Across Western Australia, landscape managers, turf professionals and growers face increasing pressure to maintain healthy, productive environments with less water, tighter budgets and more challenging climate conditions.

Hydrophobic sands, compacted soils, poor nutrient retention and increasing drought stress continue to impact everything from urban parks and sports turf to broadacre farming and revegetation projects. As these challenges become more common, many industries are looking beyond traditional inputs and towards regenerative solutions that improve the soil itself.

One technology gaining significant attention is biochar.

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from biomass through a process known as pyrolysis. When incorporated into soil, biochar works by improving soil structure, increasing water-holding capacity and enhancing nutrient availability.

Unlike many soil amendments that deliver short-term benefits, biochar remains stable in the soil for decades, helping to build healthier, more resilient growing environments over time.

Biochar works by improving the soil itself rather than acting as a conventional fertiliser. Once applied, biochar delivers highly porous biochar particles into the root zone, where they enhance soil structure, water retention and nutrient availability.

The secret lies in biochar’s sponge-like structure. Its millions of microscopic pores capture and hold water that would otherwise drain away, making moisture available to plants for longer. This is particularly beneficial in Western Australia’s sandy soils, where water retention is often limited.

These pores also retain important nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and ammonium nitrogen, reducing leaching and improving fertiliser efficiency. By increasing the soil’s cation exchange capacity (CEC), biochar helps keep nutrients in the root zone where plants can access them when needed.

Beyond water and nutrient retention, biochar provides a protected habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms. These microbes help cycle nutrients, improve soil biology and support healthier root development.

The combined effect is stronger root growth, improved nutrient uptake, better drought resilience and enhanced plant performance. Because biochar remains stable in the soil for years, these benefits continue to build over time, making biochar a long-term investment in soil health, productivity and resilience.

Bio-Char Boost has been developed specifically for Western Australian conditions, combining liquid biochar with NPK nutrients, soil conditioners and beneficial metabolites in a convenient liquid formulation.

The product was developed following extensive research into soil health, water management and landscape resilience. It provides a practical solution for professionals looking to improve soil performance while supporting sustainability objectives.

Key benefits include:
• Improved soil structure and water infiltration
• Increased moisture retention in sandy soils
• Enhanced nutrient availability and uptake
• Stronger root growth and plant establishment
• Reduced irrigation demand
• Long-term carbon capture within the soil profile

Griffith University research has demonstrated the significant impact liquid biochar can have on soil performance and productivity. A two-year study conducted in the NSW Riverina region compared untreated control plots against various liquid biochar treatments, assessing:
• Biomass production
• Nutrient retention
• Soil biology
• Soil moisture storage
• Carbon sequestration

✅ Yield increases of up to 44%
✅ Soil moisture improvements of 27% to 35%
✅ Approximately 150 kg of CO₂ removed per hectare annually
✅ Improved drought resilience and plant performance during dry seasons

The trial also demonstrated strong improvements in seasonal productivity. During the wetter 2023 season, pasture production increased from 14 t/ha in untreated areas to 32 t/ha in treated areas. In the much drier 2024 season, yield increased from 5 t/ha to 8 t/ha with a twice-yearly Bio-Char Boost application program.

The full research report can be viewed here: Developing a novel carbon negative fertiliser.

To further validate Bio-Char Boost’s performance under local conditions, Baileys have broadacre wheat trials in the central and southern wheatbelt, across multiple soil types that are already showing improved root growth and more consistent plant growth on both high aluminum sands and neutral to high pH clay soils.These trials will be harvested for grain yield with trial data available once collected.

These trials aim to build on the promising university research and provide growers with practical, region-specific insights into how Bio-Char Boost can improve soil health, water efficiency and farm productivity.

As water efficiency, climate resilience and sustainability become increasingly important, solutions that improve soil performance will play a critical role across landscaping, turf management and agriculture.

For more than 100 years, Baileys has been helping Western Australians grow healthier plants and build stronger landscapes through innovation in soil and plant nutrition. As we look towards the next century, our focus remains firmly on the future of soil science, water stewardship and sustainable land management. Products like Bio-Char Boost represent the next generation of solutions, combining proven research with practical application to help create healthier soils and more resilient environments for generations to come.