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Agriculture | Horticulture

End use application

Our Attapulgite clay is:

  • free from mineral acid

  • lightweight 

  • high cation-exchange capacity

  • high nutrient-holding capacity

End use application as:

  • bio-organic fertiliser

  • mineral element supplementary functions

  • natural insecticide, pesticide, fungicide & crop protectant

  • slow-and-controlled-release fertiliser

  • soil conditioner

  • wetting agents

Our Attapulgite clay is utilised by third party manufacturers in the supply of specialised solutions in Australia and Asia Pacific:

  • Granular carrier for fertiliser and crop-protectant formulations

  • Granular carrier for water-retention formulation

  • Carriers for controlled release fertiliser formulation

  • Specialised soil-conditioning formulation

  • High-performance filler

Our Diatomaceous earth is:

  • naturally higher amorphous silica content  (fossil shell flour)

  • high silica content

  • high cation-exchange capacity

  • high micro-nutrient holding capacity

  • raw and untreated

End use application as:

  • soil amender

  • micro-nutrient absorption 

  • natural insecticide | pesticide

  • wetting agents

Our Diatomaceous earth is utilised in horticulture and potting mixes in Australia and Asia Pacific:

  • excellent soil amender, improving silicon and cation concentrations, which are necessary for plant growth

  • amorphous silicon dioxide, which has micro nutrients that can be absorbed in the root system and trans-locate into the cell wall

  • the silica content is absorbed into plant tissue and helps improve the plant structure

  • increases water holding capacity and aids nutrient retention in soils

  • encourages beneficial microbial soil activity

  • boosts plant tissue strength, meaning more pest and disease resistance

  • converts locked up phosphorous into a plant available form

  • decreases soil salinity by diluting sodium content

  • assists in controlling odours in compost heaps, and will not harm earth worms if sprinkled over the surface

Note that our Diatomaceous earth is not pool filtered Diatomaceous earth (DE), which is chemically treated and poisonous.

Crop Field Aerial Shot
Garden Soil

How does it work?

Diatomaceous earth (DE) (fossil shell flour) benefits as a plant fertiliser due to its natural mineral composition, including essential minerals like silica, calcium, and magnesium. This provides a nutrient-rich boost that promotes healthy plant growth. Diatomaceous earth also improves soil structure by increasing porosity, enhancing water retention, and making essential nutrients more accessible to plant roots.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) (fossil shell flour) is a highly effective organic pesticide, insecticide and fungicide. DE offers protection against disease, fungi, nematode and insect attack but without the negative and often toxic effects sometimes associated with manufactured chemical products. 

Diatomaceous earth (DE) (fossil shell flour) is a 100% natural and safe organic powder suitable for the control of insect pests around the farm, home, office, factory or warehouse. Any insect that comes in contact with DE will die in 2 days or less. The actual Diatoms formation themselves that are fatal to insect pests rather that it’s chemical composition (as DE is totally nontoxic). The sharp edges of the Diatoms cut the insects exoskeleton and draws moisture from inside the insects – this is call Desiccation (dehydration). DE (fossil shell flour) is not a knockdown because it is not a poison but it does achieve the desired results and is used extensively in the USA and Europe as a method of pest control for many years, and is now readily available in Australia.

Care should be taken when using Diatomaceous earth (DE) (fossil shell flour).  Wear a dust mask, eye protection and gloves.  While it is non toxic the tiny particles can be drying to skin and hands, and harmful if inhaled.  Always wash hands after use.

Attapulgite is a natural clay which is used in agriculture as a soil conditioner. It enhances the porosity and water retention of the soil. It also has the ability to absorb excess nitrogen and phosphorus and release it gradually to the roots of the plants when needed

Attapulgite clay is utilised as a soil enhancer in any crop, conventional or organic. Its 100% natural porous clay mineral helps to boost yields. 

Available in granular or powder form, the first is put directly to the soil and is then absorbed there, whereas the latter is applied by absorbing from the earth and being sprayed over plants. 

Slow-release fertilizers have the potential to improve the productivity of field crops, and also reduce environmental pollution. Attapulgite-coated fertilizers in research testing have shown, that when compared to chemical coated fertilisers, it is able to increase crop yield at a low price, and in an environmentally friendly way that is safe for humans and sustainable. 

abstract and full article link to Attapulgite clay & Diatomaceous earth agriculture | horticulture research

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