Kushiro City Soil Improvement Technology - February 2000

Kushiro City Soil Improvement Technology - February 2000

Soil improvement technology jointly developed by Maruei Unyu and Hokkaido Institute of Technology is attracting attention in Kushiro City, Hokkaido. This technology utilizes wood vinegar solution, a byproduct of charcoal production, and scallop shells, which are discarded in large quantities in the East Hokkaido region. In an experiment conducted in August 1999 on degraded land in Kushiro City, grass yields increased by more than 20% and no cadmium was found to be leached from the treated soil. In the summer of 2000, this grass was fed to local dairy cows, and a milk quality study is underway. As part of a recycling-oriented agriculture system, this technology is expected to contribute to both environmental conservation and the local economy, and is planned to be commercially deployed over a wider area in the future.