Application of Wood Derived Biochar and Ash to Agricultural and Forest Soils for Potential Soil Amendment and Carbon Sequestration.

Carbon negative fuels are technically feasible and are likely to become a pre-requisite of future energy development. Forestry is expected to play a key role in greenhouse gas mitigation solutions and development of a flexible fuel future. The high lignin content and large amount of combustible waste makes forest derived biomass ideal for biochar production. As well, forests represent a large labile carbon stock and multiple uses exist for forest products, allowing for the flexible use of resources and the potential to divert forest resources or leave trees to grow, should market forces change. To date, the vast majority of research on biochar production and application has occurred in tropical and subtropical climates using agricultural wastes and bio-fuel crops. This study examined the effects of wood derived biochar and wood ash amendments on northern forest and agricultural soils in northern Ontario. Of interest was the effect on crop and seedling establishment and yields as well as indicators of soil productivity and sustainability, including CEC, pH, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient leaching, as well as potential carbon sequestration capability of biochar application.