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Published in Soil Sci Soc Am J 37:904-906 (1973)
© 1973 Soil Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Effect of Stover Mulch on Soil Temperature, Corn Root Weight, and Phosphorus Fertilizer Uptake1

J. J. Onderdonk and J. W. Ketcheson2

ABSTRACT

Bands of corn stover placed on soil in different positions relative to corn (Zea mays L.) rows decreased soil temperature at a 10-cm depth 2.5C for maxima, doubled the proportion of root growth in the surface 5 cm of soil, and tripled fertilizer uptake from a surface-applied band of 32P-labeled phosphorus fertilizer. The greatest increase in uptake occurred with the band of stover on both sides of the row. Total root growth to a depth of 15 cm was not greater with stover than without it.

The increase in uptake was credited to the relatively greater root growth near the surface, which in turn was believed due to the temperature depression and a tendency for a more horizontal direction of root growth. While a more favorable soil moisture level, as found under mulch, would be necessary for root growth and proliferation, it was not considered initially responsible for directing roots closer to the soil surface.

NOTES

1 Contribution from Dep. of Land Resource Science, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario. Canada Dep. of Agr. financial assistance is gratefully acknowledged. Tagged fertilizer prepared by Tennessee Valley Authority.

2 Former graduate assistant now with Ontario Ministry of Environment, and Associate Professor, respectively.

Received for publication April 10, 1973. Accepted for publication June 1, 1973.






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The SCI Journals Agronomy Journal Crop Science
Journal of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences Education		 Vadose Zone Journal
Journal of Plant Registrations Journal of
Environmental Quality		 The Plant Genome
Copyright © 1973 by the Soil Science Society of America.