Nutrients release from powder phonolite mediated by bioweathering actions

Abstract

Purpose Silicate rock powders have been appointed as possible nutrient alternative sources which might enhance the agricultural sector sustainability. However, the application of those materials directly in soil presents as main limitations the low content and solubility of the mineral nutrient sources. In this perspective, the aim of the present study was to evaluate, in a bioweathering perspective, the conjunct application potential of phonolite with organic composts over the nutrients release in soil, as well as the production and nutrition of brachiaria grass (Urochloa decumbens). In addition, it was sought to assess the composting process effectiveness in improving the nutrient release from this rock. Method An experiment was conducted with five treatments (control; enriched compost with powder rock at 10%; mixed compost with powder rock at 10%; solely powder rock; solely compost) and four repetitions. Results The alternative sources positively influenced the productivity, as well as the K and Si contents at the aerial part of the brachiaria grass and the nutrient release in soil. However, the conjunct applications of powder phonolite with organic composts were the source which the best promoted the total nutrient biorelease to soil. Conclusion Nevertheless, there was no evidence that the composting process promotes the phonolite bioweathering. On the other hand, the conjunct application of powder phonolite with organic composts, either as an initial component to the composting pile or additive to the stabilized composts, is a strategy which enhances the nutrient biorelease of the mineral source.

Characterising the biophysical, economic and social impacts of soil carbon sequestration as a greenhouse gas removal technology

“…Rigorous determinations of yield benefits of crushed basaltic rocks are few (Beerling et al, 2018), but recent studies show some successes (e.g. de Fátima Tavares, Carvalho, Camargo, Fátima Pereira, & Cardoso, 2018).…”

Silicate rocks as an alternative potassium fertilizer for upland rice and common bean crops

“…In Brazil, the steady increase in agricultural production and its dependence on the import of K fertilizers over long distances justify assessing rocks as K sources for agricultural use (Manning, 2018). An example of a mineral source with potential for use in agriculture is the phonolite rock (Mancuso et al, 2014;Martins et al, 2015;Teixeira et al, 2015), a silicate rock of volcanic origin, with 7-8% (w/w) K 2 O, whose main constituents are alkaline feldspar and feldspathoids (Teixeira et al, 2012(Teixeira et al, , 2015Tavares et al, 2018). Due to the high level of alkaline oxides, this rock is widely used as a flux by the ceramic industries (Andrade et al, 2005).…”

“…In addition to K, phonolite contains other elements, such as silicon, calcium, magnesium, and iron (Teixeira et al, 2012(Teixeira et al, , 2015Martins et al, 2015), which are also required by plants. Therefore, finely ground phonolite rock can also be used in agriculture, especially to supply K to plants (Mancuso et al, 2014;Martins et al, 2015;Tavares et al, 2018). Some studies have also shown that thermal treatments, such as calcination or melting, can increase the available K in alkaline silicate rocks (Duarte et al, 2015;Martins et al, 2015;Teixeira et al, 2015;Santos et al, 2016;Ciceri et al, 2019).…”

Solubility and availability of micronutrients extracted from silicate agrominerals

“…There is a great variety of agrominerals -such as "verdete de Abaeté" (Silva & Lana, 2015), phonolite (Tavares et al, 2018), basalt and granite powder, alkaline ultramafic, alkaline breccia, biotite schist, and phlogopite schist (Ribeiro et al, 2010) -, with a diverse composition and mineralogy. These rocks also contain various chemical elements; some of them are essential to plants as mineral nutrients, whose availability varies according to the agromineral.…”