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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Livestock, Forage and Pasture Management Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373494
Research Project: Integrated Agroecosystem Research to Enhance Forage and Food Production in the Southern Great Plains

Location: Livestock, Forage and Pasture Management Research Unit

Title: Growth of dwarf castor hybrids at different soil bulk densities

Author
item ZOZ, TIAGO - State University Of Mato Grosso Do Sul
item DA SILVA OLIVEIRA, CARLOS - State University Of Mato Grosso Do Sul
item DE CASTRO SERON, CASSIO - State University Of Mato Grosso Do Sul
item ZANOTTO, MAURICIO - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)
item BONO, JOSE ANTONIO - University Of Anhanguera-Uniderp
item AGUIAR, EDUARDO - University Of Anhanguera-Uniderp
item Witt, Travis

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2020
Publication Date: 11/18/2020
Citation: Zoz, T., Da Silva Oliveira, C.E., De Castro Seron, C., Zanotto, M.D., Bono, J.M., Aguiar, E.B., Witt, T.W. 2020. Growth of dwarf castor hybrids at different soil bulk densities. Industrial Crops and Products. 159. Article 113069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.113069.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.113069

Interpretive Summary: Soil compaction is a major problem in fields as machinery becomes larger, because soil compaction reduces water and nutrient availability. Castor may be a crop that can be used to break up soil compaction due to vigorous root growth. This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the growth of traditional castor cultivars and dwarf castor hybrids in soils with compaction problems. Two dwarf hybrids were compared with two cultivars traditionally grown and adapted for mechanized harvesting. The results indicate that there is no difference between cultivars and castor hybrids for cultivation in an area with compacted soil. It was also found that dwarf castor hybrids and cultivars have the capacity to grow in areas with soil compaction problems

Technical Abstract: Soil compaction becomes a frequent problem due to the increased traffic of large agricultural machines and implements necessary for crop management. Soil compaction, characterized by increased soil bulk density, prevents root growth, and consequently, the absorption of water and nutrients. Castor may be an alternative crop for cultivation in soils with a compaction problem because it has a vigorous root system that could break the compacted soil layers, consequently improving the soil quality for the next growing season. This study aimed to evaluate the growth of dwarf castor hybrids under different soil bulk density levels. A randomized block design with four replications in a 4 x 5 factorial scheme was used. Four castor genotypes were evaluated (two hybrids and two cultivars) under five soil bulk densities: 1.09; 1.30; 1.51; 1.72 and 1.93 Mg m-3. The plants were grown in pots assembled from three overlapping 200 mm diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) rings until 56 days after emergence. There was no interaction among the soil bulk density and castor genotypes for all variables. The genotypes had the same behavior under high soil bulk density conditions, and similar values were observed of shoot and root dry matter partitioning in the three soil layers between dwarf castor hybrids and castor cultivars. The genotypes accumulated from 68 to 71% of dry mass in the shoot, and the remaining (29-32%) was accumulated in the roots. The highest root and shoot dry matter accumulation were correlated with soil bulk density around 1.60 Mg m-3. The results suggest that castor can be grown in areas with soil compaction problems.