Re: GAS-L: Re: CO2 capturing and greenhouses

[Carefreeland@aol.com]

    Mr. Taylor,
    I agree with the majority of what you say here. I was suspicious that CO 
could be damaging but had not heard of any experiments.  I just learned to 
use a computer 2 years ago, and E- mail 6 months ago, so with little formal 
education, I can honestly plead ignorance. 
    I believe the effect you get using lime on alkaline soil is from the 
calcium. Calcium is a hydroponicists dream because of its buffering abilities 
in an inert media.  I hate to see what happens when things dry out though.  
What type of growing system are you referring to here?  Calcium nitrate is 
wonderful. I have had equal success using sulfur in the alkaline soil, to 
balance the pH with smashing results. Once the organic content comes back, 
the pH manages itself better, probably with microbes producing carbonic acid 
and so forth. 
    I agree with your observation about Potassium.  It is also necessary to 
hold water.  To a certain extent, the more you use, the better it works, 
until the salt index gets too high. Consider the source, potassium sulfate 
works wonders with alkaline soil.  In soil environments, the principal loss 
of potassium is through the leaching of organic-depleted soil.  High organic 
soils just charge up with the stuff and recycle it better. 
    I have not heard the latest experiments with CO2.  I believe the point 
you make about plenty of balanced nutrient has to be accompanied by a 
statement about balance in general.  If a plant is happy, with the proper 
sun, temp, humidity, pH and so forth, it will just gobble CO2.  I believe 
that very few species have actually been subject to these experiments, mostly 
bulbs and small ornamental plants.  What about fast growing dense wood trees? 
 Breeding will also increase the potential to eat CO2. 
    I would be interested in the curve plotted for drop in plant metabolism, 
when CO2 exceeds necessary saturation points.  I'm sure that will change with 
species.  It may be caused by other factors.  Most of this research has been 
done in the Netherlands, and the cloudy weather there may be a limiting 
factor.  I suspect it is mostly from lack of oxygen, maybe starving roots in 
the media, not from too much CO2 in the air.  If you have any of these 
studies I'd like to see them.  Most are hydroponic studies, not soil. 
     Unfortunately I have trouble downloading attachments. I don't even know 
how to download software, just give me a few months to learn this stuff.  See 
listers, you can be computer ignorant like me, and still contribute. It's not 
an excuse.  When I learned this stuff we still used books and libraries, no 
money for teachers, can you relate? 
    The other thing we must mention is the use of nitrogen.  In a restricted 
or depleted soil environment (same thing) nitrate is essential.  The use of 
ammonia or urea is not recommended in quantity because of the alkaline 
effects of ammonia.  Again,  living soil, with plenty of carbon the soil, 
produces the nitrate from the NH4 and it's Self maintaining.  Can we see the 
importance of organic matter?  We haven't discussed all the other minerals. 
Oh well, 
                                                          Dan Dimiduk  

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