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Effect of Soil Moisture Tension and Physical Condition of Soil on Utilization of Water and Nutrients by Potatoes 1
Author(s) -
Flocker W. J.,
Timm Herman
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1966.00021962005800030013x
Subject(s) - water content , environmental science , irrigation , agronomy , nutrient , fertilizer , moisture , compaction , soil water , soil compaction , soil science , chemistry , geology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , biology
A 3‐year study was made of the effects of irrigation on the nutrient content of potato plants grown in differentially compacted soil Changes in soil moisture tension and in rates of fertilizer application affected the nutrient concentration in the plants more than did the degree of soil compaction. The amount of water, number of irrigations, and timing of applications depended upon the mean soil moisture tension and varied with degree of compaction. Irrigating at a mean soil moisture tension of 0.5 atmosphere provided the most efficient use of water and fertilizer, regardless of degree of compaction. The use of instruments to aid in timing irrigation was emphasized. Measurement of the mean soil moisture tension yielded data potentially useful for conserving both water and nitrogen.