In the summer of 2023, Mære Agricultural School conducted a small-scale trial with biochar on a field where grain was to be sown. The goal was to investigate the possible positive effect of different amounts of biochar, 1 ton per hectare, 2 tons per hectare and 3 tons per hectare. The biochar was spread with a conventional centrifugal spreader along 25-meter-long routes. However, during the spreading, problems with dust and uneven spread patterns arose, which resulted in the desired amount of biochar not being achieved. To address this, the treatments were renamed low amount, medium amount and high amount to reflect the actual conditions during the spreading.
The use of centrifugal spreaders proved to be problematic due to the large amount of dust far beyond the field and a very uneven distribution of the biochar on the soil surface. This of course led to varying effects. Afterwards, alternative methods were discussed to achieve a more even spread, such as mixing with manure or compost. The advantages of mixing biochar with manure or compost are that it reduces problems with light particles and dust during spreading and ensures a more even distribution. This can also provide a positive synergistic effect where both nutrients from the manure and soil-improving properties from the biochar are utilized. Another alternative is to try to moisten the biochar before spreading, which should reduce dust and make it easier to spread the material evenly. This can also contribute to better integration of the biochar into the soil. Going forward, the plan is to test different mixtures with other residual products from the operation at Mære and hopefully achieve more efficient and reliable spreading.
