NC State is conducting a 10 year study on biochar in sandy soil for Peaches. The study started in 2017 and hopes to determine if the biochar will improve nutrition, water holding capacity and reduce death from peach tree shortlife (PTSL).
Its a replicated study of Contender trees planted on Guardian and Halford rootstocks. PTSL is a huge problem with peaches on sandy soil in the south. Fumigation before planting is the current standard for commercial production but it only gives the trees a 3 or 4 year headstart before normal nemotede populations return.
No scientific results from the study so far. I walked through the trial area yesterday and the trees that got the biochar did not look any different from the control trees. There was an obvious difference in tree mortality between Guardian and Halford. I saw quite a few dead trees on Halford but none on Guardian. Most likely as a result of PTSL.