N/P/K Leaching of Sweet Corn in Growing Media Controlled with the Coal Combustion Products Fly Ash and Bottom Ash
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.13.03.602-616Keywords:
alternative fertilizer, circular economy, leaching management, maize, percolation, Zea maysAbstract
Fly ash and bottom ash, or coal combustion products (CCP), are wastes from coal-fired boilers of electricity power plants. CCP were evaluated as a soil amendment and partial fertilizer substitute in a short-term pot experiment and showed potential to influence growing media properties under controlled conditions. However, these findings are limited to the early growth stage and pot-scale conditions, and further studies under field conditions through harvest are required to confirm their effects on plant growth. The study examined the leaching of N/P/K from sweet corn growing media enriched with different CCP proportions. Latosol soil was incorporated with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% CCP (m/m) to support sweet corn seedlings in a pot experiment. N, P, and K leaching from the growing media was evaluated. The results showed that sweet corn growth was restricted in CCP-amended media. Increasing CCP proportion markedly reduced plant growth, with decreases of up to 57.00% in seed emergence, 59.56% in plant height, 42.50% in leaf number, 70.59% in dry weight, and 38.00% in root number compared to 100% soil; however, the 25% CCP treatment increased root volume. Increasing the CCP proportion also increased N and K leaching and leachate pH; conversely, P leaching was lower than in 100% soil. Since there were no toxicity symptoms in sweet corn, CCP could be used as a soil amendment and a potential source of NPK, with precautions to prevent nutrient leaching.
References
Ahmad, G., Khan, A. A., & Mohamed, H. I. (2021). Impact of the low and high concentrations of fly ash-amended soil on growth, physiological response, and yield of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poiret L.). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(14), 17068-17083. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-12029-8
Atta, M. I., Zehra, S. S., Ali, H., Ali, B., Abbas, S. N., Aimen, S., Sarwar, S., Ahmad, I., Hussain, M., Al-Ashkar, I., Elango, D., & El Sabagh, A. (2023). Assessing the effect of heavy metals on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and soil characteristics: Plants implications for phytoremediation. PeerJ, 11, e16067. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16067
Aziz, N., Ananda, J., Maulana, I. J., Andras, L., Podesta, F., & Nurwiyoto. (2023). The effect of FABA growing media and cow manure on the growth and yield of mustard greens (Brassica juncea L.). Nabatia, 11(1), 58-66. https://doi.org/10.21070/nabatia.v11i1.1622
Barrow, N. J., & Hartemink, A. E. (2023). The effects of pH on nutrient availability depend on both soils and plants. Plant and Soil, 487(1), 21-37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-023-05960-5
Barson, G., Șopterean, L., Suciu, L. A., Crișan, I., & Duda, M. M. (2021). Evaluation of agronomic performance of maize (Zea mays L.) under a fertilization gradient in Transylvanian Plain. Agriculture, 11(9), 896. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11090896
Çöteli, M., Albayrak, M., Kibar, U., Yavuz, A., Turgut, G., & Karahan, D. S. (2025). Mineralogical examination of biomass ashes: A preliminary study for potassium enrichment and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) production. Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration, 176, 1-2. https://doi.org/10.19111/bulletinofmre.1555249
Faoziah, N., Iskandar, & Djajakirana, G. (2022). The effect of cow manure compost and fly ash-bottom ash (FABA) addition on the chemical properties of sandy soil and tomato growth. Jurnal Ilmu Tanaman dan Lingkungan, 24(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.29244/jitl.24.1.1-5
Fetzer, J., Frossard, E., Kaiser, K., & Hagedorn, F. (2022). Leaching of inorganic and organic phosphorus and nitrogen in contrasting beech forest soils – seasonal patterns and effects of fertilization. Biogeosciences, 19, 1527–1546, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1527-2022
Habibah, N., Dhyanaputri, I. G. A. S., Karta, I. W., Sundari, C. D. W. H., & Hadi, M. C. (2018). Simple spectrophotometric method the quantitative analysis of phosphate in the water samples. Jurnal Sains dan Teknologi, 7(2), 198-204. https://doi.org/10.23887/jstundiksha.v7i2.13940
Hicks, T. D., Kuns, C. M., Raman, C., Bates, Z. T., & Nagarajan, S. (2022). Simplified method for the determination of total Kjeldahl nitrogen in wastewater. Environments, 9(5), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9050055
Irawan, J., & Andriani, D. (2025). Penerapan fly ash and bottom ash (FABA) sebagai perbaikan kesuburan tanah guna pertumbuhan dan hasil bawang merah. Jurnal Pembelajaran Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 6(1), 299–310. https://doi.org/10.33474/jp2m.v6i1.23388
Jayaranjan, M.L.D., Van Hullebusch, E.D., & Annachhatre, A. P. (2014). Reuse options for coal fired power plant bottom ash and fly ash. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 13(4), 467-486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-014-9336-4
Johan, P. D., Ahmed, O. H., Omar, L., & Hasbullah, N. A. (2021). Phosphorus transformation in soils following co application of charcoal and wood ash. Agronomy, 11(10), 2010. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11102010
