Simple Carbonization of Pruned Shoots of Japanese Pear and the Effect of Application of the Carbide on Japanese Pear Trees

Abstract

The objective of this research is to demonstrate an application of our 'simple carbonization device' and the effect that the resultant carbide has on the growth of Japanese pears. First, pruned shoots of Japanese pears, which are difficult to incinerate, were made into chips and then carbonized using the simple carbonization device made for these experiments. The device was partially remodeled from a 'ventilation-constant temperature drying apparatus', and it was demonstrated that the device was an effective carbonizer. Then, Japanese pears called 'Kosui' were planted in plastic pots with decomposed granite soil mixed with the manufactured carbide. Then the trees' growth, root mass, and chemical properties of the soil were observed and recorded at regular intervals. It was found that above-ground plant growth in these experiments increased in carbide supplemented soil, and that the higher the carbide concentration in the soil, the stronger the observed effect. Lastly, part of the 'Kosui' orchard was deeply plowed, and the manufactured carbide was added to the soil. Again, the tree growth, root mass, and chemical properties of the soil were observed and recorded at regular intervals. It was found that the solid phase rate was decreased, the porosity was increased, the physical properties of the soil were improved, and the roots were invigorated. This research shows that the use of our simple carbonization device makes it easier to carbonize pruned shoots of Japanese pears, and that soil treated with the carbide produced from this device leads to an improvement in both the physical properties of the soil and the growth of Japanese pears.