Maize root growth under regular water content, subjected to compaction, irrigation frequencies, and shear stress

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an agricultural crop grown in the incompressible and alterable savanna soils, which are, with no trouble, compacted by machinery, consolidated by drying and wetting, and insufficiently irrigated. The objectives were to study the effects of (a) water content and compaction over root length, root penetration and root volume under soil water content requirements; and (b) shear stress, and normal tension on root growth. The methods were: Proctor test, water meters, watering frequency, 30x30x1.5 cm plastic cylinders, randomized block designs and factorial simple treatment, four compaction levels per layer (0, 12, 24 and 36), four soil water contents with four irrigation frequencies (daily, inter-day, every two days and every three days) and water amount of 10% to 13% with mean value of 11.78%. Among the findings: (a) The root length average 74.07 cm, (b) Root penetration with median rate 20.42 cm, (c) Root volume median rate 49.601 cm3. In conclusion, maize root structure was positively influenced by water content more than compaction; the dependent variables root length and volume showed no significant difference in the independent variables studied and root penetration presented significance in irrigation treatments.

Inducing Inorganic Carbon Accrual in Subsoil through Biochar Application on Calcareous Topsoil

“…The inherent alkalinity (pH 9.8 ± 0.2) and high ash content (36.3%) of biochar contributed to the increase in soil pH (Table S1). Interestingly, biochar amendment also decreased the soil pH and Eh simultaneously, further changing the subsoil (micro) environmental conditions, which were consistent with previous studies. , In the subsoil, except for the alkalinity from biochar, the HCO 3 – uprising from shallow groundwater increased the alkalinity of biochar-amended soils because biochar caused better root growth and greater evapotranspiration, and carbonates were easier to precipitate and recrystallize in the biochar-amended subsoil. The pH can affect carbonate crystal size and morphology by controlling the supersaturation state of soil solution with CaCO 3 .…”

“…Interestingly, biochar amendment also decreased the soil pH and Eh simultaneously, further changing the subsoil (micro) environmental conditions, which were consistent with previous studies. 12,42 In the subsoil, except for the alkalinity from biochar, the HCO 3 − uprising from shallow groundwater increased the alkalinity of biochar- amended soils because biochar caused better root growth 43 and greater evapotranspiration, and carbonates were easier to precipitate and recrystallize in the biochar-amended subsoil.…”

Response of Capsicum Hybrids to Zinc (Zn) Fertilization under Protected Cultivation

“…The root volume was observed by immersing the washed root in a measuring cylinder filled with known quantity of water. The increase in volume of the water was measured and expressed in cubic centimetre [26].…”

Dynamics of Volumetric Moisture in Sand Caused by Injection Irrigation—Physical Model

“…In turn, in a study on the growth of the root mass of maize in the conditions of pot experiments, it was demonstrated that the reach of the root system depends on soil compaction and on irrigation frequency. As an example, maize plants watered at 3-day intervals were characterised by almost double the reach of the root system compared to plants watered every day [39]. When determining the depth of injection, one should take into consideration also the engineering recommendations which relate, among other things, to the strength of ground resistance that must be overcome by the injector during the penetration beneath the ground surface.…”