There are scores of scientific research papers proving biochar helps build healthy soils. We've included a few abstract papers linked below. In short, biochar alters soil properties, encourages microbial activity, a critical component of soil health, and enhances absorption of inorganic and organic compounds. Research studies point to its ability to increase the plant available water in the soil which enables the plants to survive longer with water shortage, increase soil fertility and agricultural yields, improve soil structure, aeration and water penetration, and land reclamation.
It is also imperative to understand how biochar needs to be inoculated either by direct application of nutrients and biology, or simply mixing into a compost pile and allowing nature to do it's work. Several studies have shown that biochar will sequester or hold onto nitrogen for example for some period of time and then slowly release it over extended periods. This has the immediate effect of depriving plants of much needed nitrogen upon initial application if done incorrectly.
And what Genesis feels is a key ingredient to unlocking the potential of biochar's use in agricultural soils is the Quality of biochar. There are many factors of making "good" biochar. We believe real biochar is made through the process of pyrolysis and not a gasified product. We also understand to at least some degree what biomass is used can affect growth rates, etc. LIke you really don't want to use biochar made from tires or old computers, we've seen a rash of this from China.