POSSIBILITIY OF USING CEMENT KILN DUST FOR IMPROVING SANDY SOIL HEALTH AND ENHANCING MAIZE PERFORMANCE

Many researchers worldwide have suggested the use of cement kiln dust (CKD) as a soil amendment and a source of nutrients to enhance crop performance. Pot experiment was accomplished in the greenhouse of Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, to investigate impacts of white and black CKDs applied at six rates (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 g kg -1 ) to sandy loam soil on some soil chemical and biological properties and maize growth and quality parameters. Treated soils with either white CKD or black CKD were very slightly saline; moderately alkaline; and still in a safe lead, nickel, and cadmium levels. Soil amendment by increasing white CKD rate from 0.0 up to 16 g kg -1 increased microbial biomass C and N and enzyme activity of arginase and β-glucosidase. The highest values of plant height, fresh and dry weight of maize plants, and water use productivity by maize plants were recorded with 16 g kg -1 of white CKD. There was no distinct accumulation of lead, nickel, and cadmium in the maize shoots. It is applicable to use white CKD only at the application rate of 16 g kg -1 (16 Mg feddan -1 ) for crops grown in sandy soils under conditions of El-Minia Governorate, Egypt.