CQuest Biochar is a by-product of the BioOil production process and represents approximately 25% of the total product output of a plant.

Dynamotive is currently producing CQuest Biochar at its plant in West Lorne and is distributing it to users in bulk and in drums for soil application. The Company has plans for development of a plant in the US where it has secured long term biomass supply contracts.

BlueLeaf Inc. 2009 Mid-Season Update
The purpose of this trial is to compare results for biochar treated soil versus non-treated, as well as to develop and experiment with methods of working with biochar, in a commercial farming operation. In this trial over 85 different parameters, for soil and plants, are verified on a monthly basis.

A mid-season report advised on certain key parameters for the season to date, primarily as they relate to biomass. A complete report covering all parameters and statistics will be issued at the end of the 2009 growing season.

Dynamotive CQuest Biochar was applied to the trial plot at the beginning of the growing season in 2008. A relatively low application rate of 3,500 lbs/acre (3,924 kgs/hectare) was used.

No additional biochar has been applied since then. All test parameters are measured in both the biochar test plot and an adjacent untreated control plot. In 2008 the crop grown was soya. In order to respect regular crop rotations used on this farm, a forage crop was planted for the 2009 season. This forage crop is a mixture of four plant species - oat, timothy, ryegrass and clover.

Significant Biomass Increase Noted
Two methods for verifying biomass were used, prior to harvesting the first forage cut:

+ 32-row, 1 oat plant per row, diagonal pattern, random, complete plant biomass sampling;

+ Multiple 1 square meter, above-ground, all species, complete plant biomass sampling.

Total results of the 32-row complete oat plant harvest, for two sampling dates, indicate a total overall increase in biomass of 16% for the biochar plot versus the control. This increase for the biochar plot is broken down by plant component as follows:

Roots: +50%

Stems and leaves: +8%

Flowers: +17%

Total: +16%

The one square meter, above-ground, all species, complete biomass harvest trial supported these results, showing similarly higher biomass yields for the biochar plot.

Plant Germination
A mid-season verification of oat plant germination on multiple test sites for both the biochar and control plots indicate that the biochar trial plot had a significantly higher plant germination rates than the control.

Soil Foodweb Analysis - Root Mychorrizal Colonization
Mid-season results for root mycorrhizal colonization show the biochar plants as having higher colonization rates than the control.

Soil Total Phosphorus
Mid-season results show total soil phosphorus increasing month-to-month in the biochar plot, while decreasing month-to-month in the control plot.

Biochar Initiatives in the US
Biochar initiatives are gaining ground in the market with increased interest in its application. In the US, Dynamotive has provided CQuest Biochar to agricultural users, nurseries and greenhouses. Programs include USDA sponsored initiatives.

The USDA Agricultural Research Service is part of the research effort to determine the long-term costs, benefits and potential of biochar. ARS has substantial existing expertise in biochar research including a multi-location team that is conducting a coordinated series of chemical and physical analyses, studies, and field trials.

Dynamotive fully endorses the statement by US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack who in his address at the 2009 North American BioChar Conference stated: "Biochar has the potential to create opportunities for the agriculture and forestry sectors to mitigate the effects of a changing climate while creating jobs in rural communities and offering new income sources to landowners."

"Landowners may eventually use biochar as a soil amendment to improve agricultural production and enhance carbon storage, with income potential from sale of carbon offsets. In states like Colorado where forests have been ravaged by bark beetles, dead timber might be used as a feedstock for biochar. The creation of new markets for forest products like biochar and bioenergy could significantly bolster sustainable forest management, forest restoration and rural jobs".

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