A soil treatment may include vermicompost and at least one component chosen from the group of: a calcium source component, an organic component. A calcium source component may be gypsum. An organic source may be humus.

Biochar aggregate particles are provided that are less than 5 mm and are comprised of biochar fines that are less than 1 mm and a binding agent. The binding agent may be clay, starch, a lignin, a polymer and/or a lipid. The biochar aggregate particles may also include additives and/or surfactants. The biochar fines may further be treated with a surfactant solution, a vacuum, ultrasonics or infused with any number of additives.

Biochar aggregate particles are provided that are less than 5 mm and are comprised of biochar fines that are less than 1 mm and a binding agent. The binding agent may be clay, starch, a lignin, a polymer and/or a lipid. The biochar aggregate particles may also include additives and/or surfactants. The biochar fines may further be treated with a surfactant solution, a vacuum, ultrasonics or infused with any number of additives.

A method for producing biochar aggregate particles that comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the fines, (iii) forming the fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles. The steps may further include, for example, adding additives to the fines, drying the solid aggregate particles, activing the binder after forming the solid aggregate particles with heat or cold temperatures and/or treating the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles.

A method for producing biochar aggregate particles that comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the fines, (iii) forming the fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles. The steps may further include, for example, adding additives to the fines, drying the solid aggregate particles, activing the binder after forming the solid aggregate particles with heat or cold temperatures and/or treating the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles.

A soil stabilization method of forming an admixture of at least one hydrogel precursor and urease enzyme, and contacting at least a portion of the admixture with soil, and forming a hydrogel network in-situ within at least a portion of the soil, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogel network includes in-situ precipitated calcium carbonate. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the hydrogel network is formed in-situ by polymerizing the at least one hydrogel precursor in the presence of the urease enzyme.

A soil stabilization method of forming an admixture of at least one hydrogel precursor and urease enzyme, and contacting at least a portion of the admixture with soil, and forming a hydrogel network in-situ within at least a portion of the soil, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogel network includes in-situ precipitated calcium carbonate. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the hydrogel network is formed in-situ by polymerizing the at least one hydrogel precursor in the presence of the urease enzyme.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

Biochars and methods for producing biochar aggregate particles where the method for producing the aggregate particles comprise the steps of (i) producing or collecting biochar fines; (ii) adding a binding agent to the biochar fines; and (iii) forming the biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles.