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Effects of soil compaction, seed depth, form of nitrogen fertiliser, fertiliser placement and manganese availability on barley
Author(s) -
Holmes John C.,
Donald Alistair H.,
Chapman William,
Lang Robert W.,
Smith Keith A.,
Franklin Michael F.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740340703
Subject(s) - sowing , agronomy , yield (engineering) , environmental science , nitrogen , manganese , crop , soil water , soil compaction , compaction , biology , chemistry , soil science , geology , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy , geotechnical engineering
Investigations on light soils from 1977 to 1981 revealed important effects and interactions of husbandry methods and fertiliser placement on barley growth and yield which were largely due to their effects on Mn availability to the crop. Thus combine‐drilling an acidifying fertiliser (but not a non‐acidifying fertiliser) with the seed rather than broadcasting it, was very effective in controlling Mn deficiency and increasing yield substantially on Mn deficient sites. Soil compaction was beneficial where the fertiliser was broadcast, primarily because it forced shallow sowing of seed and thus kept the seminal roots near the acidifying fertiliser. Deep sowing of seed greatly reduced yield when fertiliser was broadcast but not when fertiliser was placed near the seed. These effects and interactions explain why poor crops were frequently associated with loose seedbeds, deep sowing and broadcast fertilisers.