Authors: Dada, P.O.O., Salako, F.K. and Adewumi, J.K.
Transnational Journal of Science and Technology. March edition, Vol. 2, No 2. Pp. 80-92.
Abstract
A study was carried out in 2005 to investigate the effect of artificial de-surfacing on maize root growth in relation to the application of nutrient amendments on an Alfisol topo-sequence in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria and to analyze and compare the root system of maize after topsoil removal using image analysis.
Soil was artificially desurfaced to depths of 0, 15 and 25 cm at two slope positions (upper and lower). Root samples were characterized for root length density, root mass density. Root samples were analyzed using the image analysis method. Penetrometer resistance measurements using (the CP20, a self-recording instrument manufactured by Agri RIMIK, Toowoombola, Australia) were carried out on plots artificially de-surfaced and readings were used to quantify soil resistance to root penetration.
Root biomass production from upslope and lower slopes were 0.32 and 0.21 t ha-1; respectively. For poultry manure it was 0.40 t ha-1; 0.32 t ha-1 for NPK+Urea and 0.08 t ha-1 for no amendment. Topsoil removals to 0, 15 and 25 cm yielded biomass values of 0.31, 0.26 and 0.23 t ha-1 respectively.
Keywords: root growth, pixels, artificial desurfacing, slope position