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vol. 16, nr. 2 (2010)


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Effect of fly ash application on some soil physical properties and microbial activities
Sudha Jala Kohli1, Dinesh Goyal2
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1 Research Associate, Centre for Biodiversity Studies, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri-185131 (J&K), India e-mail: sudha_jala@hotmail.com
2 Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, Thapar University, Patiala – 147004 (Punjab), India

vol. 16 (2010), nr. 2, pp. 327-335
abstract: Electrostatic precipitator (ESP) fly ash obtained from a thermal power plant was mixed with a slightly alkaline soil on w/w basis for use as a potting mixture for poplar nursery and investigated for its influence on microbial activity and physical properties. Application of fly ash as an amendment @ 10% was found to be optimum for bacterial population, soil dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass. Water holding capacity of fly ash amended soil increased and bulk density decreased as result of fly ash addition as compared to unamended soil. The suitability of fly ash to be used as a soil ameliorant in nursery plantations attains significance from the point of view of eco-friendly disposal of fly ash.
keywords: soil microbial diversity, soil texture, soil structure, soil aggregation, nutrient availability, soil physical environment
original in: English