Granite processing waste as an alternative fertilizer for the coffee crop

Abstract

The granite processing waste is considered an environmental contaminant. Its agricultural use has been investigated and satisfactory results have been defined basically considering ideological questions instead of its real effectiveness. Aiming to evaluate the effect of the granite processing waste on conilon coffee fertilizing, an experiment was installed under greenhouse conditions. Two samples of only one soil (superficial and subsuperficial), six granite processing waste doses (0,0; 1,5; 3,0; 6,0; 9,0 and 15 g dm^-3, equivalent the 0; 3; 6; 12; 18 e 30 t ha^-1) and two liming levels (0,4 e 1,2 x liming necessity) were investigated. After soil incubations and following the transplantation, growth and harvesting of coffee plants, have been determined contents of chemicals elements and characteristics of plant and soil. The granite processing waste application induced a linearly increase on pH and reduces the Al³⁺ contents, but in small magnitude. Granite processing waste was more efficiently when used in grater buffer capacity soil sample; for de initial coffee plants growth, it must be used, with priority, as a source of K and Ca, in this case, a soil pH around 5.0 is recommended; doses of granite processing waste next to a 20.0 ton per hectare provided an adequate initial growth of coffee plants.