Soil in which maize is grown

However, at 0. On the other hand, at 0. Pereira et al. The results obtained in layer 0. No significant differences were detected in OM among treatments in the first year of cultivation. However, the results suggest an increasing trend in OM in the intercropping of maize with U. No significant difference was noted for WMD in at 0—0. Wendling et al. Bioscience Journal 28 These authors observed that aggregate size was larger in soils with limited tillage, as in the case of the Cerrado, whereas the original structure of aggregates was lost in soils with more intense tillage.

The mean TS values were not significantly different among treatments at 0—0. TS varied from The variation in TS at 0—0. The increase in TS is due to the cementing of OM to the mineral particles of the soil, and the decrease in TS is due to the increase in the number of pores and points of weakness inside the aggregates. In treatment WI, TS at 0—0. Silva et al. The mean values of TS at 0.

The lower values found in the present study were caused by the short-term effect i. Nouri et al. The intercropping systems used in were not significantly different from each other at 0—0. The soils in WI, PM, UM, and UR were classified as very friable, whereas those in the other treatments were classified as mechanically unstable at 0—0.

High friability values indicate that larger aggregates have lower TS values than smaller aggregates, which explains the formation of easily-fractured aggregates when the soil is subjected to tillage, as in the case of treatment WI at 0. Aggregate moisture content varied from 0. However, moisture content was significantly different among treatments at 0.

Notwithstanding, this amplitude of variation was small and did not affect TS measurements. TS values at 0—0. TS values among treatments were not significantly different at 0—0. In this analysis, aggregates presented morphological changes and difficulty in positioning for rupture force application, which may justify variability in TS measures.

No significant differences were found for friability at both 0—0. Tormena et al. Therefore, the forage grasses used in the intercropping system were fundamental for soil structuring. The root system of these plants may have affected TS and friability, providing favorable soil structure for crop development. Catena This result may explain the fact that TS values were lower at 0—0.

The mean TS values found by Reis et al. Friability values in our study were like those found by these authors, ranging from 0. Maize intercropped with forage grass improved soil structure and aggregation by increasing both aggregate stability and tensile strength. Aggregate stability was more sensitive in detecting the effects of an intercropping system than was tensile strength and soil friability.

Maize intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis improved soil aggregation to a greater extent than did those with other forage grasses. Wheat comes in second at about million tons, and rice third at about million tons. In , South African maize production was 17,5 million tons, an all-time record for the country. At the other extreme, frost can damage maize at all growth stages, and a frost-free period of to days is required to prevent damage.

The most suitable soil for maize has generous depth, a favourable structure, good internal drainage, optimal moisture, sufficient and balanced plant nutrients, and chemical properties that favour maize production. One of the most reliable is long-term yield data collected by individual farmers, as this reflects the inherent yield of the specific environment, as well as the effect of agronomic practices such as fertilisation, soil cultivation and plant density. Sign in. Log into your account.

Privacy Policy. In addition to staple food for human being and quality feed for animals, maize serves as a basic raw material as an ingredient to thousands of industrial products that includes starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, film, textile, gum, package and paper industries etc.

The maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country for various purposes including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, pop corn in peri-urban areas. Apart from these states maize is also grown in Jammu and Kashmir and North-Eastern states. Hence, the maize has emerged as important crop in the non-traditional regions i. Maize can be grown successfully in variety of soils ranging from loamy sand to clay loam.

However, soils with good organic matter content having high water holding capacity with neutral pH are considered good for higher productivity. Being a sensitive crop to moisture stress particularly excess soil moisture and salinity stresses; it is desirable to avoid low lying fields having poor drainage and also the field having higher salinity.