Utilization of Slop Ash as a Source of Potassium for Corn Grown on the Pakchong Soil Series

Abstract

Utilization of slop ash, a waste material from distilleries, as a source of potassium for corn in the Pakchong soil series was compared to potassium chloride fertilizer. The investigation was carried out in the greenhouse. A completely randomized design with three replications in a 2×3 factorial was used for the experiment. The first factor was sources of potassium (potassium chloride fertilizer and slop ash) and the second factor was potassium application rates (0, 75 and 150 mg K2O kg^-1 soil). Suwan 4452 corn cultivar was used as the test plant. The results showed that application of slop ash increased the available potassium content in the Pakchong soil series. The effectiveness of slop ash in increasing the available potassium in the soil was similar to that of potassium chloride fertilizer. Application of slop ash significantly increased growth, yield and total potassium uptake of corn compared with no application of potassium fertilizer. The effectiveness of slop ash in increasing growth, yield and total potassium uptake of corn was similar to that of potassium chloride fertilizer. Therefore, slop ash could be used as a source of potassium fertilizer for corn.