Shoot and root development of plant species in Oxisol on soil compaction

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the height, fresh and dry mass of shoots and roots of three plant species in Oxisol under different levels of density-induced soil compaction. The completely randomized design with three plant species (Pennisetum glaucum, Crotalaria spectabilis and Brachiaria brizantha) and three densities were used in the simulation of the compacted layer (1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Mg m-3). The experiment was conducted in PVC columns, consisting in the superposition of three rings, the upper layer being represented by the 1st ring with 0.05 m tall, the compacted layer of soil with different densities for the 2ndRing (middle ring) with 0, 05 m tall and the lower layer by the 3rd ring height of 0.20 m. The variables were evaluated: height (cm) of plant species, the mass (g)fresh and dry shoot, the mass (g) of fresh and dry roots in the 0-5, 5-10 and 10-20c m. However, the increased density in the compacted layer intermediatenegatively affected species all species evaluated. The greater bulk density (1.4Mg m-3) was the most limiting to shoot and root development of the plant speciesevaluated. The millet and crotalaria had higher production of fresh and dry massof roots, compacted soil under the 2nd ring, in relation to sunn. Pearl milletshowed a better development of the characteristics evaluated for all densities,compared to other plant species.