Impact of Enhanced Basalt Rock Weathering Application on Soil Parameters in Arid Regions

This study investigates the impact of Enhanced Basalt Weathering (EBW) combined with compost on soil parameters under the cultivation of eight different crops in the arid conditions of Wahat Baharyia Oasis, Egypt. The experiment was composed of two stages of treatment. In the first stage, two consecutive applications of green manure were made. In the second stage, basalt powder was combined with compost at two different rates. Four treatments were utilized: A, B, C, and D. Treatment A corresponded to basalt/compost at 27/73%, treatment B corresponded to basalt/compost at 5/95%, treatment C corresponded to basalt/compost at 0/100%, and the control plot (sand) was used for treatment D. The present experiment was conducted during the 2023/2024 growing season, employing a central pivot irrigation system. Results from the first stage demonstrated significant improvements in soil salinity (from 0.61 to 0.11 dS/m) and enhancements in available phosphorus and potassium. The second stage further revealed positive effects on soil chemical parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), although pH remained largely unaffected. The study indicates that applying basalt powder and compost improves soil fertility and crop yields, making EBW a viable regenerative agriculture practice in arid environments, while also contributing to carbon sequestration. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment applications and investigating long-term sustainability implications for diverse agricultural systems in similarly stressed regions.