Soil compaction effects on growth and yiel of soybean cultivars

Abstract

Aiming to evaluate the effects of soil compaction on the development and productivity of two soybean varieties (IAC - 8 and MG/BR 46 (Conquista), this study was undertaken. Oxisol soil samples were collected at 0-0.20 m depth and passed through a 0.004 wire mash sieve. The experimental units were arranged according to a completely random design, in a 4 x 2 factorial, with four replications. The soil was compacted in layers of 0.03 m in pots of 0.20 m of height and 0.25 m of diameter (9.82 L), forming four compaction levels that were characterized by the soil densities of 0.93, .25, .37, and .60 Mg m-3. In November of 2003, the soybean seeds were sown and the seedlings thinned 0 days later so as to have two plants per pot. The soil of those vases was daily irrigated to reach 80% of field capacity (water content at 0.006 MPa). The results showed that even the highest soil density (.60 Mg m-3) did not cause significant reduction in yield of plants of both soybean varieties.Additional keywords: Glycine max; bulk density; soil porosity; soil moisture.