The cellulose industry produce a large amount of residues, and some have potential to improve the soil fertility. However, there is still lack of information about the viability of use and the doses to be applied to the soil. The aims of this study were to evaluate the use of an alkaline residue (dregs) as acidity corrective and measure the changes in the chemical and physical attributes of two Cambisols, one clay loam and another sandy loam. The experiment was performed in pots in a greenhouse, with superficial application of dregs in the proportion of 0%, 12%, 35%, 50% and 100% of the equivalent rate of CaCO3 required to increase the pH to 6.0. The maize crop was grown until 40 days after germination to quantify the dry matter of roots and shoots. In soil not cultivated with maize, samples were collected to evaluate the aggregate stability, clay dispersion, pH, and content of exchangeable cations. The addition of surface dregs increases the pH, Ca, K and Mg, and reduces the content of exchangeable Al, mainly in the soil layer of 0 to 5 cm. However, harmful effects are observed, as the increase in the content of Na, the Ca/Mg ratio and dispersion of clay. Changes in soil chemical properties favor the growth of roots and shoots of maize until the dose equivalent to the dregs from 40 to 47% of the need for lime to raise the water pH to 6.0. Above these doses plant development is constrained.
acidity correction; clay dispersion; dregs; Zea Mayz
