The application of biochar, a carbon-rich soil additive and leading carbon dioxide removal technology, has shown an increase of 51% in total soil carbon and 22% in total soil nitrogen. Preliminary results indicate a 16% increase in the total annual yield from cut grassland. Black Bull Biochar (BBB), in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), is conducting field trials using biochar as an additive to organic fertilizers on UK dairy farms. This research aims to assess the effectiveness and practicality of biochar for British growers, particularly focusing on BBB’s flagship product, PinChar.

Biochar is known for enhancing nutrient retention, soil health, and crop productivity. In the trials, PinChar was co-applied with slurry to grassland plots at a rate of just 0.5 t/ha, resulting in a significant 16% increase in first-year grassland yield compared to control plots. These findings suggest that low-dose, tailored biochar applications hold promise for boosting farm productivity and sustainability.

Targeted biochar application improves soil properties around roots, enhancing nutrient accessibility for crops. PinChar’s high surface area and porosity make it effective at retaining nutrients. Grassland plots treated with PinChar and slurry showed significantly higher levels of carbon and nitrogen, with a 51% increase in total carbon and a 22% increase in total nitrogen compared to plots with only slurry applied.

The trials underscore the potential of low-dose biochar applications in sustainable agriculture, highlighting BBB’s efforts in integrating biochar into UK farming systems. This research supports the broader adoption of biochar for environmental stewardship and sustainable development in British agriculture, aligning with the UK’s Net-Zero targets.

READ MORE: First Year Field Trials Of Biochar Show 16% Higher Grassland Yields