Critical soil bulk density for faba bean and soya bean growth as affected by soil texture [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

Soil physical properties are playing a very important role in plant growth. Specific information on soil physical properties is needed to obtain the optimum conditions for root growth. Plant growth can be affected directly or indirectly by soil physical factors such as bulk density which is a physical property describing the status of the soil in relation to plant growth. The target of this study was to determine the effect of soil bulk density values on the growth of faba and soya bean plants under different soil texture classes in a controlled greenhouse environment. A wide range of bulk density (1.20 -1.85 Mg.m⁻³) was obtained by packing the soil into cylindrical containers. The water content was adjusted to be at field capacity. Faba and soya bean seeds were grown in these containers. Root and shoot growth parameters were measured. The results indicate that soil bulk density exhibits a large influence on the root and shoot growth. Increasing soil bulk density reduced root and shoot growth. The reduction in root and shoot growth was due to the increase in soil penetration resistance which affects root length and in turn affects overall plant growth. It is suggested that a relative reduction percentage of approximately 45% of the maximum root length can be used as an indicator of poor root growth. The results indicate that the critical value is essential for normal growth. Soil texture has a large influence on the values of soil bulk density, which in turn affects plant growth. Regression equations of root lengths and root weights as related to soil bulk density of tbe different soil textures were developed.

Summary in arabic.

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