309-313The feasibility of fly ash as compared to
lime to ameliorate the low pH of acidic coal mine spoils under controlled pot culture
conditions are reported using Sudan grass (Sorghum sudan ens) and
Oats (Avena sativa) as indicator crops. It is observed that at all
levels of applications, fly ash and lime significantly increase the pH of mine
spoils, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, available sulphur and also
uptake of phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and oven-dried biomass of both these test
crops. The fly ash significantly decreases the bulk density of coal mine spoils,
but, there is no effect on bulk density due to lime application. However, when the
spoils are amended with either fly ash or lime, the root growth occurs throughout
the material. Fly ash and lime do not cause elemental toxicities to the plants as
evidenced from the dry matter production by the test crops. The results indicate
that fly ash to be a potential alternative to lime for treating acidic coal mine
spoils