Effect of Soil Compaction on the Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Zea Mays L.
- Olubanjo, Obafemi Olutola
- Yessoufou, Mouiz Aremou
DOIAbstract
Agricultural mechanization and open livestock grazing contribute to soil compaction and consequently on crop productivity. This study used a greenhouse experiment to identify the effects of soil compaction on the growth, productivity and nutrient uptake of maize plant seedlings grown at three bulk density (1.17, 1.37, and 1.45 g cm-3 ) and three water contents (0.12, 0.18, and 0.30 g/g soil). Shoot elongation and leaf area decreased significantly by 27.1 and 67.8% respectively at high compaction (P<0.05). Fresh and dry root mass also decreased significantly at high compaction by 39.1 and 37.8% respectively. Increase in soil compaction also reduced the grain yield by 18.8%. The adverse soil conditions created by increasing soil compaction ac...
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