Benefits of vertically transmitted endophytic microbes have been observed in seeds of giant cardon cactus, where seed bacteria colonize both the developing seedling and spermosphere where they solubilise rock nutrients crucial for plant growth [ 23].
Dust deposition provides rock-derived nutrients such as phosphorus (P) to terrestrial ecosystems.
Rock-derived nutrients in soils originate from both local bedrock and atmospheric dust, including dust from far-distant sources.
However, in several cases phosphorus (P) or other rock-derived nutrients are known to limit N fixation, especially during inchoate stages of primary succession where P supply depends on the breakdown of calcium apatite minerals [4], [5], [6], [7].
Panellist Beardshaw, who has also been a familiar face on BBC2's Gardener's World over the years, said using rock as a nutrient appeared to create larger flowers.
"Everything rocks: Food rocks, clothes rock, everything rocks except rock".
Growing plants without soil, in a mix of rock pellets and nutrient-rich water, requires an array of electric gadgets -- from 1,000-watt 1,000-wattoolampssystoms to specoolingsystemshatoneutralize telltale odorspeciale ventilation.
They result both from the degradation of the mineral parent rock releasing essential nutrients for life, and the accumulation of dead organic matter.
In-growth bags containing different rock types of varying nutrient content (granite, tonalite) were fabricated to create an in-situ geologic gradient for 100-day deployment in two forest stands dominated by different mycorrhizal symbioses in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA.
Tomato plants were grown on rock-wool with complete nutrient supply under continuous light.
