The Effect of Adding Fly Ash to Planting Media on Rice Growth

Abstract

One of the fuel alternatives used in steam power plants is coal. The continued use of coal in the power generation process has resulted in increased ash from coal combustion. This ash is referred to as "fly ash." Fly ash will pose a significant environmental risk if it is not used. Fly ash is a fine powder composed of non-combustible coal matter and a trace of carbon left from incomplete combustion. The novelty of this research is the initial use of fly ash for agriculture in terms of steam power plants. Compost or chemical fertilizer is typically used to accelerate plant growth. As a result, the researchers in this study hope to incorporate fly ash into the planting medium. Another objective is to investigate the effects of using fly ash in agriculture. A bucket-shaped planting medium container, a sample of the selected plant (a harvested rice stump), and selected varieties of ciherang and IR were used until the panicles appeared. According to the findings of this study, the addition of fly ash had no effect on the number of tillers or the growth and development of rice stump tillers. As a result, irrigation on fly ash-mixed planting media required a consistent amount of water. The plant pests have been identified: grasshoppers, brown leaf pests, and rats.

Keywords: agriculture; fly ash; planting media; plant pests; rice varieties