| Applied as a soil amendment, wood ash exhibits the potential to decrease soil acidity and add beneficial plant nutrients. The study compared wood ash from biomass plants and the lumber mill with commercial agricultural limestone with and without potassium (K) on an acidic soil. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with sixteen treatments replicated four times. Treatments include Aspen Power, Georgia Pacific, Southern Power and Texas Crush Stone plus KCI and Texas Crush Stone at equal Effective Calcium Carbonate Equivalent rates of 0, 4.48, 8.96 and 13.44 Mg ha-1. The KCI rates were based on the total K in the Aspen ash determined by Adotey, (2013). Soil samples, established grasses and crimson clover were analyzed for macro and micronutrients. Soil showed significant increase in soil pH from ash compared to the limestone. Ash also showed increase in soil test macro and micronutrients. Plant dry matter yields were not statistically different. Ash application increased several plant tissue nutrients such as K, P, Ca, Mg, S, B, and Fe, while Mn, Zn and Cu decreased. |
