Farmers have long turned to calcium for its soil-enriching qualities, but recent research has unearthed something quite remarkable. Scientists from Cornell and Purdue Universities, using the Canadian Light Source, have stumbled upon a mechanism of calcium in soil that’s been hiding in plain sight. Who knew calcium had more tricks up its sleeve?
“It’s not just about tweaking pH levels or improving soil structure anymore,” says lead researcher Itamar Shabtai from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. “We’re talking about a game-changer in how calcium interacts with soil microbes.”
So, what’s the big deal? Well, these tiny microbes, which are everywhere – in the air, water, and soil – are crucial for breaking down organic matter and supporting plant growth. The addition of calcium, it turns out, changes the whole microbial community dynamics. “We’re seeing these microbes process organic matter in a way that keeps more carbon in the soil and less in the air as CO2,” Shabtai explains.
This is huge, especially considering how carbon-rich soils not only bolster plant growth but also hold water better in droughts and resist erosion.
But here’s the kicker: soils are carbon storage powerhouses, holding more carbon than all the plants and the atmosphere combined. “If we can boost soil carbon levels,” Shabtai points out, “we could make a real dent in atmospheric CO2 levels.”
The team’s use of the SGM and Mid-IR beamlines at the Canadian Light Source was key. They could measure plant decomposition after adding calcium and quantify the carbon that stayed in the soil. This kind of insight was impossible to get before.
What does this mean for farmers? It’s a new tool in their belt for managing soil health. By understanding how calcium affects soil microbes and carbon, they can use common soil amendments like lime and gypsum more strategically.
