Steel industry furnace residue as a source of micronutrients and contaminants to corn plant

The residue of siderurgic furnace was tested as a source of micronutrients and contaminants to corn plants at greenhouse condition, in Lavras, MG, Bra zil. Soil material of an Inceptsol (allic Cambisol) was used as substrate, which received 0, 2 and 4 ton ha(-1) of liming material and the following t reatments: blank, micronutrient as p.a. reagent, and 250, 500, and 1,000 kg ha(-1) of the furnace residue. Liming dose was the main factor accounting for the differences in dry matter production. The residue increased biomass production in relation to check, but facing to p.a. reagents results were lower; there were no significant differences due to doses of this product. Also the residue supplied mainly Zn and Fe to corn plants. Solubility of th is by product is higher as soil acidity increases. It was detected the pres ence of Cd and Ph in the shoot dry mass of corn. The potential risk of soil and food contamination must be taken into account when using this furnace residue as source of micronutrient.