The visiting of revegetated sites by Solicaz during the experimentation of the Guyafix project

The visiting of revegetated sites by Solicaz during the experimentation of the Guyafix project

Following the final restitution of the MOM and GUYAFIX projects presented on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, agents of the DEAL (Directorate of the Environment, Construction, and Housing), the PTMG (Mining Technical Centre of French Guiana), Voltalia, Forest Initiatives, Biosystem and the Parliamentary Attachment, Berthelot, of the Minister of Parliament (MP), were welcomed on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at St. Elie’s Company of Mines (SMSE). The revegetated sites were revealed as part of an experimentation framework of the “Selection of endogenous nitrogen-fixing plants from French Guiana for the restoration of degraded sites.”

After two years of experimentation, the seedlings of Inga and Clitoria planted on sites with extensively degraded soil, reached between 7 and 8 meters of growth.

Parcelle de haut_copie

These species have also allowed for the reduction of soil degradation and the spontaneous installation of new forest species through their nitrogen fixing nature. The species benefit from more enriched beds as well as shading brought by the new trees, altogether resulting in plant growth of about 3 meters per year.

At the end of this visit, all the guests as well as the television host, Guyane Première, – who were also present for the report, – were able to conclude that nitrogen-fixing plants are a guarantee of success for the maintenance and resuscitation of a depleted soil.

Les visiteurs

REAGI Workshop: “The usage of coal in agriculture” (Oct 27, 2015)

REAGI Workshop: “The usage of coal in agriculture” (Oct 27, 2015)

On October 27th, 2015, Solicaz participed in the second RÉAGI workshop conducted, titled, “The Usage of Coal in Agriculture,” in Macouria. The workshop was organized by X. Desbois and A. Sambin.

Charbon agricole 2

Charcoal is obtained after the carbonization of wood in order to recover the coal and minerals contained by the wood. In agriculture, this charcoal is a fertilizer that allows for the amelioration of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil at the level of capacity for the retention of water, nutrition-enhancing soil elements and the development of micro-organisms responsible for the mineralization of the organic material.

When we associate charcoal with diverse organic elements like crops, ash, animal dung, fish bones, etc., we obtain a very rich and fertile earth called terra preta. From its composition, this land (of pre-Columbian origin) is highly concentrated in organic matter and nutrients. The micro-organic activity is also highly developed, hence its exceptional long-term capacity for fertility.

Charbon-Matiti2014 (1)

After presenting the various agronomic qualities of carbon and the history of terra preta in the Amazon, X.DESBOIS presented the results from tests conducted with carbon – results that Solicaz could only support given its own research. Under the RITA-GUYAFER (The Improvement of Soil Fertility in French Guiana) project, Solicaz demonstrated that the use of carbon improves soil quality by at least 44% and allows for the improvement of soil culture.

Once the workshop was completed, the guests visited the Botanical Garden of Macouria where they were able to benefit from an educational tour by A.SAMBIN of this vast space with its rich floral biodiversity. Sambin also educated guests on the technique of making terra preta, and the results on plant growth and soil quality that had been obtained in just a few years.

charbon-Hovel-2014 (1)

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