Utilisation of Coal Clinker Ash in Transforming the Carbon Content of Sandy Soil

Agnes Aron Dube, Mutsa Muhambi, Mitsuru Tsubo, Kuniaki Sato and Eiji Nishihara (nishihar@tottori-u.ac.jp)
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Agnes Aron Dube: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
Mutsa Muhambi: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
Mitsuru Tsubo: Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, 1390 Hamasaka, Tottori 680-0001, Japan
Kuniaki Sato: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue 690-8504, Japan
Eiji Nishihara: Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Soil carbon (C)’s importance in soil quality assessment and C sequestration is increasing. Sandy soils, due to their low C content, have low C sequestration potential and therefore require C enhancement. This study aimed to enhance sandy soils’ C content and sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) productivity by applying clinker ash (CA). A 3-year experiment with a completely randomised block design was conducted in an improvised field. Four treatments were replicated six times: Control (sandy only), CA1 (3 mm at 25 t ha −1 ), CA2 (5 mm at 25 t ha −1 ), and rice husk biochar as a positive control (14 t ha −1 ). Hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa R.) was the source of plant nutrients incorporated as green manure. C content and fractions were determined from dry soil collected at each harvesting time. There were significant increases in the C content of sandy soil under CA1, with about 129 and 289% change compared to the control in season 1 and season 3, respectively. Also, the C fractions and CN ratio were significantly enhanced by CA1. CA2 improved the yield of sesame by 424 and 64% in season 2 and season 3, respectively. Applying CA to sandy soils improved the C content, increasing C sequestration capabilities, a key climate mitigation strategy.

Keywords: carbon fractions; chemical traits; C/N ratio; hairy vetch; sesame (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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