Field applications of pure biochar in the North Sea region and across Europe

This chapter assesses the potential of pure biochar additions to soils to improve crop productivity in Europe. Biochar ring trial was established since autumn 2011 in seven countries of the North Sea region within the framework of the Biochar: Climate saving soils' Interreg IVB North Sea Region Project. Biochar characteristics are highly variable, depending on the feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. Soil pH was similar in UK, Norway, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, but higher in Denmark and Belgium. The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio indicates whether nitrogen will be mineralised or immobilised during the decomposition by microorganisms of soil organic matter or organic amendments. In graphs, variability between the data measured in each replicate of a treatment is indicated by error bars. In each country except for Sweden, soil microbial community structure in the field trial was investigated by means of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles.