Location: Soil Dynamics Research
Title: Influence of FGD gypsum on the physical properties of soilsAuthor
Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2018 Publication Date: 11/5/2018 Citation: Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A. 2018. Influence of FGD gypsum on the physical properties of soils [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy Meetings. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: There has been interest in using flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum to improve soil productivity in recent years. To evaluate the influence that FGD gypsum may have on soil physical property improvements of southeastern US soils, a study was conducted at three different sites. Each site consisted of FGD gypsum being surface broadcast applied at increasing rates for 4 or 5 years. After year 4 or 5, soil compaction and saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured under field conditions. No consist treatment effect was observed for saturated hydraulic conductivity. However, positive improvements in soil compaction were observed at sites where the soils had high clay content. This study shows that FGD gypsum may potentially increase soil productivity of southeastern US soils by decreasing soil compaction. |