Pioneering works in biochar research, Japan

Most of research reports cited in this review are written in Japanese. As it seemed difficult for foreigners to access them, we tried to introduce mainly the summaries of pioneer work. The authors thank Dr P. S. Blackwell and Mr S. McGreevy for their cooperation and appreciate their helpful comments on the English manuscript.

Abe I, Hitomi M, Ikuta N, Kawafune I, Noda K, Kera Y (1996) Humidity control capacity of microporous carbon. Journal of Urban Living Health 3(6), 333–336 [in Japanese].

Abe I , Iwasaki S , Maruyama J , Ooe T , Fukuhara T (2001) Carbonization of all wastes, urban wastes, sewage, garbage and waste woods, and their utilization. In ‘Proceedings of the Symposium on the Production of Charcoal and Activated Charcoal from Wastes and their Utilization’. p. 294. (NIS Inc.: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Aiba F , Natsume S , Kojima M (1990) Effects of the materials for greening with charcoal on the growth of herbaceous plants and trees (2). In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 167–170. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Association of the New Use of Charcoal in Japan (2002) Newsletter 10. [in Japanese]

Blackwell P , Shea S , Storer P , Solaiman Z , Kerkmans M , Stanley J (2007) Improving wheat production with deep banded Oil Mallee charcoal in Western Australia. In ‘International Agrichar Initiative Conference Booklet’. p. 17. Available at: www.biochar-international.org/images/IAI_2007_Conference_Booklet.pdf

Ezawa T, Yamamoto K, Yoshida S (2002) Enhancement of the effectiveness of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by inorganic soil amendments. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 48(6), 897–900.

Glaser B, Lehman J, Zech W (2002) Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal – a review. Biology and Fertility of Soils 35, 219–230.
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Hayashi R (1990) Effects of purified wood vinegar as soil amendment and leaf surface spray. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 331–341. (TRA: Tokyo)

Hirasa T (1992) Effects of charcoal granule buried in rhizosphere of Pinus thunbergii on the production of syoro mushroom (Rhizopogon rubescens). Bulletin of Shimane Forestry Research Center No. 43, Iishi. [with English summary].

Igarashi T (1996) Soil improvement effect of FMP and CRH in Indonesia. JICA Report, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tokyo.

Igarashi T (2002) ‘Handbook for soil amendment of tropical soil.’ (AICAF: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Ishigaki K , Fujie H , Suzuki K (1990) The effect of the soil amendment materials with charcoal and wood vinegar on the growth of citrus, tea plant and vegetables. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 107–120. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Ishii H , Matsubayashi S , Nagai A (1990) Effects of purified wood vinegar on the growth of crop plants. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 343–362. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Ishii T, Kadoya K (1994) Effects of charcoal as a soil conditioner on citrus growth and VA mycorrhizal development. Journal of the Japanese Society of Horticultural Science 63(3), 529–535.
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Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (2002) ‘Demonstration studies on carbon fixing forest management project.’ (JICA: Tokyo)

Kansai Sangyo Co. Ltd (1991) Challenge toward Nature Farming. Kansai Sangyo Pamphlet, Hikone, Japan. [in Japanese]

Kawamoto K, Ishimaru K, Imamura Y, Ogawa M (2005) Reactivity of wood charcoal with ozone. Journal of Wood Science 51, 66–72.
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Kikuchi J , Ogawa M (1999) Development of nursery techniques utilizing microorganisms. In ‘RETROF: Research Report on Rehabilitation of Tropical Forest’. pp. 155–182. (RETROF: Tokyo)

King Coal Co. Ltd (2006) Hi-pro. King Coal Pamphlet No. 251. [in Japanese]

Kishimoto S (Ed.) (1997) ‘Charcoal and wood vinegar.’ (Sourinsha: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Kishimoto S , Sugiura G (1980) ‘Introduction to Sunday charcoal making.’ (Sougou Kagaku Shuppan: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Kishimoto S , Sugiura G (1985) Charcoal as a soil conditioner. In ‘Symposium on Forest Products Research International – Achievements and the Future’. pp. 12–23. (CSIR Conference Centre: Pretoria)

Kitamura T, Tanaka T, Katayama H, Ishitobi Y (2005) Evaluation of the humidity control capacity of the waste wood charcoal. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 16(6), 501–507 [in Japanese].
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Kobayashi N (2001) Charcoal utilization in agriculture (1). Nogyo Denka 54(13), 16–19 [in Japanese].

Komaki Y, Nakano A, Kato H, Uehara Y (2002) Utilization of chaff charcoal for medium of flower bed seedlings and its effect on the growth and quality of Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) seedlings. Japanese Society for Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 73(1), 49–52 [in Japanese].

