The current high price of potassium chloride and the dependence of Brazil on imported materials to supply the domestic demand call for studies evaluating the efficiency of alternative sources of nutrients. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of silicate rock powder and a manganese mining by-product, and secondary materials originated from these two materials, on soil chemical properties and on brachiaria production. This greenhouse experiment was conducted in pots with 5 kg of soil (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo […]

The use of potassium (K) rock powder can be an alternative for K supply of crops. Thus, to reduce K fertilizer imports from abroad, possibilities of extracting this nutrient from Brazilian rocks are being studied. The objective was to evaluate the effect of phonolite rock powder (F2) as K source (Ekosil®) on the air-dried fruit yield, nutrition and macronutrient export of Arabica coffee. The experiment was carried out on a dystroferric Red Latosol (Typic Haplorthox), in Piraju, São Paulo State, […]

The expansion of Brazilian agriculture has led to a heavy dependence on imported fertilizers to ensure the supply of the growing food demand. This fact has contributed to a growing interest in alternative nutrient sources, such as ground silicate rocks. It is necessary, however, to know the potential of nutrient release and changes these materials can cause in soils. The purpose of this study was to characterize six silicate rocks and evaluate their effects on the chemical properties of treated […]

This greenhouse study evaluated the effect of potassium-rich silicate rocks (alkaline ultramaphic, pyroclastic breccia and phlogopite) on the release of K and other chemical nutrients of the soil. A Yellow Latossol with 0.03 cmolc dm-3 K soil was used in the study. The rocks were tested at doses of 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg ha-1 K2O with and without lime, applied to increase the soil base saturation (V-value) to 70 %. The rock and lime materials were mixed with the soil in the pots, […]