Soybean root growth as affected by previous crop and soil compaction

This study aimed at evaluating root growth and shoot dry matter production of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cropped after different vegetal species, in a soil with different compaction levels. The experiment was conducted in pots containing a Dark-Red Latosol (Acrortox, loamy sand), and the pots had a layer 3.5 cm (15 to 18.5 cm) thick and 15 cm deep compacted to 1.12, 1.36 and 1.60 Mg m(-3). Before soybean, the pots were cropped with black oat, pigeon pea, pearl millet, black mucuna, soybean, grain sorghum and lupin, plus a treatment without plants. These species were grown for 37 to 39 days, when they were cut at soil level, prick in particles of approximately 3 cm length, and left on the soil surface for 40 days. After this, soybean was planted in the pots and was allowed to grow for 28 days after plant emergence. The soybean shoot dry matter weight, root length, diameter and dry matter were evaluated. The previous crop with black oat, pigeon pea and pearl millet favored the soybean root growth below compacted layer soil. Regardless soil compaction, the soybean shoot dry matter was favored by the previous crop.