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Effect of Subsoiling and Irrigation Regime on Dry Bean Production in the Pacific Northwest
Author(s) -
Miller D. E.
Publication year - 1987
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/sssaj1987.03615995005100030038x
Subject(s) - irrigation , agronomy , soil water , phaseolus , loam , environmental science , tillage , nutrient , soil compaction , biology , soil science , ecology
Zones of high strength are common in irrigated soils. Root penetration may be reduced if soil strength exceeds 1 to 3 MPa, resulting in a decreased supply of water and nutrients to the plant. On sandy soil this may allow plant water stress to develop between irrigations. Bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are particularly sensitive to high soil strengths. A study was conducted on two soils to determine the effect of subsoiling on soil strength, bean root development, and plant reaction to different irrigation regimes. On a rigid uncemented matrix sandy soil, subsoiling reduced soil strength from >3 to <1 MPa, promoted deep rooting, and increased foliage. Without subsoiling, plants frequently suffered water stress between irrigations applied at 4‐d intervals. This resulted in blossom drop and delayed maturity by about 2 weeks. The deeper rooting associated with subsoiling reduced water stress and bean plants grew and matured normally. On a loam soil subsoiling also reduced strength to about 1 MPa or less and increased rooting depth and foliage density compared to normal tillage. With the dense foliage, 65 to 80% of the bean plants were infected with Sclerotinia white mold and dry bean yields were low. Because of the Sclerotinia injury, results were inconclusive.