Role of fly ash in improving soil physical properties and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The poor infiltration and fine texture of clay soil causes water logging problem and reduces biological activities in soil. In contrast to this, loose particle and higher in filterability in sandy soil results in low water holding capacity and poor nutrient retention. Fly ash, a waste product of thermal power plants, causes environmental pollution and is hazardous to human health. It is produced in plenty; therefore, safe disposal is very difficult. Fly ash may be used as amendment to improve soil properties and plant growth in such soils. The addition of 20% fly ash in clayey soil and up to 30% in sandy soils improved the germination, tillering, plant height, biological and grain yield of wheat. The addition of fly-ash has also shown improvement in the soil properties viz. texture, structure and bulk density. Permeability of clay loam soil increased from 0.54cm/hr to 2.14cm/hr by the addition of 50% fly ash whereas it decreased from 23.80 cm/hr to 9.67 cm/hr in sandy soil by 50% fly-ash addition. Water holding capacity of sandy soil also increased from 0.38 cm/cm to 0.53 cm/cm at 50% level.