The effective utilization of steel slag, a byproduct produced in large quantities from the steel refining process, is an important issue. Because steel slag contains abundant mineral components, the effects of steel slag on soil bacterial biomass and plant mineral uptake were analyzed in this study. The soil pH increased in proportion to the amount of steel slag added. A lower concentration (0.2% to 1%) of steel slag addition did not change the bacterial biomass. However, a higher concentration of steel slag (above 1%) had a negative effect on bacterial biomass. A lower amount of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) addition in soil leads to increased mineral (Ca, Mg, and Fe) uptake and plant growth in Brassica rapa var. periviridis and Spinacia oleracea L. However, mineral uptake by the plants decreased when a large amount of steel slag (above 1%) was added to the soil. Low concentrations of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) in soil had positive effects on plant growth, mineral uptake of plants, and bacterial biomass.
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