Evidence in both field and lab experiments has suggested that the combination of Montmorillonite and Paramagnetic rock increases vigor and germination rates in various species of plants. Six different treatments where implemented on thirty volumetrically equal growing containers. Twenty seeds of the selected species, Sorghum Sudan, were planted in the containers. I hypothesized that the plants exposed to the treatments of both the montmorillonite and paramagnetic rock via the soil would show substantial increases in vigor and germination compared to that of the unexposed specimens. Our results matched our hypothesis. The exposed specimens showed a higher growth rate and germination rate nearly twice as high as the next-highest treatment, or the unexposed specimens.

Introduction

The lack of minerals and trace elements in the earth's soils has been linked to low germination rates and lack of plant vigor form many years. This decrease may be partially due to the lack of volcanic and glacial action throughout the past 10,000 years and intensive agricultural farming. One way to replenish the minerals and trace elements in the soil is though the use of organic manures and mineral supplements. As I began to research the studies of other scientist before me, I realized that studies in combinations of natural mineral supplements to enhance the growth of plants were very spares. Why has this aspect of science and agriculture been overlooked? Studies on Nitrogen fertilizers abound.

Montorillionite, an ancient clay deposit thought to have been heaved to the surface through volcanic action, is found in central Utah and has been used mainly as an animal feed supplement. It has 67 different minerals and trace elements that have been shown to increase plant vigor. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if a trace element supplement and paramagnetic rock have a positive influence on the growth rate size, and overall health of Sorghum Sudan (an ornamental grass). I hypothesized that when Montmorillonite is combined with Paramagnetic rock, growth rates, size, and overall health of plants will be increased.

Materials and Methods

This experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of Northwestern Michigan college, Traverse City Michigan, between September 3 and December 18, 1998. Thirty 1500m. plastic containers were filled with 1400mL of a mixture of Michigan Peat potting soil (85%) and composted manure (15%). A total of six treatments were created, with five containers per treatment. The control in this experiment was the topsoil and compost treatment (TC). One test treatment was topsoil, compost, and Montmorillonite (TCM). This treatment contained the soil mixture and 15m. Azomite, the trade name for montmorillionite. Another treatment, topsoil, compost, Azomite, and Paramagnetic rock (TCMP), contained the soil mixture, 15ml of Montmorillonite, and 20g of paramagnetic rock. The fourth treatment was topsoil, compost, and paramagnetic rock (TCP). This treatment was composed of the soil mixture and 20g of paramagnetic rock. The next two trails were composed of the same components as the TCPA and TCA treatments, except the Montmorillonite. The Montmorillonite was applied folierly to leaves of the Sorghum instead of directly mixed into the soil. These two treatments were lightly dusted with montmorillionite beginning at emergence (September 14) and once every two weeks until a total of four dustings were reached.

To compare the effectiveness of the different treatments twenty seeds of Sorghum Sudan were sown in each pot on September 10 1998. The seeds were allowed to grow to maturity in the planting media described earlier in the Northwestern Michigan College greenhouse. The plants were watered equally to field capacity and rotated weekly to ensure equal exposure to sunlight and heat.

On the 13 of November 1998 the plants had reached maturity and were harvested. The plants were cut off at soil level within the pots. They were then separated, counted and weighed to the thousandth of a gram. Data was compiled and comparisons were made as illustrated in figures 1 and 2 on the attached sheets.

Results

The overall productivity of the plants grown in the medium containing paramagnetic rock and montmorillionite were consistently larger and shoots were nearly twice as dense as the untreated plants. These results are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 on the attached sheets.

Figure1, Average Shoots Per Pot Planted, illustrates the average number of shoots per treatment that grew to maturity from the twenty seeds per pot that were planted. The treatment containing topsoil, compost, montmorillionite, and paramagnetic rock resulted in the most shots per pot planted at an average of 41.2 shoots per pot planted. The next highest average was the folier applicated treatment of topsoil, compost, and montmorillionite. This treatment had an average of 25.0 shoots per pot planted. With an average of 23 shoots per pot, the treatment of topsoil, compost and montmorillonite resulted in the third highest ratio. The fourth highest average, 20.4 shoots per pot, was the folier treatment of topsoil, compost, and paramagnetic rock resulted in an average shoot per pot ratio of 19.4 The treatment that resulted in the least amount of shoots per pot planted, 16.4, was the control, topsoil and compost.

Figure 2, Average Green Mass, is a graph illustrating the average green mass (in grams) per shoot in the six different treatments. The treatment of topsoil, compost, montmorillionite, and paramagnetic rock had the highest average, 0.466g. The next highest average was 0.457g, as result of the folier treatment topsoil, compost, and montmorillionite. The third highest average, 0.435g, mass was recorded for the treatment of topsoil, compost, and paramagnetic rock. The folier treatment of topsoil, compost montomorillonite, and paramagnetic rock resulted in an average of 0.416g. The treatment of topsoil, compost, and montmorillonite recorded an average mass of 0.407g. The control resulted in the lowest average weight per plant, 0.399g.

Conclusion

Throughout 10,000 years of agricultural burden and lack of remineralization, our earth's soils have been depleted of many of the minerals that enhance the growth of plants. The addition of montmorillonite and paramagnetic rock to the earth's tired soils seems to replace minerals that are essential for optimum growing conditions, without the use of harmful chemical fertilizers. This is concurrent with the results that we achieved from this experiment. The plants treated with the entire spectrum of the montmorillionite and the paramagnetic rock resulted in larger and healthier plants. It only seems to make sense that healthy soils create healthy plants. Minerals are also playing an important role in the health and vigor of humans. If mineral supplements are used on our crops, healthier plants, and ultimately healthier humans may result. Although many more tests both in lab and field are needed, I believe that the combinations of rock powders and paramagnetic material may prove to be a safe alternative to optimize the health and vigor of nearly all plants species.