Effect of the By-Products of Paper Industry on the Improvement of Soil Structure

Abstract

A laboratory study was conducted on four soils ( two light soils, one clayey soil and one highly sodic soil ) to evaluate the efficiency of two by-products of paper industry (celex and paper sludge) in ameliorating the soil structure. Addition of these amendments have increased degree of aggregation, water holding capacity, porosity and decreased bulk density regularly. Organic matter, available nitrogen and phosphorus have also increased and pH decreased with the addition of these by- products. The benefical effect was more on light soils.