Komonweeraket, K., Cetin, B., Aydilek, A. H., Benson, C. H., & Edil, T. B. (2015). Effects of pH on the leaching mechanisms of elements from fly ash mixed soils. Fuel, 140, 788-802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2014.09.068
Lehmann, J., & Schroth, G. (2003). Nutrient leaching. In Schroth, G. & Sinclair, F.L. (Eds.), Tree, crops, and soil fertility (pp. 151-166). CAB International. https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851995939.0151
McDowell, R. W., Worth, W., & Carrick, S. (2021). Evidence for the leaching of dissolved organic phosphorus to depth. Science of The Total Environment, 755(1), 142392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142392
Meyer, G., Bell, M. J., Doolette, C. L., Brunetti, G., Zhang, Y., Lombi, E., & Kopittke, P. M. (2020). Plant-available phosphorus in highly concentrated fertilizer bands: Effects of soil type, phosphorus form, and coapplied potassium. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 68(29), 7571-7580. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c01287
Neina, D. (2019). The role of soil pH in plant nutrition and soil remediation. Applied and environmental soil science, 2019(1), 5794869. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5794869
Nguyen, P., & Huynh, D. T. (2024). Effects of different potassium doses on yield and quality of two sweet corn hybrid combinations (Zea mays var. saccharata) in Ho Chi Minh City. The Journal of Agriculture and Development, 23(Special Issues 1), 19-29.
Nguyen, V. L., & Nguyen, D. H. (2024). The dataset of the effects of fly ash on growth and yield of radish plant under two types of soil. Data in Brief, 53, 110234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110234
Oktem, A., Oktem, A. G., & Emeklier, H. Y. (2010). Effect of nitrogen on yield and some quality parameters of sweet corn. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 41(7), 832-847. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103621003592358
Ortez, O., & Licht, M. (2024, February 26). A guide to corn growth and development. CFAES Knowledge Hub, The Ohio State University. https://cfaes-contenthub.org.ohio-state.edu/fact-sheet/guide-corn-growth-and-development
Pangestu, A. I., Anasstasia, T. T., & Prasetya, J. D. (2022). Kajian pengaruh pemanfaatan material limbah abu batubara dari PLTU. In Prosiding Seminar Nasional Teknik Lingkungan IV: Kebumian Ke Pengembangan wilayah berbasis tata kelola lingkungan kebumian dan manajemen bencana. UPN Veteran Yogyakarta.
Primadya, R. (2025, November 6). PLN sambut positif langkah BSN tetapkan SNI FABA untuk dukung pertanian produktif dan berkelanjutan (Press Release No. 233.PR/STH.01.05/XI/2025). PT PLN (Persero).
Protto, V., Bauget, F., Rishmawi, L., Nacry, P., & Maurel, C. (2024). Primary, seminal and lateral roots of maize show type-specific growth and hydraulic responses to water deficit. Plant Physiology, 194(4), 2564 2579. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiad675
Purnamasari, L., Hartono, A., Sudadi, U., & Anggria, L. (2024). Effects of steel slag, fly ash and bottom ash on the growth of rice plant in peat soil. Jurnal Ilmu Tanah dan Lingkungan, 26(1), 48-53. https://doi.org/10.29244/jitl.26.1.48-53
Putra, M. S. N., Prasojo, A. E., Budiman, A., Anty, M. Z., & Hasnowo, L. A. (2024). Comparative analysis of CCP waste composition in various coal-fired power plant industries in several countries and Indonesia: A review. Indonesian Journal of Chemical Studies, 3(2), 82-89. https://doi.org/10.55749/ijcs.v3i2.58
Putri, A. H., Agusta, H., Djoefrie, M. H. B., & Santosa, E. (2023). Effect of fly ash and bottom ash application as mix growing media on heavy metals status in vegetables. Jurnal Agronomi Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Agronomy), 51(3), 346-355. https://doi.org/10.24831/jai.v51i3.46783
Restini, E. R., & Dewi, Y. S. (2023). Pemanfaatan limbah batubara fly ash dan bottom ash sebagai campuran media tanam. Snitek Prosiding, 4, 26-37. https://doi.org/10.59134/prosidng.v4i.548
Sahoo, S. C., & Mohanty, M. (2020). Performance of sweet corn under different fertility levels: A review. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(6), 3325-3331. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.906.395
Saputra, E. E. (2025, January 22). Ekonomi sirkular Paiton, dari limbah untuk perkuat infrastruktur. Kompas.id. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/ekonomi-sirkular-paiton-dari-limbah-untuk-perkuat-infrastruktur
Shen, J., Yuan, L., Zhang, J., Li, H., Bai, Z., Chen, X., Zhang, F., & Zhang, F. (2011). Phosphorus dynamics: From soil to plant. Plant physiology, 156(3), 997-1005. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.111.175232
Singh, M. K., Kumar, S., & Ratha, D. (2016). Physiochemical and leaching characteristics of fly and bottom ash. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 38(16), 2377-2382. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2015.1057657
Sofyan, E. T., & Sara, D. S. (2019). The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer applications on N, P and K uptake and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt). Journal of Tropical Soils, 23(3), 111-116. https://doi.org/10.5400/jts.2018.v23i3.111-116
Swain, S. C., & Padhi, S. K. (2012). Changes in growth characters and nutrient acquisition of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in response to coal ash. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Science, 49(3), 261-265.
