Rock Dusts in Agriculture: Insighr.s on Remineralization and By

Rock Dusts in Agriculture: Insighr.s on Remineralization and By

Rock Dusts in Agriculture: Insighr.son
Remineralizationand
By SteveDiver
AppropriateTechnologyTransferfor Rural Areas
Part I, Rock Dusts in Agriculture
Rock dusts,asthe term is usedin organicagriculture,refersto thosegranitemealsand quarry dustsand rock
flours that are derivedfrom very finely groundrock minerals. Rock dustsare valued for the finenessof grind and
afiapeelementcontent.
Someexamplesof rock dustson the marketincludeAzomite,McKenzieRock Flour, PlantersII, andDesert
Dyna-Min. Flora-Stimis a clay-basedrock dustmaterial.
Rock dustsarepart of a broadclassof non-syntheticfertilizer materialsusedin organicfarming. Generically,
thesematerialsareknown as "rock powders"or "rock minerals.""Mineral fines" is anotherterm usedin
associationwith finely-groundaggregate
materialsthat areby-productsof quarryingandrelatedmining
industries.
A companionATTRA publication- S,eutee;:lf_QrSsua*EeilIizers_ltlld'luendru9l:dr- lists suppliersof rock
minerals.In it, we havesubdividedtheseinto two categories:Rock Minerals-Phosphates
(colloidalrock
phosphate,
hardrock phosphate,etc.)andRock Minerals-Non-Phosphate
(granitemeal,graveldusts,lime,
greensand,
etc.).
The usesof rock dustsin agricultureinclude:
o
o
o
o
o
o
.
o
.
As an amendmentto compostpilesor compostwindrows
As an amendmentto pottingmixesfor greenhouse
cropsandtransplants
As a topdressingto greenhouse
pottedplants
Adding to freshlivestockbeddingmaterialsto reduceodorsand absorbvolatiles
As an amendmentto soils
As an amendmentto compostteas
As an amendmentto blendedfoliar fertilizers
As a humandietarymineralsupplement
As an animalfeedmineralsupplement
A commonnotion amongorganicfarmersis that rock dustsprovidekey mineralsupplementation
that enhances
the "strength"and "vitality" of plantsandtherebyincreases
resistance
to insectattackas well as improvesthe
flavor andnutrition of crops. Conceptsandtermslike "strength"and "vitality" comefrom the praciitioner
experienceratherthanscientificliterature,nevertheless
they meansomethingto farmerswho work closelywith
the soil. To supporttheir claimsthatrock dustsenhancethe sugarandmineralcontentof fruits andvegetables,
the refractometer-alsoknown asa brix meter-is commonlyusedto evaluatesolublesolidsmeasuredon a scale
knownasBrix.
Remineralization
Soil remineralizationis a commonterm usedin associationwith rock dusts. In organicagriculture,
remineralizationhasboth a genericmeaningand identificationwith a specificmovementwithin organic
agriculture.
Remineralization
No. l: Remineralization
canbe usedasa genericterm for any additionof rock mineralsto soils
asa meansto replenishmineralnutrientsandprovideagronomicbenefits. It recognizesthe fact that continuous
hanrestingof cropsremovesa certainamountof mineralsfrom the soil, andthat remineralizationcanprovide
essentialmineralelements- or help balancemineralnutrients,especiallytraceelementsandsecondarynutrients
like calciumandmagnesium.
RemineralizationNo.2: In 1982,JohnHamakerandDon Weaverco-publishedTheSurvivalof Civilization.
Hamakerstessedthe importanceof "remineralizing"soils throughthe addition of groundglacial rock duststo
restoresoilsandforests,with a secondarygoal to stabilizethe globalclimateand preventanotherice 4ge. This is
a pretty big concept but Hamakerwas an engineerwho publishedextensivelyon remineralizationand a lot of
peoplelistenedto what he hadto say. Over time, however,mostsoil remineralizationadvocateshavelightened
up on the ice agescenarioand settledinto the agronomicbenefitsof rock dusts. In fact, a lot of Hamaket'sfocus
on mineralaationdealswith the influenceof soil microbiallife interactingwith the mineralelementsto build a
healthy,fertile soil to promoteabundantvegetativegrowth (especiallyas it relatesto afforestation),and also,to
producecropsand livestockthat are well nourishedand minerally and nutitionally enriched.
The following points-- a summationfrom Hamakermaterials,includingan unpublishedmanuscriptfrom 1969,A
Program of Natural Farming as the Key to Preventionof DegenerativeDisease- summarizesHamaker's
remineralizationtheoryin a nutshell(l):
o Optimum healthrequiresthe constantand abundantflow of groundrock of maximum variety to the soil.
