Loan areas near hydroelectric power plants can be considered degraded areas since they were stripped of their soil surface horizons. This study aimed to investigate the recovery of soil chemical attributes of a Red Latosol (Oxisol) used in the embankment and fill of the hydroelectric system in Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brazil, by green manure, lime and gypsum. The experiment had a randomized block design with seven treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of: one control (tilled soil and spontaneous vegetation); Cajanus cajan until 1994 and then substituted by Canavalia ensiformis; lime + Stizolobium aterrimum; lime + Cajanus cajan until 1994 and then substituted by Canavalia ensiformis; lime + gypsum + Stizolobium aterrimum and lime + gypsum + Cajanus cajan until 1994 and then substituted by Canavalia ensiformis. After four years with green manure, one year with corn, one year with Avena strigosa and two years with brachiaria, the following properties were analyzed: pH, Ca, Mg, P, K, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, and organic matter. The treatments succeeded in recovering the soil chemical properties. Stizolobium aterrimum performed better than Cajanus cajan and Canavalia ensiformis. Soil recovery effects reached a depth of 0.0-0.2 m. The recovery techniques (green manure, lime and gypsum) improved soil chemical characteristics to a of 0.0-0.1 m in the first year and only after five years the depth of 0.0-0.2 m.
degraded area; green manure; brachiaria; Oxisol
