Re: rock dusts

From: Steve Diver (steved@NCATARK.UARK.EDU)
Date: Sun Sep 22 2002 - 19:34:40 EDT


Three articles relaying the effects of paramagnetic rock dust
on seedling growth:

In one experiment (1), Men of the Trees in Western Australia
planted 80 Acacia scirpifolia tree seedlings in individual pots. A
small plastic envelope containing 6 grams of granite rock dust was
placed down the side of 40 pots to evaluate the effect of
paramagnetism on survivability and plant growth. The other 40
pots served as a control. Acacia scirpifolia was chosen because
it is difficult to propagate and because A. scirpifolia trees have
responded well to rock dust applications in the field.

The results: 57.5% of the plants in treated pots survived, whereas
only 15% of the un-treated plants survive. The researchers
concluded that remote plant stimulation by rock dusts warrant
further investigation.

In Florida, similar research was conducted by several students
working with paramagnetic materials at Dykstra Laboratories.
Plastic tubes and film canisters containing paramagnetic
materials were buried in potting mixes to ascertain the effect
of a subtle energy field on plant growth, separate from the rock
dust material as a contributor of mineral nutrition. The results
were significant. When paramagnetic materials were in close
proximity to plants, increases were seen in root length, root
branching, plant biomass, and plant height (2).

Research in Ontario, Canada and Michigan USA
examined the effects of paramagnetic rock dusts on seedling
emergence. The seeds were several years old, intentionally
selected for poor germination. The presence of paramagnetic
rock in the pots consistently improved percent germination
of seedlings compared to pots with regular potting soil only (3).

1.
Oldfield, Barrie. 1988. Another clue from Austria: Paramagnetic
effects of granite rock dust are shown in seedling germination
study. Remineralize the Earth. No. 12-13 (Spring). p. 22–24.

2.
Dykstra, Thomas M. 2000. Paramagnetic effects on plant
growth. Acres USA. September. p. 20-21.

3.
Wilson, Gary. 2002. Seed germination with paramagnetic
rock. Acres USA. January. p. 22-23.

My conclusion: Based on these preliminary results, it appears
paramagnetic rock dusts are worth further investigation.
As a starting point, instead of applying rock dusts to fields
which takes hundreds or thousands of pounds per acre, a
grower may want to try it out in combination with greenhouse
potting mixes by simply starting with a 25-lb or 50-lb bag.

Regards,
Steve Diver

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