Soil fragment size distribution and compactive effort effects on maize root seedling elongation in moist soil.

Crop Science, July, 2005 by Diaz-Zorita, M.; Grove, J.H.; Perfect, E.

Distributions of soil fragments (a mixture of primary aggregates resulting from tillage fragmentation) in seedbeds are known to influence emergence and early shoot and root growth of crops. However, it is not clearly understood which distribution model parameters the roots are responding to when water imbibition and nutrient availability are not limiting factors. The objective of this study was to determine the effect(s) of variation in geometric mean diameter (GMD) and log of the geometric standard deviation (LogGSD) taken from a lognormal model of soil fragment size distribution on maize (Zea mays L.) root elongation over a range of soil bulk density ([[rho].sub.b]) and air-filled porosity (AFP) levels. Root growth, determined 48 h after seedling emergence, was evaluated in a...

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