HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Khalifa, E. M. Articles by Buol, S. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Khalifa, E. M. Articles by Buol, S. W. Agricola Articles by Khalifa, E. M. Articles by Buol, S. W.

Studies of Clay Skins in a Cecil (Typic Hapludult) Soil: II. Effect on Plant Growth and Nutrient Uptake¹

ABSTRACT

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effect clay skins may have on plant growth and N, P, and K uptake. Wheat (Triticum vulgare, var. Wakeland) plants were grown in uncoated aggregates and in large and small clay skin-coated peds from the B22t horizon of a Cecil (Typic Hapludult) soil for 4 weeks. Data obtained for dry weight and total N, P, and K content of the plants were statistically analyzed. Plants grown in the uncoated aggregates had higher dry weights and more total N, P, and K than those grown in either the large or small coated peds. Most of the plant roots grew outside of the coated peds with a concentration of fine roots on the surface of the clay skin. It is hypothesized that the clay skins reduced plant growth and nutrient uptake (especially P and K) either by serving as a barrier for root growth and/or by slowing ion diffusion from the soil peds into the inter-ped soil solution.

¹ Paper no. 2630 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina State University Agr. Exp. Sta., Raleigh.

² Graduate Research Assistant and Associate Professor, respectively.

Received for publication May 21, 1968. Accepted for publication July 1, 1968.