Justification- Due to drastic increases in production costs in recent years, many
Virginia farmers have been seeking information about the effectiveness of
alternative soil amendments and foliar fertilizer products that could potentially
reduce the economic impacts from increased lime and fertilizer costs on their
overall profitability. Unfortunately, there has not been much independent
research on many of these products; which have grand claims of success. What
research was completed by land-grant universities across the country has shown
mixed results. Often, positive responses are site-specific and general
recommendations are difficult to make across the USA. We propose investigating
pulverized basalt rock dust; which has been proposed as an alternative soil
amendment that can neutralize soil pH similarly to lime, as well as provide P and
K as it breaks down, along with CO2 capture.
Goals and Objectives- The overall goal of this research project is to assist
producers with management decisions regarding soil amendment alternatives
and foliar fertilizer yield responses as they relate to soybeans. More specifically,
objectives include
1) Compare basalt rock dust as an alternative soil amendment to lime and their
effects on soil pH, nutrient availability, and yield.
2) Evaluate soybean nutrient uptake and yield response to a variety of foliar
fertilizers on the market.
3) Extend results to soybean growers through Extension networks.
Relevant Details- For our research, will evaluate basalt’s ability to neutralize soil
pH and effects on nutrient availability. Additionally, we propose to evaluate 10
different foliar fertilizer products available on the market; which will be selected
based on polling results from Virginia farmers and Virginia Cooperative
Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources (VCE-ANR) agents. We will evaluate
these products based on nutrient uptake and yield response at 2 locations in
Virginia. Results from this study will be showcased at farmer meetings, as well as
decimated in the form of Extension Fact Sheets and recommendations.

The overall goal of this research project is to assist producers with management
decisions regarding soil amendment alternatives and foliar fertilizer yield
responses as they relate to soybeans. More specifically, objectives include
1) Compare basalt rock dust as an alternative soil amendment to lime and their
effects on soil pH, nutrient availability, and yield.
2) Evaluate soybean nutrient uptake and yield response to a variety of foliar
fertilizers on the market.
3) Extend results to soybean growers through Extension networks.

Data will be showcased at farmer meetings and events, such as the Virginia Ag
Expo, the Tri-County Grain production meeting, the Eastern Shore Ag Conference
and Trade Show, the Five-County Ag Conference, and others on the “Extension
Circuit” throughout the year as invited.
Data will ultimately be written into Fact Sheets that will be permanently housed
on Virginia Cooperative Extension’s website.