Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ash from combustion of plant biomass of energy willow and Pennsylvania fanpetals on yields of willow grown as an energy crop and on soil properties. A three-year pot experiment was carried out on substrates with a loamy sand texture. Ash application rates were based on the potassium fertilisation demand. An incubation experiment was carried out to determine the effect of biomass-based ash on soil properties. Three soils with textural categories were incubated for 3 months with the ashes, the doses of which were determined on the basis of the hydrolytic acidity of soils (¼; ½ and 1.0 Hh). It was found that ashes generated from burning willow or Pennsylvania fanpetals can be applied instead of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium fertilisers in the cultivation of energy willow. The plant uptake of P, K and Mg from the ashes did not diverge from their absorption by plants when supplied with mineral salts. The application of these alkaline ashes will increase the soil content of phytoavailable forms of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. The examined ashes enriched the soil with micronutrients.
Highlights
The constantly growing demand for energy, depleting energy resources, as well as the need to limit undesirable changes in the environment, stimulate interest in energy from renewable sources.Energy generated from biomass is gaining increasingly widespread use in commercial energy generation, especially in the geographical and climatic conditions of Poland [1]
* data marked with the same letters do not differ significantly at p < 0.01; Ash from energy willow (AEW)—ash from energy willow; Ash from Pennsylvania fanpetals (APF)—ash from Pennsylvania fanpetals
Soils incubated with ash from the burning of willow contained by 58% and 47% more available forms of phosphorus and potassium, respectively, while the content of magnesium was just
Summary
The constantly growing demand for energy, depleting energy resources, as well as the need to limit undesirable changes in the environment, stimulate interest in energy from renewable sources.Energy generated from biomass is gaining increasingly widespread use in commercial energy generation, especially in the geographical and climatic conditions of Poland [1]. According to the concept of sustainable development and in compliance with the law on renewable energy resources and broadly understood environmental protection, the most beneficial way to utilise the fly ash obtained from the incineration of plant biomass is to return the residue to the soil [5,8,9,10,11,12]. Ash from plant biomass can be used as a fertiliser in the cultivation of energy crops. If applied in proper doses, have a beneficial effect on the chemical properties of soil, leading to increased crop yields. Biochar mixed with biomass ash is a possible alternative to traditional mineral fertilisers, and this may even enhance the ecological aspect of renewable energy use [13].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
