The COMPOSTCHAR project (Biochar-Enhanced Compost for Soil Restoration and Agricultural Sustainability) centers on advancing sustainable soil management by applying biochar-enhanced compost (biochar-C) to various crops. The core concept involves combining the traditional agronomic value of compost with the unique physical and chemical properties of biochar—such as its high cation exchange capacity, porosity, and surface area. By co-composting biochar with local agroindustrial wastes on-farm, the project aims to create an amendment that improves soil fertility, enhances carbon sequestration, and increases resilience more effectively than using compost or biochar individually.
The project focuses on representative crops in the Granada province (olive, asparagus, and tomato) that currently face challenges like soil degradation, low organic carbon, and heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers. It utilizes a Living Lab approach, fostering co-creation between researchers from the EEZ-CSIC, local farmers, and cooperatives