Physical-hydric properties of Oxisol and Quartzipsamment associated with the application of wood ash

Abstract

The addition of wood ash to soil is an alternative to disposing of this residue. However, the effects of wood ash on soil physical-hydric properties remain divergent. In this study, the effects of added wood ash on the soil water characteristic curve, gravitational water, field capacity, total available water, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were evaluated in Oxisol (40% clay and clay texture) and Quartzipsamment (6% clay and sand texture). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, where the factors were two soils and four doses of wood ash, with three replicates. The wood ash came from an agribusiness and was the result of burning eucalyptus wood. The wood ash doses were 0, 16, 32, and 64 g dm-3. The gravitational water, field capacity, and total available water were fitted to a quadratic model as a function of the wood ash dose. The saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased linearly with an increase in wood ash dose for both soil classes. The soil water characteristic curve only increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with a wood ash dose of 64 g dm-3. The increase in total available water was more evident in Oxisol than that in Quartzipsamment, with increments of 64 and 31%, respectively, at a maximum dose of 64 g dm-3 of wood ash.

Effects of Fertilization Types and Base Saturation on the Growth and Water Productivity in Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri

“…OM fertilizer had a higher RDM than WA and M. The presence of nutrients from organic fertilizers (WA) in this treatment provided a balanced and continuous supply of essential nutrients for root growth. In addition, the organic matter in OM fertilizers improved soil properties, including water retention, density, porosity, and aeration [3], as well as soil chemistry and biology [6], benefiting Zuri grass root growth.…”

“…The pursuit of fertilization alternatives aims to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers as the primary source and promote ecologically friendly agriculture by adopting fertilizers derived from wood ash and organominerals. Recent studies show that fertilization with wood ash has significantly contributed to increased soil water retention [3], soil fertility [4],…”