Effect of ash from sugarcane bagasse and wood co-combustion on corn growth and soil properties

Abstract

In a pot experiment with corn (Zea mays L. cv. Moncada) and an incubation study, ash from co-combustion of sugarcane bagasse and eucalyptus wood was evaluated for use as a potential alternative to conventional agricultural limestone. Ash was effective as liming agent. Soil pH increased from 5.1 to 5.9 in a Haplic Arenosol and from 5.3 to 6.0 in a Haplic Cambisol. pH of the ash-amended soils were similar to those amended with calcitic and dolomitic limestone. Soil extractable P and K increased by 254% and 869% in the Haplic Cambisol and by 183% and 208% in the Haplic Arenosol. Application of ash to soil was associated with an increase in corn yield of 32% in the Haplic Cambisol and 11% in the Haplic Arenosol relative to the unamended treatments. The uptake of K by corn was greatly enhanced after ash application, increasing from 319 to 1079 mg K pot⁻¹ in the Haplic Cambisol and from 397 to 729 mg K pot⁻¹ in the Haplic Arenosol. Results supported the view that ash is a by-product that can become an increasingly valuable amendment as it acts both as a liming material and as a P and K fertilizer.

Keywords:

• ash
• sugarcane bagasse
• eucalyptus wood
• fertilizer
• lime

Acknowledgments

This study was granted by FCT (UIQA 0528) and acknowledges Emeritus Professor Michael J. Goss by helpful suggestions and English correction.