Effect of Fly Ash Deposition on Photosynthesis, Growth and Yield of Rice

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of fly ash deposition without and with (0.25, 0.50, 1.0 and 1.5 g m(-2) day(-1)) foliar dusting on the photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, leaf temperature, albedo and productivity of rice. Dusting of 0.5 g m(-2) day(-1) fly ash and above significantly reduced the photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and albedo. Panicle initiation and flowering stages were more influenced by the fly ash deposition as compared to active tillering stage. At higher rates of fly ash deposition, all growth and yield parameters were significantly influenced due to increased heat load and reduced intercellular CO2 concentration. A significant reduction of 12.3, 15.7 and 20.2 % in grain yield was recorded over control when fly ash was dusted at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g m(-2) day(-1), respectively.