The only supplyof adequatelymixed rock is the glacial depositthat extendsin a layer of hundredof feet
thick from Michiganand Wisconsinto the North Pole. The key is readilyavailable.
o Finely groundrock dustspossessimmenselyincreasedsurfaceareacomparedto rock flakes,gravel,or
parentmaterial. The increasedsurfaceareaenhances
mineralavailability,especiallyin combinationwith
microbialaction. A mixtureof elements,includingtraceelements,is highly desirable.
block ofrock one foot squarecan be buried in the earthand the areaexposedto action ofsoil organic
ids will be six squarefeet. Now takethatblock andsliceit into slivers.001"in width. Now thereis a
of (two sides)x I 2,000 squarefeet = 24,000squarefeet. Thenslice eachsliver of one squarefoot into
of .001'andtherewillbe 2x24,000:'l2,0OOsquarefeetof
area(1.75
acre).Rockgroundtoair
particlesizeis smallerthan .001". Oneton of suchrock would provide 1,000,000squarefeet
acres)of chemicallyactivenutrients(Source:Reference
No. l).
Minerally enrichedsoilssupporthealthyplant growh, andconversely,a buildupof organicmatter.
Increasedlevelsof organicmatter,in turn"providefood andhabitatfor a vigoroussoil organismpopulation
that areessentialin supplyingcrop plantswith mineralelementsfrom the soil matrix. Thus,mineralsand
organicmattergo handin handto supporta healthysoil agroecosystem.
Breakdownofthe rock dustandliberationofits nutrientsis proportionalto the quantityofsoil organism
vitv and that in turn is
ional to the
ic matterin the soil (Source:ReferenceNo. I
Soil microbiallife playsan importantrole in thebiochemicalactionon rock dusts. Organicacidsand
enzymes,microbialbyproductsof organicmatterdecomposition,
help to solubilizeandtransformmineral
nutrientsinto bioavailableforms.
o A goalof naturalfarmingmethodsis the productionof high proteinfood cropsthat supplygoodamountsof
mineralsandvitamins.
largelyasstarchwill not feedman. He just eatstwice asmuchlow proteinfood if
tonnageexpressed
is what it takesto get enoughprotein. His hungeris not then satisfiedbecausehigh starchfoods
if everhavethe full complementof proteinsandvitamins. Without theseprorcinsandvitaminsas
asa full complementof minerals.he becomes
Source:ReferenceNo. I
. Studiesshowa relationbetweentooth decayand an inadequatemineral supply; studiesfind long-lived and
healthyhumansare locatedin geographicalregionswith glacial mountainwatersandmineral-rich soils.
. Accessto powerandmachineryto gnnd rock, especiallymixed igneousrock in glacialdeposits,that can
thereforesupplyrock dustfor usein remineralizingsoils.
In retrospect,Hamaker'sfocus on soil restorationin associationwith promotionof healthy forestecosystemsand
croplandsparallelsthat of currentlegislativeproposalsto financiallycreditfarmersfor carbonsequestration,
i.e.,
for soil organicmatterbuilding practicessuchasno-tillage and for vegetationestablishmentof treesand prairies.
In this respect,Hamakerwas a pioneer. Interestingly,the currentparadigmis gearedto global warrningrather
thanHamaker'sglobalcooling,yet both discussrestorationof forestsandgrasslands
uNa solutionto climate
change.
Rock Dusts,Organic Matter, end Microbes
Rock dustsare saidto stimulatesoil microbial activity andto provide traceelementsand secondarynutrientsincluding rare earthelementsthat are not recognizedasplant essentialelementsby conventionalagricultural
scientists. In fact, it is the finenessof grind and mixture of traceelementsthat are said to enhancemicrobial
activity;because:[1] finely groundrock powdershavea hugesurfacearea;and [2] face elementsfunction as
chemicalcatalyststhat microbesuseto manufactureand releasesoil enzymes.
Here, I call your attentionto a cenfralconceptof mineralizationas it relatesto organicagricultureand soil
science.That is, solubilizationandmineralizationof mineralnutrientsin soilsandfrom paxentmaterial,as well
asrock dusts,is facilitated by organicacidsreleasedby microbesduring decompositionof organicmaterials- for
example,animal manures,greenmanures,and composts.Biological processesin agficulturethat feature
solubilizationandmineralizationinclude: soil acidity;microbialdecompositionof organicmaterialsin soil;
microbialactivity in compostpiles;activebiosolubilizationin preparationof organichydroponicsolutions.
