Growth and development of roots of Zea mays in columns different soil texture treated with a conditioner

Abstract

The aim of this research is to know effect of adding a corn cobs after fermentation in soil on the growth and development of root part of zea mays in soil columns having two soils differ in their texture, one was sandy and the other was silt clay. The soil was put in plastic pots and five zea mays seeds were added in each pot and after seed growth, one plant was left in each pot. Weight of vegetative growth and dry roots. The interval between measured and the other was fifteen days. The result showed that in the soil treated with the conditioner the percentage of pores increased while the values of bulk density and resistance to penetration decreased that reflected on the vegetative and root growth of zea mays plant, it was 175.16 g the end growth season in the soil columu and 170.11 g in the soil columu in the weight of vegetative growth, while the dry weight of root (28.74, 27.32) g in each pot respectively. Comparing with soil columus treated with the conditioner, there was un similar increase. It was (183.82, 195.65) g in dry vegetative growth and (31.75, 35.27) g/ pot as dry root growth respectively. It may be said that there was clear effected of addition of corn cobs as a conditioner of root growth followed by positive vegetative growth during growth season which may be reflected yield of zea mays.