MANURE ADDITIONS IN DIFFERENT TEXTURE SOILS TO ENHANCE MAIZE ROOT PENETRATION

Abstract

The properties of the soil, both physical and chemical, have a considerable impact on the development and production of the crops. The soil texture, an unchanging soil physical property that affects the soil, has a secondary effect on crop growth. The goal of this study is to determine how different textures and organic amendments affect the root development of maize, which in turn affects the plant's ability to grow. In 2019 a pot experiment was conducted at Arid Zone Research Center in DI Khan, Pakistan, using two native soil types, clay loam and sandy loam. Farm manure was added as an amendment to the trial at rates of 0 (T0), 5 (T1), 10 (T2), and 15 (T3) Mg ha-1. Half the recommended NPK dose of 150:90:60 kg ha-1 was added to each treatment pot. The plant parameters including shoot length (89.6 cm), fresh weight (176.42 g), and dry weight (16.89 g), as well as root length (39.1 cm), fresh weight (37.11 g), dry weight (11.01 g) and 100-grain weight (22.23 g). The organic amendment added at a rate of 10 Mg ha-1 (T2) under sandy loam texture produced noticeably higher values. It was concluded that every plant parameter increased as the quantity of organic matter increased in the soil, however as the quantity of added organic matter reached 10 Mg ha-1, a significant drop was noticed. Additionally, it was discovered that crops performed well in sandy loam than in clay loam soil