.
- Both lignin and humic acid are acidic in nature.
- When lignins are warmed with aqueous alkali, they are transformed into methoxyl-containing humic acids.
- Humic acids have properties similar to oxidized lignins.
In normally aerobic soils lignin may be broken down into low-molecular-weight products prior to humus synthesis.On the other hand, the fungi that degrade lignin are not normally found in excessively wet sediments.Accordingly, it seems logical to assume that modified lignins may make a major contribution to the humus of peat, lake sediments, and poorly drained soils.
Pathway 2 and 3 - The polyphenol theory
In pathway 3 lignin still plays an important role in humus synthesis, but in a different way. In this case phenolic aldehydes and acids released from lignin during microbiological attack undergo enzymatic conversion to quinones, which polymerize in the presence or absence of amino compounds to form humiclike macromolecules.
Pathway 2 is somewhat similar to pathway 3 except that the polyphenols are synthesized by microorganisms from nonlignin C sources (e.g., celulose). The polyphenols are then enzymatically oxidized to quinones and converted to humic substances.As noted earlier, the classical theory of Waksman is now considered obsolete by many investigators. According to current concepts quinones of lignin origin, together with those synthesized by microorganisms, are the major building blocks from which humic substances are formed.
The formation of brown-colored substances by reactions involving quinones is not rare event, but is a well-known phenomenon that takes place in melanine formation, such as in the flesh of ripe fruits and vegetables following mechanical injury and during seed coat formation.
Possible sources of phenols for humus synthesis include lignin, microorganisms, uncombined phenols in plants and tannins.Of these, only the first two have received serious attention.
Flaig's concept of humus formation is:
- Lignin, freed of its linkage with cellulose during decomposition of plant residues, is subjected to oxidative splitting with the formation of primary structural units (derivatives of phenylpropane).
- The side-chains of the lignin-building units are oxidized, demethylation occurs, and the resulting polyphenols are converted to quinones by polyphenoloxidase enzymes.
- Quinones arising from the lignin (and from other sources) react with N-containing compounds to form dark-colored polymers.
The stages leading to the formation of humic substances were postulated to be:
- Fungi attack simple carbohydrates and parts of the protein and cellulose in the medullary rays, cambrium, and cortex of plants residues.
- Cellulose of the xylem is decomposed by aerobic myxobacteria. Polyphenols synthesized by the myxobacteria are oxidized to quinones by polyphenoloxidase enzymes, and the quinones subsequently react with N compounds to form brown humic substances.
- Lignin is decomposed. Phenols released during decay also serve as source materials for humus synthesis.
Pathway 4 - Sugar-amine condensation
The notion that humus is formed from sugars (pathway 4) dates back to the early days of humus chemistry. According to this concept reducing sugars and amino acids, formed as by-products of microbial metabolism, undergo nonenzymatic polymerization to form brown nitrogenous polymers of the type produced during dehydratation of certain food products at moderate temperatures.
A major objection to this theory is that the reaction proceeds rather slowly at the temperatures found under normal soil conditions. However, drastic and frequent changes in the soil environment (freezing and thawing, wetting and drying), together with the intermixing of reactants with mineral material having catalytic properties, may facilitate condensation. An attractive feature of the theory is that the reactants (sugars, amino acids etc.) are produced in abundance through the activities of microorganisms.
All of these compounds are highly reactive and readily polymerize in the presence of amino compounds to form brown-colored products.Back to first page
Hookahhead
Active member
Some activated charcoal is made by soaking normal charcoal in a strong acid solution. The acid modifies the structure, making it much more porous and electrically charged. These features are what make activated charcoal so useful for filtration, both physical and chemical.
This is why I charge my biochar with a strong lactic acid solution. Without an electron microscope or looking for the research, I won’t ever know if I’m actually producing a sort of “activated biochar” or not, but I like to think I am. The pores in char trap small pockets of air and water, along with many other nutrients and organic molecules. These spaces make comfortable homes for micro organisms, effectively adding biological cycling to the mix. There are a multitude of reasons a bit of char is good in the mix.
This is why I charge my biochar with a strong lactic acid solution. Without an electron microscope or looking for the research, I won’t ever know if I’m actually producing a sort of “activated biochar” or not, but I like to think I am. The pores in char trap small pockets of air and water, along with many other nutrients and organic molecules. These spaces make comfortable homes for micro organisms, effectively adding biological cycling to the mix. There are a multitude of reasons a bit of char is good in the mix.
Rico Swazi
Active member
Yes I agree a bit of char is good, I've had many burn piles myself and feeling guilty is all
due to this extreme case solastalgia I am dealing with,
all my effort goes to persuading people to try sequestering carbon instead of releasing to the atmosphere.
apologies to the OP for the off topic
due to this extreme case solastalgia I am dealing with,
all my effort goes to persuading people to try sequestering carbon instead of releasing to the atmosphere.
apologies to the OP for the off topic
Biochar is something done a lot cleaner commercially.
I know.
Oxymoronic.
I use it to replace some of my aeration amendments.
Something I’d import anyway.
We should all feel guilty.
Invest in your own cashless carbon credits.
We’re not perfect beings.
Two steps forward and one step back.
Take another two steps.
https://www.wakefieldbiochar.com/soil-remediation-with-biochar
I know.
Oxymoronic.
I use it to replace some of my aeration amendments.
Something I’d import anyway.
We should all feel guilty.
Invest in your own cashless carbon credits.
We’re not perfect beings.
Two steps forward and one step back.
Take another two steps.
https://www.wakefieldbiochar.com/soil-remediation-with-biochar
Veggia farmer
Well-known member
I use char together with wood ash. Started this 10+ years ago after watching Kog`s video. Used it a lot in flower. One years outdoors I had this amazing sight, sorry no pic, but as the plant started to flower I did the usually thing. A couple of hands with ash and some char that just wasn`t burned up properly. After a few weeks I started to notice that the roots started to grow upwards to the surfaces to eat the ash, and then I looked at the char. Completely penetrated by roots in every direction. Ok, so the roots went "inside", biggie? Yes, because of the amount of roots. The char on the surfaces looked rootbound.
just sharing my moment of.. Aha, that`s interesting.
just sharing my moment of.. Aha, that`s interesting.
Not surprising. Char holds a lot of moisture and nutrients.
What we get from a burn pit doesn’t have the same voids as biochar. Less activated. Still good, especially outdoors in the ground. Lots of room for it. Not the limited space of a pot.
The commercial stuff I get is described as “low grade activated charcoal”. Basically straight carbon matrix.
Black as ink. Close to sand in size.
Same price I’d pay for perlite.
Inoculating in fermented left over hash water, Espoma, alfalfa, fish meal.
What we get from a burn pit doesn’t have the same voids as biochar. Less activated. Still good, especially outdoors in the ground. Lots of room for it. Not the limited space of a pot.
The commercial stuff I get is described as “low grade activated charcoal”. Basically straight carbon matrix.
Black as ink. Close to sand in size.
Same price I’d pay for perlite.
Inoculating in fermented left over hash water, Espoma, alfalfa, fish meal.
'Boogieman'
Well-known member
I make biochar in a cone pit from fallen black locust branches because the wood burns hot. Here is some I made today. When I hit it with a shovel it sounds like glass crunching which should be good. I'm going to mix it with wormcastings and organic soil ammendments.
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'Boogieman'
Well-known member
I mixed crushed biochar with composted horse manure 50/50 earlier this year and let it sit. Then I added worms and have been feeding them cardboard, alfalfa and comfrey, horsetail, pumpkin, and coffee. No problems with the worms, im interested how this will differ from my previous method
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