EFFECT OF FLY ASH ON THE RICE GROWING SOILS OF YSR KADAPA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH
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Date
2024-05-22
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University
Abstract
The present investigation involves characterization of fly ash, evaluation
of ground water quality and its suitability for irrigation and effects of fly ash
on physical, chemical and biological properties of soils in YSR Kadapa
district, Andhra Pradesh.
Fly ash samples were collected at monthly intervals from the
Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant and totally six samples were collected
from Decemberʼ 2021 to Mayʼ 2022. The collected samples were analyzed
for physical and chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from four
directions and in each direction soil samples were collected from four radiant
distances of 1.0 km, 2.0 km, 4.0 km and 8.0 km. From each distance fives soil
samples were collected and analyzed for physical, chemical and biological
properties.
Water samples were collected from four directions (north, south, east
and west) and from each direction samples were collected from four radiant
distance 1.0 km, 2.0 km, 4.0 km and 8.0 km. From each distance three water
samples were collected and analyzed for various constituents and its
suitability for irrigation was assessed. Leaf samples (rice, cotton, bengal gram
and red gram) were collected and analyzed for chemical constituents.
Composition of SiO2, Al2O3, FeO, CaO, MgO in fly ash were higher in
Marchʼ 2022 among all six months. Bulk density, particle density were higher
in Mayʼ 2022. Highest water holding capacity was observed for the sample
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collected during Januaryʼ 2022. pH of all samples were alkaline in nature. The
order of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was in the order of K
> P > N. The order of micronutrients and heavy metals were Fe > Mn > Cu >
Zn and Pb > Cd > Ag respectively.
The soil samples analyzed data reveals that bulk density, particle
density, pH were more in west direction, porosity, water holding capacity,
EC, potassium and exchangeable cations were more in east direction, whereas
organic carbon, phosphorus and micronutrients were more in north direction
and available nitrogen was more in south direction. Highest phosphatase
activity was found in the north direction. Highest dehydrogenase activity was
observed in west direction. Soil quality index developed revealed that quality
of soil follows the order east > south > west > north.
Groundwater collected in different directions were colourless and
odourless with less quantities of suspended and dissolved solids. The
groundwater had alkaline pH and EC was within the permissible limits with
appreciable quantities of Cl-
, SO4
-2
, CO3
-2
, HCO3
-
, Na+
, K+
, Ca+2, and Mg+2
and variable amount of heavy metals. The order of abundance of cations in
all directions was Na+ > Ca+2 > Mg+2 > K+
. The content of Ca+2 and Na+ were
recorded higher value which is above the critical limit according to FAO,
(1985). The order of anions in groundwater samples were observed as Cl- >
HCO3
-> CO3
- > SO4
-2 > F-
. Fluoride concentration in groundwater was within
the permissible limit.
The micronutrient and heavy metal concentration were within the
permissible limit in all distances and directions which follow the order of
Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn and heavy metal follow the order of Pb > Cd > Ag. The
concentration of heavy metals in the groundwater are within the permissible
limits of WHO, 2006 and FAO, 1985. Groundwater samples at north, south,
east and west direction was categorized as very high saline low sodium water
(C3S1) but in east direction at 8.0 km radius and west direction 1.0 km radius
was classified as very high saline medium sodium water (C3S2).
Fly ash applied soils increased the concentration of phosphorus and
potassium in crops. Highest content of nitrogen was found in west direction,
phosphorus was found in south direction and highest potassium was found in
south direction. The mean concentration of beneficial heavy metals present in
crops followed the order of Fe > Cu > Mn > Zn. The heavy metal order was
Pb > Ag > Cd. Though the heavy metal concentration was recorded below the
permissible limits, bioaccumulation of iron, lead, cadmium and silver was
noticed