Differential effects of lime and sugar foam waste on the mineral composition and forage productivity of an acid soil

A two-year study was conducted with a view to assessing the effect of two t ypes of lime and sugar foam waste on the acidity of a moderately acidic soi l. Experiments involved sampling of the soil at two different depths and sa mpling of plants for leaf measurements and evaluation of forage production. Application of a general linear model to experimental data revealed the li mes to be more effective than the sugar foams in decreasing the amount of e xchangeable Al in the soil and in raising its pH. On the other hand, the su gar foams were found to more effective in increasing the cation-exchange ca pacity (CEC) of the soil and, in general, the base content in the exchange complex. The sugar foam-based treatments proved more efficient in raising t he Ca. Mg, K, Cu and Zn levels in dry matter, and also in increasing forage production.