Large-Scale Use of Pond Ash for Reclamation of Waste/Alkaline Land for Agriculture

Abstract

In India, thermal power plants presently produce 118×106 t of coal ash per annum, which is projected to exceed 440×106 t per annum by 2030. This huge quantity of coal ash not only has tremendous environmental concerns but also occupies large areas of land for its dumping, requiring urgent and appropriate measures for its safe disposal and gainful utilization on sustainable basis. In addition, reclamation of a vast area of wasteland for agriculture and forestry is another challenge for the country’s fast-growing population. The Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research has carried out a detailed study on the bulk utilization of coal ash in agriculture and forestry sectors under different agroclimatic conditions and soil types for last two decades. The demonstration studies for the popularization purpose were carried out in the waste/alkaline lands of farmers’ fields and the results of such investigations are reported in this paper. The productivity of various crops grown in the ash-amended treatments substantially showed increased yield (20–45%) over control, with noticeable increase in the nutrient content of crop produce, early maturity of the crops grown, and improvement in the nutrient status/biological activity of the soil.