Use of iron mine tailings as a soil amendment: effects on sand soils fertility and quality

• Grant number: 24/09845-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Osório Ferreira
• Grantee: Tiago Osório Ferreira
• Principal researcher abroad: Owen Duckworth
• Institution abroad: North Carolina State University (NC State), United States
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/02429-6 - Iron mining tailings as a soil amendment and in the construction of smart-C soils: smart agriculture against climate change and soil degradation, AP.PFPMCG.R

Abstract

Sandy soils have low natural fertility and low water retention; therefore, they have restrictions for agricultural use. This proposal aims to promote exchange activities between the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil and North Carolina State University (NCSU) in the USA to study the effects of fine-grained materials addition to sandy soils, as a soil conditioner (i.e., claying). This exchange program will complement and contribute to the ongoing project funded by FAPESP, titled "Iron Mining Tailings for the Preparation of Soil Amendments and Smart-C Soils: Intelligent Agriculture in the Fight Against Climate Change and Soil Degradation". Researchers from both USP and NCSU will engage in a structured exchange program that will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, methodologies, and technological advancements in soil biogeochemistry. One of the expected results of this proposal is the writing and submission of a research proposal for studying the impacts of iron mine tailings in agriculture, as a soil amendment, to improve soil fertility and quality as well as the phosphorus dynamics in amended and no-amended soils. (AU)