Vermichar and Biochar: Sustainable Solutions for Soil Improvement

Vermichar and Biochar

In the search for more sustainable and efficient agricultural and garden practices, vermichar and biochar have emerged as innovative solutions to improve soil quality. These products not only enrich the soil and promote healthy growth of plants, but also help mitigate climate change. In this article, we will explore in detail what vermichar and biochar are, how they occur, and what are its benefits and applications.

What is vermichar?

Definition and production

Vermichar is an organic product that combines the properties of vermicompost and biochar. Each of these components provides unique benefits:

• Vermicompost: It is an organic fertilizer produced by decomposing organic matter by earthworms. This process generates a product rich in beneficial nutrients and microorganisms.
• Biochar: It is a type of plant coal obtained from biomass through a pyrolysis process, which implies thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen.

Vermichar benefits

1. Land quality improvement:

   • Fertility: Vermicompost provides essential nutrients and microorganisms that improve soil health.
   • Structure: Biochar improves soil structure, facilitating roots and aeration penetration.

2. Water and nutrient retention:

   • Humidity: Increase soil capacity to retain water, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
   • Nutrients: It acts as a sponge, retaining nutrients and gradually releasing them for plants.

3. CO2 emissions reduction:

   • Carbon sink: The Biochar captures and stores carbon on the ground, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.

4. Improvement of microbial activity:

   • Beneficial microorganisms: Vermicompost promotes a healthy population of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.

Vermichar applications

• Agriculture: It improves fertility and soil structure in agricultural crops.
• Gardening: Ideal for gardeners who seek to improve the growth of their plants in a sustainable way.
• Soil rehabilitation: Used to recover degraded or contaminated soils.

What is the biochar?

Definition and production

Biochar is a form of vegetable coal from biomass by pyrolysis. This process turns biomass into a carbonized material that retains a large amount of carbon.

Biochar benefits

1. Soil improvement:

   • Fertility: Increase nutrient availability for plants.
   • Water retention: Its porous structure allows a better water retention.
   • Structure: Improves aeration and soil structure.

2. Climate change mitigation:

   • Carbon sink: Biochar can storing carbon stable for long periods, helping to reduce atmospheric CO2.

3. Microbial activity:

   • Beneficial microorganisms: It provides a favorable habitat for soil microorganisms, improving your health and efficiency.

4. Reduction of pollutants:

   • Adsorption: It can adsorb heavy metals and other pollutants, improving soil quality.

Biochar applications

• Agriculture and horticulture: Used to improve fertility and soil structure.
• Environmental Remediation: Adsorbs contaminants and improves soil quality in contaminated areas.
• Carbon capture: It helps reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.
• Waste management: Turn organic waste into a useful and beneficial product.

How to use vermichar and biochar

Vermichar

1. Soil preparation:

   • Mix the vermichar with the ground before planting in a proportion of 5-10%.

2. Superficial application:

   • Spread a vermichar layer on the existing floor and then incorporate it slightly.

3. Composting:

   • Add vermichar to compost to improve your quality and accelerate the composting process.

Biochar

1. Direct incorporation:

   • Mix the biochar with the ground before planting in a proportion of 5-10%.

2. Composting:

   • Add biochar to compost to improve the quality of the final compost.

3. Superficial application:

   • Spread a layer of biochar on the existing floor and then incorporate it slightly.

Conclusion

Vermichar and Biochar represent significant innovations for soil improvement and agricultural sustainability. Its benefits include the improvement of fertility and soil structure, increased water and nutrient retention, and climate change mitigation. By incorporating these amendments into agricultural and gardening practices, soil health can be promoted, increase crop productivity and contribute to a more sustainable environment.