Building soil health and capturing carbon dioxide are crucial for improving agricultural sustainability. In this new project a team of scientists, carbon market professionals, knowledge brokers, farmers and industry organisations are developing a market-driven approach to transform agriculture by rejuvenating infertile soils. The project focuses on scaling up the application of crushed basalt to reverse soil acidification, supply essential nutrients, form fertility-boosting clay minerals, and capture carbon dioxide during weathering. The approach is transformational, providing an alternative to conventional liming that releases a broader suite of nutrients and does not release carbon dioxide. These processes will boost crop growth, improve water and nutrient efficiency, enhance soil quality, and increase carbon sequestration. On-farm demonstrations are being established throughout eastern Australia to evaluate the logistics, costs, and benefits of using locally sourced, high-quality basalt in diverse agricultural systems.
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Authors:
Paul Nelson
