Studies such as that of McCance and Widdowson have revealed dramatic drops in fruit and vegetable mineral content since the 1940s.
This week's guest on the HortWeek Podcast Jennifer Brodie believes that 'rock dust', a by-product of volcanic rock mined for road construction and rich in minerals trapped since the pre-dinosaur era, could help reverse this by remineralizing the soil and feeding microbes that will re-fortify plants.
Brodie has come full circle in her career and is now returning to her passion project 20 years after she started working with the SEER Centre charity, which pioneered the use of rock dust as a top dressing for soil, compost mixer and activator in the UK.
Other HortWeek Podcasts you might enjoy:
Beyond plant pests & diseases? Richard Higgins on how going 'beyond organic' could revolutionise horticulture
Silvohorticulture with Ben Raskin and Andy Dibben
Soil Association's Ben Raskin on woodchip, agroforestry and going peat-free
Alexandra is also concerned there will be a lack of governance and ongoing
Now leading the Pro-Grow rock dust division for resource management company Veolia, she explains the geology behind basalt rock dust, its dual benefits for plant health and carbon capture, and how the industry is shifting toward "ecological transformation".
She details how some of the 400,000 tonnes of green waste they process annually is integrated with rock dust to create a PAS 100-certified compost for the garden retail market. Her goal now is to expand rock dust's use into the organic farming sector.
Referencing the work of Soil Association founder Lady Eve Balfour, Brodie says: "Everything begins to matter when the rate of soil erosion exceeds the rate at which life can invade the mineral rock underlying the soil and convert it into soil." Brodie believes that rock dust has an "unrecognised" role in rectifying the mistakes of the past and helping renew soils for the benefit of all.
Podcast presenter: Matthew Appleby
Podcast producer: Christina Taylor
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