Fertilizer properties of ash from corn-stover pellets using the sequential extraction and matrix expression

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Material Science

Background:

• Biomass ash utilization as fertilizer requires understanding nutrient characteristics.
• Corn-stover pellets are a potential source of biomass ash for agricultural applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the fertilizer properties of corn-stover pellet ash.
• To evaluate the impact of burning temperature on nutrient mobility and solubility.
• To propose a method for assessing ash suitability as a soil amendment.

Main Methods:

• Sequential extraction method was employed to measure nutrient content.
• Solvents were selected based on their ability to represent nutrient characteristics.
• A matrix was developed to describe nutrient mobility in the ash.
• Corn-stover pellet ash was analyzed after combustion at various temperatures.

Main Results:

• Burning temperature significantly affects the solubility of metallic nutrients more than non-metallic ones.
• Low-temperature burning of corn-stover pellets yields ash with higher potential for balancing farmland nutrients.
• The proposed matrix effectively describes nutrient mobility in biomass ash.

Conclusions:

• Corn-stover pellet ash, particularly from low-temperature combustion, shows promise as a sustainable fertilizer.
• The developed methodology provides a reference for evaluating biomass ash for agricultural applications.
• Recycling low-temperature burnt ash can contribute to nutrient management in agricultural soils.