Environmental Application of Ash from Incinerated Biomass

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ash from combustion of plant biomass of energy willow and Pennsylvania fanpetals on yields of willow grown as an energy crop and on soil properties. A three-year pot experiment was carried out on substrates with a loamy sand texture. Ash application rates were based on the potassium fertilisation demand. An incubation experiment was carried out to determine the effect of biomass-based ash on soil properties. Three soils with textural categories were incubated for 3 months with the ashes, the doses of which were determined on the basis of the hydrolytic acidity of soils (1/4; 1/2 and 1.0 Hh). It was found that ashes generated from burning willow or Pennsylvania fanpetals can be applied instead of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium fertilisers in the cultivation of energy willow. The plant uptake of P, K and Mg from the ashes did not diverge from their absorption by plants when supplied with mineral salts. The application of these alkaline ashes will increase the soil content of phytoavailable forms of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. The examined ashes enriched the soil with micronutrients.