Enhanced weathering in the US Corn Belt delivers carbon removal with agronomic benefits

Beerling, David J.; Epihov, Dimitar Z.; Kantola, Ilsa B.; Masters, Michael D.; Reershemius, Tom; Planavsky, Noah J.; Reinhard, Christopher T.; Jordan, Jacob S.; Thorne, Sarah J.; Weber, James; Val Martin, Maria; Freckleton, Robert P.; Hartley, Sue E.; James, Rachael H.; Pearce, Christopher R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4382-2341; DeLucia, Evan H.; Banwart, Steven A.. 2024 Enhanced weathering in the US Corn Belt delivers carbon removal with agronomic benefits. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121 (9). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319436121

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319436121

Abstract/Summary

Terrestrial enhanced weathering (EW) of silicate rocks, such as crushed basalt, on farmlands is a promising scalable atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy that urgently requires performance assessment with commercial farming practices. We report findings from a large-scale replicated EW field trial across a typical maize-soybean rotation on an experimental farm in the heart of the United Sates Corn Belt over 4 y (2016 to 2020). We show an average combined loss of major cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) from crushed basalt applied each fall over 4 y (50 t ha−1 y−1) gave a conservative time-integrated cumulative CDR potential of 10.5 ± 3.8 t CO2 ha−1. Maize and soybean yields increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 12 to 16% with EW following improved soil fertility, decreased soil acidification, and upregulation of root nutrient transport genes. Yield enhancements with EW were achieved with significantly (P < 0.05) increased key micro- and macronutrient concentrations (including potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc), thus improving or maintaining crop nutritional status. We observed no significant increase in the content of trace metals in grains of maize or soybean or soil exchangeable pools relative to controls. Our findings suggest that widespread adoption of EW across farming sectors has the potential to contribute significantly to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals while simultaneously improving food and soil security.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319436121
ISSN:	0027-8424
Additional Keywords:	Agricultural production, carbon removal, enhanced weathering, soil geochemistry
Date made live:	13 Mar 2024 22:22 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537090

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319436121

ISSN:

0027-8424

Additional Keywords:

Agricultural production, carbon removal, enhanced weathering, soil geochemistry

Date made live:

13 Mar 2024 22:22 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537090