15 May 2014: Biochar on site - Field day in Berge
During the field day at the IASP experimental site in Berge results and ongoing investigations in the context of the interdisciplinary biochar research project „Biochar in Agriculture - Perspectives for Germany and Malaysia“ were in the focus. Project partners from Germany and Malaysia presented current results. The field in Berge serves as experimental plot for the partners involved in the project (ATB, ZALF Muencheberg, HU and TU Berlin) for various scientific investigations. The guest speaker, Dr. C. Fühner from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research introduced their biochar projects.
From 12 to 16 May 2014, the partners of the University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof. Azni bin Idris and Dr. Tinia Ghazi, came to the ATB for a short visit. In addition to visiting some biogas and biochar production facilities in the region and the presentation of their research work in Malaysia they finally met with all project partners and interested guests on May 15 for the field day at the IASP in Berge.
The international research project "Biochar in agriculture - prospects for Germany and Malaysia" examines the economic and ecological potential of charred biomass (biochar) in agriculture. A special focus is on the reduction of greenhouse gases and on the economic costs of biochar application. Analyzes are carried out in laboratory and field experiments (Brandenburg and Malaysia) and refer to the effects of different biochars on crop yield, soil fauna, microorganisms, water holding capacity, nutrient cycling and other soil properties.
Partners in the project:
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim (ATB) (project lead)
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF)
- German Institute for Economic Research (DIW)
- Technical University of Berlin (TU)
- Humboldt University Berlin ( HU)
- University of Putra (UPM).