Characterization and Liming Effect of Wood Ash Generated from a Biomass-Fueled Commercial Power Plant

Abstract

ABSTRACTLaboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to characterize and examine wood ash from a biomass-fueled commercial power plant as a lime. Experimental treatments include wood ash and two commercial limes applied at six application rates. The effective calcium carbonate equivalence (ECCE) of wood ash ranged from 22 to 49%. Wood ash increased soil pH by 0.31–3.18 over unlimed soils, and these changes in pH were similar to the effect of commercial limes. The soil pH at three weeks after wood ash application was constant through week seventeen. Wood ash increased electrical conductivity by 0.13–0.63 dS m−1 compared to unlimed soils at three weeks after liming; however, a 39–69% decreased was observed by week seventeen. Common bermudagrass did not respond to the application of wood ash and commercial limes. The results of this study suggest that wood ash from the biomass-fueled commercial power plant with low ECCE could be a liming material.