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Oxygen Requirements of Cotton Seedling Roots for Penetration of Compacted Soil Cores¹

ABSTRACT

Cotton root growth and activity was determined at different levels of subsoil bulk density and O₂ concentration. Subsoil cores of desired bulk density were aerated leaving both the soil moisture content intact and the surface soil exposed to diffusion of gases from the atmosphere. Measurements of root growth and activity in the subsoils included depth of root penetration, root yield, water uptake, and carbon dioxide production in the subsoil.

Mechanical impedance was more detrimental than low O₂ for root growth in the subsoils at bulk densities above 1.5 g. cm.^-3. At lower densities root growth was depressed at O₂ levels below 10%, and there was a strong interaction of O₂ and bulk density.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., and the Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA. Part of a dissertation submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Presented before Div. S-1, Soil Sci. Soc. of Am., Nov. 18, 1963, at Denver, Colo.

² Research Soil Scientists, USDA, Temple, Tex. and Auburn, Ala. respectively. Senior author was formerly National Defense Fellow, Auburn University.

Received for publication January 3, 1964. Accepted for publication May 29, 1964.