Fly Ash Amendment and Plant Growth

Fly ash is being produced in huge amounts and therefore its disposal is a major concern. Its use in the manufacture of cement, concrete and bricks needs to be encouraged and requires research and develop[mental efforts with regard to its cost effectiveness. Changes in the soil characteristics and the cropping system due to addition of fly ash needs to be studied and investigated. It is desirable to establish vegetation on the fly ash landfill sites for stabilization against wind and water erosion thus providing shelter and habitat for wildlife and forming an aesthetically pleasing landscape. Identification of vegetation capable of doing well in presence of fly ash particulate viz. air, water and soil has become necessary for getting sustained yields under the changed scenario. Considering the potential environmental impacts of fly ash, the present study in this book aims at investigating the influence of fly ash generated from Badarpur Thermal Power Station (BTPS) on two economically and medicinally important trees viz. Cordia dichotoma Forst f. and Morus alba Linn.