Abstract
Byproducts have been used in agriculture to improve soil properties and provide plant nutrients. This study utilized flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG), biochar, bed ash, broiler litter ash (BLA) and their combinations on the amelioration of soil acidity. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was used as the lime source and alfalfa as the test crop. While amendments increased alfalfa shoot and root yields as well as tissue Ca concentration, the tissue concentrations of copper, manganese, lead and zinc did not increase with amendment. Bed ash was as effective as CaCO3 in reducing soil acidity to a depth of 36 cm while calcium in the FGDG was more soluble than Ca in the CaCO3. With the increased alfalfa yield and the reduced tissue metal concentrations when these byproducts were used, this demonstrates that at the rate used in this study, these byproducts could be use as amendment on acidic soils.
Published Version
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