The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of schist processing waste on soil chemical attributes and on vegetative growth of corn. The experiment was conducted in Regosol Eutrophic under greenhouse conditions. The treatments consisted of five rates of schist processing waste (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 t ha-1) in a completely randomized experimental design with three replications. The schist was incorporated in the soil in each experimental unit, constituted by pots with 2 dm³ of soil, which remained incubated during 10 days. After this period the corn was sown and after 60 days the plant height, the stem diameter and the fresh and dry matter of the shoots were evaluated. Soil samples were taken from each experimental unit before and after sowing for chemical analysis. Application of schist promoted a significant increase in sulfur and silicon content in soil as well as in the total exchangeable bases, but there was no increase in soil pH. The growth of the maize was not influenced by the treatments.
silicon; industrial waste; soil amendment
