Study: Plants can feed directly from atmospheric dust

A team of researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has discovered a surprising mechanism through which plants can supplement their nutrient intake: the direct absorption of minerals from atmospheric dust through their leaves.

The discovery, published in the scientific journal New Phytologist and cited by Xinhua, challenges the classical theory that plants depend exclusively on roots and soil for essential nutrients.

Leaves can absorb iron and phosphorus from the atmosphere

Following experiments conducted in the Mediterranean region, researchers simulated atmospheric dust events and observed that plants exposed to these conditions showed higher levels of: iron;

phosphorus;

other essential minerals.

According to specialists, the slightly acidic surface of leaves breaks down mineral particles in dust, releasing nutrients in a form that can be directly absorbed by the plant.

This process turns leaves into an additional nutritional channel, particularly in poor soil conditions.

Significant contribution to plant nutrition

Global analyses suggest that in certain regions:

up to 17% of iron requirements;

up to 12% of phosphorus requirements

may come from atmospheric absorption.

During periods of intense dust storms, nutrient input from the air may even equal or exceed the resources supplied by soil.

These findings change perspectives on how ecosystems function, especially in:

arid regions;

nutrient-poor soils;

erosion-affected areas;

ecosystems vulnerable to climate change.

Climate change may amplify the phenomenon

As climate change influences dust circulation on a global scale, this mechanism could become increasingly important for plant survival and ecosystem stability.

Potential future applications

The discovery could influence:

sustainable agriculture;

degraded land management;

climate models;

biodiversity conservation strategies.

The Israeli study opens a new perspective on plant biology, suggesting that the atmosphere plays a much more important role in plant nutrition than previously believed, with major implications for agriculture, ecology, and adaptation to climate change.