HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Asady, G. H. Articles by Smucker, A. J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Asady, G. H. Articles by Smucker, A. J. M. Agricola Articles by Asady, G. H. Articles by Smucker, A. J. M.

Compaction and Root Modifications of Soil Aeration

Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Georgia, Coastal Plain Exp. Stn., P.O. Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793-0748

A. J. M. Smucker^*

Dep. of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824

* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Soil compaction and the incipient aeration and mechanical impedance stresses are known to reduce root growth and function. Little is known, however, regarding the influence of root accumulations adjacent to a compacted area upon the aeration status of the soil profile below the root mass. This study was designed to measure plant root and soil aeration interactions with soil compaction. A clay soil was compacted to bulk densities in 1.1, 1.4 and 1.7 Mg m^–3 in soil columns planted to dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Mechanical resistances of these soil compaction treatments were 0.43, 2.14, and 5.50 MPa, respectively. Oxygen diffusion rates (ODR) were below the critical level for the 1.7 Mg m^–3 treatment at all plant growth stages measured. As root accumulations increased at the 0.10- to 0.25-m depths, ODR dropped below critical values for all bulk densities. Lower O₂ concentrations above the soil surface decreased ODR both earlier and at shallower depths. Root plugging of 5% or more of the aeration pores significantly reduced the diffusion of O₂ into and CO₂ out of the soil regions below and adjacent to areas with the greatest accumulation of roots.

Published as Michigan Agric. Exp. Stn. Journal Article no. 12141.

Received for publication December 31, 1987.