A Biochar and Compost Workshop was hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center in mid-July. Interest in promoting soil health continues to grow in citrus and other specialty crops, so the event drew a large crowd.
The workshop also drew interest because several speakers provided guidance about cost-share dollars available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The cost-share dollars incentivize applications of compost and/or biochar to groves and fields.
While compost use is a fairly well-known practice among growers, biochar is a somewhat newer concept. Interest is growing in biochar because of its ability to help build more resilient soils. In Florida’s sandy soils where organic matter is around 1%, growers are seeking different ways to build better soils.
Biochar is a form of soil carbon or organic matter that is very stable and resistant to decomposition. It helps hold water and nutrients in the root zone of trees and plants.
“Biochar is any organic material that has been heated to a high temperature in the absence of oxygen,” said Mark Kopecky, NRCS regional soil health specialist. He discussed how biochar can benefit Florida soils.
While compost (most often made from decaying plant matter) is somewhat stabilized, it also remains actively decaying, which provides an excellent food source for soil microbes. These microbes provide various benefits to the soil and plants. Biochar provides structure to the soil organic matter. “Combining compost and biochar provides a fuller spectrum of benefits for soil health and crop performance,” Kopecky said.
The NRCS offers cost-share opportunities for soil carbon amendments under its CPS 336 program. The program offers payment scenarios for both compost and biochar applications to fields depending on eligibility.
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