Plant Growth Management Systems PO Box 214, Niles, MI 49120 Cell 906 280-7303 Office 269-663-7467

rjwhite.pgms@outlook.com www.plantgrowthmanagementsystems.com

Mirimichi Bio-Carbon used to reduced soluble salts in soils

A common problem in the colder climates of the United States is the damage caused by the use of de-

icing salts in the winter time to prevent icing on roads and sidewalks and to mitigate slippery conditions.

Bio-carbon (premium bio-char fused with USDA Class A compost) is known to have bio-remediation

effects because of the strong attraction of both cations and anions to the aromatic carbon rings in the

product.

This spring, the product (MG PRO SOIL ENHANCER) was applied in existing beds along a public

pedestrian walkway (Georgia Street, Indianapolis, IN). This application occurred on April 21, 2015. Total

treated area was approximately 3,000 square feet and total quantity of product used was 700 pounds.

There were approximately 34 total beds treated. Samples were taken from nine beds prior to application

(March 20, 2015).

Soil was resampled May 11, 2015 (3 weeks after application) and retested. Results showed an average

reduction of 68.4% in soluble salts. Results are shown below

Soluble Salts (mmhos/cm)

3/20/15 Sample 5/11/15 Sample

Sample # Soluble Salts* Sample # Soluble Salts* Change* % Change

1 1.6 1 0.6 -1.0 -62.8%

2 1.4 2 0.3 -1.1 -78.6%

3 1.3 3 0.4 -0.9 -69.2%

4 2.1 4 0.3 -1.8 -85.7%

5 1.9 5 0.4 -1.5 -78.9%

6 1.5 6 0.3 -1.2 -80.0%

7 0.9 7 0.7 -0.2 -22.2%

8 2.1 8 0.5 -1.6 -76.2%

9 1.6 9 0.6 -1.0 -62.5%

*Soluble Salts: (mmhos/cm) Average decrease in Soluble Salts: -68.4%

For additional information on reducing salinity in soils with applications of bio-char:

Wu, Y., Xu, G., and Shao, H.B.: Furfural and its biochar improve the general properties of a saline

soil, Solid Earth, 5, 665-671, 2014

For information on the environmental problems associated with road salt:

Road Salt: Moving toward the Solution; The Carey Institute, December, 2010

http://www.caryinstitute.org/sites/default/files/public/downloads/report_road_salt.pdf