One of the usesrock dusts,asan amendmentto composts,is of particular interestwith respectto enhancementof
microbialactivity andbioavailabilityof mineralelementscontainedin rock minerals. "Mineralizedcompost"is a
termusedin associationwith compostsamendedwith rock dustsandrock phosphates,
to takeadvantageof this
(solubilization
microbialaction
andmineralization).
Microbesplay an integralrole in the breakdownof raw organicmaterialsplacedin a compostwindrow, aswell as
in the buildupphase,whenraw organicmaterialsareusedasbuilding blocksin the formationof complexhumic
substances.Composters
who amendtheir windrowswith rock dustssaythe traceelementscontainedin the rock
mineralsfunctionasbiocatalystsin microbially-drivenenzymereactionscritical to the breadkdownandbuildup
process.It maybe helpful to think of compostingasa complexbio-physico-chemical
transformationfactory
whereraw organicmaterialslike strawandmanureareturnedinto stablehumus. It is in this millieu that rock
dustsfeedmicrobeswith necessary
traceelementsandthe byproductsof microbialactivity, organicacids,help
solubilizethe slowto-releasemineralelementstied up in rock minerals. All of thesereactionsandactivities
occursimultaneously.
Thoughit shouldbe notedthat compostscanbe madewithout rock dustsand in fact rock dust supplementationof
compostsis more akin to the Europeantradition than the Americantradition, the point hereis that rock dustsare
usedby somecompostersasbiocatalystsfor microbialenzymesynthesisandto increasethe biotic-mineral
contentof humus,which is the end resultof composting.
The following helpful instructionson the useof rock dustsin compostswerefoundin the Spring1993issueof
RemineralizetheEarth, in an articleby GeorgeLeidig titled "Guidelinesfor Rock Dust Applicationin Compost
by the LuebkeMethod"(2):
. Finely groundrock dustshouldbe addedatarate of 10-20lbs per cubicyard of raw material.
. The particlesizeshouldbe lessthan20 micronsin diameter,or passthrougha #300-meshscreenor finer.
The finenessof the material is important,sinceyou want to asswethat the mineralsare readily availableto
the microbesduringthe compostingprocess
. Magnesiumlevels shouldbe under5olo,sincehigh magnesiumlevels rob nifiogen from the compostand
soil
o Calcium levelsbetween5-l0o/oarepreferred--calcium is a macro-nutrientessentialfor microbial life and
plant growth
o The rock dustanalysisshoulddisplaya well-balancedarrayof micro-nutrients,whictr,as in the soil,
stimulatesmicrobial action. This is evenmore importantin composting,sincethe microbesare totally
limited to the materialspresentin the pile for their nutrition
o Granitedust is not recommendedfor compostbecauseof its quaru content. The larger size and slicknessof
the quartzparticlesresistbreakdownand inhibit the attachmentof organicparticlesnecessaryfor proper
humuscrumb formation
. Rock dustsof volcanicori
are preferred,suchas diabaseor basalt,becauseof their high silica value.
necessaryfor propercell structurein plantsand animals. Recentstudies
haveshownsilica play a vital role in calciumandphosphorusassimilation
valuesare thoughtto favorably effect both the composting
processand plant
vth. Although this is a topic of much currentresearcl4therehave not to dateenough
studiesdoneto verifu this scientifically
Rock Dust Resources
EnlivenedRockPowdersby HarveyLisle is a 208-pagebook publishedby Acres,USA. Lisle'sbook is the most
recentand up-to-datetreatiseon this subject,and I recommendit as a startingpoint. Lisle reviewsthe history of
soil remineralizationand discusses
the micronutrientssuppliedby rock dusts. He alsoidentifiesthe paramagnetic
forcesassociated
with rock dustsandrefersto thesetypesof rock powdersas "enlivened." Contact:
AcresUSA Bookstore
P.O.Box 91299
Austin,Texas78709
st2-892-4400
512-892-4448
Fax
[email protected]
htlpi','rvu:ur4grgsusa.q-o-It'a
BreadFrom Stones,originally publishedby the GermanagronomistJuliusHenselin the 1880's,is a 102-page
classicreprintedby AcresUSA. Henselshowedthat plantswould grow betterin soils formedby mimicking
naturalsoil-formingprocesses
that takemillenia;for example,glaciersgrindingover the earth'scrust.