Lehmann J (2007) A handful of carbon. Nature 447, 143–144.
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Lehmann J, Gaunt J, Rondon M (2006) Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystem – a review. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 11, 403–427.
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Lehmann J , Joseph S (Eds) (2009) ‘Biochar for environmental management, science and technology.’ (Earthscan: London)

Matsubara Y, Hasegawa N, Fukui H (2002) Incidence of Fusarium root rot in asparagus seedlings infected with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus as affected by several soil amendments. Journal of the Japanese Society for Horticultural Science 71(3), 370–374.
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Matsutake Kenkyu Konwakai (Ed.) (1982) ‘How to cultivate Matsutake in field.’ (Soobun: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Miyazaki Y (1697) Nougyouzensho (Encyclopedia of Agriculture) Vol. 1. In ‘Nihon Nousho Zenshu Vol. 12 (revised edn)’. pp. 91–104. (Nousangyoson Bunka Kyokai: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Moki Co. Ltd (2008) Smokeless carbonizing kiln. Moki Pamphlet. [in Japanese]

Mori S , Marjenah (2000) A convenient method for inoculating dipterocarp seedlings with the ectomycorrhizal fungus, Scleroderma columnare. In ‘Rainforest Ecosystems of East Kalimantan’. (Eds E Guhardja, M Fatawi, M Sutisna, T Mori, S Ohta) (Springer-Verlag: Tokyo). Ecological Studies 140, 251–255.

Morita H (2005) The effects of humid controlling charcoal on the environmental antigenic allergy. In ‘Proceedings of 35th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society for Dermatoallergology’. Yokohama, Japan. p. 115. (Japanese Society for Dermatoallergology: Wakayama, Japan)

Nakano T, Haishi T, Mizuno T, Takeda T, Tokumoto M (1996) Improvements of the under floor humidity in wood building and water content of wood material. Mokuzai Kogyo 51(5), 198–202 [in Japanese].
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Nogi S (1990) Purification of wood vinegar and the growth promoting effects for fruit trees. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 314–330. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Noguchi A , Sabino JA , Palis MJ , Takahashi T (1993) Effect of rice husk charcoal application on the growth and nitrogen fixation of Phaseolus vulgaris. JICA Internal Report 1993. [in Japanese]

Ogawa M (1978) ‘Biology of Matsutake.’ (Tsukiji Shokan: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Ogawa M (1983) The Mushroom, Rhizopogon rubescens and charcoal. Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute News 223(2), 1–3.

Ogawa M (1987) Symbiotic microorganisms connecting soil and plants. In ‘Ecology of mycorrhiza’. (Nosangyoson Bunka Kyokai: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Ogawa M (1991) The earth’s green saved with charcoal. Nihon Keizai Shinbun (Newspaper of Japanese Economics, Nikkei), 8 January 1991.

Ogawa M (Ed.) (1992) Cultivation of wild mushrooms. In ‘Ringyo Kairyo Fukyu Sosho 110’. (Zenkoku ringyo Fukyu Kyokai: Tokyo)

Ogawa M (1994) Symbiosis of people and nature in the tropics. Farming Japan 28(5), 10–34.

Ogawa M (1998) Utilization of symbiotic microorganisms and charcoal for desert greening. Green Age 14, 5–11.

Ogawa M (1999) Utilization of symbiotic microorganisms and charcoal in tropical agriculture and forestry, and CO2 sequestration. Soil Microorganisms 53(2), 73–79 [in Japanese].

Ogawa M (2006) Inoculation method of Scleroderma columnare onto dipterocarps. In ‘Plantation technology in tropical forest science’. (Eds K Suzuki, S Sakuarai, K Ishii, S Sasaki) pp. 185–197. (Springer-Verlag: Tokyo)

Ogawa M (2007) ‘Reviving pine tree with charcoal and mycorrhiza.’ (Tsukiji Shokan: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Ogawa M, Okimori Y, Takahashi F (2006) Carbon sequestration by carbonization of biomass and forestation: three case studies. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 11, 421–436.
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Ogawa M , Yambe Y (1986) Effects of charcoal on VA mycorrhiza and root nodule formations of soybean: Studies on nodule formation and nitrogen fixation in legume crops. Bulletin of Green Energy Program Group II 8, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan. pp. 108–134. [with English summary]

Ogawa M , Yambe Y , Sugiura G (1983a) Effects of charcoal on the root nodule formation and VA mycorrhiza formation of soybean. In ‘The Third International Mycological Congress (IMC3) Abstracts’. Tokyo. p. 578. (International Mycological Association)

