What is Glacial Rock Dust?
Glacial rock dust, rock flour, or rock powder comprises various rocks that contain minerals in a broad spectrum. This natural mineral pulverized and collected by glacier’s contraction. Moreover, they can also found adjacent to ancient volcanoes.
The companies providing glacial rock dust claim on the packaging that it gives intense growth to soil fights diseases etc. which is true to some extent. But only if the soil is lacking the efficient nutrition that glacial rock dust possesses. Otherwise, if the soil is already rich, rock dust won’t make any difference.
Rock dust makes plants healthy by increasing their mineral intake and improving the soil structure.
What does Glacial Rock Dust Contain?
Made up of 100 percent natural rock, glacial rock dust contains:
- Sulphur (5%).
- Calcium (5%).
- Magnesium (5%).
- Iron (4%).
- Boron (.02%).
- Cobalt (.005%).
- Molybdenum (.005%).
Benefits of Glacial Rock Dust:
Besides being user-friendly and safe, Glacial rock dust is also:
- Nontoxic.
- Environment friendly.
- Water soluble.
- Never burns seeds or plants.
- And, aids in root fertility.
- Improves Soil Structure.
What is Azomite?
Azomite, on the other hand, is mined from the ash of ancient volcanoes when it settled on the seabed in Utah (USA). Moreover, Azomite helps fruits and vegetables grow and enhance their taste to some extent. It comes in five forms:
- Ultrafine
- Micronized
- Pelletized
- Field Grade
- Granulated
Ultrafine is considered the finest Azomite and can effectively injected into the drip irrigation system or trickle. Also, it can be easily mixed in soil using hands. It is odorless and is environmental friendly.
What does Azomite Contain?
Azomite has calcium, sodium, and alumino-silicate. Moreover, Azomite also contains rare earth elements, including:
- Lanthanum
- Cerium
- Praseodymium
- Boron
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Iodine
- Arsenic
- Nickel
- Molybdenum
- Copper
- Tungsten
- Selenium
- Tin
- Vanadium
All these rare elements help plants to cope up with stress, inhibit fungal growth, enhances the production of abscisic acid, and in some cases, also increase up to 15% crop yields.
Benefits of Azomite:
Besides being an organic fertilizer, Azomite is also:
- Ideal for food plants to grow bigger vegetables and fruits per plant.
- Enhances the flavor of fruit or vegetable.
- Aids in better and healthy root growth.
- Increases the sugar concentration.
- Organic and environment friendly.
Purpose of Azomite and Glacial rock dust?
The purpose of using Glacial rock dust or Azomite is remineralization of soil. It is a process through which minerals added to the deficient soil to balance it for better growth and production. Though soil itself is the natural source of minerals for plants, according to studies, agricultural lands sometimes become soil deficient as the minerals sucked through roots and shift in the fruit, vegetables, shrubs, or herbs.
In such cases, rock dust included in the soil to load it with essential nutrients.
It is the budget friendly and high impact method to remineralize soil.
Difference between Azomite and Glacial Rock Dust:
The basic difference between Azomite and glacial rock dust is that; Rock dust is glacier ash, whereas Azomite is volcanic ash.
Micro Nutrients:
Though both the ashes are beneficial for oil, the difference is the nutrients they carry. Glacial rock dust contains sodium, magnesium, cobalt, iron, and calcium. However, Azomite does not have any specific micronutrients listed, but it has a good amount of silica (65%).
Rock dust enriches the oil structure whereas, Azomite does not have any such quality.
Texture:
Azomite is in the form of granules, whereas; Rock dust a finely ground product.
Azomite Is a Fertilizer:
Azomite is an organic fertilizer whereas, rock dust cannot be used as a fertilizer as it does not carry a sufficient amount of phosphorus and nitrogen.
Organic:
Azomite not altered chemically, so it is entirely natural and organic. Moreover, it does not harm the environment.
Usage:
Glacial rock dust is sprinkled on the top of pots, gardens, or raised beds. On the other hand, Azomite is added to the root zone of the plant.
FAQS:
- Is Azomite a Fertilizer?
Yes, Azomite is an organic fertilizer.
- Which is better among Azomite and Glacial rock dust to enhance the soil structure?
Glacial rock dust has properties to enhance the soil structure whereas, Azomite has no such property to enrich soil as it is placed in roots to strengthen them.
- Do rock dust help plants grow?
No, not really. If the growth is slow due to lack of minerals in soil than adding rock dust will eventually help plants grow but, if the soil is already mineral rich, rock dust will make no difference.
- Which is more beneficial in Azomite or Glacial rock dust?
Azomite does not enhance soil structure but is rich in micronutrients. However, Glacial rock dust improves the soil structure but has few micronutrients comparatively.
Last Verdict:
Azomite and Glacial rock dust both are rich in minerals. Glacial is obtained from glaciers whereas, Azomite is collected from ancient volcanoes. Moreover, Azomite is available in granulated form whereas, Glacial rock dust is refined ground powder. Glacial rock dust has fewer micronutrients comparatively, but it enhances the structure of the soil. Azomite, on the other hand, does not improve soil’s structure but has more nutrients. Comparing both is not appropriate as they both have their benefits and can be used for different purposes.
Before using any product, it is essential to get your soil checked from the laboratory to know what is it actually lacking otherwise treating on your own would not be of any benefit.