Effect of Soil Compaction on the Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Zea Mays L.

Obafemi Olutola Olubanjo,Mouiz Aremou Yessoufou

doi:10.5539/sar.v8n2p46

Abstract

Agricultural mechanization and open livestock grazing contribute to soil compaction and consequently on crop productivity. This study used a greenhouse experiment to identify the effects of soil compaction on the growth, productivity and nutrient uptake of maize plant seedlings grown at three bulk density (1.17, 1.37, and 1.45 g cm-3) and three water contents (0.12, 0.18, and 0.30 g/g soil). Shoot elongation and leaf area decreased significantly by 27.1 and 67.8% respectively at high compaction (P&lt;0.05). Fresh and dry root mass also decreased significantly at high compaction by 39.1 and 37.8% respectively. Increase in soil compaction also reduced the grain yield by 18.8%. The adverse soil conditions created by increasing soil compaction accounted for the reduction in nutrient uptake. Increase in penetration resistance of the soil reduced the plants ability to absorb nitrogen (13.5%), potassium (51.4%), magnesium (50.4%) and sodium (51.5%) whereas the concentration of calcium and phosphorous were higher when soil resistance varied between 3 and 4 MPa. The relationship between root production, shoot elongation, root biomass and soil strength shows that increase in soil strength/compaction was detrimental to maize production. High soil compaction negatively influenced plant ability to absorb minerals from the soil thus decreased the yield performance.

Highlights

Soil compaction can be associated with majority of field operations that are performed in agriculture which include animal trampling and passage of heavy machinery and equipment which often cause damage to the soil structure
This study used a greenhouse experiment to identify the effects of soil compaction on the growth, productivity and nutrient uptake of maize plant seedlings grown at three bulk density (1.17, 1.37, and 1.45 g cm-3) and three water contents (0.12, 0.18, and 0.30 g/g soil)
The greatest soil penetration resistance (5.2 MPa) was obtained at the highest bulk density (1.45 g cm-3) and the lowest volumetric water content (0.14 cm3 cm-3) while the lowest soil penetration resistance was obtained at the lowest bulk density (1.17 g cm-3) and the highest volumetric water content (0.36 cm3 cm-3)

Summary

Introduction

Soil compaction can be associated with majority of field operations that are performed in agriculture which include animal trampling and passage of heavy machinery and equipment which often cause damage to the soil structure. Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing pore space between them, it changes pore space size and distribution (Keller et al, 2013). Soil compaction can be divided into two categories, surface horizon compaction and subsoil compaction. Surface horizon compaction mostly occur due to wheel trafficking during field operations and surface crusting that occur due to impact of raindrops on weak soil aggregates. Subsoil compaction occur deeper in the soil profile, because the ground contact pressure or the axle load is very high that the effect attains greater depth (Etana et al, 2013)

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