CCB Treated Ammonium Nitrate Affects On Crop Production and Environmental Impact.

Adding coal combustion byproducts (CCBs) to ammonium has been shown to be an inexpensive way to reduce the explosive potential of ammonium nitrate fertilizer.  The effect of adding these products on agronomic and environmental properties is unknown.  A two year study was conducted to evaluate the performance of three different CCB’s affects on corn, wheat and forage yield and quality.  Soil leachate was also collected to evaluate environmental impacts.  Results demonstrate that there were no measurable yield differences between the amended products and unamended ammonium nitrate fertilizer.  Grain and leachate results showed no increase in measured heavy metal concentration.  The results indicate that CCB treated ammonium nitrate is an effective fertilizer for corn, wheat and forage production.