Florida’s soils present unique challenges for growers, land managers and residents. The state’s year-round tropical weather and vast agricultural acreage create ideal conditions, but its soils vary widely from nutrient-poor sandy to highly organic soils, depending on location, prompting research into soil amendments such as volcanic rock dust.
These conditions make it difficult to sustainably manage agriculture in a way that supports food production, environmental health and maintains a strong economy.
To address these challenges, University of Florida researchers are leading a four-year study supported by a $749,999 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The collaborative research effort led by scientists at UF’s Institute of Food and Agriculture and Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), will assess the potential of using several types of basaltic rock dust as an amendment to improve soil quality, boost crop growth and support sustainable farming across Florida.
