EFFECT OF MOISTURE STATUS AND BULK DENSITY ON GERMINATION AND EMERGENCE OF PEARL MILLET, SORGHUM AND GROUNDNUT ON AN ALFISOL
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Date
1992
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ANDHRA PRADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
In greenhouse experiments, the germination and emergence of
pearl millet, sorghum and groundnut in an Alfisol, was found to
decrease significantly with reduction in soil moisture content and
increase in bulk density. The effect of increasing bulk density
was considerable at low soil moisture contents. A bulk density of
1. 45 g cm-3 and moisture contents ranging from 8% to 11% were
observed to be favorable for germination and emergence of all the
three crops. A bulk density of 1. 65 g cm-3 was critical for
emergence of pearl millet and sorghum. Excessive dryness and high
bulk density were detrimental to germination as well as seedling
emergence. Initiation of germination occurred when the gravimetric
moisture content ranged from 4% to 8% for the three crops. A
gravimetric moisture content greater than 19% significantly
decreased germination and emergence. Emergence was delayed by one
or two days when the soil was at higher bulk density in the low
moisture content ran~es. Rate of emergence was faster at a bulk
density of 1. 45 g cm- than at either 1. 55 or 1. 65 g cm-3 • In the.
wet moisture range, the rate of emergence was faster at all the
three bulk densities than in the dry moisture ranges. Emergence
increased with increase in moisture content. Increase in bulk
density decreased the emergence for the three crops.