Australia’s agricultural, horticultural and garden markets are under increasing pressure from heat stress, with frequent summer temperatures exceeding 35–40 °C across many regions. These conditions accelerate soil moisture loss, increase nutrient leaching, and place added stress on crops, turf, and gardens.

As a result, demand for mineral soil amendments that improve water retention, nutrient availability, and soil structure has increased, particularly in broadacre agriculture, horticulture, turf management, and sustainable landscaping. Diatomaceous earth and attapulgite clay are two naturally occurring mineral amendments increasingly used for this purpose. Each offers distinct benefits, and in some cases, they may be used together.

Why Soil Amendment Is Critical Under Hot Australian Conditions

High temperatures and extended dry periods affect soil performance by:

• Increasing evaporation and reducing plant-available water
• Accelerating nutrient leaching in sandy or low-clay soils
• Reducing fertiliser efficiency
• Increasing plant stress and reducing root zone stability

In many Australian soils, particularly sandy profiles common in Western Australia, South Australia, and parts of Queensland, mineral amendments are used to supplement organic matter and improve soil function under extreme climatic conditions.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Role in Soil Amendment

Diatomaceous earth is a silica-rich sedimentary material formed from fossilised diatoms. Its value in soil amendment lies in its porous structure and high surface area.

Key soil functions of diatomaceous earth include:

• Improving moisture retention by holding water within its porous structure and releasing it slowly
• Reducing nutrient leaching through adsorption on particle surfaces
• Supplying plant-available silica, which can strengthen plant cell walls and improve tolerance to heat, drought, and salinity stress
• Improving water balance and aeration in sandy or coarse soils

Best suited to:

• Sandy or free-draining soils
• Turf and sports surfaces exposed to heat
• Horticulture and garden beds experiencing drought stress

Attapulgite Clay: Role in Soil Amendment

Attapulgite, also known as palygorskite, is a naturally occurring fibrous clay mineral with strong adsorptive and ion-exchange properties.

Key soil functions of attapulgite clay include:

• Increasing nutrient holding capacity through higher cation exchange capacity
• Reducing fertiliser leaching and improving nutrient efficiency
• Improving soil structure by encouraging aggregation in low-clay soils
• Enhancing long-term moisture retention through structural improvement rather than short-term water adsorption

Best suited to:

• Very sandy or nutrient-poor soils
• Agricultural systems with high fertiliser inputs
• Situations where improving soil structure is a priority

Using Diatomaceous Earth and Attapulgite Separately

Applying Diatomaceous Earth on Its Own

Use diatomaceous earth where water retention and silica supply are the primary objectives.

Application guidance:

• Broadacre or turf applications are typically in the range of 250 kg to 2 t per hectare, depending on soil condition and crop type
• Incorporate into the topsoil where possible to improve root-zone effectiveness
• In gardens and potting mixes, blend evenly through the soil rather than applying only to the surface

Most effective when:

• Soils dry rapidly in hot conditions
• Crops or turf show signs of heat or drought stress
• Sandy soils lack water-holding capacity

Applying Attapulgite Clay on Its Own

Use attapulgite where nutrient retention and soil structure are limiting factors.

Application guidance:

• In garden beds and soil mixes, attapulgite is commonly added at approximately 10 percent by volume
• In agricultural soils, incorporation during cultivation or soil renovation improves distribution and effectiveness
• Works best when combined with fertiliser programs to improve nutrient efficiency

Most effective when:

• Soils lose nutrients quickly after irrigation or rainfall
• Fertiliser efficiency is low
• Long-term structural improvement is required

Blending Diatomaceous Earth and Attapulgite

Using diatomaceous earth and attapulgite together provides broader soil benefits than using either amendment alone. Research indicates that blends of diatomite and attapulgite can improve moisture retention more effectively than single-amendment applications while also improving nutrient holding capacity.

