The dark amazonian soil also known as Terra Preta is surrounded by sterile soil typical of the rainforest area. In this soil are remains of unfired clay pottery chards, fish bones, slow-burnt vegetable debris converted to charcoal, animal manures and high levels of soil microorganism activity including micorizzhae. A fine example of self-sustainable agriculture with highly sofisticated soil management developed by native cultures in the Amazon basin. The soil is rich in hummus, would not leach nutrients and also seems to stay stable over hundreds of years probably due to the glomalin made by the micorizzhae fungi. They could have discovered the secrets of regenerative and self-sustainable agriculture and the Terra Preta remains as silent proof.
Half a century later we are re-discovering the agricultural value of BioChar and it's carbon sequestering properties. BioChar made by pyrolisis (combustion of biomass in absence of oxigen) yields a material very similar to Terra Preta which is different from the ash generated by campfire or slash and burn methods.
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Wendy
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