Zeolite in Agriculture

More Efficient Use of Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) Fertilisers.

Without Zeolite:

Broadcasting of N/K fertiliser onto soil surface. Irrigation after application reduces nitrogen losses due to volatilisation - nitrogen lost as ammonia gas Irrigation washes fertiliser into the root zone of plants	Plants can take up fertiliser required whilst it remains in the root zone. Some fertiliser lost through early leaching. Large losses of fertiliser which move out of the root zone (leaching) as sandy soil is not capable of holding high levels of nutrients.

With Zeolite:

a) Broadcasting of fertiliser to soil that has had an application of zeolite possible shallow incorporated; or b) Broadcasting of fertiliser including zeolite (mix or coating) Less risk of  volatilisation losses as zeolite soaks up free ammonia. Irrigation washes fertiliser into the root zone of plants whilst some fertiliser remains bound up in zeolite	Fertiliser in zeolite remains in root zone until it is required by the plant. Less fertiliser losses from leaching and fertiliser from zeolite becomes available to extend fertiliser life. Long term soil improvements (increase in CEC and nutrient retention in soil).

Zeolite in Soil Nutrient Holding & Release

Zeolite attracts and retains ammonium, potassium, calcium & magnesium as well as many trace elements. It has the greatest affinity for ammonium and potassium but when a plant is taking up the ammonium or potassium off the zeolite, the zeolite attracts calcium from phosphorus mineral apatite such as rock phosphate or locked up phosphorus in soil to balance the zeolites negative charge. This reaction releases a free phosphorus. The plant extracts the ammonium, potassium and other nutrients by active uptake from roots.

This phosphorus release reaction with ammoniated zeolite has been established by the United states Geologival Survey and the University of Colorado soil Science Dept.

The nutrient release from  the Zeolite is plant driven setting up a natural cycle of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus release. The Zeolite will recharge when an ammonium or potassium source becomes available either naturally or applied. The zeolite prevents free nutrients from leaching