Enhancing soybean cultivation sustainability: impact of limestone mining co-products on soil and plant chemical attributes

Abstract The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices necessitates innovative solutions for soil fertilization. This study aimed to assess the viability of using limestone mining co-products from the Irati and Corumbataí Formations as multi-nutrient sources for Glycine max cultivation. The experiment utilized a double factorial design (7 × 2) with five replications, randomly arranged and placed in pots within a greenhouse. The factors examined were the type of co-product (sedimentary rocks from the Irati Formation: rhythmite and bituminous shale; and the Corumbataí Formation: clayey siltstone) and the soil type (Haplic Arenosol and Rhodic Ferralsol). Soil ion content was assessed at 21 and 140 days after treatment application. Each pot housed four G. max plants, with leaf harvest occurring after 42 days of growth. Macronutrient content, leaf production, and soil ion availability were determined thereafter. Overall, co-product application led to increased soil pH and availability of essential ions, including K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, P, S-SO4 2−, and Si. At 140 days, rhythmite was notably effective in increasing pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in Haplic Arenosol, with respective increases of 22%, 224%, and 696%. Bituminous shale, on the other hand, significantly increased S-SO4 2− content by 67% and 426% in Rhodic Ferralsol and Haplic Arenosol, respectively. Moreover, the application of co-products resulted in enhanced accumulation of K, Ca, Mg, and S in G. max plants, alongside increased leaf production. In conclusion, the utilization of mining co-products positively influenced soil and plant chemical attributes, particularly enhancing leaf production in G. max. These findings highlight the potential of co-products as environmentally friendly solutions for soil fertilization, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. This research highlights a significant step towards sustainable agriculture by recycling mining waste into valuable soil amendments, which can improve crop yields and reduce the environmental impact of both mining and agricultural activities. Graphical Abstract