Farming with rocks and minerals: challenges and opportunities

In many parts of the world food security is at risk. One of the biophysical root causes of falling per-capita food production is the declining quality and quantity of soils. To reverse this trend and increase soil fertility soil and plant nutrients have to be replenished. This review provides a lite...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 2006-12, Vol.78 (4), p.731-747
Main Author: Van Straaten, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture - economics
Conservation of Natural Resources - economics
Conservation of Natural Resources - methods
Fertilizers - analysis
Fertilizers - economics
Geologic Sediments - chemistry
Humans
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES
phosphate rock
reposição de nutrientes do solo
rocha fosfática
rochagem
rock fertilizer
Soil - analysis
soil nutrient replenishment
Tropical Climate
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Summary:In many parts of the world food security is at risk. One of the biophysical root causes of falling per-capita food production is the declining quality and quantity of soils. To reverse this trend and increase soil fertility soil and plant nutrients have to be replenished. This review provides a literature survey of experiences of using multi-nutrient rock fertilizers for soil fertility enhancement from temperate and tropical environments. Advantages and limitations of the application of rock fertilizers are discussed. Examples are provided from two successful nutrient replenishment projects in Africa where locally available rock fertilizers are used on highly leached acid soils. The potential of combining organic materials alongside rock fertilizers in soil fertility replenishment strategies is stressed.
ISSN:0001-3765
1678-2690
0001-3765
1678-2690
DOI:10.1590/S0001-37652006000400009