Abstract:

【Objective】 The objective of this study was to identify the responses of nutrient uptake and distribution and yield in maize to soil compaction under different soil types. 【Method】 A two-year barrel-culture experiment was conducted in 2007-2008 with three soil types and two levels of soil compaction on the farm of Henan Agricultural University. The characteristics of nutrient uptake and distribution, and yield in maize were studied. 【Result】 The results showed that root growth was restricted in the three selected soils under soil compaction stress. The maximum root length and dry weight were found in the fluvo-aquic soil while the minmum were observed in the yellow cinnamon soil. The accumulation of N, P, and K uptaken per plant were significantly different among the three selected soils and were the highest in the fluvo-aquic soil, followed by the lime concretion black soil and yellow cinnamon soil. Under the soil compaction circumstances, more nutrients in leaves were transferred to the grains than those in the stems and sheaths. The highest transferring rates of N, P, and K were found in the yellow cinnamon soil, followed by the lime concretion black soil, and the lowest in the fluvo-aquic soil. With the relief of soil compaction, length and dry weight of roots increased significantly in all selected soils, resulting in the increase in the total nutrient uptake per plant and yield. Among the three selected soils, soil compaction had a weaker effect on corn nutrient uptake and yield in the fluvo-aquic soil than in the lime concretion black soil and yellow cinnamon soil. The transferring rates of N, P, and K from vegetative organs to grains increased with increase of soil compaction. 【Conclusion】 Root growth, nutrient uptake and utilization were substantially affected by soil compaction stress, and yield improvement could be obtained by decreasing soil compaction.

Key words: soil type')">soil type, maize, nutrient accumulation and distribution, soil compaction stress, yield