When the wastewater disposal in the soil-plant system is well planned, it can provide some benefits, such as a source of nutrients and water for plants and the reduced use of both fertilizers and their pollution potential. The soil has high capacity to decompose or inactivate the material that are potentially harmful to the environment, through chemical reactions and microbiological processes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the application of cattle farm wastewater (ARB) both on physical and chemical properties of an eutrophic Red Luvisoil. The experiment was carried out using four ARB application rates (25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha-1 K) and drainage lysimeters under greenhouse conditions. The following variables were evaluated: electrical conductivity of the soil solution; water-dispersed clay; sodium saturation index; pH; CEC; base saturation; and the contents of P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. According to the results, the increase in ARB application rates provided increments in the pH, CEC, base saturation as well as in the content of P, K, Ca and Mg in the surface layers. In the soil profile, salinization did not occur, although the percentage of clay dispersed in water increased, indicating that the steady-state ARB application may provide risks for reduction of the permeability of the soil.
soil wastewater disposition; fertirrigation; water-dispersed clay
