Grow Pro Series: Biochar for Container Production

Welcome to the American Floral Endowment's Grow Pro Webinar Series! Throughout this series, our nationally recognized researchers, hosts, and speakers will offer ‘how-to’ advice based on AFE-funded and other research projects to help the industry navigate through these ever-changing growing challenges. The webinar topics are current and offer long-term opportunities for growers to focus on increased profit, greater sustainability, and improved labor efficiency. Each session includes a presentation and interactive Q&A. To see the full series calendar visit endowment.org/GrowPro.

The April 23rd session of our series focuses on biochar for container production.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material with porous structure produced by the thermo-chemical decomposition of biomass in an oxygen depleted or oxygen-limited atmosphere, has become popular as a container substrate component as a peat replacement. Using biochar to replace peat moss as a container substrate component for greenhouse/nursery production could provide environmental and economic benefits. Biochar could be derived from various feedstocks that are regenerated faster than peat moss and possesses price advantages over peat moss when local feedstock is available. Certain types of biochar can provide nutrients, accelerate nutrient adsorption, and suppress certain pathogens, leading to reduced fertilizer and pesticide usage and leaching.

Topics will include:
• Overview of biochar as a peat replacement to produce ornamental crops
• Overview of biochar as a peat replacement to reduce nutrient leaching/improve plant disease suppression
• Future directions of biochar use as a container component for ornamental productions
• Suggestions and resources of using biochar as a container component for ornamental productions

Speaker: Dr. Ping Yu, UGA
Moderator: Laura Barth, American Floral Endowment

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:36 Biochar for Container Production
37:28 Q & A