Can NOVIHUM® be compared with biochar?
No. NOVIHUM® is an organic matter (humus) concentrate. It resembles the organic matter (humus) that is naturally found in soils. By incorporating organically bound nitrogen into NOVIHUM®, an optimal C/N ratio of 10-12 is achieved. Nutrient immobilization is thus excluded. The nitrogen can be converted back into plant-available nitrogen by microorganisms.
A major difference between biochar and NOVIHUM® is the product quality. NOVIHUM® is consistent in quality, while in the case of vegetable carbon it varies depending on the starting material.
What are the special characteristics of NOVIHUM®?
In addition to the best characteristics of natural organic matter (humus), NOVIHUM® has a high content of carbon/humic substances, as well as a very good cation exchange capacity (CEC). Thus, NOVIHUM® contributes to the retention of parts of the nutrients in the topsoil.
How is NOVIHUM® registered?
NOVIHUM® is approved as a mineral-organic fertilizer and complies with the requirements of the German Fertilizer Ordinance (DüMV).
If it is organic matter, does that mean that no nutrients are released from it?
No, NOVIHUM® contains 4% nitrogen. This is present as ammonium nitrogen and as organically bound nitrogen. The latter also becomes available to plants over a longer period.
How often is NOVIHUM® applied to the areas and in what quantities (What quantities must be applied to have an effect?)
Application rates of NOVIHUM® range from 200-500kg/ha depending on the crop, crop rotation and soil conditions. We recommend an annual application.
What is the effect of NOVIHUM® on the fertilizer balance? What quantities do you have to reckon with when recording there?
NOVIHUM® is an organic-mineral N fertilizer and must be fully accounted for. For every 100kg of NOVIHUM® this is 4kg of nitrogen.
Is NOVIHUM® approved for organic farming?
Unfortunately, no, but we are currently working on a product that can be used in organic farming.
What is NOVIHUM® made of? How is it manufactured?
NOVIHUM® is made from the raw materials lignite, ammonia and oxygen and is produced in a patented process.
What about the production of NOVIHUM®? Has the energy and greenhouse gas balance been tested?
Yes, and the production of NOVIHUM® has a much lower CO2 footprint than e.g., common fertilizers. First studies are available and can be requested.
Does the carbon remain permanently stored in the product/soil? Is it possible to achieve a lasting effect for climate protection?
Yes, studies have shown that the decomposition rate is about 0.5% per year. This means that after 20 years, approx. 90% of NOVIHUM® is still in the soil. Since NOVIHUM® has been proven to increase root and plant growth, it can be assumed that organic matter formation is promoted, and thus additional CO2 is bound from the atmosphere.