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ISSN : 2456-8643

Title:
EFFECT OF COAL ASH ON SOIL WATER RETENTION, AND SOYBEAN (Glycine Max) GROWTH

Authors:
Olipa Nyazambe Lungu , Munjile Hamakona and Elijah Phiri , Zambia

Abstract:
Coal ash (CA), a by-product of intense heat coal combustion, is globally considered as complex solid waste and its safe disposal is a growing concern. To minimize challenges associated with its disposal, some studies propose that coal ash can be used as a soil additive. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effect of coal ash amendment (0%, 1%, 1.5%, 3% and 5% v/v) on soil moisture retention, and Soybean growth on a Vertisol. It was found that the coal ash amendment significantly affected plant height (p<0.05), while nodulation and pod formation were not significantly affected. Coal ash amendment significantly reduced soil moisture retention at lower suctions (saturation) and higher suctions (pF 4.6). Being able to retain moisture at moderate potentials and supporting nodulation, which is an important factor in nitrogen-fixation, proves that coal ash has great potential to be used as an agricultural amendment especially in the often under-utilized Vertisols.

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