Fly ash utilization and its potential benefits in agriculture: A review

Abstract

Fly ash is the residue left behind after combustion of coal in thermal power plants which requires huge land area, water resources and energy for deposition. Fly ash continues to pose several unavoidable environmental, economic and social concerns. Therefore, its proper management is of utmost importance. This review paper attempts to give an elaborate idea on the importance, type, utilization, characterisation and exhaustive utilization of fly ash in agriculture. Fly ash is widely used in construction of bricks, blocks, tiles, cement, concrete, land reclamation, raising ground levels etc. It has immense potential in agriculture due to its natural characteristics and potential to modify soil health and crop performance. Various macronutrients except C and N, and micronutrients in fly ash increase soil fertility and crop productivity. Appropriate use of fly ash in agricultural soil as well as in plants as source of fertilizer and as soil conditioner, as pesticide or as carrier of insecticides has been included in this paper. Being alkaline in nature, fly ash, instead of lime can reduce net CO emission in 2 agriculture and thereby reduce global warming to a certain extent.