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34 W i n e s & V i n e s s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 4 g r a p e g r o w i n g consider. Of all the soil additives it is the least dense, and its dustiness can negatively impact air quality. Inhaling biochar dust could have adverse health effects. Sponta- neous combustion can occur if a significant amount of biochar dust accumulates in an enclosed space, or if it contains a large amount of volatiles. Biochar made from some feedstock can contain toxic elements, for example biochar from rice hulls can contain toxic crystalline material. Uses of biochar in agriculture Although the use of biochar has an extremely long history, the scientific com- munity has concluded that more research is needed before generalizations can be made about the effects of biochar on long- term soil quality and crop production. This appears to be due to the variability of bio- char being produced as well as the extreme range of application rates that have been tried. Studies have been done with biochar application rates ranging from 2 tons per acre to more than 50 tons per acre. Another challenge in using biochar as a soil amendment is the great variation in its price. I saw reports of $80-$600 per ton, but one detailed analysis put the average between $200 and $500 per ton. There is also an application cost associated with the light, bulky biochar. Most of the available research related to the effects of biochar on crop yield has been carried out in tropical regions on highly weathered (and therefore nutrient poor) soils. There has been some research done in temperate regions on younger, more fertile soils, but not enough to make generaliza- tions about its use. Use of biochar in vineyards I was only able to find one detailed study about the use of biochar in a vineyard. Ithaka Institute, a Swiss nonprofit research center focused on carbon sequestration through agronomic methods, is conducting vineyard research on highly eroded soil in Switzerland with little humus and high stone/dust content. The research plot is three-quarters of an acre in a convention- ally farmed vineyard and divided into the following treatments: 1. Biochar mixture combined with a legu- minous cover crop seed. 2. Compost combined with a leguminous cover crop seed. 3. Leguminous cover crop seed without biochar or compost. 4. Control plots without cover crop and compost, where plants sprouted of their own accord. The biochar was applied at a rate of 1,300 pounds per acre, and so far it has had the following positive effects: an increase in nitrogen uptake by vines, a significant increase in amino acids in the fruit (along with a 10% higher level of polyphenols), fruit anthocyanin content was highest in the biochar treatment, and total acid and malic acid were lowest in the biochar treat- ment. And finally, yields in the biochar mix- ture plot were twice that from the next closest treatment. A study of biochar use in the vineyard resulted in higher yields and increased nitrogen uptake by vines. GrapeParts4Less.com Paying Too Much For Picking Rods? Now You Have A Low Cost Source! GrapeParts4Less.com supplies quality American made picking rods, closures, and parts for all major grape harvester brands. Call 559-277-7382 or visit our website. Mastercard or VISA accepted. GrapeParts4Less.com Your Low Cost Source For Quality Harvester Parts Se habla Espaňol. GP4L_W&V_April_2012.indd 1 2/27/12 11:59 AM View Video: Winemaker Randall Graham discusses the potential benefits of biochar, which he refers to as a "terroir enhancer," in this video shot by askawinemaker.com.