Swain, C. K., Pattanaik, I., Pradhan, C., Pradhan, M., Singh, N. R., & Mohanty, S. (2026). Fly ash in agriculture: A global perspective on utilization, benefits, and challenges. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 48(5), 232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-026-03104-z
Tafteh, A., & Sepaskhah, A. R. (2012). Yield and nitrogen leaching in maize field under different nitrogen rates and partial root drying irrigation. International Journal of Plant Production, 6(1), 93-114.
Tangketasik, A., Yoga, I. B. K. W., Suarta, I. W., & Supadma, N. (2024). Validation of potassium test method in soil analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) AA-7000 Shimadzu. Indonesian Journal of Laboratory, 7(2), 66-72.
Tauanov, Z., Azat, S., & Baibatyrova, A. (2020). A mini-review on coal fly ash properties, utilization and synthesis of zeolites. International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 42(7), 1968-1990.
Tavakkoli, E., Rengasamy, P., Smith, E., & McDonald, G. K. (2015). The effect of cation–anion interactions on soil pH and solubility of organic carbon. European Journal of Soil Science, 66(6), 1054-1062. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijl.v7i2.77786
Utama, M. Z. H., Sunadi, Jamilah, Ernita, M., Haryoko, W., Sari, A., Thesiwati, Diyanti, A. R., Rafindo, H., & Amallia, C. (2025). Utilization of coal waste (FABA) as compost, an environmentally friendly agricultural solution in Ketaping Village, Batang Anai District, Padang Pariaman Regency. Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Dewantara, 8(2), 1-9.
Varshney, A., Mohan, S., & Dahiya, P. (2020). Utilization of fly ash as a sustainable waste management technique. In M. Thakur, V. K. Modi, R. Khedkar, K. Singh (Eds.), Sustainable food waste management (pp. 387–401). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8967-6_21
Varshney, A., Dahiya, P., Sharma, A., Pandey, R., & Mohan, S. (2022). Fly ash application in soil for sustainable agriculture: An Indian overview. Energy, Ecology and Environment, 7(4), 340–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-022-00241-w
Vieira, C. R., Weber, O. L. D. S., Hongyu, K., & Scaramuzza, J. F. (2019). Canonical correlation analysis between growth and nutrition in teak seedlings. Floresta e Ambiente, 26, e20170814. https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.081417
Vodyanitskii, Y. N. (2016). Standards for the contents of heavy metals in soils of some states. Annals of Agrarian Science, 14(3), 257-263. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aasci.2016.08.011
Wang, N., Ai, Z., Zhang, Q., Leng, P., Qiao, Y., Li, Z., Tian, C., Cheng, H., Chen, G., & Li, F. (2024). Impacts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on maize yields, nutrient use efficiency, and soil nutrient balance: Insights from a long-term diverse NPK omission experiment in the North China Plain. Field Crops Research, 318, 109616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109616
Yan, S., Zhang, T., Zhang, B., Zhang, T., Cheng, Y., Wang, C., Luo, M., Feng, H., & Siddique, K. H. M. (2023). The higher relative concentration of K+ to Na+ in saline water improves soil hydraulic conductivity, salt leaching efficiency and structural stability. Soil, 9, 339-349. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-339-2023
Yuniar, L. P. (2024). The effect of fly ash bottom ash (FABA) and Nzeosr-plus fertilizer on the agronomic characteristics of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) [Undergraduate thesis, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman]. Universitas Jendral Soedirman.
Zhang, H.-Q., Shen, R.-F., & Zhao, X.-Q. (2022). Nitrogen source preference in maize at seedling stage is mainly dependent on growth medium pH. Agronomy, 12(9), 2149. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092149
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
All publications by Journal of Tropical Crop Science is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
