Effects of Cement Kiln Dust on Some Soil Chemical Properties, Growth and Yield of Wheat and Fodder Sorghum

Abstract

Agronomic use of cement kiln dust (CKD) improves sandy soil properties and promotes growth and development of plants to enhance crop yield. Field experiments were carried out on a private farm at a newly reclaimed land in the Western district of Nile valley, El-Minia Governorate, Egypt. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of white and black cement kiln dusts applied at six rates (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 Mg feddan-1) to sandy loam soil on some soil chemical properties, growth, yield, and heavy metals uptake of lead, nickel and cadmium by wheat and fodder sorghum plants. The results indicated that white and black CKDs are considered to be safe by-product materials in terms of pH and content of lead, nickel, and cadmium, however; they are potentially hazard in terms of salinity build up in the investigated soil. Heavy metals concentration in the investigated soil was in the following descending order: Lead > Nickel > Cadmium. The investigated soil remains at a safe level of lead and nickel, while in a potential level of unsafe cadmium. The highest value of wheat yield and fodder sorghum was recorded when white CKD was applied at the rate of 16 Mg feddan-1. From these results, it could be recommended to apply white CKD at an application rate of 16 Mg feddan-1 only once for common crops cultivated in sandy soils under conditions of El-Minia Governorate, Egypt.