TheSurvivalof Civiltzationby JohnHamakerandDon Weaveris a 218-pagebook availablefor $12through
HamakerWeaverPublishers.Hamakerwasan engineerwho hypothesized
that depositsfrom glacierswere
instrumentalin soil mineralization,andthat rock dustscanhelp remineralizedepletedsoils. Availablethrough
AcresUSDA or HamakerWeaverPubliations,contact:
HamakerWeaverPublications
P.O.Box 1961
Burlingame,CA 94010
4t5-347-9693
StoneAge Farming: Eco-Agricultureforthe 2lst Centuryby AlannaMoore isa2l3-page book availablefor $25
throughAcres USA. Ms. Alanna Moore is a masterdowserwho managesland in Australia, andher book reviews
a numberof the subtleenergytheoriessurroundingsoils and rock minerals,suchas: paramagnetism,Schumann
waves,and relatednaturally occurringenergyfields. In additiorusheaddressesa numberof techniquesthat
collectandbroadcastnaturalenergies,suchasradionicsand stonetowersandLakovskycoils. This is oneof the
betterall-roundbooksto haveon your bookshelffor a modemview of subtleenergyin agriculturefocusingon
soilsandrocks.
Remineralizethe Earth in a non-profit organizationthat promotesthe regenerationof soils and forestswith finely
groundgravel dust asan economicallyand ecologically sustainablealternativeto chemicalfertilizers and
pesticides.In the 1980sand 90s,Remineralizethe Earthpublisheda quarterlyjournal, andbackissuesare&n
excellentway to readup on farmer practicesand scientific research.Thoughit discontinuedits print journal, RE,
Inc maintainsa websitewith articlesfrom pastjournal issues,researchreports,andan electronicforum on soil
remineralization.RE,Inc. plansto developan onlinemagazine,a monthlydigital newsletter,anda research
database.
JoanneCampe,the editor, hascompiledextensiveresourcepacketscontainingresearchand practitioner-based
information on the useof rock dustsin agricultureand forestry.Packetsinclude:
. Soil Remineralization:
Aglcu
.
.
, 146pages.$17.00
Sewigi Treatment,82 pages.$12.00
re & Forestry/Sewage
Stuage.$ZS.OO
For furtherinformation.contact:
RemineralizetheEarth
152SouthStreet
Northampton,MA 01060-4021
4r3-586-4429
Contact:JoannaCampe
[email protected]
htrp_.,i.Be_mtne,ral_i
zrlhc : Eafth-org
The United StatesDepartmentof Agricultureheld a Soil RemineralizationWorkshop
on May
23-24,1994,in Beltsville,Maryland.At thetime,USDA-Agriculture
Research
Servicehadjust initiatedfield
researchinto soil remineralization.FurtherinformationaboutUSDA-ARSresearchis availablefrom Dr. Ron
Korcakwith USDA. (3). The agendaandbrief abstractsof the lecturesareconvenientlylocatedon the web at:
gqy,ips-lr
http,irlwwlv,-b,arq,usda
k_orcaklagenda.htm
"Forumon Remineralization
In addition,a 4-tapesetof the USDA-sponsored
andSustainable
Agriculture"is availablefor $65throughRemineralizethe Earth.
Selectedpapersof specialinterest:
'Soil Remineralization
Aroundthe World' - Ms. J. Carnpe
Editor, Remineralizethe Earth,Northampton,MA
http://www.barc.usda.gov/psi/korcak/ab-3jc.
htm
Effects of Rock Duston Soil MicrobiologyandPlantNutrition'
Dr. David Miller, Biology Deparbnent OberlinCollege,Ohio
http://www.barc.usda.gov/psi/korcaVabI 2dm.htm
Also seemineralfinesresearchat USDA:
Novel Utilizationof Indusrial By-Products:"Waste"Mineral FinesUtilization
http://www.barc.usda.gov/psi/korcak/rk-mf-ov.
htm
Part II: ParamagneticRock Dusb
In recentyears,paramagnetismhasbecomerecognizedas important featureof certainrock dustsand mineral
fines(e.g.,magnetite,basalt,volcanic-derived
material). Paramagnetism
is a weakmagneticatfiactionto an
appliedfield. In other words, paramagneticmaterialsexhibit a weak magneticenergyfield in responseto the
Earth'selectromagneticfield. In associationwith agriculture,this biomagneticenergyfield hasimportant
implicarionsfor soil healthandplantgrowth.
Dr. Phil Callahan,the entomologistandbiophysicistwho broughtparamagnetisminto the forefront of alternative
agriculture,saysthat soils with poor paramagnetismproduceweak cropsthat are predisposedto insectattack and
lesslikely to producehealthy,nutritiouscrops. Conversely,soils with high paramagnetism
canbe expectedto
producehealthycrops.
Someof the paftrmagneticrock dustson the market include productsmarketedby Cairn Tech andNothin' But
Rock. CGS-Paramagnetism,
asmeasuredwith the PCSMMeter (seebelow),is the standardunit of measurement
the industry hasadapted.
