Production and Utilization of Fly Ash Based Biofertillizers in Plant Growth

Abstract

Fly ash an industrial waste resulting from combustion of pulverized coal can be used as an alternative for gainful and safe utilization of fly ashes on sustainable basis in agricultural sector to decimate the problem of land shortage. The research program consists of utilizing the mineralogical properties of fly ash such as porosity, low bulk density, presence of inorganic metal ions, and its macro nutrient property. Fly ash (pH: 6.5) with 200mesh size was treated by a technique called Bioleaching for extraction of low grade mineral concentrates from industrials wastes like fly ash by conversion of an insoluble metal into a soluble form using Thyobacillus ferrooxidans a gram -negative, rod shaped economic bacterium in the field of leaching. During their growth phase, these bacteria oxidize insoluble metal compounds especially FeS and converts it into soluble form in presence of the Fe (II)-oxidizing enzymes like rusticyanin oxidoreductase. Research program results show the loss of trace elements through leaching, after which the leached water test analysis mainly focusing sulphur and iron tests were also done. Leached water showed high content of sulphur and iron content in it and the pH of fly ash was accounted to 8.5 after leaching. In order to check the construction formwork to some extent plant growth tests (includes plant height, thickness), was also undergone.