We are in fertilizer crisis. How can dolomite application (in soil) help in agriculture? Which is advisable to use: natural dolomite powder or quick dolomite?
I assume quick dolomite is similar to quick lime, it is just the decarbonated form of the mineral (the mineral is cooked at a high temperature, causing the loss of the CO2, converting the mineral into the more reactive oxide). Quick dolomite will be more readily soluble (the cations will be taken up into soil water more easily, thus making them available for use by the plants) than regular dolomite. At the same time, however, the material will be removed from soil faster. Which to use depends on your needs. If you have an acidic soil, I would think that adding the carbonate would generate a longer term neutralization of the soil, but if the neutralization or nutrient demands are immediate, the quick form would be better. More likely to get burning (killing of the plants) using the quick form, so be careful not to apply too much. I suggest talking to a supplier to learn more before using.
