Fly ash

Thermal power plants use pulverized coal as a fuel source to generate power by obtaining fly ash as a by-product. Its generation in the country has increased from 40 Million ton (MT)/yr (1994) to about 235 MT/yr (2013). It is projected to be 325 MT/yr (2016-17), 500 MT/yr (2021-22) and 1000 MT/yr (2031-32). If it is not used, then it would demand large area of land for ash ponds and would pose a threat for air and water pollution. Fly ash utilization has increased from 1 MT/yr during 1994 to 130 MT/year during 2013, primarily as an outcome of concerted efforts under Fly Ash Mission-India. In the present study, it was shown that utilization of fly-ash as a carrier in bio-fertilizer formulations emerged as safe and effective alternatives. Use of fly-ash as a carrier in these formulations is an effective way of utilization of problematic fly-ash waste in a useful manner. Fly ash has similar physicochemical properties with soil. Fly ash addition to the soil in different doses improves photosynthetic pigments concentration beneficial for a wheat plant. We can conclude that though fly ash is a waste of concern but now has become a boon for sustainable agriculture

The present investigation is an attempt to study the impact of fly ash on Rhizobium bacteria of root nodules isolated from legume plants and to study the morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics of bacterial strain obtained from selected legume i.e. Glycine max. Rhizobia inhabited in root nodules of plant, grown in fly ash amended soil (80% soil + 20% FA), Rhizobia was isolated and inoculated on Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar (YEMA) medium and it’s morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics were studied. It was observed that colonies were circular or irregular; light creamish, glistering, gelatinous, convex with entire margins. The bacteria was gram negative, rod shaped, aerobic, non spore forming and slow moving bacteria arranged single, in pairs and in clusters. It showed negative chemical reaction for indole, methyl red, voges-proskauer and hydrogen sulphide, while showed positive reaction for citrate, catalase, urease and nitrate reduction. By the help of bio chemical characteristics it was confirmed that isolated bacterial culture was of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and fly ash in the concentration of 20% does not have any negative effect on the characters of Rhizobium, our findings was supported by many earlier investigations.