Two types of rice husk dust (RHD) with five application rates were tested for their influence on selected soil physical properties and growth of maize in a heavy clay loam soil. The research was conducted in the 1996 and 1997 farming seasons in a Dystric Leptosol at Enugu State University Teaching Farm, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Two types of RHD (burnt and unburnt) with five rates of application (0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 ton ha(-1)) comprising 20 experimental units were set up in the field using split-plots in randomized complete block design replicated four times. The results indicated that neither the seed yield, plant height nor soil physical properties were affected (P < 0.05) by the two types of RHD. However, the two rates of application affected seed yield and plant height of maize at harvest (90 days after planting (DAP)). Similarly, soil dry bulk density, total porosity and penetration resistance at 48 and 60 DAP were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by the treatments, while saturated hydraulic conductivity was affected at 90 DAP. The highest average seed yield and plant height of maize were obtained in plots amended with 3.5 tons ha(-1) rice dust. These were approximately 53% and 22% higher than the control, respectively. Seed yield and plant height of maize increased significantly with improvement of soil physical properties. The results of the work indicate that RHD applied at 4.5 ton ha(-1) is appropriate to ameliorate the physical properties of a clayey soil by improving water transmissivity and soil aeration and hence soil productivity.