Determination of the Possibilities of Using Woody Biomass Ash from Thermal Power Plants in Corn Cultivation

Abstract

Combustion of woody biomass in professional bioheating plants to generate heat and reduce the dust emissions from this process results in the formation of a huge mass of woody biomass ash (WBA). Due to WBA’s rich chemical composition and the assumptions of the circular economy, this mineral material should be used for environmental purposes to recover valuable macro- and micronutrients. The basis of the research was a pot experiment designed to assess the effect of six doses of WBA (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 g pot−1) on the growth, development, yield, and chemical composition of corn. Each pot contained 9 kg of soil. Observations show that the use of increasing doses of WBA had a positive effect on the height of corn plants, increasing its yield by 7 to 10% but reducing the dry matter content by 0.47 to 1.37% and the leaf greenness index (SPAD). Moreover, WBA application (T1–T5 treatments) had a positive effect on the content of macroelements (N, K, Mg, Ca, and Na) in corn biomass. A significant increase in the content of K (54%), Mg (38%), Ca (43%), and Na (19%) was observed. However, at the same time, a significant increase in the content of heavy metals—Ni, Cd, and Pb—was observed. Different results were obtained for P, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Co, whose content in corn decreased after WBA application to soil. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using WBA in an environmentally friendly way. However, due to the great diversity of this material in terms of the content of undesirable heavy metals, it is necessary to optimize its dosage and monitor its chemical composition. Considering the growing number of bioheating plants in our country in recent years and the resulting increase in the amount of WBA produced, it is necessary to develop a rational and environmentally friendly method for managing them in the future. The results of our research may provide partial indications of such solutions.