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Influence of a Root Crop on Physical Properties of a Medium‐Textured Soil 1
Author(s) -
Gerard C. J.,
Mehta H. C.
Publication year - 1971
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/agronj1971.00021962006300060020x
Subject(s) - compaction , agronomy , soil water , bulk density , soil compaction , crop , permeability (electromagnetism) , environmental science , soil texture , winter wheat , soil science , mathematics , chemistry , materials science , biology , composite material , biochemistry , membrane
Studies to evaluate the influences of stage of growth of a root crop and two plant densities on certain physical properties of a medium‐textured soil were conducted. Dynamic changes with time, depth, and plant population occurred on selected physical properties of medium‐textured soils being cropped to fall radishes. After 2 months, radish roots compacted and decreased the permeability of the top 15 cm of soil but had little influence at the 15‐ to 30‐cm depth. However, after 4 months the enlarged radish roots decreased the compactness and increased the permeability of the top 15 cm of soil but compacted the soil at the 15‐ to 30‐cm depth. Field measurements of soil strength described the zone of compaction by radish roots. Compaction by double row radishes was significantly greater than by single‐row radishes.