Effect of Land Application of FGD Gypsum on Plant Yield and Crop Nutrient Concentration
2012
Buckley, Meghan E. | Wolkowski, Richard P.
Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) at coal burning plants produces a gypsum source that may provide agricultural benefits when land applied. This study was undertaken to quantify the effects of FGD gypsum applied to corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.). The FGD gypsum was hand applied at 22 sites at rates of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 tons/acre after planting to small plots. Additional plots were treated with commercial gypsum fertilizer to provide 30 lb S/acre. Plant leaves were sampled at the R1 growth stage and analyzed for macronutrient concentration. The concentrations of P, K, Ca, and Mg were largely unaffected by treatment. Corn ear leaf S concentration increased with the highest application rates at five of the 16 corn sites. Soybean trifoliate S concentration increased with all rates of FGD gypsum at two of the six soybean sites. Effects seen in leaf concentration were likely related to lower early-season S availability common in cool soils and may or may not affect crop yield. Corn yield was not affected by amendments at any of the sites tested. Soybean yield was increased by the 0.5-ton/acre rate of FGD gypsum at one site. Overall, the application of FGD gypsum appears to have had neither a beneficial nor detrimental effect to crop production in the year of application.
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