Pioneering works in biochar research, Japan
Makoto Ogawa A and Yasuyuki Okimori B CA Department of Environmental Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka 535-8585, Japan.
B Environment Department, The General Environmental Technos Co., Ltd, 1-3-5 Azuchimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0052, Japan.
C Corresponding author. Email: okimori_yasuyuki@kanso.co.jp
Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(7) 489-500 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR10006
Submitted: 5 January 2010 Accepted: 23 June 2010 Published: 28 September 2010
Abstract
In Asian countries, people have a long history of using rice husk charcoal or wood ash as an agricultural soil amendment, but evidence of this has been long obscured. Since the 1980s, microbiological studies, mainly on symbiotic organisms, have been performed in Japan. Charcoal is a porous material with high water and air retention capacities and high alkalinity. Therefore, it stimulates root growth and enhances the infection of various symbiotic microbes to plant partners. The use of carbonised materials in agriculture, forestry, and construction will contribute to the sustainability of crop production, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration. Biochar-related research accumulated mainly in Japan is reviewed.
Additional keywords: rice husk charcoal, wood charcoal, wood vinegar, root nodule bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, carbon sequestration.
Acknowledgments
Most of research reports cited in this review are written in Japanese. As it seemed difficult for foreigners to access them, we tried to introduce mainly the summaries of pioneer work. The authors thank Dr P. S. Blackwell and Mr S. McGreevy for their cooperation and appreciate their helpful comments on the English manuscript.
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