The gabbro dacite blend as soil remineralizer

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of a mixture of gabbro powder and dacite powder to promote plant growth, provide nutrients and alter soil chemical characteristics. Two experiments were conducted under different field conditions, in which black oat and beans were added with increasing doses (0 to 10 t ha^-1) of the powder rock blend. The grain yield (beans), dry matter production (oats) and the nutritional status of the crops were evaluated. At the end of the experiments, soil samples were collected and subjected to chemical analysis. The application of the rocks resulted in an increase in bean productivity corresponding to 440 kg ha^-1 at the dose of 7 t ha^-1 in relation to the control. The application of the blend also resulted in an overall improvement in most commonly fertility parameters used, although this improvement was more evident only for phosphorus, copper, and zinc nutrients. In addition, the application of the rock mixture resulted in an increase in the foliar contents of potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese nutrients. Therefore, the material obtained by the mixture of gabbro and dacite, in the proportion of mixture tested, can be considered a multi-nutrient source with evident agronomic viability.