Charcoal as aid

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33128, 19 January 1973, Page 11

Charcoal as aid

Charcoal is a common form of carbonised wood, particularly well known in a selected state as a sketching and drawing tool. It is extremely valuable as a purifier with immense capacity for absorbing gases and destroying injurious acids. The gardener has also found it to be of considerable help to him and of great benefit to his plants.

Charcoal itself does not provide any nutritional value. Perhaps its greatest benefit to plants lies in its capacity to absorb and conserve gases, particularly the ammonia in the soil. In this way it prevents the loss of soluble plant foods which might! otherwise be lost to the plant; through leaching.

Ammonia, in gaseous; forms, is usually one of the first products given off when organic fertilisers are decomposed by soil-borne bacteria. The placement of charcoal in l

the same vicinity will prevent the escape of this extremely; volatile gas and will retain it! for subsequent use of the plant. Charcoal has been! found capable of absorbing 80 times its volume of ammonia and examination of a plant growing in a medium in which it has been mixed will disclose that the roots are clinging to it. Charcoal frequently figures in the recommendations for pot plant culture. Apart from

stimulating root and plant growth generally, it can also help to counteract the effects! of acid fertilisers. It can; reduce the amount of plant food needed and also assists; in keeping the soil in aj ‘ sweet” state. It slowly decays to produce its own' humus and is regarded as a

control against damping off; in seedlings. Plants grown in water benefit from the presence of; charcoal as it will foster their! development and also acts as a water purifier.;