ABSTRACT
During
agricultural operations such as bush clearing, soil preparation, planting, and
crop harvesting the soil is subjected to high compaction stresses. However, the
magnitude of stress-induced on the soil by agricultural machines is seldom
studied, especially in the humid tropics. This study examines the response of Zea
mays and Phaseolus vulgaris on loamy clay soil and loamy sand soil
compacted at different levels. The soils were compacted at the following
levels: 0 blow (control), 5 blows, 10 blows and 15 blows. Numerical simulation
was performed using PLAXIS 2D to ascertain the stress distribution in the soil
due to vehicular load. Results show that the coefficient of permeability of the
soil was affected by compaction with more than a 70 % reduction in the loamy
clay. The compaction of the soil led to a reduction in the plant height,
biomass, and root density. There was a significant difference between the root
weight based on the different compaction levels and soil type with p-values
< 0.001. Generally, on both the loamy clay and loamy sand soils there were
apparent signs of compaction stresses on the leaves of the Zea mays and Phaseolus
vulgaris, making the plant leaves pale in colour and pancake-like. The from
the numerical simulation show that stress distribution in the soil due to
vehicular loads increase in the void ratio and increase in depth directly below
the axles but increases with depth between the axles. There was a higher
concentration of the effective stress at the midpoint (i.e., directly under the
wheel) of the tyres compared to the stresses in between the axles; with a
maximum of 107.53kPa, 101.67kPa, 87.49kPa, 79.19kPa, 72.31kPa for 0.1, 0.3,
0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 soil void ratios, respectively for the front axle. Rear tyres
transmit more stress to the soil compared to the front tyres. It is concluded
that soil compaction changes soil structure by increasing bulk density and
penetration resistance and decreasing the total porosity of the soil, with
negative consequences to crop growth and development.
EKEJIUBA, N (2024). Modelling of the effect of soil compaction on the growth of maize (Zea maize) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in humid tropics:- Ekejiuba Valentine N. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 24, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/modelling-of-the-effect-of-soil-compaction-on-the-growth-of-maize-zea-maize-and-beans-phaseolus-vulgaris-in-humid-tropics-ekejiuba-valentine-n-7-2
NGOZI, EKEJIUBA. "Modelling of the effect of soil compaction on the growth of maize (Zea maize) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in humid tropics:- Ekejiuba Valentine N" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 30 Apr. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/modelling-of-the-effect-of-soil-compaction-on-the-growth-of-maize-zea-maize-and-beans-phaseolus-vulgaris-in-humid-tropics-ekejiuba-valentine-n-7-2. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
NGOZI, EKEJIUBA. "Modelling of the effect of soil compaction on the growth of maize (Zea maize) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in humid tropics:- Ekejiuba Valentine N". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 30 Apr. 2024. Web. 24 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/modelling-of-the-effect-of-soil-compaction-on-the-growth-of-maize-zea-maize-and-beans-phaseolus-vulgaris-in-humid-tropics-ekejiuba-valentine-n-7-2 >.
NGOZI, EKEJIUBA. "Modelling of the effect of soil compaction on the growth of maize (Zea maize) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in humid tropics:- Ekejiuba Valentine N" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 24 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/modelling-of-the-effect-of-soil-compaction-on-the-growth-of-maize-zea-maize-and-beans-phaseolus-vulgaris-in-humid-tropics-ekejiuba-valentine-n-7-2