Biochar’s Water Savings in CA's Almond and Pistachio Industries
As California handles recurring droughts and water scarcity, the almond and pistachio industries face immense pressure to reduce their water footprint. However, a promising solution lies in biochar, a carbon-rich material offering significant water saving potential.
Water Demands of Almonds and Pistachios
According to a 2015 report from the Congressional Research Service, almonds and pistachios require an average of 3.5 acre-feet of water (about 1.1 million gallons) applied per acre of nut trees annually. With over 2 million acres of almonds and pistachios cultivated in California alone, their collective water usage is estimated at 2.2 trillion gallons per year (note that this number is an internal estimate and is not supported by scientific research). This level of water demand has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of these industries in a state facing water shortage.
Biochar: Unlocking Water Conservation
Biochar's ability to improve soil structure and increase water retention offers a sustainable solution. Its porous structure acts like a sponge, enhancing the soil's water-holding capacity and reducing water losses through evaporation and runoff.
In addition, biochar plays a significant role in soil aggregation, which allows water to penetrate and “fill” the empty spaces or pores created by the biochar in the soil. Rather than allowing rainfall to run off into areas where it cannot be reused, soils amended with biochar retain it, providing plants with the water they need for growth. By incorporating biochar into almond and pistachio soils, growers can unlock significant water savings while enhancing their soil’s health and productivity.
Biochar’s Water Savings Potential
Proven by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), a 1% increase in soil organic matter (SOM) can enable the soil to store an additional 20,000 gallons of water per acre per year (proven equation). Remarkably, the Oasis vineyard trial demonstrated that a one-time application of a biochar-compost blend (15 tons of compost and 10 tons of biochar per acre) can boost SOM by at least 0.1% annually due to its carbon priming effect. Over a decade, this 0.1% annual increase would translate to a total 1% SOM increase, potentially leading to an additional 20,000 gallons of water savings per acre every 10 years.
Applying this knowledge to California's 2 million acres of almonds and pistachios, incorporating biochar into soil health practices could result in a staggering 40 trillion gallons of water savings in the first 10 years, with this amount doubling each subsequent decade.
Note that the Oasis trial and similar biochar research do not consider actively enhancing soil organic matter (SOM) through additional regenerative agricultural practices. Case studies on regenerative agriculture, such as those conducted on Gabe Brown’s 1,760-acre farm, demonstrate remarkable benefits. By intensively focusing on soil aggregation, diverse cover cropping, no-till practices, and integrating livestock, these practices have resulted in substantially greater increases in soil organic matter (SOM) over shorter periods. Furthermore, these gains could be complemented by applying biochar.
* Please note that these numbers are internal estimates and are not supported by scientific research.
CA’s Water Savings with Biochar in Viticulture
During the Oasis Vineyard Trial, the Sonoma Ecology Center analyzed biochar’s water-use efficiency and projected significant savings of 11.3 million acre-feet of water annually if biochar were used across the state's agricultural lands.
Sustainable Water Usage with Biochar
As water scarcity persists, integrating biochar into regenerative agricultural practices presents a viable solution. By enhancing water-use efficiency and reducing water demands, biochar contributes to the long-term viability of vine, nut, and row crop industries while promoting environmental stewardship and resource conservation.
At Sitos Group, we are committed to driving the adoption of biochar. Its water-saving benefits provide a significant incentive for farmers and growers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices. Get involved and share this information with those in the agriculture sector. Together, we can embrace this innovative solution and pave the way for a water-efficient future.