Surface application of cement kiln dust and lime to forage land: Effect on forage yield, tissue concentration and accumulation of nutrients

Abstract

Cement kiln dust (CKD), a by-product of the cement industry currently being landfilled, may be a beneficial soil amendment. A 2-yr field forage trial compared the effect of surface applications of CKD and lime on forage yield and the concentration and accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn and B in the forage tissue. Seven soil treatments in three blocks were established on three low pH sites: (1) a check plot with neither lime or CKD added; (2) lime application based on the recommendation from soil analysis; (3) lime at 1.5 times the recommended application; (4) CKD applied at the recommended application; (5) CKD at 1.5 times the recommended application; (6) CKD applied on a neutralizing equivalent basis at the recommended application rate; and (7) CKD on a neutralizing equivalent basis at 1.5 times the recommended lime application; equivalence based on CKD’s apparent neutralizing value at 75% that of lime. In 1998, as tissue concentrations of K, Ca, Cu, and Mn increased with CKD application, the concentrations of N, P and Mg decreased, and in 1999, as the concentrations of Ca, K increased, the concentrations of N, P, Mg Mn, Zn decreased. Lime application increased the concentration of Mg (1998) and Ca and Mg (1999). The concentration of the other nutrients either decreased or were not significantly affected. In1998, forage yield and accumulation of Ca, K, Mn, Cu, Zn and B all increased with CKD addition, whereas the accumulation of Mg increased with lime addition. In 1999, forage yield and accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, Cu, Zn and B in the forage tissue all increased with CKD addition. These results were identified by principal component analysis (PCA). Surface applied CKD increased forage yield to a greater extent than lime. It was also a more readily available source of Ca and K than lime.Key words: Cement kiln dust