Gypsum was lauded over a hundred years ago by Benjamin Franklin as possibly the single greatest soil amendments in agriculture. It is also approved under the NPOP for organic farming.

Here are 50 reasons to use gypsum in agriculture, with added insights into its benefits for soil health, crop growth, and environmental sustainability:

Improving Soil Structure and Quality

Enhances Soil Aggregation: Calcium in gypsum binds soil particles, creating stable aggregates for improved structure.
Improves Soil Porosity: Gypsum helps create more pore spaces, aiding water and air movement.
Reduces Soil Crusting: Minimizes surface crusting, enabling better water infiltration and seedling emergence.
Combats Compaction: When used with deep tillage, gypsum loosens compacted soils.
Prevents Surface Sealing: Gypsum application prevents sealing after irrigation or rainfall.

Ameliorating Sodic and Saline Soils

Reclaims Sodic Soils: Replaces sodium with calcium, improving soil permeability.
Reduces Soil Salinity: Leaches excess salts away from root zones.
Balances Soil pH: Lowers pH in sodic soils and raises it in acidic conditions.
Enhances Crop Tolerance to Salinity: Improves the soil environment for saline-affected areas.
Reduces Swelling in Clays: Decreases shrink-swell behavior in expansive soils.

Enhancing Soil Fertility

Supplies Calcium: A vital nutrient for cell wall development in plants.
Provides Sulfur: Essential for amino acids and proteins in plants.
Corrects Magnesium Imbalance: Balances calcium-to-magnesium ratios in the soil.
Reduces Aluminum Toxicity: Detoxifies aluminum in acidic soils, supporting root growth.
Improves Nutrient Uptake: Enhanced root growth leads to more efficient nutrient absorption.

Boosting Water Management

Increases Water Penetration: Enhances water movement through soils, especially in low-solute irrigation water.
Minimizes Waterlogging: Improves drainage and prevents pooling.
Reduces Runoff: Better infiltration reduces the risk of water loss from fields.
Improves Drought Resilience: Encourages deeper root systems to access water reserves.
Enhances Irrigation Efficiency: Gypsum improves water-use efficiency for better crop yields.

Environmental Benefits

Reduces Phosphorus Runoff: Limits phosphorus movement into waterways, protecting ecosystems.
Mitigates Soil Erosion: Stabilizes soil to minimize loss during heavy rains.
Improves Air Quality: Reduces dust formation in dry and windy conditions.
Protects Water Quality: Prevents nutrient and sediment runoff, protecting aquatic environments.
Promotes Carbon Sequestration: Enhances conditions for organic matter buildup.

Crop-Specific Advantages

Prevents Blossom-End Rot: Calcium improves fruit quality in tomatoes and peppers.
Boosts Pasture Productivity: Enhances grass growth for better livestock nutrition.
Improves Grain Quality: Calcium and sulfur contribute to stronger, more nutritious grains.
Increases Tuber Yield: Promotes healthy development in potatoes and other root crops.
Enhances Vegetable Production: Supports robust and healthy plant growth.

Facilitating Organic and Sustainable Farming

Supports Composting: Gypsum balances pH and improves compost quality.
Aids Transition to Organic Farming: Provides natural amendments for chemical-free farming.
Reduces Reliance on Chemical Inputs: Improves soil naturally, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Supports Conservation Tillage: Enhances soil structure to make no-till practices more effective.
Promotes Biodiversity: Creates a favorable environment for earthworms and soil microbes.

Increasing Efficiency and Productivity

Improves Fertilizer Effectiveness: Ensures nutrients reach plant roots efficiently.
Speeds Up Germination: Reduces crusting and supports early seedling emergence.
Increases Yield Consistency: Stabilized soils lead to more predictable crop performance.
Enhances Harvest Quality: Improved nutrient balance results in higher-quality crops.
Reduces Soil Maintenance Costs: Better soil health reduces the need for frequent amendments.

Long-Term Soil Health Benefits

Stabilizes Soil Organic Matter: Calcium binds organic matter to clay, preventing decomposition.
Enhances Microbial Activity: Creates conditions for beneficial soil microbes to thrive.
Prevents Soil Hardening: Keeps soil soft and workable over time.
Balances Electrical Conductivity (EC): Maintains optimal levels for nutrient availability.
Improves Subsoil Conditions: Ameliorates acidity and salinity at deeper soil levels.

Adaptability in Varied Conditions

Versatile Application: Works in sandy, loamy, and clay soils.
Effective Across Climates: Suitable for arid, humid, and temperate zones.
Improves Drainage in Wet Regions: Prevents water stagnation in high rainfall areas.
Reduces Drought Stress: Enhances soil water retention in dry climates.
Sustains Regenerative Agriculture: Plays a vital role in long-term soil restoration and productivity.