Effect of Compaction on Soil Three Phase Distribution and Soybean Growth in Ando Soil

Abstract

In a pot experiment with Ando Soil, the effect of compaction on three phase distribution of soil, and soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Suzuyutaka) growth at early blossom stage was studied in control conditions. Soil compaction significantly decreased total porosity, void ratio and air phase. On the other hand, degree of saturation, bulk density, and solid and liquid phases increased with increased levels of compaction. Soil compaction also significantly reduced the root weight, root volume, maximum root length, root density and root shoot ratio. However, the degree of soil compaction did not have a statistically significant effect on plant height, stem and petioles weight, and leaf weight of soybean after 42 days of growth. In this study it was observed that root development was affected by the levels of soil compaction but were not the plant shoot parameters.