Evaluation of Two Industrial By-products as Soil Conditioners for Reducing Potential Aluminium Toxicity and Acidity in a Palexerult of Western Spain

Abstract

A field experiment evaluated the effects of surface applications of two industrial by-products (sugar foam and phosphogypsum) to an acidic Ultisol of the temperate zone in Spain to ameliorate topsoil and subsurface acidity and potential aluminium (Al) toxicity. The by-products were applied in single and combined amendments and at two different rates. Two years after their application, it was determined that applications at a low rate of sugar foam and sugar foam + phosphogypsum increased the pH and the exchangeable calcium (Ca) and reduced the exchangeable Al in the surface horizon of the soil while only a significant reduction of exchangeable Al was obtained in the subsurface horizon. Long-term amelioration of acidity and potential Al toxicity were only achieved upon the addition of these treatments at high rate. The addition of sugar foam at a high rate provides an effective practice for long-term acidity amelioration from the surface downward.