Dos
Incorporate the biochar, always
Always mix biochar with the soil rather than leaving it on the surface — incorporation maximises contact with plant roots and prevents losses to wind or rain.
Prefer joint application with fertilisers
Apply biochar together with fertilisers, whether compost and/or mineral, to accelerate microbial establishment and amplify agronomic benefits.
Respect recommended doses
Follow NetZero's technical recommendations for your specific crop to get the best results.
Contact NetZero when in doubt
If you're unsure about any aspect of biochar application, reach out to NetZero's team for tailored guidance.
Perform soil analysis
To adapt biochar dosage and have a baseline for a before-after comparison.
Calculate biochar dose
Correcting for biochar humidity, soil pH, type of crop, etc.
Incorporate in soil
This makes sure that biochar works well — if not incorporated, results are unpredictable.
Monitor frequently
To follow up on the best combinations of biochar, fertiliser, etc.
Don'ts
Don't assume that protocols are reusable
A protocol must be tailored to each situation to maximise the benefits of biochar — soil type, crop, and climate all affect the optimal approach.
Don't remove fertilisers entirely
Biochar alone doesn't bring nutrients — it must be combined with fertilisers to deliver its full agronomic benefits.
Don't reapply biochar every year
Biochar's effects last for many years in the soil, unlike conventional amendments. Reapplying it annually is unnecessary and wastes resources.
Don't expect immediate results
Biochar's benefits are progressive. In the first crop cycle, gains may be modest; the greatest impact typically occurs from the 2nd or 3rd cycle onwards.