Effect of cadmium in wood ash on spring wheat vitality: Pot experiment

Abstract

The reutilization of residues derived from the bio-energy processes in agriculture is important for more effective nutrient cycle in ecosystem. This study evaluated wood fly ash (WFA) as an agricultural soil supplement. Spring wheat was grown on two different soils amended with different ash rates. The aim of our study was to investigate long-term effects of Cd contained in WFA on spring wheat vitality and yield during 3 years of cumulative ash application. Cd concentration in samples was analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). WFA addition significantly decreased (p < 0.05) total Cd content in spring wheat, especially in the second experimental year and with increased WFA rate, probably because of increased soil pH and ash sorption ability caused by the ash addition. Grain yield was affected by the addition of ash at lower doses where we observed almost 100 % yield increase compared to untreated control and wheat straw showed the highest yields at the most ash enriched treatments growing in the last year. The risk of Cd contamination appears to be low, even from the long-term view and hence there are justifiable grounds for applying wood ash to the soil.