Comparison of Weathered and Un-weathered Flue Gas Desulphurization Waste as Soil Amendment for Sorghum Sudan Grass.

Two greenhouse studies were conducted to assess the effect of flue gas desulphurization (FGDW) waste (weathered and un-weathered) on elemental uptake by sorghum sudan grass (Sorghum sundensis L.). Un-weathered and weathered FGDW were applied to an Ogeechee loamy soil (Typic Paleudult) at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6% by weight. The sorghum-sudan grass was grown for six weeks in FGDW amended soils. Harvested plant materials were analyzed for elemental composition. The study indicated that increasing levels of FGDW caused a steady decline in biomass production. In addition, a characteristic elevation of B, Se, Mo, and As in plant tissues was also observed and this elevations were greater in un-weathered FGDG than that in weathered FGDG. In this presentation, growth performance, biomass production, elemental uptake and accumulation will be discussed.