The cellulose and paper industry discards residues of varied chemical composition on a large scale. Some of these residues are being used by farmers for the adjustment of soil acidity, since they contain hydroxide. However, there are no recommendations on quantities or reapplications. Possible consequences are clay dispersion, reduction of the aggregate stability and the imbalance of nutrients, degrading the physical and chemical soil properties. This study evaluated the physical and chemical properties of two soils incubated with alkaline residues (dregs) from the cellulose industry. Soil samples from the surface layer of a Latossolo Bruno and a Cambissolo Húmico were incubated with alkaline residue rates that provided 0, 12, 25, 35 and 50 % of the necessary calcium carbonate to elevate the pH (in the 0-20 cm layer) to 6.0. The aggregate stability, clay dispersed in water, exchangeable cations, pH and point of zero salt effect (PZSE) were determined. The alkaline residue reduced aluminum and increased pH, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium contents. It increased the negative electric surface potential of both soils, but reduced the clay flocculation rate only in the Cambissolo Húmico. In this soil, the flocculated clay was negatively related with the negative electric surface potential (r = -0.93**). The reduction of the clay flocculation rate was probably due to higher repulsive forces among soil particles that present variable-charges, according to the pH. The aggregate stability was not altered by the alkaline residue application.
soil acidity; aggregate stability; clay flocculation