Fly Ash Use in Agriculture: a Perspective

Md. Wasim Aktar*about 0.5 to 3.5% consists of Na, P, K and S and the
Pesticide Residue Laboratory, Department ofremainder of the ash is composed of trace elements.
Agricultural Chemicals, Bidhan Chandra KrishiIn fact, Fly Ash consists of practically all the elements
Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur-741252, Nadia, Westpresent in soil except organic carbon and nitrogen
Bengal, India(Table 1). Thus it was found that this material could
INTRODUCTIONbe used as an additive / amendment material in
Fly ash has a potential in agriculture and relatedagriculture applications. In view of the above, some
applications. Physically Fly Ash occurs as very fineagencies/ individuals/ institutes at dispersed locations
particles, having an average diameter of < 10 m m,conducted some preliminary studies on the effect
low to medium bulk density, high surface area andand feasibility of fly ash as an input material in
very light texture. Chemically the composition of Flyagricultural applications. Some amount of experience
Ash varies depending on the quality of coal used andwas been gained in the in the country and abroad
the operating conditions of the Thermal Powerregarding the effect of fly ash utilisation in agriculture
Stations. Approximately on an average 95 to 99% of& related applications.
Fly Ash consists of oxides of Si, Al, Fe & Ca and.