New Study Testing To See if Volcanic Rock Dust Can Improve Plant and Soil Health

University of Florida researchers are leading a four-year study supported by a $749,999 grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The collaborative research effort led by UF/IFAS scientists will assess the potential of using several types of basaltic volcanic rock dust as an amendment to improve soil health, boost crop growth, and support sustainable farming across Florida.

“As part of this effort, the research will focus on two types of soils, organic soils in South Florida used for row crop production such as sugarcane and rice, and mineral soils in Central Florida associated with perennial grass pastures,” says Jehangir Bhadha, Associate Professor of soil, water and ecosystem sciences at UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade.

While the research is rooted in Florida’s unique conditions, its implications extend far beyond the region. Findings from the project could help guide soil management strategies in other warm, humid agricultural areas across North America facing similar challenges. These include Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and areas that rely heavily on irrigation like Arizona and southern California.

Simultaneously, the research team is assessing the economic feasibility and scalability of using basaltic rock dust in real-world agricultural operations. Long-term benefits under evaluation include remineralization of depleted soils, stabilization of organic carbon and the supply of major and micronutrients that could reduce reliance on conventional fertilizers.

“The study will test different types of basaltic rock dust, at different rates, and different particle sizes to assess the most suitable blend that would be most beneficial for specific agronomic practice,” Bhadha adds. “Identifying an optimum blend of the volcanic rock will be key to developing a cost-effective, ecofriendly, sustainable solution that the Florida agroindustry can benefit from.”

Both organic and mineral soils present opportunities to test basaltic rock dust because of inherent limitations of these soil types to intensive agricultural practices in Florida. Evaluating the feasibility of utilizing basaltic rock dust as a soil amendment will provide growers with the option of whether to adopt incorporating it into their farming program.

“The potential of enhanced rock weathering and its effect on soil health will only be realized when the agricultural benefits are proven and economically viable in Florida where weathering rates are fastest,” Bhadha says. “That amendment makes it a promising candidate for subtropical agricultural systems, where improving soil function is both a scientific and economic priority.”

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