Physico-Chemical Properties of Fly Ash Amended Soils and their Impact on Potato Crop

Abstract

A study was conducted to observe the physico-chemical properties of fly ash amended soils (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40% and 50%) before planting and after harvesting of potato crop and at the same time their impact was also observed on various parameters of potato. As the levels of fly ash were increased, the physico-chemical properties pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, water holding capacity, pore space, sulphate and chloride contents, P, K, Mg, Zn, Mn and B were increased before planting. However, N was decreased significantly. After harvesting of potato crop all physico-chemical properties were still greater than control but less than pre-planting of potato, except sulphate, P, K, Zn and Mn which were first decreased upto certain levels and then increased in subsequent levels. N was found nil in all the treatments of fly ash. All the growth, productivity and biochemical parameters of potato were increased upto 25% level of fly ash and were highest at 15% level. After 25% level, all parameters were declined. Thus, 15% soil application of fly ash was found beneficial for the potato crop.