Use of alkaline flyash-based products to amend acid soils: Plant growth response and nutrient uptake
K. M. Spark A B and R. S. Swift AA University of Queensland, Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: kaye.spark@uq.edu.au
Australian Journal of Soil Research 46(7) 578-584 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR07209
Submitted: 27 November 2007 Accepted: 14 July 2008 Published: 8 October 2008
Abstract
Vast quantities of flyash are generated annually by the burning of coal in the power industry, with most of this material being stockpiled with little prospect of being utilised at present. Two alkaline flyash-based products (FAP) for use as soil amendments (FAP1 and FAP2) have been assessed using glasshouse pot trials to determine the suitability of using these products to treat acid soils. The products both contain ~80% flyash which originated from coal-fired electricity generation. The acid soils used in the study were 2 Podsols and a Ferrosol, all originating from south-east Queensland and ranging in pH (1 : 5 suspension in water) from 4 to 5.5. The flyash products when applied to the soil significantly enhanced growth of maize plants (Zea mays L.), with optimal application rates in the range 1.25–5% w/w. The FAP/soil mixtures and plants were analysed using a range of methods including extraction with DTPA, and plant biomass (aboveground dry matter). The results indicate that in addition to the liming effect, the flyash in the alkaline flyash products may enhance plant growth as a result of increasing the uptake of micro-nutrients such as copper, zinc, and manganese. The study suggests that flyash has the potential to be used as a base material in the production of soil amendment materials that can change soil pH and act as a fertiliser for certain soil micro-nutrients such as Cu, Mn, and Zn.
Additional keywords: soil acidity, soil amendments, plant growth, plant micro-nutrients.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) in Japan.
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