Florida’s soils present unique challenges for growers. The soils vary widely from nutrient-poor sandy to highly organic soils, depending on location. These conditions make it difficult to sustainably manage agriculture in a way that supports food production, environmental health and a strong economy.
To address these challenges, University of Florida (UF) researchers are leading a four-year study supported by a $749,999 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The research 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.
The research effort is led by scientists at UF’s Institute of Food and Agriculture and Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Jehangir Bhadha, associate professor of soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center, is one of three principal investigators on the grant. Bhadha said the research will focus on organic soils in South Florida used for row crop production and mineral soils in Central Florida associated with perennial grass pastures.
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 said.
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 incorporating it into their farming program.
Although basaltic rock dust is not currently available in large quantities within Florida for broad agricultural use, it is easily accessible at smaller scales. The material is available from national suppliers who ship bagged products into the state, garden supply retailers and online distributors specializing in soil mineral amendments. Basaltic rock dust is also available from two startup companies based in Florida.
Source: UF/IFAS
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