Effect of soil bulk density and moisture regime on the root development of wheat (Triticum aestivum) [in Bangladesh]

• Published in: Bangladesh Journal of Soil Science (Bangladesh) Vol. 21; no. 1
• Main Authors: Miah, M.A.M, Faiz, S.M.A, Khan, T.H, Alam, M.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.1990
• Subjects: AGUA DEL SUELO; BANGLADESH; CONTENIDO DE AGUA EN EL SUELO; DENSIDAD DEL SUELO; DENSITE DU SOL; EAU DU SOL; ETAPAS DE DESARROLLO DE LA PLANTA; INVERNADEROS; RACINE; RAICES; RELACIONES PLANTA SUELO; RELATION PLANTE SOL; SERRE; SOL DE SERRE; STADE DE DEVELOPPEMENT VEGETAL; SUELO DE INVERNADEROS; TENEUR EN EAU DU SOL; TRITICUM AESTIVUM
• ISSN: 0253-5440

An experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Soil Science Department, Dhaka University to study the effect of four levels of soil bulk density (1.46, 1.51, 1.55 and 1.63 g/cm3) at five soil moisture levels (7, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) on the root development of wheat. At lower moisture levels (7 and 10 %), an increase in soil bulk density up to 1.51 g/cm3 increased the length, surface area and weight of wheat roots while at higher moisture levels increasing soil bulk density beyond 1.46 g/cm3 decreased these root parameters. The total length of roots was much higher in the lower depths of soil in the pots at lower bulk density levels (1.45 and 1.51 g/cm3), than in pots containing soil at higher bulk density (1.55 and 1.63 g/cm3). An increase in soil water content up to 20%, increased the root length and surface area in the upper layers of soil. This was true for all bulk density levels. A soil bulk density of 1.46 g/cm3 associated with 20% moisture favoured the maximum growth of root.