Effects of Soil Amendment With Wood Ash on Transpiration, Growth, and Metal Uptake in Two Contrasting Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids to Drought Tolerance

Abstract

Wood ash as a soil amendment has gained wide spread acceptance in the recent years as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, although information regarding the effects of its application on maize growth and yield in the context of climate change and increasing drought severity is lacking till date. In the present study, field and pot trials were carried out at the experimental farm of the University of Padova at Legnaro (NE Italy) in a silty-loam soil in order to investigate the effects of soil amendment with wood ash (0.1% w/w, incorporated into the 0.2-m top soil) on the bioavailability of mineral elements and their uptake by maize. Characteristics analyzed included plant growth, leaf transpiration dynamics, and productivity in two contrasting hybrids, P1921 (drought sensitive) and D24 (drought tolerant). Wood ash contained relevant amounts of Ca, K, Mg, P, and S, and hazardous levels of Zn (732 mg kg−1), Pb (527 mg kg−1), and Cu (129 mg kg−1), although no significant changes in total soil element concentration, pH, and electrical conductivity were detected in open field. Ash application led to a general increasing trend of diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA)-extractable of various elements, bringing to higher grain P in D24 hybrid, and Zn and Ni reductions in P1921 hybrid. Here, the results demonstrated that ash amendment enhanced shoot growth and the number of leaves, causing a reduction of harvest index, without affecting grain yield in both hybrids. The most relevant result was a retarded inhibition of leaf transpiration under artificial progressive water stress, particularly in the drought-tolerant D24 hybrid that could be sustained by root growth improvements in the field across the whole 0–1.5 m soil profile in D24, and in the amended top soil in P1921. It is concluded that woody ash can be profitably exploited in maize fertilization for enhancing shoot and root growth and drought tolerance, thanks to morphological and physiological improvements, although major benefits are expected to be achieved in drought tolerant hybrids. Attention should be payed when using ash derived by metal contaminated wood stocks to avoid any health risk in food uses.

On the Way to Sustainable Peat-Free Soil Amendments

“…Choice of biomass ashes as appropriate raw material: Biomass ashes are the primary waste material generated during the energy (heat and power) production at cogeneration plants (Masto et al, 2015). Biomass ashes (fly and bottom ashes), if securely and adequately applied into the soil, may play a significant role in plant nutrition and soil improvement as well as nutrient cycling favorable for agriculture, gardening, and greenery landscaping purposes (Anggarani et al, 2021;Bhattacharya and Chattopadhyay, 2002;Jain et al, 20212;Romdhane et al, 2021). The composition of wood ashes incorporates a mixture of chemical elements mainly in the form of oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and silicates (Demeyer et al, 2001).…”

Characterisation of a phosphatase-like nanozyme developed by baking cysteine and its application in reviving mung bean sprouts damaged by ash

“…21 Meanwhile, the study of the negative impacts brought by ash indicated that at high concentration, ash leads to the increase of pH, lack of nitrogen nutrients and high level of heavy metal cytotoxicity. 22 The present study is the first attempt to investigate the chemical components, morphology and size of the particles formed in ash produced from the burning of plants, and tests their effect on bean sprout germination, rooting, and leaf and stem growth. On the other hand, the present work aims to develop a nanozyme with PL activity and to test its effect on plant growth.…”

Responses of Soil Rare and Abundant Sub-Communities and Physicochemical Properties after Application of Different Chinese Herb Residue Soil Amendments

“…Studies have emphasized the importance of the soil-borne microbiome in maintaining agricultural sustainability [ 15 , 16 ]. Studies on soil amendments generally select simple components [ 17 , 18 ]. However, there are few studies investigating the effects of exogenous composite soil amendments and cropping systems on soil rare and abundant sub-communities.…”