Edafología. Volumen 7-1. Abril 2000. pág 73-83.

Abstract:

In this research, a field test was accomplished in order to as certain the feasible saline effect which could be generated by the usage of a dairy industry sludge on acid soils. A comparison was made with the mineral fertilization customarily used in mixed prairies in NW Spain. The present results show that for a period of eight months after the employment of this waste (dose 160 m 3 ha -1 yr -1 ), there were not warningly increments (at surface level) for the following parameters: electrical conductivity (average values · 0.23 dS m -1 in a saturatution extract), soluble sodium (ESP average · 3,7%),exchan-geable sodium and chlorides (average values < 1.4 mmol L -1 ). Those parameters, that can damage the soil physical properties, nor those ones which could affect the plantation grown on it, owing to the good pro-ductions obtained in the silage harvested in those plots treated with the sludges. Therefore, this waste can be use safely, in suitable doses, in wet areas as well as in good drained areas, without yielding secondary salinity problems.

Key words: dairy-sludge, saline effect, fertilization, acid soil