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A Biological Tool for Reducing Input Costs

CHARGrow ™

Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematode

CHARGrow ™ is a biological source of beneficial soil microorganisms, enriched substrates and microbial foods. This formulation allows beneficial microbes to survive harsh soil environments, improve nutrient cycling and increase plant health.

Field trials have shown that CHARGrow ™can improve crop productivity while helping growers reduce input costs.

CHARGrow ™ is made by Carbon Char Group, a team of horticultural professionals that specialize in the production and use of carbon-based soil amendments. With over five years of turf and agricultural research, CCG products have made numerous advancements plant health and vitality.

20% increase in plant growth
20% increase in transplant size
The plant on the right was grown
with CHARGrow ™ , the one on the
left was grown without

In 2005, where our carbon based soil amendment was applied at 7 pounds per acre, the Carbon Char Group achieved a 20 % INCREASE IN CORN YIELD.  In addition, what we saw below ground was a

  • 17% INCREASE IN BACTERIA
  • 43% INCREASE IN FUNGI
  • 66% INCREASE IN FLAGELLATES
  • 206 % INCREASE IN AMOEBAE
  • 520% INCREASE IN MYCORRHIZAL COLONIZATION

VirginiaTech

Effects of inoculated carbon on Yield of Irish Potato, Sweet Corn and Tomato 2006-2008

  • 10% increase in Sweet Corn yield (2006-07)
  • 30 lb./acre savings in nitrogen for Irish Potatoes (2006) 
  • 22% increase in Tomato yield (2007)
  • 47% increase in Tomato yield (1st picking 2008)

Yield of tomatoes was achieved when transplant potting media contained CHARGROW at 2 1/2 % (by volume)

Source: On going research by the Carbon Char Group at VA Tech (Vegetable Crops Department of Horticulture)

drought conditions
Drought conditions at Kentland Agricultural Research Farm, 2007

tomatoes
With the help of CHARGrow ™ , the tomato plots at
Kentland are healthy in spite of the drought.

corn
CHARGrow ™ also helped increase nitrogen use efficiency in the corn plots