The possibility using converter slag; a by-product of steel factory, as an iron fertilizer

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of converter slag- a by-product of steel industry- as an iron fertilizer on Fe and pH of some calcareous soils. Slag used contained approximately 24% of iron oxides plus a relatively large amount of calcium, silicon, phosphorus, and manganese. An incubation study was conducted with 3 calcareous soils for up to 2 months and the treatments included various amounts of slag (alone and mixed with elemental sulfur and alfalfa powder). Results showed that application of slag increased ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractable Fe and pH in soils.