Use of pyrite in the reclamation of degraded calcareous soils

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of pyrite in reclamation of degraded calcareous soils. In this paper, the behaviour in soil of Cu, Zn, Fe and Pb was studied, 3a after application of 4 rates of pyrite (0, 3, 6 and 9 t ha−1) and of 3 rates of superphosphate (0, 76.5 and 153 kg P ha−1). Total Cu, Zn, Fe and Pb and DTPA extractable Cu, Zn, Fe increased linearly with the amount of applied pyrite. After 3a, most of the Cu, Zn, Fe and Pb remained attached to the pyrite. In the treatment with 9 t ha−1 of pyrite only Zn occurred at concentrations which might cause environmental problems.