Ogawa M , Yambe Y , Sugiura G (1983b) Cultivation of the hypogenous mushroom, Rhizopogon rubescens. In ‘The Third International Mycological Congress (IMC3) Abstracts’. Tokyo. p. 577. (International Mycological Association)

Oka H , Rungrattanakasin W (1993) Improvement of sandy soil in the Northeast by using carbonized rice husks. JICA Technical Report 13, Tokyo. [in Japanese]

Okimori Y, Ogawa M, Takahashi F (2003) Potential of CO2 emission reduction by carbonizing biomass wastes from industrial tree plantation in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 8, 261–280.
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Okutsu M , Hashimoto D , Fujiyama K , Nagayama M , Oda K , Taguchi K , Nakazutsumi K (1990) The effect of the soil amendment materials with charcoal and wood vinegar on the growth of rice plants, apple trees, and vegetables. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 121–131. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Oohira T, Yatagai M, Hiroi T, Unrinin G (1992) Function of charcoal as microbial carrier in soil. Journal of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents 20(10), 511–517 [with English summary].

Sano H , Tatewaki E , Horio T (1990) Effects of the materials for greening with charcoal on the growth of herbaceous plants and trees (1). In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 155–165. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Senoo K , Tempaku T , Kosaki Y , Ogawa M , Ishikawa M , Matsuoka K (2008) The LC–CO₂ calculations in carbonization process of waste wood. In ‘Proceedings of the 3rd Meeting of Japanese Society of Life Cycle Assessment’. Nagoya. pp. 146–147. (Institute of Life Cycle Assessment: Japan) [in Japanese]

Shea S (1999) Potential for carbon sequestration and product displacement with oil mallees. In ‘Proceedings: The Oil Mallee Profitable Landcare Seminar’. Perth, W. Aust. (Oil Mallee Association: Fremantle, W. Aust.)

Shibata A (2009) Carbon minus project. In ‘Training program for government planners on public development planning led by Ritsumeikan University’. (Ritsumeikan University: Kameoka, Japan)

Shinogi Y (2003) Basic characteristics of low-temperature carbon products from waste sludge. Advances in Environmental Research 7, 661–665.
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Soda R , Shigemitsu H (1990) Spore formation of VA mycorrhizal fungi. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 199–212. (TRA: Tokyo)

Steiner C, Teixeira WG, Lehman J, Nehls T, Macêdo JLVD, Blum WEH, Zech W (2007) Long term effect of manure, charcoal and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered central Amazonian upland soil. Plant and Soil 291, 275–290.
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Takagi K , Takanashi S (2003) Development of a technique for reducing herbicide runoff from paddy fields using the PCPP-1 Model and rice husk charcoal powder. In ‘Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Contaminants in the Soil Environment in the Australasia-Pacific Region’. Beijing, China.

Takagi K , Yoshida Y (2003) In situ bioremediation of herbicides simazine-polluted soils in a golf course using degrading bacteria-enriched charcoal. In ‘Proceedings International Workshop on Material Circulation through Aro-ecosystems in East Asia and Assessment of its Environmental Impact’. Tsukuba, Japan. pp. 58–60.

Takagi S (1990) Immobilization method of root nodule bacteria within charcoal and effective inoculation method to the legumes. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 229–248. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Takami K (2003) ‘Apricot bore fruit in our village.’ (Nihon Keizai Shinbun: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Taketani T (2006) Evaluation of the effect of humid controlling charcoal on the infantile bronchial asthma. Allergy 55(3,4), 467.

Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA) (Ed.) (1990) Technical Report on the Research Report of the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Pyroligneous acid (Wood Vinegar). p. 374. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]

Tomino K (2008) Organizing of eco-brand system in agricultural crops using carbonizing technology. In ‘Seminar of Kameoka Carbon Minus’. (Kameoka: Japan) [in Japanese]

Yamato M, Okimori Y, Wibowo IF, Anshori S, Ogawa M (2006) Effects of the application of charred bark of Acacia mangium on the yield of maize, cowpea and peanut, and soil chemical properties in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 52, 489–495.
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Yambe Y , Ogawa M (1987) Technical development on inoculation and multiplication of useful mycorrhizal fungi. In ‘Research Abstracts 1987. Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute’. pp. 18–19. (Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute: Tsukuba, Japan)

Yatagai M (1990) Purification and utilization of wood vinegar and deodorization by charcoal. In ‘The Research Report on the New Uses of Wood Charcoal and Wood Vinegar’. (Ed. Technical Research Association for Multiuse of Carbonized Materials (TRA)) pp. 297–313. (TRA: Tokyo) [in Japanese]