Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of soil texture and compaction on the growth and nutrient absorption by maize. Two soils, clay loam and sandy clay loam, were selected for the study. Fifteen pots were filled with each soil and compaction was accomplished by dropping 5kg weight from two feet height @ 10 beats or 20 beats at field capacity (FC) or 70% of FC. Maize crop (cv, Golden) was sown during summer of the year 1996. Crop was harvested 90 days after sowing and plant height, fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots were measured. Roots and shoots were analyzed for N, P and K contents. Results revealed that more increase in plant height, root and shoot fresh and oven dry weights and N, P and K uptake was observed in the case of sandy clay loam than that of clay loam soil, while soil compaction had no significant effect on these parameters. Interaction between soil texture and compaction was statistically nonsignificant for all these parameters. Key words: growth of maize, nutrient uptake, soil texture and compaction
