Ruixin An, Boda Zhang, Jiaxin Liu, Quanquan Shi
To expand the resource utilization pathways of coal industry byproducts and explore the improvement approaches of desertified soil, this study investigated the effects of the synergistic application of coal slime and silica calcium slag on the physical and chemical properties of desertified soil and wheat growth. The results demonstrated that the synergistic application of coal slime and silica calcium slag significantly reduced soil particle density and bulk density while increasing soil moisture content. Concurrently, the contents of soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were all elevated. The promotional effects on the emergence ratio and seedling length were more obvious in the low content group (<15%) and the relatively high content group (>35%). Across all application rates, the emergence ratio and seedling length were relatively stable when the ratio of coal slime to silica calcium slag was 1:1. A comparative analysis of soil chemical properties before and after wheat cultivation revealed that the consumption of organic matter and nitrogen was more significant during the early growth stage of wheat. In conclusion, the synergistic addition of coal slime and silica calcium slag can significantly improve the desertified soil environment and increase the emergence ratio and seedling length of wheat.