Agronomic feasibility of using basalt powder as soil nutrient remineralizer

Tropical agriculture is highly dependent of soluble fertilizers, what raises the cost production. An alternative to reduce costs inputs use low-cost nutrient sources, such as basic rocks. The aim work was evaluate effect basalt powder on soil chemical properties and plant growth. experiment arranged in a 2×2×2×3+4 factorial scheme: two soils (clay sandy clay loam soil); crops (maize soybean); agricultural (basalt rock limestone); three application rates (33, 66 99 Mg ha–1 or 1, 2 4 limestone), four additional control treatments, with repetitions. resulted greater shoots growth maize soybean plants when compared limestone. Basalt provided significant increase pH, Ca P concentration; however, higher concentration did not result uptake by plants. Even without soil, improved absorption this Key words: Remineralizer, rock, soybean, maize.