Effects of coal fly ash mixed in desert soil on successive crop yields and mineral composition of Lycium andersonii and Ambrosia dumosa in pot tests in a glasshouse

Abstract

Lvcium andersonii A. Gray and Ambrosia dumosa (A. Gray) Payne cuttings were grown for 15 months in desert soil in which had been mixed, 0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10. 0 and 20% fly ash with periodic sampling of the leaves. The very high levels of fly ash resulted in leaf yield depressions which persisted for the 15 months. Boron in leaves was elevated especially in the early cuttings. Increases in Mo in plants may be the result more of increased soil pH than of fly ash. Increases in leaf Sr were not as great as expected from its concentration in fly ash. Trace metals did not become more available with time. Fly ash induced P deficiency.

Key words:

• Fly ash
• trace metals
• phosphorus deficiency
• boron