A new way of storing carbon on farms investigated
Tasmanian researchers are trying to find out how farmers can use bio char to get the best results.
Bio char is made from organic material like wood chips or green waste.
It is recognised as a way to store carbon for hundreds of years and increase crop yield and help soil hold more water.
Horticultural scientist Mark Boersma says researchers also know bio char works better in some soils than others.
"So we're doing a lot of work to establish where and when it doesn't work and under what conditions," he said.
The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture is running two trials in the north-west, using bio char on a vegetable crop and on pasture.
They hope to make recommendations about its most effective use.
The research is part of the Federal Government's Carbon Farming Initiative.