Como a Compactação do Solo Afeta o Crescimento Inicial do Milho em Solos com Diferentes Texturas
Como a Compactação do Solo Afeta o Crescimento Inicial do Milho em Solos com Diferentes Texturas
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.231142514043
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Palavras-chave: Compactação do solo, crescimento do milho, índice de clorofila (SPAD), solo arenoso, solo argiloso.
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Keywords: Chlorophyll index (SPAD) Clayey soil Corn growth Sandy soil Soil compaction
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Abstract: This study was conducted in a greenhouse at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FACTU), in Unaí-MG, with the aim of investigating the effects of two soil types (sandy and clayey) and different compaction levels (79%, 86%, 93%, and 100%) on the initial growth of corn. Soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm layer and prepared according to the ABNT/NBR 7182/86 standard. Rigid PVC tubes with a diameter of 10 cm and height of 10 cm were used, filled with soil to achieve a density of 1.0 kg/dm³ in the upper and lower rings, with different compaction levels in the intermediate ring. Corn was cultivated for 45 days, during which variables such as plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, root length and mass, shoot mass, and chlorophyll index (SPAD) were monitored. The results showed that the soil type did not significantly affect plant height, number of leaves, or root length. The average height was 0.66 m in both soils, the number of leaves ranged from six to seven, and root length was 0.37 m in sandy soil and 0.40 m in clayey soil. This suggests that under the experimental conditions, soil type did not have a significant impact on the initial growth of corn. However, compaction level proved to be an important factor. Plant height varied with the compaction level, with the greatest growth observed at 86% compaction, and a reduction at the extreme levels (79% and 100%). Root and shoot mass showed different responses between soil types. In clayey soils, both masses followed a quadratic behavior, with maxima at intermediate compaction levels, while in sandy soils, the masses increased linearly with compaction. This indicates that clayey soils benefit from moderate compaction, while sandy soils respond better to higher compaction levels. The SPAD index decreased linearly with increasing compaction, especially in clayey soil, suggesting that higher compaction levels impair photosynthesis and reduce chlorophyll content in plants. In conclusion, soil type had a lesser impact on the initial development of corn compared to the compaction level. Clayey soils benefited from moderate compaction, while sandy soils responded better to higher compaction levels.
- IGOR ALEXANDRE SOUZA
- Laura Pimenta Gomes