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Ethylene in a compacted field soil and its effect on growth, tuber quality, and yield of potatoes

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Abstract

Ethylene (C2H4) produced by soil microorganisms at concentrations sufficient to affect root development has previously been identified in the gas phase of anaerobic or partially anaerobic soils. This research was initiated to establish the existence of and to determine concentrations of C2H4 in soil in relation to matric potential, oxygen (O2) and compaction, and effects on growth and tuber yield of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). Ethylene initially appeared at the 10-cm depth after 2.5-cm/day increments of water were applied by furrow irrigation for 3 days. Levels of C2H4 increased to 18.4 ppm and O2 decreased to 8% after 12.5 cm of water had been applied in 2.5-cm increments for 5 days. Ethylene was found in two partially compacted plots. High C2H4 concentrations and low O2 levels in the soil atmosphere were associated with reduced top growth, leaf injury, lower tuber quality, and a 20% decrease in potato yields. Since C2H4 and low O2 levels occur simultaneously in soil, further research is needed to identify their individual effects on root and tuber development.

Resumen

El Etileno (C2H4) producido por los microorganismos del suelo a concentraciones suficientes para afectar el desarrollo radicular, ha sido previamente identificado en la fase gaseosa de suelos anaeróbicos o parcialmente anaeróbicos. Esta investigación fue iniciada para establecer la existencia y determinar concentraciones de C2H4 en suelos en relación al potencial mátrico, oxígeno (O2) y compactación y su efecto en crecimiento y rendimiento de tubérculos en papa (Solanum tuberosum L.). El etileno inicialmente apareció a los 10 cms de profundidad después de que 2.5 cms/día de agua fueron aplicados en riego por surco durante 3 días. Los niveles de C2H4 aumentaron a 18.4 ppm y el O2 decreció a 8% después de que 12.5 cm de agua fueron aplicados a razón de 2.5 cm/día durante 5 días. El etileno fue encontrado en dos parcelas parcialmente compactas. Altas concentraciones de C2H4 y niveles bajos de O2 en la atmósfera del suelo, estuvieron asociados a crecimiento apical reducido, daño en hojas, baja calidad del tubérculo y una merma de 20% del rendimiento en papa. Ya que el C2H4 y bajas concentraciones de O2 ocurren simultáneamente en el suelo, mayor investigatión es necesaria a fin de identificar sus efectos individuales en desarrollo radicular y del tubérculo.

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Authors
  1. R. B. Campbell
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  2. R. A. Moreau
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Additional information

Contribution from the Coastal Plains Soil and Water Conservation Research Center, SEA-AR, USDA, Florence, S.C. 29502, in cooperation with the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.

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Campbell, R.B., Moreau, R.A. Ethylene in a compacted field soil and its effect on growth, tuber quality, and yield of potatoes. American Potato Journal 56, 199–210 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853366

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853366

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