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Influence of Tobacco Plant Canopy on Percolation 1
Author(s) -
Terry D. L.
Publication year - 1973
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/agronj1973.00021962006500050036x
Subject(s) - transplanting , canopy , percolation (cognitive psychology) , growing season , agronomy , soil water , loam , ridge , environmental science , botany , biology , soil science , sowing , paleontology , neuroscience
This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between percolation at various positions in Lakeland sand and Norfolk loamy sand soils under tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) culture and the growth and development of the plant canopy. A procedure is described for making direct measurements of percolation at various positions at a depth of 30 cm in a soil with respect to plant location as follows: A) through a ridge directly below a plant; B) through a ridge half way between two plants; C) through a fallow ridge; and D) through a fallow level area. During the first 15 to 20 days of the season percolation was similar at all positions studied and amounted to 40 to 60% of an average rainfall. From about 40 days after transplanting to the end of the growing season percolation at position A was about 40 to 100% of the rainfall while that at B and C was near zero. Percolation at D was intermediate averaging around onehalf that of A. The large amount of percolation at A after canopy development was explained as the result of water being intercepted by the leaves and channeled to the base of the stalk. The results indicated that percolation and possible leaching below 30 cm in a tobacco field are significant during the early part of the season (15 to 20 days from transplanting or later); however, after canopy development (40 to 49 days from transplanting or earlier) they are probably not significant except in a small soil volume directly below the plants.