Characteristics of Fly Ash and its Influence on the Germination of Amaranthus Seeds

The physical and chemical properties of fly ash collected from three different thermal power stations were studied and the fly ash with neutral to alkaline pH was utilized as a medium for the germination of amaranthus seeds. The germination test was carried out using a completely randomized design with two replications at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. The various fly ash was analyzed for its physical and chemical properties with standard methods. The fly ash with a slightly alkaline pH was selected and media was prepared with soil, vermicompost and farm yard manure. The seeds of an amaranthus crop were sown and the germination percentage, days to germination, shoot length, root length and vigour index were recorded. The collected fly ashes were recorded with low bulk density, alkaline pH with quantities of micro and macronutrients. The fly ash of Tuticorin has a slightly alkaline pH (8.03) and was utilized for media preparation. Among the different media, the media with treatment Fly ash + Soil + Vermicompost (1:1:4) + Bio Fertilizer has recorded higher germination percentage, shoot length, root length, vigour index, lower days to germination with 94.6%, 18.3 cm, 4.8 cm,16.17 and 2.8 respectively. The vermicompost is best for the enrichment of fly ash compared to farm yard manure as it is completely decomposed organic manure.