Improved rice production in acid soil utilizing fly ash

Abstract

Fly Ash, a waste material from thermal power station is used as a nutrient source in agricultural sector to enhance soil fertility and also as a soil ameliorant. The present investigation was carried out during 2015 -2016 at Rice Research Station, Ambasamudram, Tamil Nadu to reclaim acidic soil of pH 4.75. The treatments include control, 100% RDF alone, Lime + RDF, Dolomite + RDF, FA @ 10,20,30 and 40 t ha -1 along with RDF, 50% Lime + 50% FA + RDF and 50% Dolomite + 50% FA + RDF. The application of 50% Dolomite + 50% Lime + RDF significantly increased the soil reaction (7.08) whereas in case of EC only a small magnitude of increase was observed over control. The highest CEC was observed with 50% Dolomite + 50% FA + RDF (43.1 cmol(p+) kg -1 ). The addition of FA @ 40 t ha -1 recorded higher BS % value of 34.1% which was on par with the treatments receiving 50% Dolomite + 50% FA + RDF, 50% Lime + 50% FA + RDF and Dolomite + RDF with the values of 33.5, 32.6 and 31.4%. The lowest sesquioxide value of 5% was recorded with the application of 50% Dolomite + 50% FA + RDF. The highest grain yield (5.93 t ha -1 ) and straw yield (6.32 t ha -1 ) were registered with 50% Dolomite + 50% FA + RDF which was then followed by 50% Lime + 50% FA + RDF (grain yield-5.72 t ha -1 and straw yield -6.10 t ha -1 ). The application of Fly Ash supplemented with other liming materials like Lime and Dolomite can alleviate soil acidity and enhance soil fertility.