Corn Phosphorus and Potassium Uptake in Response to Soil Compaction

Soil compaction by heavy axle load farm machinery can inhibit optimum plant growth. Uptake of essential nutrients, like P and K, is influenced by soil compaction. This study describes plant P and K accumulation from a compacted Webster (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquolls) soil. Whole plant samples of corn (Zea mays L.) were collected at the 75% vegetative-tassel (VT) stage from 0, 9, and 18 Mg axle load subsoil compaction treatments, each with secondary interrow surface soil compaction reduced P and K uptake as much as 22% during seasons when June and July rainfall was less thanaverage (...)