ASSESSMENT OF FLY ASH APPLICATION ON SOIL QUALITY AND INPUT USE EFFICIENCY IN MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM
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Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL PHYSICS ICAR-INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE NEW DELHI - 110012
Abstract
Assessment of Fly ash application on soil quality and input use efficiency in maize -
wheat cropping system
ABSTRACT
Field experiment was conducted during the year 2022-23 in the second year of an ongoing long-term
field experiment in maize-wheat cropping system in a sandy loam soil at the research farm of the Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized block
design statistical layout with the treatment comprised of T1 -Control (only recommended NPK to every
crop); T2-FYM @5t/ha (every kharif season) + Recommended dose of NPK; T3- Fly Ash @10 t/ha
(every year) + T2; T4- Fly Ash @ 20 t/ha (every year) + T2; T5-Fly Ash @ 40 t/ha (every year) + T2;
T6- Fly Ash @20 t/ha (every alternate year) + T2; T7- Fly Ash@ 40 t/ha (every alternate year) + T2;
T8-Fly Ash @80 t/ha (every alternate year) + T2; T9- Fly Ash @100 t/ha (once) + T2; T10-Fly Ash @
200 t/ha (once) + T2;T11- Fly Ash @ 400t/ha (once)+T2 and T12-Fly Ash @ 20 t/ha (once) + T1 . The
objectives of this study were: (i) To study the effect of fly ash application on soil quality in maize-wheat
cropping system; (ii) To monitor soil water dynamics and plant water use under fly ash application;
(iii) To identify the optimum dose of fly ash in combination with recommended doses of manure and
fertilizers. Results showed that there was increase in the sand content and decrease in the clay content
with the increase in the fly ash application dose. Application of fly ash along with FYM and
recommended dose of NPK was found to decrease bulk density, increase porosity, water holding
capacity, water stable aggregates and hydraulic conductivity of soil. There was decrease in SOC,
available N and S content, SMBC of soil with the increase in fly ash application. Soil Quality Index
was maximum for the recommended dose of NPK and FYM application and showed a decreasing trend
with increase in Fly ash application. Silt percentage was the maximum contributor to the Soil Quality
Index. Effect of fly ash application on Water use efficiency of maize and wheat was not statistically
significant. In case of maize crop, application of fly ash @10t/ha every year along with recommended
dose of NPK and FYM @ 5t/ha registered maximum yield and partial factor productivity of N, P and
K and there was decrease in yield and partial factor productivity of N, P and K when fly ash was applied
without FYM. The residual effect of fly ash application on grain and biomass yield of wheat was not
significant. Fly ash @10t/ha every year along with recommended dose of NPK and FYM @ 5t/ha is
recommended for obtaining higher yield and nutrient use efficiency without any adverse effect on soil
health in maize-wheat cropping system in Inceptisol.
Key Words: Fly ash, FYM, Maize, Wheat, Soil quality index, partial factor productivity of N, P and
K, Water use efficiency