Whereasparamagnetismis a commonterm in chemistryand physics,recognitionof its importanceand
applicationin agricultureis altogethernew. The primary sourceof information on paramagnetismin agriculhue
is Dr. Callahan'sbooks and articles,for example,Modern l[ysteries, Modern Visions: TheMagneticLfe of
Agriculnre (198$ andParamagnetism:
Rediscovering
Nature'sSecretForce of Growth(1995)- available
throughthe AcresUSA Bookstore.
Paramagnetism,
asdefinedby TheDictionary of Chemistry:"In paramagnetism
the atomsor moleculesof the
substance
havenet orbital or spinmagneticmomentsthat arecapableof beingalignedin the directionof the
appliedfield" (a). In otherwords,the dipolesalign in the directionof the appliedmagneticfield andthereis a
weakpositiveattractionto the magneticfield.
Diamagnetism,
asdefinedby TheDictionaryof Chemistry:"Diamagnetismis the magnetizaionin the opposite
directionto that of the appliedmagneticfield, e.g.,the susceptibilityis negativeawayfrom the magnetic
field" (a). In otherwords,diamagneticsubstance
(e.g.,organicmatter,humus,microbes,plants)exhibita weak
negativemagnetiveforce,they arerepelled;conversely,the dipolesalign in the oppositedirectionof the applied
magneticfield.
Herewe canseethat certainmineralelementsexhibit paramagnetism,
while organicmatter andplantsexhibit
diamagnetism.Dr. Callatranalludesto the importanceof a counterbalancebetweenparamagnetismand
diamagnetism,
similarto the yin-yangof ChineseandJapanese
geomancy.Further,we canalsoseean interesting
correlationto positiveand negativepoleson a battery. Whenwe pay attentionto paramagnetism
in soilsand
composts,we havethe opportunity to enhanceenergyflow betweenpositive (paramagnetic)and negative
(diamagnetic)substances.
In practice,the currgntstrategyamongecologicalfarmersis to measurethe paramagnetismof their soils and try to
improve it throughthe addition of paramagneticrock dusts.
To mgasureparamagnetism,
Dr. Callahantook a $6,000meterusedin the British mining industry(Bartington
Model MS2) and redesignedit for usein agriculture.The result is the ParamagneticCount Soil Meer (PCSM),
which sellsfor about$400from Pike Lab Suppliesin Stong, Maine. Contact:
Pike Agri-Lab Supplies
[Contact: Bob Pike]
RR 2, Box 710
Strong,Maine 04983
207-684-st3l
207-684-5133
Fax
[email protected]
http://www.pikeagri.com
The PCSM Meter providesa digital readout,usingthe standardunit of measurementof CGS, or CentimeterGrams-Seconds,
whigh is the weight of paramagneticmaterialthat will move one centimeterto a magnetin one
second. Substances
that canbe analyzedby this meterinclude rock dusts,humates,soils, minerals,Grtilizers, and
gthgrsagricultural amendments. The following table,Rangeof ParamagneticValues,wasprovidedby Dr.
Callahanat the 1995Acres,USA Conferencein St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Callahanalsopresentedthe following table,Rangeof Paramagnetic
Valuesfor Soils,at the 1995Acres,USA
Conferencein St. Louis. Missouri:
Values for Soils
In Paramagnetism:RediscoveringNature'sSecretForce of Growth, Callatranstatesthat the key to a healthy,
productivesoil is Compost,Soil Organisms,andParamagnetism,
or C-O-P. Thus,the useof paramagneticiock
practiceto fiaditionalhumus-buildingpracticeslike composts,cover
dustsmay be viewedasa complementary
crops,gleenmanures,andcroprotations.
Here it may be helpful to placeparamagnetismin the larger contextof alternativeagriculture.
AlternativefarmingsystemsincludeOrganicAgriculture,BiodynamicFarming,NatureFarming,Permaculture,
andEco-Farming.Sustainable
Agriculturemay be viewedasan umbrellaterm that includesall of these
alternativefarmingsystems,aswell asLow-Input. Acres,USAis the eco-farmingmagazine
that publishesbooks
andarticleson Phil Callahan'swork, paramagnetism,
rock dusts,andrelatedconceptsandpractices.
At the recentAcres,USA conferencein Minneapolis,MN, on December7-9,2000, Dr. Callahangavea keynote
addresson paramagnetismand relatedtopics like insectatfiaction to infra-redfrequencies,which occur as spots
on plant leaveswhen cropsare improperly fertilized (i.e., with syntheticnitogen fertilizers). In referenceto his
latestresearch,Callahansaid (paraphrased)"plant roots and leaf hairs are dielectric wave guidesfor carriersof
biophotonlight energy;thereforein the presenceof paramagneticmaterials,theseorgansbecomesupercharged."
