According to a new study published in the journal Plant and Soil, scientists have investigated the use of a naturally occurring mineral powder called wollastonite and found a promising way to improve rice yields and promote carbon sequestration in northeastern China.

Rice is a staple food source for more than half the world's population, making it critical to global food security. Any advances in rice production can have a significant impact. Scientists have been exploring ways to improve the yield and quality of rice, while also considering the environmental impact of these methods.

Silicate minerals are naturally occurring rocks with potential benefits for agriculture. In theory, applying these minerals to rice fields could improve soil conditions, leading to better rice yields and quality. However, research on the practical application of these minerals in real rice fields has been limited.

To address this knowledge gap, researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Northeast University teamed up to conduct a field experiment. They used a safe and non-toxic form of silicate mineral called wollastonite powder in controlled rice paddies. The experiment compared rice grown with and without the addition of wollastonite powder.

They found that the powder helped improve soil conditions by raising its pH (acidity level) and significantly increasing the amount of available silicon, a nutrient beneficial to rice plants. Rice plants treated with wollastonite powder showed a significant increase in yield - an overall increase of 12%! Additionally, the number of productive sprouts and grains per plant also increased.

The study also observed an increase in the amount of carbon stored in the surface layer of the soil, suggesting that wollastonite powder may promote soil carbon sequestration, which benefits the environment.

This field study suggests that adding wollastonite powder to rice fields in northeastern China has the potential to be a win-win situation for both farmers and the environment. More research is needed, but these initial findings are promising for developing a sustainable method to improve rice production while promoting soil health.