Summary
This greenhouse experiment compared the effectiveness of a steel slag-derived soil conditioner (Agrosilicio Plus) with dolomitic limestone for correcting soil acidity and supporting forage grass nutrition in Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri. Both amendments corrected soil acidity effectively; steel slag promoted higher silicon accumulation whilst limestone increased calcium uptake. Steel slag applied to the soil surface produced higher cumulative dry mass across three crops and represents a viable alternative to limestone for soil amendment and nutrient supply in tropical forage production.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in Brazil on tropical Ferrasol soils under controlled greenhouse conditions. The findings may have limited direct applicability to United Kingdom grassland and pasture systems, which operate on temperate soils with different parent materials and climate; however, the methodology and comparative approach to alternative soil amendments could inform UK research on recycled or industrial by-products for grassland improvement, particularly as circular economy alternatives to conventional limestone.
Key measures
Shoot dry mass; plant tissue nutrient content (calcium, silicon, and other nutrients); soil pH; nutrient accumulation across three cropping cycles; application rates (25%, 50%, 100%, 150% of liming requirement)
Outcomes reported
The study measured shoot dry mass production and plant nutrient content (including silicon and calcium accumulation) in Panicum maximum across three successive 45-day cropping cycles in response to steel slag and limestone soil amendments applied at varying rates and methods.
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