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. |
