Steelhead Specialty Minerals
Producer of natural zeolites for consumer and industrial use
1212 N. Washington Suite 132 Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 328-5685 (800) 367-1534 (509) 328-3706 Fax
Email :info@steelheadspecialtyminerals.com
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Zeolites in Agriculture

Steelhead Specialty Minerals zeolites are natural zeolites, earth minerals possessing unique properties beneficial to the professional and amateur grower. These zeolites improve soil structure by coupling high cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) with a selective affinity for ammonium and potassium.

By way of these properties, zeolites can reduce nutrient loss due to leaching by increasing the retention of these nutrients and slowly releasing them as needed by the soil and plants. Increasing the C.E.C. of the growing media and, in particular, the selective form of the C.E.C. has a direct bearing upon nutrient retention. This effect is more evident in sandy soils where it can provide the plant population with a more efficient and uniform supply of these nutrients.

The selectivity of zeolites for ammonium can help buffer the soil and, in part, prevent toxicity which might otherwise occur when excess ammonium is applied. This property may allow the grower to use this less costly form of nitrogen in larger, less frequent applications during the growing season.

The retention and timely release of needed nutrients by these natural zeolites can create improvements in foliage and blossom count, which may relate directly to overall crop yield.

Zeolites can improve some of the characteristics of the growing media. The initial quality and texture of the growing media, the fertilization, and the amount of zeolite determine the degree of this improvement.

For a look at some of zeolite's other uses visit the following links.

203 Odor Control
204 Heat Storage and Solar Refrigeration
205 Aquaculture
206 Gas Separation
207 Water Treatment