Recommended blending approach:

• Approximately 4 parts attapulgite to 1 part diatomaceous earth by dry weight
• Balances nutrient retention and structural benefits from attapulgite with moisture and silica benefits from diatomaceous earth

Application guidance for blends:

• Pre-mix the materials thoroughly before application to ensure even distribution
• Incorporate into the top 10–20 cm of soil for gardens, turf, and horticulture
• In broadacre systems, apply prior to cultivation or during soil renovation
• Combine with organic matter such as compost or biochar for best long-term soil health outcomes

Product Availability and Application Formats in Australia

In Australia, access to appropriately sized mineral soil amendment products is important for both small-scale users and commercial operations. AUS DE offers mineral amendments in formats suited to garden, horticultural, and agricultural use.

For smaller applications, De-Cide (diatomaceous earth) and AgriFix (attapulgite clay) are available in 10 L tubs, making them suitable for:

• Home gardens and raised beds
• Turf and landscaping projects
• Horticultural trials and targeted soil improvement
• Controlled application where soil blending ratios are required

These formats allow users to apply diatomaceous earth and attapulgite separately, enabling staged application where moisture retention, silica availability, or nutrient holding capacity is being addressed independently.

For larger-scale use, bulk mineral supply is available, including:

• Half-tonne diatomaceous earth
• Half-tonne attapulgite clay

Bulk availability allows growers and land managers to:

• Pre-blend minerals to recommended ratios prior to application
• Apply amendments across larger areas during cultivation or soil renovation
• Integrate mineral amendments into existing soil improvement or fertiliser programs

Blended Diatomaceous Earth and Attapulgite in a Ready-to-Use Format

For users seeking a pre-blended mineral amendment, ChickenKoop Refresh is available in 10 L tubs. While originally formulated for odour control in farm and domestic animal environments, including chickens and poultry, the mineral composition also functions effectively as a soil conditioner.

Key benefits of this blended formulation include:

• Moisture retention and silica contribution from diatomaceous earth
• Nutrient adsorption and soil structural support from attapulgite clay
• Odour control for animal enclosures, linked to the same adsorption properties that improve soil nutrient and water retention

This product is particularly useful where:

• Soil conditioning is required alongside odour management for livestock or poultry
• Smaller-scale or targeted amendments are preferred over separate applications
• Soil improvement is being undertaken in garden beds, paddocks, chicken runs, or trial plots

Application considerations:

• Evenly incorporate into the topsoil or bedding material to ensure uniform distribution
• Suitable for gardens, turf, orchards, animal pens, and poultry enclosures
• Adjust rates based on soil texture, organic matter content, and animal housing needs

By combining odour control with soil conditioning, blended mineral products like ChickenKoop Refresh provide a multifunctional solution for both soil health and farm hygiene, making them particularly relevant for poultry and other livestock operations.

Practical Application Summary

Diatomaceous earth

• Primary function: moisture retention and silica supply
• Typical use: sandy soils, turf, heat-stressed crops
• Application rates: approximately 250 kg–2 t per hectare

Attapulgite clay

• Primary function: nutrient retention and soil structure
• Typical use: nutrient-poor or low-clay soils
• Application rates: approximately 10 percent by volume in soil mixes

Blended application

• Primary function: combined moisture retention, nutrient holding, and structural improvement
• Typical ratio: approximately 4:1 attapulgite to diatomaceous earth
• Suitable for broad soil improvement in hot, dry conditions

Conclusion

The choice between diatomaceous earth, attapulgite clay, or a blended mineral product depends on the specific limitations of the soil and the pressures imposed by Australia’s climate.

• Diatomaceous earth is most effective where heat and drought stress dominate
• Attapulgite clay is best where nutrient retention and soil structure are the primary concerns
• Blending both provides a balanced approach for improving soil resilience under extreme temperatures

Mineral amendments are most effective when used alongside organic matter, appropriate irrigation management, and soil testing. Together, these practices help build resilient soils capable of supporting plant growth under Australia’s increasingly challenging climatic conditions.

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