Conversation

Never add nitrates to soil already deficient in carbon without adding more carbon (either in the form of biochar, or mulch, or other organics like compost) because nitrates in soil actually increase the rate at which carbon in the soil is converted to gaseous forms (CO2 or Methane depending on how much oxygen is in the soil), you want to keep that carbon in the soil as it will be converted to humic and fulvic acids which complex with mineral ions helping the bacteria, fungi, and plants in that soil get what they're need.