Case Study of Maize Growth in Different Soil Conditions!

In 1989, the soil in a section of a maize field in the experimental farm of Kyushu University was moved and subsequently leveled by machine. But in 1990, the maize growth of the above treated field was not vigorous from an early stage compared with the growth of maize in an adjacent area. Growth analysis of the maize was then carried out to identify the nature of the growth retardation, and physical and chemical soil analyses were carried out to investigate the reason for the growth difference between the adjacent maize fields. The final dry matter weight of the treated and untreated areas was about 1400 and 2000 grn-“,respectively, and maximum LA1 were 4.7 and 7.2, respectively. Though no difference in soil chemicals was found, soil properties were so different that maximum water capacity, and porosity were smaller and also bulk density was larger, in the treated area. These results suggest that the soil aeration is insufficient and consequently root development has been retarded leading to poor growth. Compacting of soil by machine might be the cause of the growth problems