1999 Volume 43 Issue 3 Pages 129-135
The effects of different levels of compaction (0, 174, 348 and 696 J) on the properties of an Andisol and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Nanbukomugi) growth were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. In this study, the effects of compaction on the bulk density, water storage capacity and total porosity of soil, and plant height, number of tillers, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root volume, maximum root length, root density, root biomass, evapotranspiration, water requirement and nutrient uptake by plants were investigated. Soil compaction significantly increased the bulk density and decreased the water storage capacity and total porosity of the soil. The shoot and root growth of wheat and evapotranspiration were markedly reduced in compacted soil. In contrast, water requirement increased with increased levels of compaction. Similarly, the root: shoot ratio was the highest in the most compacted soil. However, the root density and root biomass were found to be the lowest in the most compacted soil. The nutrient uptake by plants was also significantly reduced with increased levels of soil compaction.
