Abstract:
Steel slag is a by-product in the process of refining iron. This by-product content several
nutrients compound that useful for agriculture. This study aimed to observe the influence of steel
slag (powdered into micro paricle sized in 1.7 µm ) in improving some soil chemical
characteristics of Ultisols. The method used was the experimental of Completely Randomized
Design consisted of 11 treatments of several dosages of micro particle of steel slag (in weight
percentages w/w with soils): 1%, 2%. 3%. 4%, 5%. 6%, 7% 8%. 9%, and 2 controls. One control
was the treatment without steel slag. Another control was 5% steel slag in 200 mesh sized or 78
µm (size of applied lime). Overal total treatments were 11 and repeated three times, gave the
total of 33 treatments. The soils used were 1kg, mixed with the steel slag according to the
dosages. They were put into the polybag watered to field capacity and incubated for two months.
After two months the soils were analysed for pH, P-fixation and available P. The result showed
that the steel slag increased the pH, decreased the P-fixation and increased available P. |
