From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Someone recently contacted me regarding an incident where an aerial herbicide treatment for the ajacent Soybean field included the parcel they're growing in which was borrowed from the Soybean farmer.

To blow a fit on the farmer is counter productive to say the least.

So the residual herbicide will be remediated with activated charcoal. Growers who are going all Organic this year might also consider this approach to "clean" their soil of any residual pesticides from previous seasons. Though it isn't likely anything would remain after a winter, some herbicide do.

For every pound of active ingredient applied per acre, 200 lbs of Activated Charcoal are required. Due to the very fine nature of this material, it is best off to spray this material.

The trade name of the material we used to sell is Gro-Safe. There are others as well.

Steve

4/26/2004 8:12:15 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Well what do you know?

It turns out we do still sell Activated Charcoal. The new version is called "Char-Zorb". It is a liquid suspension. Speaking from painful experience, this would be much easier to use than a powdered form.

About $58.00 retail for 2.5 gallons that treats 5-10,000 sq ft.

You learn something new every day!

4/27/2004 8:25:13 AM

Rossville/IN

Thanks for all your help in this process. How bad do you think it would hurt my roller-pump sprayer if I used it to spray Char-Zorb (25 gallons)? I may have a source for the powerded form. I'll post it if I find it. Do you think I could spread the powerder form with a small spreader like you would use for lime on your yard? You would think if activated-charcoal (carbon) does such a good job tying up chemicals that it would also tie up nutrients in the soil or have some effect on CAC or pH?

4/28/2004 12:31:21 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Roller pumps can handle Char-Zorb from what I have been told. It's a finer grind & contains a lubricating suspension agent. Regular Activated Charcoal is too gritty for them though. It's even grittier than wettable powders or Ureaform fertilizers. So this should offer us a guide.

In decending order, gritty stuff is best sprayed through centifugal pumps, then diaphragm, then rollers, then Bean type pistons. Bean pistons would likely require a rebuild after a job some time spraying charcoal.

For as much area to be treated, your roller should be Ok so long as it's thoroughly rinsed & flushed afterwards. I'd start the motor & quickly add the charcoal. Then quickly get started. I wouldn't stop spraying until the tank was empty & shut it down immediately upon completion.

4/28/2004 7:06:09 AM

Rossville/IN

For anyone interested, here is a link to an interesting article about using activated charloal (carbon) and why it works. http://www.sodsolutions.com/turfmgt/charcoal.html

4/28/2004 9:19:18 AM

Rossville/IN

For the sake of archives, here is another good link for information on activated charcoal. http://www.barmac.com.au/pickup1.html

5/4/2004 11:29:33 PM