Making soil health more sustainable with Basaltic Rock Dust

Imagine using ordinary volcanic rock to solve some of agriculture’s biggest challenges. That is the goal of a team of researchers at the University of Florida. Dr. Jehangir “Jango” Bhadha, associate professor in the UF/IFAS department of soil, water, and ecosystem sciences, is leading the effort. Funded with a $750,000 USDA grant, the project will explore how Basaltic Rock Dust (BARD) can improve soil health, boost crop resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With its focus on Florida’s sandy and organic soils, this research could lead to more sustainable farming practices across subtropical regions.

The BARD project is an interdisciplinary effort. It includes Dr. Maria Silveira (SWES), Dr. David Foster (UF Department of Geological Sciences), and Dr. Matthew VanWeelden (UF/IFAS Extension). It takes a climate-smart approach to agriculture, aiming to balance food security, climate change adaptation, and greenhouse gas reduction. Researchers will evaluate the agronomic and environmental benefits of BARD in two key Florida agroecosystems. One is row crop production on Histosols in the Everglades Agricultural Area, in Palm Beach County, Florida. The other is the perennial pastures within a USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research site, in Hardee County, Florida.

“Florida’s unique sandy and organic soils present both challenges and opportunities,” Dr. Bhadha explained. “Our goal is to assess BARD’s potential to improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration, and promote sustainable agricultural systems.”

An image showing two circles. The one on the left side is a light brown basaltic rock dust and the one of the right shows a dark gray basaltic rock dust.
Two types of basaltic rock dust.
(Photo from Dr. Bhadha)
Multidisciplinary Expertise and Impact

This project aligns with USDA Soil Health program priorities, particularly in foundational and applied research. Field and laboratory experiments will explore BARD’s efficacy in enhancing soil carbon storage and its long-term benefits for agricultural productivity. The research is especially relevant in Florida’s warm subtropical climate, where carbon sequestration in soil is difficult.

“Basaltic rock dust is a promising soil amendment because it offers multiple benefits,” Dr. Bhadha said. “In addition to improving soil structure and fertility, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions through enhanced rock weathering—a natural process that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

The study will also address practical challenges like the economic feasibility of BARD application, ensuring that the proposed practices are scalable, cost effective, and beneficial for growers.

The research team brings together expertise from multiple fields to achieve the project’s ambitious objectives. Dr. Silveira will lead research on the agronomic effects of BARD, while Dr. Foster will focus on the geochemical characteristics of the material. Dr. VanWeelden will oversee stakeholder engagement and extension activities, ensuring results are effectively disseminated to growers and other agricultural stakeholders.

A Step Toward Resilient Agriculture

This research holds promise for regions like Florida, where intensive agricultural practices often strain soil health. By investigating BARD’s potential to improve soil sustainability and mitigate climate change, the project addresses critical challenges facing agriculture today.

“This is not just about improving soil health,” Dr. Bhadha emphasized. “It’s about creating resilient agricultural systems that benefit growers, the environment, and future generations.”


This work is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI): Foundational and Applied Science Program, grant number: 2025-67019-44443, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.

Featured image is a UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones.

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Posted: January 13, 2025


Category: Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Basaltic Rock Dust, Carbon Sequestration, Climate Change, Everglades Research And Education Center, Greenhouse Gas, Jango Bhadha, Jehangir Bhadha, Maria Silveira, Range Cattle Research And Education Center, Soil Health, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, USDA-NIFA


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