Rocking Australian grower’s carbon capture

A new research project is set to explore if crushed rock dust could hold the solution to capturing carbon for Australian growers countrywide. Announced today by Hort Innovation Frontiers, the project is investigating how this crushed rock dust could help sequester carbon dioxide (CO₂) and improve soil fertility, with trials now underway across multiple farming regions. 

Led by the University of Sydney, the four-year project will determine whether enhanced rock weathering (ERW) - a method that involves applying finely crushed rocks to agricultural soils – is a suitable and effective approach for Australian soils and growing conditions. If successful, it could offer growers a practical way to capture carbon and improve soil health at scale. 

Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield said the project represents a significant opportunity for the horticulture sector: “This project is a bold step toward climate-smart horticulture. By harnessing the natural power of rock dust, we’re supporting carbon capture and helping growers build healthier, more resilient soils, supporting productive horticulture for years to come.” 

Balwant Singh, Professor of Soil Science at the University of Sydney explained how the method works in practice: “When rock minerals react with dissolved CO₂ in soils, they form bicarbonate ions which either remain in the soil or are carried by water into the ocean. In both cases, CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere and locked away for thousands of years. This process not only helps mitigate climate change but also releases essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which can enhance soil health and crop productivity.” 

In collaboration with AgSeq, the research team will trial a range of rock types across different soil profiles and climate zones to test performance including field, glasshouse and laboratory trials.  

A spokesperson from AqSeq said “We’re excited by the opportunity to test this approach alongside growers. Working directly with the horticulture industry means we can ground the science in day-to-day realities on farm, ensuring the outcomes are useful and relevant. The idea that it can help capture carbon while also improving soils is promising, but what matters most is how it performs in real growing conditions. By testing across different regions and crops, we hope to learn where this approach makes sense and how it could support both productivity and long-term soil health.” 

If deemed suitable for Australian conditions, the project will support adoption by developing a national suitability map that identifies where in Australia this method is most likely to deliver desirable outcomes. 

Researchers will also examine the environmental, social and economic impacts of adopting ERW at scale, and develop a methodology to verify how much carbon is stored. 

As the project progresses, findings will be shared with industry to support informed decision-making and future investment.  

This project is funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers with co-investment from the University of Sydney and contributions from the Australian Government.