title: [Effect of soil compaction on Vicia faba of growth in the Loess Plateau].
abstract: The effect of soil compaction on the growth of Vicia faba was studied by pot experiment, field plot experiment, and farmers' field production during two consecutive years. The results showed that increasing soil bulk density at 0-7 cm depth significantly decreased the root and shoot dry weight per plant, increased plant mortality caused by Fusarium species, and decreased seed yields. Field experiments indicated that compared to the plants grown on the plots with soil bulk density of 1.55 and 1.64 g.cm-3, the root and shoot dry weight of plants grown on the plots with soil bulk density of 1.84 g.cm-3 decreased by 30.8% and 27.9%, respectively, while the plant mortality rate increased by 21.0-48.7%, and seed yields decreased by 19.8%. The trials conducted on eight farmers' land illustrated that there existed significant negative correlations between soil bulk density in Spring and root and shoot dry weight of Vicia faba seedlings, and between soil bulk density in Autumn and seed yields. The causes of high soil compaction were discussed, and suggestions for improving soil quality were presented.
authors.affiliation: College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Gansu Grassland Ecological Research Institute, Lanzhou. nanzb@public.lz.gs.cn
authors.forename: Zhibiao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nan
authors.forename: Hongyang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nie
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D017753:Ecosystem; D010935:Plant Diseases; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D031307:Vicia faba / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil