Abstract

This study employs a discrete choice experiment in France to assess winegrowers’ willingness to adopt compost and biochar as organic soil amendments to improve soil health and fertility. It also examines their interest in an innovative use of biochar, placing biochar bags in drainage area near their vineyard, to mitigate pesticide-related water pollution. Our results indicate that winegrowers place greater value on biochar for improving soil health and fertility than for water protection, and show similar preferences for compost and biochar in this regard. These findings appear to be limited to organic winegrowers. Although biochar’s high adsorption capacity could reduce herbicide effectiveness or pesticide groundwater pollution—potentially leading to increased pesticide use—we find no evidence that such an effect occurs in practice.

Practical information