Impact of fly ash and phosphate solubilising bacteria on soybean productivity

Fly ash was characterized for the leaching potential of some major and minor constituents and then added to soil at 20, 40, 60 and 80 t/ha with N and P fertilizer to evaluate its effect on nutrient uptake and soybean yield singly as well as in combination with an efficient phosphate solubilizer Pseudomonas striata. The application of fly ash at 40 t/ha in conjunction with P. striata inoculation improved the bean yield and P uptake by grain. The available phosphorus of soil also showed an upward trend. The fly ash did not exert any detrimental effect on the population of inoculated bacteria. However, the uptake of trace elements did not improve significantly. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.