The Effect of Discrete Ped Density on Corn Root Penetration in a Planosol
1964
Edwards, W. M. | Fehrenbacher, J. B. | Vavra, J. P.
Corn root penetration studies in an Illinois Planosol, Weir silt loam, indicate that large corn roots are confined to the larger spaces between peds but that many medium and small roots penetrate about one-half of the total discrete peds in the claypan B horizon directly under a corn hill. It appears that a discrete ped bulk density of about 1.80 g. per cc. is the threshold density above which peds are not penetrated by roots in this soil. The minimum intraped (within ped) porosity of peds penetrated by roots was about 33%. Mixing of the A and B horizons reduced the root restrictive effect of the A2 horizon.
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