Original Articles
Krishna Rani1, Saraswati Agarw
Abstract
Management of large volumes of Coal Fly Ash (CFA), a byproduct of thermal power plants is one of the challenging issues to the country along with other environmental aspects. An ecofriendly solution of the problem is the logical necessity of time. Nayakheda is one of the coal fly ash affected land areas around Kota city due to spread of thin layer of CFA from Kota Super Thermal Power Station (KSTPS). The productivity and fertility of land is badly affected for number of local crops. Researches till date show that CFA has immense potential in agriculture and related fields as an additive or soil ameliorating material but proportion has to be decided according to requirements of crops. Therefore, in view of improvement of fertility or amelioration of surface soil physicochemical studies have been carried out with surface soil and different composts prepared by mixing sugarcane waste in different proportions. Sugarcane waste was used to add with organic part. Pot experiments were conducted to study the effect of different proportions of sugarcane waste on soil properties of CFA affected land in cultivation of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum). According to the best results obtained from the pot experiments, field experiments were also carried out. A significant increase in growth, rate of growth and quality of produce was observed on cultivation of Lycopersicum esculentum in surface soil amended with 50% (v/v) sugarcane waste. In amended soils an increase in available N. K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu contents and improvement in physical properties was observed.