Mære Agricultural School has established a modern fruit and berry orchard to demonstrate what large-scale commercial production and small-scale hobby production look like in reality. This should give students practical experience with different production methods and strengthen Mære's role as a learning arena for green production. When establishing the orchard at Mære, biochar has been spread to investigate long-term effects as a soil improver in crops with a long growing season. Biochar is known to have many positive effects on soil quality. By adding biochar, the soil can achieve an increased ability to store water. It also helps to increase the content of organic matter and biomass in the soil. Biochar in the soil also provides long-term carbon storage, making it a sustainable measure to reduce agriculture's climate footprint.
Two different amounts of regular biochar (OBIO AS), two amounts of barn biochar (Urban Natur AS), and areas without biochar have been used to compare the results over time. The biochar was spread before planting, with the aim of improving the soil's structure and nutrient balance. Barn biochar, which is already enriched with nutrients, provides an additional opportunity to see how different forms of biochar affect growth and soil. Expected results from the use of biochar include better growing conditions for trees and shrubs through increased nutrient and water storage capacity in the soil. This can result in stronger plants and higher yields over time. At the same time, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the soil can help make the orchard more environmentally friendly and sustainable. The use of biochar also shows alternative possibilities as a learning arena for sustainable production methods. We look forward to seeing if biochar yields results over time. You are welcome to visit our orchard!
