What is KIWICHAR?
Biochar is charcoal. KIWICHAR is made up of 100% organic non-treated Radiata pine. This organic material optimises the ability of the product to retain and purify water as well as make available associated nutrients - either applied or within the soil. When 'treated' wood is used to manufacture biochar the efficacy of these key characteristics is potentially compromised and the quality of the product is negatively affected.
How is KIWICHAR made?
KIWICHAR is made by Pyrolysis. Effectively, this is the breaking down (lysis) of material by heat (pyro). In the case of our biochar pinewood is burned in a furnace at a consistent temperature of around 400 degrees C* in the absence of oxygen, and is used as a soil ameliorate for both carbon sequestration and soil health benefits. Biochar is a stable solid that is rich in carbon. All of our biochar is sourced from a single site in Rotorua.
How does it work?
If you look at a single particle of biochar you can see how it comprises of thousands of tiny pores (micro-pores) each one of these pores assists in the retention of moisture by increasing the surface area of the particle exponentially! Each particle is capable of holding up to 4 times greater weight in moisture than its own dry weight. Through its innate ability to retain moisture and the associated nutrients that are contained within that moisture, we can increase soil moisture (%) content by up to 40%*. Being high in Carbon, also means that biochar is a great sequestrum of Carbon and as such has been identified as a highly effective means of 'locking up' carbon in the soil and supporting a reduction in GHG emissions. *Compared to non treated soils.
What is the best way to use KIWICHAR?
Initially it is recommended to apply biochar as a blend with organic manure (sheep, poultry, or horse) at around 30% of the total mixture. This is referred to as 'inoculation' and just means that the biochar will get to work immediately at stabilising the nutrients from the manure within the soil. This initial mixing is particularly important when using biochar for vege patches and newly created gardens or plantings.
After the first years use (above) biochar can just be used on its own and worked into the surface of the soil with a pitchfork or spade. This only needs to be done every-other-year.
Biochar can also be mixed with other organic products such as fish meal (which contains 10% Nitrogen by weight). At KIWICHAR we are able to provide bespoke blends of biochar and other nutrients such as fish meal, coconut water, seaweed and Calcium to order. We can provide advice on what blend will best suit your needs and advise on how this should be applied.
Another good use of KIWICHAR is to purify groundwater.
We have been trialing and specifying the use of biochar as a component of passive water filtration systems i.e. rain gardens and alike here in NZ. The properties of biochar are proven to reduce the leaching of Nitrates and Trace Metals in water discharges. We also add lime aggregate to our biochar blends in order to 'grab' Phosphates from groundwater too. This could be useful to the hobby farmer or lifestyler looking to reduce any negative impact they may be having on the environment.
What is KIWICHAR good for?
Soil moisture retention (drought conditions), soil nutrient retention (assisting in stabilising applied and pre-existing nutrients within the soil and making them available to plants for a far longer time). Carbon sequestration, microbial activity (the range and diversity of soil microflora and fauna will increase with the use of biochar within the soil ecosystem), and enhanced plant shooting and rooting.
Our aim is to ensure that all of the products we blend with biochar are recycled.
For example, we blend lime from the sugar refinery ( this would otherwise be a waste product), we use poultry manure from local chicken farmers (this would otherwise go to landfill) and we are beginning to use products such as fish meal and seaweed (repurposed) to improve the efficacy and range of our products.
All our products, blends, rates and their effects are trialled here in New Zealand conditions at a dedicated R&D site in rural South Auckland.
Properties of KIWICHAR?
Durability: A carbon matrix which changes very little in the presence of chemical and biological activity (recalcitrance).
Surface area: microscopic pore structure which provides immense internal surface area and optimum habitat for soil microbiota. This porosity also makes biochar an ideal amendment for increasing aeration and water retention of soils.
CEC: high cation exchange capacity, which gives biochar superior adsorption qualities and provides the ability to bind minerals and retain dissolved nutrients.
pH management: Biochar can lift pH of acid soils or help buffer growing media.