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The Effect of a Dense Soil Layer and Varying Air-Water Relations on the Growth, Root Development, and Nutrient Uptake of Cotton in Commerce Silt Loam¹

ABSTRACT

Studies were made of a Commerce silt loam traffic pan soil at St. Joseph, La., to determine the cause of the poor productivity in droughty field areas locally known as "hotspots". The pan in the problem area was only slightly more dense and less permeable than that of the productive areas. Large cylinders (10 by 24 inches) of soil were cut undisturbed and placed in a covered pit with the surface exposed. Restricted drainage, with a water table maintained at 24 inches, reduced oxygen diffusion and retarded the growth of cotton planted in the cylinders. Supplemental aeration provided by perforating some of the walls of the cylinders had very little effect on oxygen diffusion or plant growth. Reduced oxygen diffusion in this soil was associated with lower nitrogen uptake but had little effect on the uptake of potassium since the soil supply was sufficient to allow for luxury consumption by the cotton plants. It appears that a combination of factors affecting air-water relationships and root extension are responsible for these problem areas in fields of the lower Mississippi River Delta areas.

¹ Contribution from the Eastern Section of Soil and Water Management, S.W.C.R.B., A.R.S., U.S.D.A. in cooperation with: U.S. Tillage Machinery Laboratory Section, Agr. Eng. Res. Branch, A.R.S., U.S.D.A. at Auburn, Ala.; Louisiana Agr. Exp. Sta., St. Joseph, La.; and the Alabama Agr. Exp. Sta., Auburn, Ala.

² Soil Scientist, formerly at Auburn, Ala., now located at Columbia, Mo. and late Soil Scientist, formerly at Auburn, Ala., more recently at Athens, Ga. Appreciation is expressed to Dr. M. L. Nichols of the U. S. Tillage Laboratory, to Mr. C. B. Haddon of the Northeast Louisiana Substation, and to Mr. I. L. Saveson, Baton Rouge, La., of the Eastern Soil and Water Management Section, S.W.C.R.B., for help in the way of facilities and suggestions in performance of this experiment.

Received for publication September 7, 1955.