USBI-NABC24-BARRERO-BIOCHAR_COFFEE_AND_CACAO.pdf

The Use of Biochar as a Component in Soil Amendment in Conjunction with Beneficial Soil Microorganisms and Organic Extracts and Teas.

Practitioner story.

Inspired by our grandfather's experience using biocarbon and inspired by Paul Anderson https://woodgas.com/, Dr. Elaine Ingham https://www.soilfoodweb.com, David Jhonson and Silvia Primavessi, we designed and applied biochar in our farm using this methodology.

Carbon, macronutrients and micronutrients are lost. Yellowing and nutritional imbalances are seen with exhaustive nutrition programs. Phytophthora Palmivora devastated major areas in Colombian Palm Oil Plantations. Biomass is left to rot or burn. We solved it 14 years ago pyrolyzing the sick tissues, Improving C/N ratio: 24/1 microbial diet and Using soil amendments of organic matter and with biochar.

Biochar in production nutrition:

 Defoliated and old trees regain vigor, allowing for extending renewals one year later
• Foliar recovery, presented homogeneous blooms; The grains are observed to have good shape and size.
• We had extra large grains that decalibrated the pulp machine
• We recovered the farm from rust outbreaks.
• In the hot “el niño” we have kept the amended trees vigorous without using irrigation or synthetic water-retaining polymers.
• The foliar application of fermented carbon extracts in a drought condition keeps the plants vigorous and the affected with heat stress recover.
• The farm continues to increase its production. achieving renewals by planting and pruning