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The Plant Availability of Potassium in Fly Ash
Author(s) -
Martens D. C.,
Schnappinger M. G.,
Zelazny L. W.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1970.03615995003400030029x
Subject(s) - fly ash , bituminous coal , potassium , coal , loam , chemistry , environmental chemistry , zoology , mineralogy , environmental science , soil water , biology , soil science , organic chemistry
The availability of K in fly ash obtained from nine coal burning power generating plants was evaluated by greenhouse and laboratory procedures. The total K content of the samples of fly ash ranged from 0.65 to 3.14%. Eight of the samples were bituminous coal ashes, and one was lignite coal ash. The samples of bituminous coal fly ash neutralized less than 0.25 meq H 3 O + /g, whereas the sample of lignite coal fly ash neutralized 3.05 meq H 3 O + /g. Application of three samples of the bituminous coal fly ash and the sample of lignite coal fly ash increased K uptake by corn plants ( Zea mays L.) grown on Davidson clay loam. Potassium uptake was higher from application of 158 mg K as KCl to 2,100 g of the soil than from application of a higher rate of K as the four samples of fly ash. Equivalent K uptake by corn plants occurred from application of 79 mg K as KCl and 207 mg K as the lignite fly ash. However, yield was lower where the ash was applied. Tissue analyses indicated that B toxicity limited yield on the latter treatment. Application of certain of the fly ash samples increased Mg uptake by corn plants. This increase in Mg uptake probably caused a decrease in K uptake by plants grown in the fly ash‐soil mixtures.