Abstract
THE compactness of a soil is known to be related to its content of water and air, and to the temperature and the supply of nutrients1,2. Although a rough estimate of compactness is sometimes obtained with penetrometers, bulk density provides a more correct overall picture of the physical conditions of a soil. Loosely packed soils, which have a lower bulk density, will usually have better aeration, better drainage, will be warm and will have a longer growing season.
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References
Baver, L. D., Soil Physics, (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1956).
Soil Physical Conditions and Plant Growth, edit. by Shaw, B. T. (Academic Press Inc., New York, 1952).
Curtis, Robert O., and Boyd, W., Post, S.S.S.A. Proc., 28, 285 (1964).
Jackson, M. L., Soil Chemical Analysis, (Prentice Hill, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1958).
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SAINI, G. Organic Matter as a Measure of Bulk Density of Soil. Nature 210, 1295–1296 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2101295a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2101295a0
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