A project led by the University of South Australia (UniSA) and James Cook University (JCU) has made a breakthrough discovery in sustainable agriculture.
The initiative is exploring the use of crushed basalt rock to improve soil health and carbon capture, with trials underway at rice and cotton farms.
JCU soil scientist professor Paul Nelson said Australia’s soils are highly weatherly and infertile, which can limit crop production and carbon storage.
“Our best soils, which are quite scarce, are developed on basalt, so our project is taking crush basalt, a by-product of gravel manufacture, and applying it to soil,” Nelson said.
“This is a way of making poor soils more like those good soils.”
Both rice and cotton industries are known for water-efficient practices given their nature, which Nelson said makes them ideal candidates for the research team.
UniSA lead researcher Dr Binoy Sarkar said that the project is an opportunity to support existing innovations in plant breeding and water efficiency, using crushed basalt as an alternative fertiliser.
“We’re examining soil health and crop yields in rice and cotton, while also quantifying the amount of carbon permanently captured as the basalt breaks down,” Sarkar said.
The method has previously been trialled at avocado and banana farms in Far North Queensland, and in November 2025, planting was completed at a trial site on a cotton farm in the Darling Downs, Southeast Queensland, which is being extended to a rice farm in Jerilderie, New South Wales.
Nelson said that long-term trials will be crucial to analyse the viability of the basalt rock technique.
“Running trials over multiple crop cycles, up to three years, gives us the best chance to understand the biological and chemical processes at play and the long-term impact on soil and carbon sequestration,” Nelson said.
The project is being supported by the Federal Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust. Seven trial sites will be implemented across Australia, with initial focus on avocado, banana, rice, and cotton.
“We’ve selected crop industries that are already embracing innovation and sustainable practices,” Sakar said.
“Working with our project partner Carbonaught and basalt suppliers, we’re ensuring trials are conducted in regions where crushed rock is readily available, making future adoption by farmers economically viable.”