About Wood Vinegar
Wood Vinegar, also called Pyroligneous acid, Liquid Smoke or Mokusaku, is a dark liquid produced through the natural act of carbonization, which occurs when a biomass is heated in an airless container during charcoal/biochar production.
The exhaust smoke from this charcoal production is condensed (cooled) into a liquid – this condensate then further separates into Tar, Vinegar and Bio-Oil.
Wood vinegar contains more than 200 constituents such as acetic acid, methanol, phenol, ester, acetals, ketone, formic acid and many others. Instead of the specific effectiveness of a certain element, in the case of wood vinegar, various elements work synergistically.
It has being used extensively in Japan and through out Asia for several decades for all sorts of uses and replacement of synthetic chemicals.
There are thousands of individuals, companies, corporations, scientists and governments around the world experimenting and documenting the results of using biochar as a way of improving crop production and improving the soil structure, but we can not find a current study or trials being documented on the use of wood vinegar and its benefits.
There are too many claims to list here of the benefits of wood vinegar for agriculture, animal husbandry, and human use – but we are concentrating on two benefits that we think will have the biggest impact on the future growth in food production while reducing dependance on finite chemicals used in agriculture.
1. Improve seed germination strike rate (more seeds sprout when soaked in wood vinegar first)
2. Allows better uptake and a reduction of up to 50% use of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides
We have carried out many successful mini trials over the past couple of years ourselves on different variety of vegetable, fruits and herb plants grown from seeds and now looking to accelerate the testing and implementation into the mainstream if favourable results are recorded.Why use Wood Vinegar?
- high density liquid – “freight costs vs coverage” that fits into existing supply chain infrastructure
- Value adds to a growing char manufacturing industry
- A possible sustainable supply source
- Extensive use throughout Asia for many decades must have merits
- High potential to reduce dependancy on limited expensive ag chemicals
- Potential to largely and cheaply increase seed germination strike rate
Wood Vinegar USA is trying to:
- Create awareness of Wood Vinegar in the United States agricultural sector
- Form relationships and work directly with farmers in hands on practical field trials
- Collection of data on a large range of plant varieties and applications
- Work with the Char manufacturing industry to secure a quality and consistent product supply
- Foster support and funding for respected scientific research partnerships
- Promote the U.S. industry without the need to import
A Few Challenges:
- Defining application and use for such a large variety
- Educating end users the benefits of this “new product”- Sourcing and manufacturing a consistent natural product that has dependable/repeatable results from different feedstocks
- Government AMPVA approval process for such a complex composition of compounds – required for certain possible uses like pesticides