Agricultural improvement of cultivated organic soils II. Effects of liming and deep cultivation on soil properties and root development |
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| Authors: | K Berglund |
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| Institution: | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Soil Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract. The effect of liming and deep cultivation on soil properties and root development was investigated in two cultivated shallow fen peats resting on acid gyttja (lake mud) soils. Root growth was in general dependent on soil pH and aluminium content of the soil. A soil pH (H2O) below 5 adversely affected roots and a pH below 4 severely restricted root growth. Liming of the topsoil or the subsoil and to some extent deep cultivation improved root growth. Increased rooting depth made it possible for plants to utilize soil water to a greater depth in the profile and to support a larger crop yield. |
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| Keywords: | Organic soils gyttja deep ploughing liming soil properties roots Sweden |
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