TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Composition: (I) additionally comprises at least one plant growth promoter comprising a nitrogen containing polymer, a butenolide, salicylic acid, small molecule oxygen and/or nitrogen functional growth promoters, chitin and/or chitosan. In (I), either the biochar or the clay or both is intercalated with the at least one non-clay mineral. (I) is in the form of particles where at least some of the particles have a structure in which (A) is surrounded by a layer comprising the clay and the non-clay minerals. (I): is formed into granules; is in the form of a slurry or a container, which is a pot for planting plants; or is in the form of a dry powder or a humidified powder. Preferred Components: (A) is at least partially derived from wood and/or plant clippings. (A) is derived from an at least partially cellulosic material. (A) is surface oxidized and/or electroplated. Preferred Method: The method of planting a crop in a soil additionally comprises applying a nitrogen based fertilizer to the soil at or proximate the location where (I) is to be located prior to the step of locating (I); and waiting for a period of time between applying the fertilizer and applying (I), where the period of time is 1 week to 3 months.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The non-clay mineral is associated with the biochar and/or the clay. The non-clay mineral is dolomite, rock phosphate, calcium, potassium and magnesium as their sulfate, chloride, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate salts, titanium containing minerals, sand, silica, silicates and rare earth metals and sulfate, oxide, hydroxide or their carbonate salts.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The apparatus additionally comprises a biochar furnace or a substoichiometric combustor for producing biochar for use in the mixer, the furnace or combustor comprising an exhaust outlet coupled to the at least one hot gas inlet port of the torrefier so as to convey hot gases from the furnace or combustor to the torrefier in use. The mixer comprises a heating jacket at least partially surrounding a mixing vessel for heating contents of the mixing vessel; and the torrefier comprises a torrefier gas outlet in gas communication with the heating jacket; where, in use, heated gas from the torrefier passes out of the torrefier gas outlet and into the heating jacket. The heating jacket comprises a drain line coupled to the post-mixer where, in use, condensate from the heated gas from the torrefier is conveyed to the post-mixer and combined with the torrefied product in it. The apparatus additionally comprises a pelletizer coupled to an outlet from the post-mixer for producing granules of (I) from a mixture of the torrefied product and the additives. The pelletizer comprises a drier. The apparatus comprises a mold for forming a shape from (I). The apparatus additionally comprises a low temperature firing kiln for firing the shaped composition so as to form a solid shape of (I).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic matter is proteinaceous or is derived from proteinaceous matter. The organic matter comprises or is derived from polysaccharides and/or oligosaccharides and/or monosaccharides. The organic matter: is acid treated organic matter; and has pH of 6.5-7. Preferred Process: The preparation of (I) additionally comprises combining the cooled torrefied mixture with at least one plant growth promoter. (A) has been electroplated prior to the combining step. The preparation of (I) comprises acid treating the organic matter prior to the combining step, where the acid treating brings the organic matter to a pH of 6.5-7. The preparation of (I) additionally comprises using the exhaust gas to heat the mixing vessel, for condensing an aqueous liquid containing smoke chemicals from the exhaust gas; and pelletizing the slurry so as to form (I) in the form of granules. The aqueous liquid is combined with the torrefied mixture and at least one plant growth promoter so as to form (I) in the form of a slurry. The preparation of (I) comprises forming (I) into the shape of a container. The heated gas is obtained from preparation of (A). The temperature of the combining step is 50-100 degrees C. The torrefying step is conducted at 200-250 (preferably 160-240) degrees C. The residence time for torrefying step is 0.5-3 or 3-5 hours. The preparation of (I) comprises chemically oxidizing the surface of (A) prior to the combining step; and electroplating the surface of (A) prior to the combining step. (I) is located near to, but not in contact with, the seeds. (I) is located in the soil in the form of a slurry or granules. (I) is in the shape of a container, where at least a portion of the soil is located in the container.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The nitrogen containing polymer is a urea-formaldehyde polymer. ACTIVITY - Fertilizer; Plant Growth Stimulant.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.    ADMINISTRATION - Application of (I) is 1-5 tonnes per hectare, by any suitable route.    EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.