Thesis
Impact of paper mill fly ash and biochar on soil health and productivity of wheat
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
05/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004260
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/125116
Abstract
Soil acidification is a significant issue faced by agriculture in Eastern Washington. Acidification increases concentration of exchangeable aluminum (Al) in soil and reduces nutrient availability leading to reduced plant vigor, greater disease incidence, and reduced yield. Liming is the recommended remedy, but economic feasibility is questionable due to its high cost and limited supply of liming materials in the region. Thus, locally available industry co-products were studied to use as an alternative lime material. Biochar (BC) and paper mill fly ash (FFA) were applied individually and in combination to two soils, Rockford Larkin-Southwick complex [Low pH (3.7), high Al (230 ppm)] and Pullman Caldwell silt loam [low pH (4.6), low Al (5.6 ppm)]. Soil pH data collected from three separate experiments revealed that FFA applied at the same or half-rate as lime resulted in a comparable or greater increase in soil pH as lime and at a faster rate. Both lime and FFA resulted in increased soil concentration of Ca, but concentrations of K, Cu, Cl, and B were increased only by FFA. Furthermore, soil concentrations of Al, Mn, and Fe decreased following both FFA and lime amendment. Application of FFA resulted in reduced Al concentration in Rockford soil by 97% compared to a 93% reduction with lime. Uptake of N, P, K, S, Zn, and Mn was reduced in winter wheat plants grown in either lime or FFA amended soils. However, uptake of B was less in plants grown in FFA amended soils. No traces of Cd, Cr, or Pb were found in plants grown in FFA amended soils. Winter wheat variety ‘Stephens’ and spring wheat variety ‘Louise’ grown in soils treated with FFA had statistically similar or greater aboveground biomass as lime. The biochar products used in the study did not have a significant overall impact on soil pH, nutrient availability, plant biomass, or nutrient uptake. Based on these findings, FFA could be an effective replacement for lime.
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Details
- Title
- Impact of paper mill fly ash and biochar on soil health and productivity of wheat
- Creators
- Samodya K. Jayasinghe
- Contributors
- Timothy Daniel Murray (Advisor) - Washington State University, Plant Pathology, Department of
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Plant Pathology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900896415801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis