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Perennial Ryegrass Growth, Water Use, and Soil Aeration Status under Soil Compaction 1
Author(s) -
O'Neil K. J.,
Carrow R. N.
Publication year - 1983
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/agronj1983.00021962007500020005x
Subject(s) - loam , soil compaction , compaction , agronomy , bulk density , aeration , environmental science , soil water , water potential , lolium perenne , perennial plant , silt , irrigation , tillage , water content , chemistry , soil science , geology , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , paleontology
Soil compaction is a serious problem on recreational turfgrass sites because the altered soil physical properties can adversely affect plant growth and irrigation management. Soil compaction was examined in a greenhouse study for its effect on turfgrass growth, water use, and soil aeration using a Chase silt loam soil (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic, Aquic Arquidolls). Perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L. ’Derby’) was subjected to three compaction levels: 1) none—no compaction, 2) moderate—360 joules energy, and 3) heavy—720 joules energy. The soil was compacted by dropping a 11.5 kg weight from a height of 65 cm. When tensiometers (installed at a depth of 5 cm) read −0.65 bar, 5 cm of water was applied. Pots were 30.5 cm I.D. by 76.2 cm long PVC pipe with bottom drainage. Soil compaction increased bulk density; reduced aeration porosity, visual quality, and shoot density; altered root distribution; and reduced root density in the 10 to 25 cm soil zone. It had, however, slight effect on verdure and individual shoot weight. Total clip ping weights were reduced by 38 and 53% for the moderate and heavy compaction treatments, respectively. Clipping yield decreased immediately after compaction treatment, while root changes were not apparent until after 12 weeks. During the study, water use was reduced by 21 and 49% for the moderate and heavy compaction treatments, respectively. Water extraction from the 10 to 25 cm soil zone decreased from 69 to 27% of the total water extracted in the heavy compacted pots by the end of the study. With heavy compaction, oxygen diffusion rates (ODR) were below 20 × l0 −8 g cm ‐2 min ‐1 for at least 53 hours after irrigation. The noncompacted soil achieved acceptable ODR within 5 hours. The combined effects of compaction reducing rooting, slowing shoot growth, and increasing moisture retention, caused the compacted soil to remain at a reduced aeration status longer than the noncompacted soil after irrigation.