The present study investigated the reactivity of a slag from steelworks in different particle size fractions, applied on an acid dystrophic Red Latosol, under laboratory conditions, in a 4 x 3 + 2 factorial scheme in four replications. Four particle sizes (material retained in the ABNT 5-10; 10-20; 20-50, and < 50 sieves), three doses of slag (0.00, 5.04, and 10.08 t ha-1, corresponding to 0.00, 1.01, and 2.02 g in 0.40 dm³ of soil per cup) and two control treatments (slag and dolomitic limestone in the corresponding dose to base saturation (V) = 70 %, or either, 1.01 and 0.61 g per cup, respectively). The base saturation method was used for the definition of the doses, considering the CaCO3 equivalent value of slag and limestone, for the corresponding particle size fractions. The soil humidity was maintained at field capacity and incubated for three, six, and nine months. Grain size fractions of the slag affected differently the acidity of the soil. The fraction retained between the ABNT 5-10 sieves proved to be inefficient, while the fraction that passed through ABNT < 50 was the one with the greatest effect on acidity neutralization. The reactivity of retained slag particles in the intermediate sieves (ABNT 10-20 and 20-50 sieves) was proportional to the effective values of the Brazilian legislation for lime. Therefore, the reactivity rate obtained for steelwork slag was: ABNT nº 5-10 = 0 %; 10-20 = 22 %; 20-50 = 58 % e < 50= 100 %.
liming; soil reaction; steelwork residue; particle size; fertilizer legislation
