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 Allmaras, R. R. Articles by Nelson, W. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Allmaras, R. R. Articles by Nelson, W. W. Agricola Articles by Allmaras, R. R. Articles by Nelson, W. W.

Corn (Zea mays L.) Root Configuration as Influenced by Some Row-Interrow Variants of Tillage and Straw Mulch Management¹

ABSTRACT

Combinations of tillage and straw mulch strips produced various patterns of horizontally nonuniform matric suction and temperature under the row vs. the interrow. These nonuniformities were observed to soil depths 45 cm. Straw mulch strips decreased the average soil temperature and matric suction. A spring-plow interrow decreased the average soil temperature compared to no tillage, but the effect on matric suction depended on the initial soil water.

Root dry weight and configuration were changed by tillage and straw mulch treatments, but the same treatments produced different root growth in 2 years of study. Straw mulch strips between rows increased root weight and lateral proliferation in the year of higher average soil temperature and matric suction, but decreased them in the year of lower soil temperature and matric suction. Straw mulch strips over the row decreased root and shoot dry weight, decreased lateral proliferation in the year of higher temperatures and matric suctions, and increased lateral proliferation in the year of lower temperatures and matric suctions. Compared to no tillage, a spring-plow interrow reduced lateral proliferation at depths less than 20 cm.

Early shoot growth and subsequent grain yield were greatest on treatments producing greater lateral proliferation at shallow depths early in the season.

¹ Contribution from the North Central Soil Conservation Research Center, Corn Belt Branch, Soil & Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA, Morris, Minn. 56267, in cooperation with the Minnesota Agr. Exp. Sta., St. Paul. Paper no. 7245 Scientific Journal Series.

² Soil Scientist, USDA, and Professor, Univ. of Minn., Morris; and Professor and Station Superintendent, Southwest Exp. Sta., Lamberton, Minn., respectively.

Received for publication April 23, 1971. Accepted for publication June 1, 1971.