Effects of cement kiln dust on soil and potato crop quality

Cement kiln dust is a potential source of K and Ca for crops on acidic soil s in Eastern Canada. The objective of this study was to assess the effect o f cement kiln dust on soil chemical properties and potato (Solanum tuberosu m L,. cv. Superior) yield and quality on two Spodosols. Four rates of cemen t kiln dust, commercial K fertilizers, and lime were yearly applied and arr anged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Soil extr actable K and Ca increased rapidly after cement kiln dust applications and were comparable to commercial fertilizers or lime treatments. Heavy metal s oil contents and plant uptake were not influenced by treatments. Soil metal contents decreased from to initial soil levels and were lower than recomme nded maximal norms. Tuber yields increased with rates of cement kiln dust a nd commercial fertilizers but decreased with lime rates. Yields were positi vely correlated to soil extractable K and partially with extractable Rig. T he K and Mg plant uptake increased with cement kiln dust and commercial fer tilizers rates but was significantly reduced by liming. Tuber specific grav ity decreased with the highest commercial fertilizers and cement kiln dust rates. These results showed that cement kiln dust is an effective source of K and Ca for potato production without short term loss in tuber quality or soil contamination by metals.