Basedon theselatestinsightsfrom Callatran,my conclusionis that paramagnetismsuperchargesthe energetic
plant system,thus enablingroots and leavesto function and metabolizeata higher rate of activity wtrictr risults in
enhancedphotosyntheticcarbohydrateproduction,therebyresultingin improvedplant growth andyield,
improvednutritionalcomposition,anda naturalability to resistinsectattack. Someof theseoutcomes,especially
differenceswith insectattraction,are due asmuch to variationsin resonancefrequencyasan improved statusto
planthealth.
Part III: ParamagneticInfluence Separatefrom Any Biological-ChemicalAffect
Rock dustsare known to enhanceplant growth by alteringbiological and chemicalaspectsofthe rhizospherethat rich regionofbiological activity at the root-soilinter ce. A few researchers
havedesignedexperimentsto
look at the sole influenceof paramagnetismon plant growth. That is, paramagneticrock dustswere placedin
proximity to roots of seedlingplants,ratherthan incorporatingthe rock powdersinto the potting medium
close_
itself
In oneexperiment(5), Men of the Treesin WesternAustraliaplanted80 Acaciascirpifoliatree
seedlingsin individual pots. A small plastic envelopecontaining6 gramsof graniterock dust was placeddown
the side of 40 potsto evaluatethe effect of paramagnetismon survivability and plant growth. The other 40 pots
servedasa control.Acaciascirpifoliawaschosenbecauseit is difficult to propagateandbecauseA. scirpifolia
treeshaverespondedwell to rock dustapplicationsin the field.
The results:57.5o/o
of the plantsin treatedpotssurvived,whereasonly 15%of the un-treatedplantssurvive. The
researchers
concludedthat remoteplant stimulationby rock dustswarrantfurther investigation.
In Florida,similar researchwasconductedby severalstudentsworking with paramagnetic
materialsobtained
from Dr. Callahan'slab. Plastictubesandfilm canisterscontainingparamagnetic
materialswereburiedin potting
mixesto ascertainthe effectof a subtleenergyfield on plantgowth, separatefrom the rock dustmaterialasa
contributorof mineralnutrition. The resultsweresignificant. Whenparamagnetic
materialswerein close
proximity to plants,increaseswereseenin root length,root branching,plant biomass,andplant height(6;.
Part fV: PracticalApplicationof ParamagneticRock Dusts
With respectto the costof thesematerials,it is my understanding
the bulk materialitself is not too expensive-by
the 50-lb bagor by the ton-but the shippingcostscanbe substantialdependingon thedistancefrom the source.
Sincethereis currently little information or substantiateddataon the useof rock dust availablefrom the scientific
literatureor the ExtensionServiceto draw upon, my suggestionto farmersis to start with a trial quantity, for
examplea 50-lb bag andexperimentwith paramagneticrock dustsin greenhousepot trials and on smail plots of
landraisingvegetablesor field crops.
Hpw-tpL:-ozduet&e,;eqehpn-!-o-utIsru-aL\qqeh (5) is a publication from SAN, the SustainableAgriculture
Networksponsoredby USDA, which you may find helpful.On-farmresearchis a commonpracticein sustainable
agriculttre. This SAN booklet providesthe backgroundinformation to help farmersdesigndemonsfiation
researchplots andevaluate"new" practicesandproductsin comparisonto "traditional"methods.
References:
1) A summaryof Hamaker'sremineralizationtheoryin a nutshellwere compiledfrom from variousHamaker
sources,
especially:
Hamaker,John. 1969. A ProgramofNatural Farmingasthe Key to Preventionof Degenerative
Disease.
Unpublishedleaflet. 7 p.
2) Leidig, George. 1993. Rock dustandmicrobialactionin soil: The symbioticrelationship
betweencompostingandmineraladditives.Remineralizethe Earth. Spring. p. 12-14.
3)
Dr. Ron Korcak
USDA-ARS Plant SciencesInstitute
Henry A. WallaceBeltsvilleAgriculturalResearchCenter
Bldg.003,Rm. 228,10300Balt. Blvd.
Beltsville,MD 20705-2350
301-504-5650
[email protected].
gov
htrp:/tu 4ryIalc._qsda.gov/psl/korcaVko
hhIm
4) Callahan,Phillip S. 1995.Paramagnetism:
Rediscovering
Nature'sSecretForceof Growth.
Acres,U.S.A.,Metairie,LA. 128p.
