Ep.1 Mycorrhizal Fungi + Biochar = Double Good...Right?

On the debut episode of Northern Thai Garden Guy we investigate an interesting yet not often asked question. Do Mycorrhizal Fungi and Biochar play nice together? We'll look at what some researchers have found as I explain the reasons for why I am going about it the way that I am. I'll also provide some studies that while a bit dated, are about the only reports to be found on actual trials of them being used together.

LINKS:
Biochar: from laboratory mechanisms through the greenhouse to field trials

USDA Biochar Research: Land Application Advances to Reap Its Multifunctional Abilities

Who are the AGU?

What is Korean Natural Farming? (Chris Trump)

What is LAB and how do you make it? (Chris Trump)

Who is Paul Gautschi? (L2Survive)

Who is David The Good? (David The Good)

[Txxn]

I use sorghum molasis mixed with alfafa hay layered with soil mixed with willow tree limbs. The willow limbs does the same thing as azos as its a rooting hormone. Ever once in awhile blend up some aloe vera leaf. Try adding rice hulls for airation. Bubbled teas are a positive along with clovers and dicon radish

[kevinensunsa]

"If it's already dead, go ahead." Great statement.

[WorldComposting]

Great video and other than the bulbs and tools my soil is just as poor quality as yours. Now looking back I did add peat to the trees I planted but really should have added some sand and biochar to help with drainage and give a place for microbes to survive.
Just an FYI your videos do not show up on your homepage so I kept thinking you didn't post anything. Might want to make sure you have an upload bar so people will see you have videos. I'll be binge watching this over the next couple days!

[francus]

In a more recent clip, you SCARED the hell out of me about the use of
Question:
What type of char is black barbecue char-coal?
What about used burnt charcoal ashes?
Thanks
I tapped the thumbs up button to feed the algorithm monsters.

[fxhnd]

You and I made the same connection about AMF and biochar.
I also noticed research is not abundant on the topic so thanks for the video!

I wrote a report earlier this semester of potential carbon sequestration capabilities biochar amended soil’s in urban settings. I found an article for a field study conducted where biochar was shown to increase mycorrhiza abundance.
It really is such a new topic for science. You talked about variability of feedstock, I was curious if you had read much on temperature of pyrolysis? I found some research suggesting to that it could change potential of biochar effectiveness on absorbing various nutrients. Like you said- so many variables

[koltoncrane]

You’re right. There’s so many variables that without knowing them you can’t really apply the data to you’re area. Like they add so many tons of biochar to the acre. One huge thing is what’s the water percentage? Did they add any?

I’ve read and watched other people say ya biochar does reduce crop yields in the first year generally because there’s not enough nutrients or they didn’t inoculate the charcoal. What needs to be done is a five year study or something because biochar is a long term amendment. If you look at the soils in South America like in Brazil that had lots of biochar added 500 years ago or further back the soil has more biological diversity then the surrounding soils. It’s probably more of a long term amendment where the benefits age like wine.

[zanepaxton]

Our permaculture guild is embarking into Biochar in a big way. We’re inoculating the Biochar into a “bio-complete’ hot compost first. Then the Biochar is fully charged (that’s the theory). We added about 3% Biochar to the compost batch. When the compost is added to a garden the Biochar percentage is further diluted.

[GroProOrg]

I would just stick to using the mykos to sprinkle on my roots during transplant or a compost tea drench and biochar to cook up some supersoil.

[juguruteacher]

Saw you commenting on some of David the Good's live streams. : )

[davidgonzales-ecbo]

If you till it you'll kill it. If it's already dead go ahead. Haaa ha ha ha. I love it.

[jshfdwhhshfs]

New to your channel and also living in Thailand. My question to you is about Trichoderma. You made a point that the organic coconut coir that you brought over from America does not have Trichoderma. Is Trichoderma a bad thing, I thought it was good to have? I'm just learning about these things, and thought that adding it to the soil was a good thing?
Thanks, Richard

[reptiloidx]

Hey . It the double layer soil experiment you could of made one thing easier is to first dig a hole for tree and then make a double layered soil around it . That would save the fungy from becoming a pathogen during and after the planting

[rexzietsman]

There is definitely a link between root growth and the use of synthetic fertilizers in that the roots grow very quickly around where the fertilizer is because it is available. What may be a good plan is to still use the combination of biochar and mychorrhizae but, as you did, go easy on the biochar. The Johnson Su bioreactors take a long time to run a batch - 12 months. Could it be that slower growth of the mychorrhizae is better long term?

[SouthernCarpMafia]

We used the Mykos in our seedlings this spring potting them up until they sold or we planted and had amazing results we also added in fox farm kangaroots liquid supplement

[EarthloveGlobal]

Compost tea the biochar first before adding mycorrhizae super important. #earthloveglobal #mycorrhiza #mycorrhizae

[minibite]

You should have a mulch layer of woodships in that dry enviroment. It would save u alot of water.

[michelbisson]

seen worm casting tea with mychorrizae and basalt powder good to innoculate biochar, but what biochar is the best we hear there is 1500 types of biochar in usa..from toracted wood to activated biomedical charcoal.

[rgasta]

I sub to your channel after your YT comment ;) on ankther video

[charlininthechoco]

“My dirt is dead” says the guy with green on his brown

[GroProOrg]

Well once you finish cleaning, man will it feel great.