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The Effect of Profile Modification of a Fragiudalf on Water Extraction and Growth by Grain Sorghum
Author(s) -
Bradford J. M.,
Blanchar R. W.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400020033x
Subject(s) - sawdust , sorghum , lime , agronomy , soil water , environmental science , growing season , mixing (physics) , soil horizon , soil science , chemistry , materials science , biology , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
The dense and slowly permeable layer in fragipan soils restricts the downward movement of water and plant roots. Thoroughly mixing a Hobson soil profile (Typic Fragiudalfs) and incorporating lime and sawdust into the profile increased sorghum grain yields and water storage. Over a 3‐year period, sorghum grain yields were increased by 50% due to the mixing process alone and by 150% when lime and sawdust were added prior to mixing. The water storage in the early growing season was greater in sawdust‐incorporated modified soil plots, and greater amounts of water were utilized by the plants during the growing season. The natural fragipan profile contained the greatest amount of water in late summer, but the water in or below the fragipan was not accessible to the plant because of restriction on rooting.