5)
Oldfield, Barrie. 1988.Anotherclue from Austria:Paramagnetic
effectsof graniterock
dustareshownin seedlinggerminationstudy.RemineralizetheEarth.No. l2-13 (Spring).
p.22-24.
6)
Dykstr4 ThomasM. 2000. Paramagnetic
effectson plantgrowth. AcresUSA.
p.20-21.
September.
7) SAN. 1999. How to ConductResearchon Your Farmor Ranch. Sustainable
AgricultureNetwork.
Washington,
DC. 12p.
HTML version
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Suggested
Reading:
Anderson,
Arden.1992.Magneticsusceptibility.
Acres,U.S.A.November.p. I
Remineralizethe Earthcollection:
An OverviewandReadingList by JoannaC*pr;
On Soil Remineralizaionandthe Climateby JohnHamaker,Don Weaver,Larry Ephronand
A Brief Perspective
JoannaCampe;
RockDust ApplicationBrings Lwge Improvementto Vineyardin SolanoCounty,California"
by Bob Cannard.
http://www.ibiblio.ordlondon/orgfarm/remineralization/remineralization.selected-writines
How to ImproveTopsoil
By David Yarrow
http://danwinter.
com/yanow/soil,htm
Rock Dust Soil AmendmentShowsPromise-Nursery SeedlingsDemonstrateEarly Vigor
andFastGrowth
By Barrie Oldfield,WesternAustraliaMen of the Trees
http://danwinter.
com/yanodaustrala.htm
Soil Remineralisation
By Philip CharlesMadeley
http://www.geocities.com/FlotSprings/Sauna/1432lSoilRemineralisationl.htm
FurtherInformation and World Wide links for Soil Remineralisation
http://www.geocities.
com/HotSprings/Sauna/
I 432lSRInfo.htm
Rock Dust and the Mineral Cycle - Howard Tanner
http://www.organic.mcmail.com,lbodrockdust.
htm
- The MissingLink in High-ProductionFertility
Paramagnetism
http://www.nutri-tech.com.aularticles/Paramagnetism.
htm
List of Rock PowderUsesin Agriculture
By David H. Miller, OberlinCollege
hu
David H. Miller < [email protected]>,
OberlinCollege
http://www.oberlin.edu/-biologyiBIO.faculty.miller.html_
TemporaryGreenhouseKeepsBiology ClassesRunning Smoothly
trftp/Auyry-qb_e_tLn=edilupruserv/qs,-saadeufc_sll9_991_0_UTsxlpor_aqr:Gr_e-_enhou_s_qtrtul
Effectsof Rock Dust on Soil MicrobiologyandPlantNutrition
USDA Soil RemineralizationWorkshoo
Dr. David Miller, Biology Deparflnent,OberlinCollege,Ohio
lrttpJrwrryw.-b-arousd-agslz-7-psVtar,cek&'l2dnlhlm
AgriculturalUseof Rock Finesasa Sustainable
Soil Amendment
Greenbook2000 MarketingSustainable
Agriculture
MinnesotaDepartmentof Agriculture
hApr{uyrry-.m-da,slatE.m-n.uslESAP/grcenb-qok2Q0Q1gb2000,btlnl
Anon. 1986. Informationfor Using Gesteinsmehl
Gatheredin FertilizingExperiments,Preparedby The
Experimentation
Institutefor Foresty, Munich, Germany. I page.
BavarianResearchand
Anon. 1995. "Tornado"grain mill turnsrocksinto powder. FarmShow. Vol. 19,No. 5. p. 28.
effectson plantgrowth. AcresUSA. September.
Dykstr4 ThomasM. 2000. Paramagnetic
p.20-2r.
p. 15-17.
Gilman, Steve.1992.Right underyour feet.NOFA-NY News.September-October.
Gould,Ron. 1991. Mix rock powderswith compostfor fastermineralassimilation.In GoodTilth. July. p. 13,
16 .
Hamaker,John,et al. 1991.A rock dustprimer.Remineralizethe Earth.Winter.p.6-7.
Keouglr,Carol. 1992. Now you needrocksin your bed. OrganicGardening.May-June.
p.73-77.
Kuzpa,John. 1997. Studentprojectat the Universityof Massachusetts:
Pot teston radishesandcloverusing
basaltdustor PlantersII as fertilizer. Remineralizethe Earth. Spring-Fall,Nos. l0-l l. p. 47-53.
Lisle,Harvey. 1991.Let rockstheir silencebreak.AcresUSA. Vol. 21, No. 6. June.p. 14.
Lisle,Harvey. 1991.Rockdustsasrelatedto droughts,radioactivity...AcresUSA. Vol. 21,
p. 17,37.
