English

De Souza Maria Luciano,De Souza Pereira Henildo,Da Silva Neves Ivone,De Bastos Agostinho Flavia,Ferreira Ferbonink Guilherme,Caione Gustavo

doi:10.5897/ajar2018.13382

Abstract

The efficiency of broadcast versus in line phosphate fertilization has been studied; however, soil density as a determining factor for soil efficiency has been less studied.  Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of broadcast and in line phosphate fertilization in soil with different densities on corn development. The experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse condition. A completely randomized design was used in a 2x3 factorial arrangement with four replications. Treatments were two levels of soil densities (1.2 and 1.6 g cm-3) and three forms of P application (broadcast, in line and without P). Corn stem diameter, plant height, root volume, root and shoot dry matter, and root and shoot phosphorus content and accumulation were evaluated. Application in line resulted in higher P accumulation by corn plant. There was higher plant dry matter accumulation at soil density 1.2 g cm-3 than at 1.6 g cm-3. Phosphate fertilization in line at soil density 1.2 g cm-3 enhances dry matter accumulation in corn plants. Key words: Compaction, macronutrient, phosphorus, soil fertility. &nbsp

Highlights

Soil compaction is one of the most severe degradation processes that occurs in the soil and have been affecting about 68 million hectares around the world from the vehicular traffic (Nawaz et al, 2013)
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of broadcast and in line phosphate fertilization in soil with different densities on corn development
Root P content at density 1 did not show significant difference among P application, whereas at density 2 higher root P content was observed on plants treated with in line P compared to broadcast and without P (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Soil compaction is one of the most severe degradation processes that occurs in the soil and have been affecting about 68 million hectares around the world from the vehicular traffic (Nawaz et al, 2013). The availability of nutrients for plants is reduced in compacted soils (Barzegar et al, 2016), such as phosphorus (Novais et al, 2007). Soil compaction leads to lower crop yield due to increased resistance to root growth and reduced efficiency of water and nutrient use (Twum and Nii-Annang, 2015). The soils with a high degree of weathering help to maintain low levels of available phosphate resulting from high P adsorption capacity of iron and aluminum oxides and hydroxides in soils (DeLong et al, 2013; Fink et al, 2014). Slow diffusion contributes to low level of available P in soil which limits plant uptake (Shen et al, 2011). In line fertilization (close to root system) should be chosen over other methods to favor plant uptake of P (Prado, 2008)

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