Soil structure contribution for soil physical stress mitigation of corn root elongation

• Grant number: 23/12733-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Moacir Tuzzin de Moraes
• Grantee: Gabriela Cristina Vilas Boas Casares
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The physical limitations of the soil are considered one of the main causes of stagnation in the productivity of agricultural crops, even in no-tillage systems. To date, little is known about quantifying the benefits of the presence of biopores in this system in reducing water and mechanical stress for plant root growth. The objective of this work is to parameterize the effect of biopores in mitigating water and mechanical stress on corn root growth in a direct planting system. Experiments with soil samples with preserved and non-preserved structures will be conducted to determine the impact of mechanical stress (soil resistance to penetration) and water stress (matric potential) on corn root elongation. Soil samples will be collected in a no tillage system and compaction levels will be simulated in the laboratory to analyze root growth and determine the physical properties of the soil. Measurements of physical properties of the soil (bulk density, soil resistance to penetration, water retention curve and pore size distribution) and plants (root length, root architecture parameters) will be carried out. Equations for the relationship between root elongation rate and soil resistance to penetration and matric potential will be determined. The expected results of this project will be useful for eventual calibrations and validation of the model that considers the effect of biopores in reducing water and mechanical stress in corn root elongation.