Frass-enriched biochar for reduced nutrient leaching in sandy soils
How can sandy soils retain nutrients and water more effectively? Together with NorInsect, RIBI, and farmers, NORSØK is testing whether frass-enriched biochar can reduce leaching and increase yields.
Background
Sandy soils often have low organic matter content, poor water-holding capacity, and a high risk of nutrient loss, especially nitrogen. Biochar has shown potential to improve these properties, but untreated biochar can also bind nutrients too strongly. By enriching biochar with frass from mealworms, the project aims to develop a solution that both retains nutrients and releases them when plants need them.
Trials
In spring 2026, a tailored batch of frass-enriched biochar will be produced based on soil analysis, digestate, and the selected cereal crop. From May to September, NORSØK will conduct controlled pot experiments to measure nutrient leaching from sandy soil. At the same time, field trials will be established in Nordmøre with and without frass-enriched biochar to assess its effect on crop yields in practice.
Project Details
Project details
| Project number: | 321290 |
|---|---|
| Project owner: | NorInsect AS |
| Project staff NORSØK: | Kari Löe and Anne-Kristin Løes |
| Project partners: | RIBI Bioenergi |
| Project period: |
