Potential Use Of A Mix Of Fly Ash And Diluted Distillery Effluent In Agriculture: A Case Study On The Vegetative Growth And Photosynthetic Pigments Of The Ornamental Plant, Calendula Officinalis

The disposal of post methanated diluted effluent (PMDE) from the distillery and fly ash from the thermal power plants has assumed a cosmic dimension in India because they are produced in huge quantities. Thus, their gainful utilization is imperative. In the present paper their gainful utilization for sustainable development has been discussed herein. The results have revealed that the electrical conductivity and water retention capacity have increased in the fly ash amended soil without any marked change in the pH. Vegetative growth such as root length, number of branches, leaves and leaf area, shoot length and number of flowers have increased in fly ash amended soil. Similarly, the total chlorophyll, carotenoids and ascorbic acid are more in fly ash amended soil which clearly indicate that a mix of fly ash and diluted distillery effluent plays a significant role in the vegetative growth and in the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. The results have also revealed the ratio of chlorophyll: carotenoid decreases as temperature increases in April in contrast to ascorbic acid. Another interesting observation has been in the present study that maturity (flowering) of the plant is earlier in the fly ash amended soil. It is suggested that a mix of fly ash and diluted distillery effluent can be used as a potential biofertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer eventually bringing another ‘green revolution’ in India. KeywordsAscorbate, Bio-fertilizer, Calendula, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Fly ash, PMDE.