Digital Commons Network^™

An Assessment Of Biochar Amended Soilless Growing Media For The Nursery Propagation Of Rocky Mountain Native Plants, Clarice Matt

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

Biochar is a co-product of the bioenergy pyrolysis process during which biomass is pyrolized in low-oxygen to zero-oxygen environments resulting in carbon-rich, recalcitrant charred organic matter. Many studies have shown biochar amendments to suboptimal field soils increase soil function by enhancing chemical and physical soil properties contributing to soil fertility. Our research aims to address a presently novel area of biochar research. The amount of current biochar knowledge that is applicable within the context of native plant container nursery seedling production is sparse. One material showing promise as a replacement for peat and perlite is biochar.

We conducted a greenhouse …