No. 9. September.
p.6-7.
Lisle, Harvey. 1994.Powerfulpowders.OEFFANews.November-December.
MacCormack,Harry. 1993.The scienceof remineralization.
OrganicFarmer.Fall. p. 43.
Meader,John. 1992. Lava fertility. AcresUSA. April. p. l, 8.
Miller, David. 2000. Scoutingquarriesfor graveldust. AcresUSA. June. p. 29.
Two part remineralizationbrief from OrganicFarmer,Fall 1993:
*A brief perspectiveon soil remineralizationandthe climate
*Right underyour feet: A look at soil remineralizationpracticesby SteveGilman.
Rado,Yvonne.1992.Rock dustsuppliesmineralsthatareas importantto plant growthasNPK. In GoodTilth.
p.19-20.
January.
Further Reading:
Coleman,Eliot. No date.The Useof GroundRock Powdersin Agriculture,a Surveyof the
Literatureon Granites,Feldspars,Micas, andBasalts.SmallFarmResearchAssociation,
p.
Harborside,lvIF.22
Resources:
Rock Dustsand Soil Remineralization
Paramagnetismand Paramagnetics:
CopernicSearchResults:Paramagnetic
hupllnqa[art-ualk-edd-sleyed/ss:pa$0ag!_eJis,hlml
CopernicSearchResults:Paramagnetic
andParamagnetism
httplneatark. uark.edt/- steved
ORMUS, Rare Earth Minerals, and Paramagnetism:
ORMUS and ParamagneticSoils
By Barry Carter
com/onLus/tw/paramag.
htm
http://www.subtleenergies.
ORMUS,What is it?
htp :lwww. subtleenergie
Paramagnetismin the Context of Eco-Farming:
An Eco-FarmingPrimer: Mineral Balancing,Humus Management,& Energy
http://ncatark.uark.edu/-steved/efp-acres.pdf
Mineralization, Solubilization,Amending Compostswith Rock Dusts
Greensand& OtherRock Dusts
By Chris Shade,Australia
SANET Web Post,August 1997
Re: Buckwheatandbiofumigation(andphosphorussolubilization)
SteveDiver (steved@ncatark.
uark.edu)
Fri, 11Sep199809:58:59+0000
SANET Web Archives
http://wwwsare.org/htdocyhypermaiVb
2S%2Dhtml/009_l.html
Foodnutrition andsoil regeneration
ChrisAlenson(oas@alphalink.
com.au)
Tue,16Nov 19992l:00:29+0930
SANET Web Archives
b,ttp-il,uryry-sarp.olg/h-t-d_o_q_srhJp€urar,VhqulYo2Dltesellpol_o2DjtmUQ_4?OhJm_l
Clay-Humus:The Seatof Soil Fertility; A Treatiseon the Vital Role of
Clay-HumusCrumbStructureandOrgano-MineralComplexesin Soils
l.Organo-MineralComplexesandClay-HumusCrumb
2. Adding Clay to Compostto Formthe Clay-HumusCrumb
3.RockDuststo "Mineralize"the Clay-HumusCrumb
4.Paramagnetic
Rock Duststo "BioMagnetize"the Clay-HumusCrumb
By SteveDiver
uark.edu/-steved/clay-humus.
h@l
http://ncatark.
Further Reading:
Coleman,Eliot. No date.The Useof GroundRock Powdersin Agriculture,a Surveyof the Literatureon Granites
Feldspars,Micas,andBasalts.SmallFarmResearchAssociation,Harborside,MB.22 p.
MacCormack,Harry. 1993.The scienceof remineralization.
OrganicFarmer.Fall. p. 43.
Meader,JohnR. 1992.Lavafertility. Acres,U.S.A. April. p. 1, 8.
Suppliersof ParamagneticRock Dusts:
Nuthin' but Rock
[Contact: Doug Munay]
4567064thAve.
PawPaw,MI 49079
616-674_3079
CairnTech
[Contact: Alan Reed]
61 Medley Cresent
Ontario MIJ 1Y2
Scarborough,
4r6-266-4333
416-261-0473Fax
stone.man@sympatico.
ca
PararnolntGrowthHoldingsInc.
MineralResources
Division
PaulHaynes]
[Contact:
Unit 403- l2l RendallStreet
_ Kelowna,8.C.,VgV 2E4
Victoria_ Vancouver
2s0-383-0177
250_383-0179
Fa:r
[email protected]
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Tlrcse organizations do not rccommend or endorsc products, companies, or individuals.
This documentwas developedby ATTRA (AppropriateTechnologyTransferFor Rural Areas),a project of the National
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