Paramagnetism is a real phenomenon that can be measured and explained by scientists, but is often relegated to the weird and fanciful in conventional agricultural circles.

The phenomenon was first named and extensively investigated by the British scientist Michael Faraday beginning in 1845; it was then applied to agriculture by Dr Phil Callahan. Interestingly, Boral quarries in Australia became aware of the benefits of paramagnetic material in agriculture during the 1990s and conducted a lot of research into the topic*.

Dr Callahan noted that while paramagnetic materials had the capacity to store/hold energy, they were also able to emit energy. Research into photon/light emissions by Dr Popp has since upheld this observation, which can also be confirmed at home by poking a pin hole through a camera lens cover, then strapping some paramagnetic material across the hole. The lens cover is put on a camera, set to slow release, and left in total darkness for 3 weeks. When developed, the film displays a bright circle of 'light' radiating out from the pinhole.

Where does paramagnetic material come from?

Oxygen is the most paramagnetic element on earth. It is thought that volcanic magma droplets are 'charged' with oxygen when they hit the atmosphere and the varying paramagnetic intensities of the ensuing rocks are determined by the differential cooling rates of the magma. More often than not, highly paramagnetic soils are found on the upper slopes of volcanically derived hills and mountains. Soils around Blackbutt Qld and Alstonville NSW have particularly high paramagnetic readings.

Paramagnetic materials also appear to act as an anntenna by collecting, and presumably storing ELF (extremely low frequency radio waves) from atmospheric lightening, and possibly other energy sources. 

While the above phenomenon have been researched and generally acknowledged by mainstream science, the main controversy over paramagnetism seems to stem from its claims that it enhances plant growth. Apart from the observation that the world's most fertile soils are highly paramagnetic, trials have demonstrated enhanced plant growth due to paramagnetism. In these trials paramagnetic material was isolated from the planting medium to ensure there was no mineral effect from the paramagnetic material occurring. It seems logical that plant roots may well respond to photon/light energy emitted around their roots over long periods of time. As many advocates state though - trial it for yourself. Even germination trials can show up significant differences.

There have also been some interesting observations in soil microbiology where increases in microbial subdivisions of up to 300% have been documented. More and more soil biology practitioners are including paramagnetic rock dusts to their fertiliser mixes, composts and microbial brews/compost teas. This opens the question of whether paramagnetism influences plant roots directly, or whether it is stimulating the microbiology that supports plant root development. Perhaps it is a little of both.

Many crushed volcanic materials are applied to soils for their paramagnetic effect as well as their lode of minerals. Unfortunately, as rocks mineralise the paramagnetic effect dissipates. The choice becomes spreading coarse material for long term paramagnetic effect, or fine material to gain the benefits of the minerals quickly.

The question of how much paramagnetic material should be applied is very open ended. Obviously the paramagnetic effect is diluted when broadcast across a paddock, but in essence the more that is applied, the higher the level of paramagnetism that will result. It really comes down to costs, and I tend to advocate the idea of applying a little (say 100-200kg/ha) every time a fertiliser is broadcast. I do not know of an upper limit, though depending on the source material, its mineral lode and structure, I would not be surprised to find that plants can survive in a soil made up solely of paramagnetic material.

How do you Test Paramagnetism?

Dr Phil Callahan built the PCSM (Phil Callahan Soil Meter) to measure paramagnetism in grams of material that will move one centimetre to a magnet in one second, or cgs (also used to measure magnetism). Nutri-Tech Solutions offer a free paramagnetic reading service using this meter, or a meter can be purchased. 

0-100 cgs = poor soil

100-300 cgs = good soil

300+ cgs = excellent soil

A good paramagnetic ameliorant should read a minimum of 1500 cgs

Magnetic materials are very rare in nature (e.g. magnetite), but some metals, such as iron can be induced into a 'permanent' magnetic (ferro-magnetic) state by an applied magnetic force at certain temperatures. It is suspected that the magnetic field used in the PCSM may in fact do this, and PCSM readings of iron-rich soils can be an artifact of this - not a true paramagnetic reading. In its natural state, iron-rich soils may have no paramagnetic/magnetic force, hence no benefits to plant growth, but once a soil sample is put into a PCSM measuring well; it becomes magnetised and gives a false high paramagnetic reading. To avoid this possibility, some suppliers have deliberately sourced their paramagnetic materials from low-iron deposits, e.g. Nutri-Tech's Nutri-Score Crushed Lava.

Known Paramagnetic Material Sources

• Kiama NSW crusher dust reads up to 3000 cgs
• Currabubula NSW crusher dust reads up to 1500 cgs
• Ardglen NSW crusher dust reads up to 1500 cgs
• Bald Hill Quarry Pty Ltd operating from Jugiong NSW reads up to 2100 cgs
  

Feel free to email through other sources and their paramagnetic readings to add to this list.

What is Diamagnetism?

Diamagnetism is the magnetisation in the opposite direction to that of the applied magnetic field. Scientifically, these elements have all their electrons paired. When electrons are paired, the opposite spins of the electrons cancel each other out so that when the material is placed in a magnetic field, it is repelled. Most organic compounds, including water and all plants are diamagnetic, but there are also basalt deposits that are diamagnetic, therefore a paramagnetic test before applying different materials can be very worthwhile. Following along this logic, wet soil samples may give false low paramagnetic readings because of the diamagnetic content of the water.

Esoteric Reasonings

Esoterically, paramagnetic materials are said to have a stimulating effect on plants due to a yin and yang effect. From a more conventional point of view it can be likened to the creation of poles - one positive, one negative creating a charge or energy wave between, as perhaps is the case with paramagnetic soils and diamagnetic plant roots. In nature, it is interesting to note the regular occurrence of so-called 'opposing forces' where life exists.

Many people are senstive to paramagnetic energy and can often detect it unwittingly when passing close to some stored material, much like some people are sensitive to elecromagnetic fields. Alanna Moore's book 'Stoneage Farming' discusses some of these effects on humans, and became the catalyst to my own experience with it. Back in 2003 I placed a bag of paramagentic material next to my bed - supposedly to enhance my sleep....the next morning I had aches and pains all down my back and 2 days later could bearly walk. I racked my memory for anything that may have caused the problem - and only the bag next to the bed kept nagging at my conscience. As soon as I removed it, I started to lose the pain and was walking normally within 2 days. It was an extremely weird, and embarrassing event, and something I was not willing to put myself through again, even for some possible scientific validation!

* For example: Dimitru, I., Zdrilic, A. and Azzopardi, A. (1999) Soil Remineralisation with Basaltic Rock Dust in Australia. 7th Anuual Symposium of the International Center for Aggregates Research, April 19-21, University of Texas, Austin, US. 

For More Information

• Search Google for 'paramagnetism'
• Callahan, Philip, S. PhD (1995) Paramagnetism - Rediscovering Nature's Secret Force of Growth'. Acres USA, Austin, Texas (purchase here)
  
• Moore Alanna (2001) Stoneage Farming - Eco-Agriculture for the 21st Century. Python Press. (purchase here)