Incorporation of rice husk ash can improves near-surface Hapludult physical quality in the Southern Brazil

The rice husk ash has been proposed as a soil amendment to improve soil quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate some physical parameters after the incorporation of rice husk ash in four different doses (0, 40, 80 and 120 Mg ha-1) in a Hapludult in Southern Brazil. Mainly at the highest doses and after three years of incorporation of rice husk ash, an improvement in structural quality was observed based on soil porosity, resistance to penetration and water availability in the surface layer of the soil (0 - 0.10 m depth). The results suggest that doses of rice husk ash can improve the physical quality of the soil. Additional studies on compressive parameters, least limiting water range, biological activity and crop productivity are still necessary in soils under to different agricultural uses and management in this region.