Rock Dust as agricultural soil amendment: a review

The agricultural application of silicate rock dust as a soil amendment has been suggested by several authors. Rock forming silicate minerals contain most of the nutrients required by higher plants for growth and development. The scientific evidence about its effectiveness is however contradictory, which derives from inconsistent weathering rates and the complex interactions of several factors. This book presents a theoretical background that justifies the agricultural application of rock dust and reviews published trials that used rock dust as a soil amendment. A review of the trials confirmed the contradictions outlined in earlier studies, the majority of trials however resulted in minor to significant agricultural ameliorations. In suitable environments and with the right combination of locally available, organic materials, rock dust could become an important part in an overall strategy for a more sustainable agriculture.