Location: Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-21600-001-002-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: May 31, 2022
End Date: May 30, 2027
Objective:
In response to knowledge gaps regarding best biochar practices and uncertain outcomes of biochar applications, several organizations, working groups, and agencies have called for a prescriptive approach to biochar utilization, however, few decision support aids are available to match soil deficiencies to biochar properties. To address this need, we developed the Pacific Northwest Biochar Atlas (PNWBiochar.org), a decision support toolkit that helps users select biochar types and amendment rates that align with their soil management goals. The toolkit guides users through a four-step process: 1) identifying soil deficiencies based on soil test results and crop nutrient and fertilizer requirements, 2) selecting goals for biochar application consistent with soil and crop needs, 3) identifying biochars in our database with physiochemical properties best suited to those goals, and 4) establishing amendment rates sufficient to meet those goals. To date, over 30,000 users have visited the PNW Biochar Atlas to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
The PNW Biochar Atlas was created and optimized for users in the Pacific Northwest by providing regionally-relevant information on crops, biochars, and soil deficiencies. Here, we aim to expand the geographical and technological relevance of the Atlas to provide coverage to users across the United States. Additionally, in collaboration with the NRCS, we propose to develop and integrate a model that predicts carbon capture to assist farmers with planning and implementation of NRCS standards, including the Soil Carbon Amendment Practice Standard. Additionally, we will partner with nonprofit organizations to conduct outreach to biochar producers, users, farm service providers, farmers, and conservation planners to optimize and implement decision support tools and to train trainers on how to calculate potential benefits from biochar based amendments.
Approach:
We will expand the existing tools by increasing the GIS interface and embedding data from the SSURGO database. Crop nutrient requirements will be harvested from existing nutrient management databases housed at the NRCS. An existing model of carbon sequestration and Greenhouse gas reductions will be calculated using an existing model. The US Biochar Initiative will identify and recruit biochar producers to contribute biochar samples for physical, chemical, and biological properties, which will be measured at various ARS laboratories. The physicochemical properties will be uploaded into our databases that drive the decision support tool. A postdoctoral researcher will be recruited to synergize and publish datasets and to expand the web application. Outreach and education will be conducted in concert with the American Farmland Trust by creating factsheets, hosting workshops, roundtables, and by publishing technical notes.
