Biochar is a by-product of organic matter such as plant material and agricultural waste. It is produced using a process called pyrolysis, the heating of the organic matter in a minimal or no oxygen environment. Biochar is similar in appearance to charcoal, and when produced it is crushed into smaller pieces to be used as a soil Enhancer.
Biochar is not a fertilizer but a nutrient carrier and a habitat for micro-organism. In its raw form, biochar lacks beneficial microbes and mycorrhizal activity, nutrients and other organic matter, making it unproductive in soil. For biochar to have a beneficial effect it must first be treated with nutrients, micro-organisms and other beneficial additives in a process of “activation” to enhance the effectiveness of the biochar.
Biochar is a super porous and has the ability to attract and hold moisture, nutrients and other agricultural inputs better than any other soil amendments. The unique physical and chemical characteristics of biochar make it a persistent soil amendment that promotes many agricultural benefits.