The reduction in natural sources of nutrients and the high cost of fertilizers have increased the search for new compounds for agricultural uses. Steel slag has high lime content and contains other important minerals for plant nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of steel slag on chemical changes of soil characteristics and on nutrients and level of heavy metals of sugar cane crop. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates and eight steel slag doses: 0; 0.5; 1.0; 2.5; 5,0; 10; 20; 40 t ha-1. An additional treatment with lime (2.5 t ha-1) was used. Steel slag increased soil pH, basis saturation and the levels of P, Ca, B, Fe and Mn; no changes on K and Mg levels were observed. None of the steel slag used increased level of Cd, Pb and Ni in the soil. However, Cr levels were significantly affected. On leaves and stalk, phosphorus was the only chemical influenced by increasing the doses of steel slag. An improvement of sugar cane productivity was detected.
soil fertility; residues; nutrients recycle; Saccharum
