Lithothamnium may be an alternative for soil correction

Studies by Embrapa Cocais have been investigating Marine Bioclastic Granules (MBG), known as lithothamnium, whose largest reserves in the world are in Maranhão, as a corrective for soil acidity and a source of nutrients for plants, as an alternative to limestone, which is the most widely used agricultural corrective in Brazil to neutralize soil acidity. 

The objective is to evaluate the agronomic viability of lithothamnium in correcting soil acidity and as a source of nutrients for corn crops grown in latosols. It is expected that, with the studies, doubts about the most appropriate dose to ensure neutralization of soil acidity and greater productivity of corn crops will be identified, thus being able to offer the agricultural sector an input that is nationally available and has proven efficiency.

According to researcher Ivana Machado Fonseca, from Embrapa Cocais, leader of the research project, in addition to correcting soil acidity, lithothamnium has more than 20 elements in its chemical composition, which, given its ability to provide nutrients for plants, could reduce the demand for conventional fertilizers from agricultural crops.

“It is believed that the corrective power of lithothamnium may be superior, as it has a very intense activity in the soil due to the high specific surface area resulting from the porosity of the algae body, which, theoretically, may allow greater reactivity with the soil and a faster effect on changing the soil pH when compared to limestone. Research has evaluated the potential of lithothamnium in correcting soil acidity and also its effects on plant nutrition, since corrective materials impact soil fertility, nutrient availability and, consequently, the absorption and translocation of nutrients in plants,” he adds. 

In this first stage, tests are being carried out on latosols and their variations (sandy texture and clayey texture), known for their low natural fertility, in a controlled environment at the Research Execution Unit – UEP/Balsas-MA in partnership with the private sector.

After proving that the product can correct soil acidity, significantly altering soil pH values, the supply of calcium, magnesium and other nutrients to plants, as well as the biomass productivity of corn crops, Embrapa will continue with the validation stage of this technology in relevant production environments.

In addition to agronomic viability, it is also necessary to carry out the economic viability of the product, together with the partner company, in order to obtain the due market success of lithothamnium for agriculture.

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Lithothamnium is a marine algae, known as red algae, that accumulates calcium carbonate in its interior. It lives for approximately 15 years and is found in deep waters (up to 200 meters deep). It is sold in Brazil and abroad for use in agriculture as a 100% natural fertilizer, soil conditioner, microbiological activator and plant biostimulant. 

According to the National Mining Agency (ANM), Marine Bioclastic Granules (MBG) are unconsolidated sands and gravels, consisting of fragments of coralline algae (red algae), Halimeda articles (green algae), molluscs, bryozoans, benthic foraminifera and quartz. The most important deposits from an economic point of view are those that form accumulations in which non-articulated or encrusting coralline algae predominate, in the form of spherical, discoid or ellipsoidal nodules (rhodoliths) or as branched fragments of the genus Lithothamnium (mäerl).