Mechanized tillage-induced compaction and its effect on maize (Zea Mays L.) growth and yield—a comprehensive review and analysis

Mwiti, F., Gitau, A., Mbuge, D., Misiewicz, P.A., Njoroge, R. and Godwin, R.J. (2023) Mechanized tillage-induced compaction and its effect on maize (Zea Mays L.) growth and yield—a comprehensive review and analysis. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, 54 (7). pp. 14685-14707. ISSN 0084-5841

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Abstract

While agricultural engineers are concerned with physico-mechanical properties of arable soils, agronomists tackle crop management husbandry as soil scientists’ dwell on bio-chemical properties. Such diverse and isolated interests seldom report any interaction or integrated effect of biological, agronomical, and physico-mechanical parameters of soils affected by mechanized tillage induced compaction. This paper reviews intrinsic effects of mechanized tillage-induced compaction on soil-water-nutrient dynamics, crop growth, and yield of maize. Mechanized tillage induced top and subsoil compaction are caused by soil-tyre contact stresses and machinery axle loads respectively. Mechanized tillage-induced compaction reduced maize nutrient absorption levels of Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), and Sodium (Na) by 13.5%, 51.4%, 50.4% and 51.5% respectively. Maize N uptake was least affected by tillage-induced compaction compared to P and K. Mechanized tillage-induced compaction improved maize root intensity, root mass and volume by over 50% in compacted topsoils but decreased by 90% in the sublayers. Maize root length, fresh and dry root mass, shoot elongation, height, and leaf area index reduced by 29%, 39.1, 37.8, 27.1, 10-21, and 67.8% respectively. In contrast, mechanized tillage-induced compaction improved soil-seed-soil-root contacts, soil-root-bonding root density and diameter, stiffness, anchorage, and root-lodging resistance of maize. Mechanized tillage induced compaction index and bulk density range of 1.5-3.0MPa and 1.2-1.52 Mg/m3 respectively are the critical levels beyond which maize rooting, growth and yield are impaired. Dependent on dynamic soil covariates, viz limiting water range, matrix suction potential and organic matter content; mechanized tillage-induced compaction reduces maize yield by as high as 50%.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Tillage Machine Axle Load, Tyre Inflation Pressure, Penetration Resistance, Cone Index, Nutrient Uptake, Soil Compaction
Divisions:	Agriculture and Environment (from 1.08.20)
Depositing User:	Mrs Rachael Giles
Date Deposited:	01 Feb 2024 16:54
Last Modified:	01 Feb 2024 16:54
URI:	https://hau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/18040

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