The Effect of Pelletized Lime Kiln Dust Combined with Biomass Combustion Ash on Soil Properties and Plant Yield in a Three-Year Field Study

Abstract

Extensive application of mineral fertilizers resulted in high soil acidity, which is one of the major problems for crop production and soil degradation. Industrial solid waste, such as lime kiln dust and wood ash, can be used as alternative liming materials to benefit sustainable agricultural development. In this work, pelletized lime kiln dust with and without wood ash was utilized as liming material and the results of the three-year field study were compared with conventional mineral-based liming materials. It was determined that pelletized lime kiln dust satisfies the requirements posed by the recent European Union regulations to qualify as liming materials. The application of 2000 kg/ha Ca equivalent pelletized lime kiln dust increased soil pHKCl by ~0.55 pH units. Moreover, pelletized lime kiln dust significantly increased spring wheat grain yields ranging from 33.6% to 40.4%, depending on the pellet size. The usage of these liming materials not only increased crop yield but also decreased heavy metal concentration in soil. Due to high alkalinity, carbonate content, easy handling, and the transportation of pelletized lime kiln dust with and without wood ash, the materials have the potential to be used in agriculture as liming materials to reduce soil acidification and increase crop productivity or be used as soil amendments.