The effect of a ploughpan in marine loam soils on potato growth. 2. Potato plant responses

Abstract

The effect of a ploughpan on root and foliage growth and on the yield and quality of tubers was studied in old and in recently reclaimed marine loam soils. In all experiments the ploughpan impeded root growth to a large extent. On the old land, removing the ploughpan did not affect tuber yield because roots could scarcely penetrate the subsoil. On the recently reclaimed land, where roots could penetrate the subsoil, however the ploughpan decreased yields considerably. The ploughpan had little influence on tuber quality.