1. Use of carbonized organic material for production of greenhouse crops
Nick Savidov
Crop Diversification Centre South, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
For Canadian Biochar Initiative
Friday, December 12, 2008
Montreal, Quebec

2. TOPICS Introduction Objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks
Results of preliminary studies
Long English cucumber production on Biochar-based media
Use of Biochar as a transplant media for basil production
Conclusions

3. Substrates have a major impact on growth of greenhouse and nursery plants and often determine profitability of the operations

4. Substrates are divided into three groups:
mineral
organic
synthetic

5. Examples of mineral substrates:
rockwool
pumice stone
perlite
expanded clay

6. Most common examples of organic substrates:
peat
coconut coir
sawdust
rice husk
bark

7. Most common synthetic substrate:
Polyurethane foam

8. Biochar is an example of a new kind of greenhouse substrate

9. Existing greenhouse substrates widely differ in their properties

10. Properties of greenhouse substrates
Physical
Chemical
Physico-chemical
Biological

11. Physical properties of greenhouse substrates
Water retention capacity
Total porosity
Air space
Stability
Bulk density
Saturation and de-saturation characteristics
Particle size distribution

12. Chemical properties of greenhouse substrates
Water soluble elements
Buffered elements
Nitrogen fixation

13. Physico-chemical properties of greenhouse substrates
Ion Exchange Capacity

14. Biological properties of greenhouse substrates
Plant reaction
Microorganisms reaction
Pest reaction

15. Physical properties of some greenhouse substrates
Air content, % volume
Available water, %
Peat 28 18
Rockwool 25 71
Polyurethane foam 84 6

16. Why Biochar?

17. Advantages of greenhouse media based on carbonized organic material
Higher stability
Less bulk density
Better physical characteristics, such as porosity and water retention capacity

18. Advantages of greenhouse media based on carbonized organic material
Ability to absorb phytotoxic compounds such as phenols.
Buffering capacity
Potential algicidal properties
Not easily available for bacteria as a carbon source, which decreases potential nitrogen fixation
Can be produced from cheap, locally available sources, agricultural waste, such as straw

19. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks
Evaluate the performance of Biochar produced from various materials as a hydroponic growth media for greenhouse crops including:
basil,
long English cucumbers,
tomatoes
bell peppers

20. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks
Measure the physical, chemical, and biological properties of carbonized growth media as a hydroponic growth media and compare these properties to those of commercial alternatives including sawdust and coconut coir

21. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks
Characterize the “stability” (number of successive crops capable of being grown on the same media) of Biochar-based media as compared to commercial growth media.

22. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks
Conduct a ‘techno-economic’ and an ‘environmental’ assessment of carbonized growth media in the greenhouse industry in Alberta.
Conduct a food safety study on greenhouse produce grown on media produced from carbonized organic material

23. Effect of substrate on respiration rate after 4 days of incubation

24. Preliminary experiments with long English cucumbers

26. Absence of phytotoxic effect of carbonized media

27. Carbonized
sawdust
Raw sawdust

28. Effect of carbonized medium on algae growth
sawdust
Raw sawdust

29. Effect of carbonized substrate on cucumber yield in comparison with sawdust and coir

30. 2nd experiment with long English cucumbers

31. Randomized block design of cucumber trial
Row 1 1 9 6 3 2 5 8 4 7 10
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4
Row 5
Row 6
Row 7
Row 8
Row 9
SAWDUST standard irrigation
SAWDUST less frequent irrigation
COIR standard irrigation
COIR less frequent irrigation
Carbonized SAWDUST standard irrigation
Carbonized SAWDUST less frequent irrigation
Carbonized COIR standard irrigation
Carbonized COIR less frequent irrigation
Carbonized straw standard irrigation
Carbonized straw less frequent irrigation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

35. Effect of carbonized substrates on productivity of greenhouse cucumbers#
Treatment
KG. SE
WORTH 1
sawdust standard irrigation
9.95
0.66
14.4
1.1 2
sawdust less frequent irrigation
8.16
0.77
11.8
0.9 3
coconut coir standard irrigation
0.59
0.8 4
coconut coir less frequent irrigation
10.66
1.01
15.3
1.4 5
carbonized sawdust standard irrigation
9.62
0.74
13.8
1.0 6
carbonized sawdust less frequent irrigation
9.11
0.83
13.1 7
carbonized coconut coir standard irrigation
8.64
0.31
12.4
0.5 8
carbonized coconut coir less frequent irrigation
10.67
0.81
15.1 9
carbonized straw standard irrigation
10.84
1.08
15.6
1.5 10
carbonized straw less frequent irrigation
10.82
0.97
15.2

36. Effect of carbonized substrates on yield of greenhouse cucumbers, kg/plant

37. Effect of carbonized substrates on yield of greenhouse cucumbers, $/plant

38. Effect of carbonized transplant media on basil production in aquaponics system

39. Aquaponics facility at CDCS, Brooks

40. 2nd generation aquaponics facility
with Biofloc system
GeoTube Sump P1 P3 P2
Clarifier
AB1
Swirl
Separators
AB2
Filter
tanks
Plant Tray
Fish tanks
Filters
Clean water
Cleaning Circuit
Nutrient Rich Water
Aeration
Solids Removal

44. Effect of carbonized media on basil productivity in aquaponics

45. Conclusions
Preliminary data suggest no phytotoxic effect of carbonization on greenhouse crops
The same or higher yields can be achieved using biochar-based media in greenhouse crops production
Carbonization dramatically improve stability of organic substrate
Biochar-based media have a high potential when used in highly biologically active environment, such as aquaponics