ISHS Acta Horticulturae 23: I International Symposium on Flowerbulbs
EFFECT OF COMPACTION ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL AND ROOT GROWTH OF ORNAMENTAL BULBS |
| Authors: | F.A.M. de Haan, G.G.M. van der Valk |
| Abstract:
Combined field and pot experiments were used to study the influence of soil compaction on the development of the root system of bulbs. Compaction was applied under field conditions with a Caterpillar D4. To avoid complications due to insufficient drainage, a pumped tile drainage system was installed during the second year of the study. A number of the physical properties of soil proved to be considerably influenced by compaction, e.g. hydraulic conductivity, water storage, pore-space values, and mechanical resistance. Root-growth impedance seems to be a matter of mechanical resistance. At pore-volume values of less than between 43 and 42%, root growth did not occur. Within the same range, a strong increase of penetration resistance was observed. | |
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