Differential growth and yield by canola ('Brassica napus' L.) anhd wheat ('Triticum aestivum' L.) arising from alterations in chemical properties of sandy soils due to additions of fly ash

Title
Differential growth and yield by canola ('Brassica napus' L.) anhd wheat ('Triticum aestivum' L.) arising from alterations in chemical properties of sandy soils due to additions of fly ash
Publication Date
2013
Author(s)
Yunusa, Isa
Manoharan, Veeragathipillai
Harris, Rob
Lawrie, Roy
Pal, Yash
Quilton, Jonathan T
Bell, Richard
Eamus, Derek
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1002/jsfa.5889
UNE publication id
une:19685
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a need for field trials on testing agronomic potential of coal fly ash to engender routine use of this technology. Two field trials were undertaken with alkaline and acidic fly ashes supplied at between 3 and 6 Mg ha⁻¹ to acidic soils and sown to wheat and canola at Richmond (Eastern Australia) and to wheat only at Merredin (Western Australia). RESULTS: Ash addition marginally (P< 0.10) raised the pH in the top soil layers at both sites. The exceptionally dry season at both sites constrained yields and thwarted any likelihood of gaining yield benefits from ash-induced improvements in soil conditions. Yield improvements due to ash addition were absent at Merredin and only marginal at Richmond, where no elevated accumulation of B, Mo, Se, P or S in either the straw or seeds of wheat was observed; canola increased accumulation of Mo and Se in its shoot with acidic fly ash, but it was well below phyto toxic levels. Simulations of wheat using APSIM at Richmond over a 100-year period (1909-2008) predicted yield increases in 52% of years with addition of ash at 3.0 Mg ha⁻¹ compared with 24% of years with addition of ash at 6.0 Mg ha⁻¹. The simulated yield increases did not exceed 40% over the control with addition of 6Mg ha⁻¹ ash, but was between 40% and 50% with an addition rate of 3Mg ha⁻¹. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence of phytotoxicity in either crop in this unusually dry year and there is still a need for further field assessment in years with favourable rainfall to enable development of clear recommendations on fly ash rates for optimum yield benefits.
Link
Citation
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 93(5), p. 995-1002
ISSN
1097-0010
0022-5142
Start page
995
End page
1002

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