Date of Award:
5-1954
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Plants, Soils, and Climate
Department name when degree awarded
Soil Physics
Committee Chair(s)
Sterling A. Taylor
Committee
Sterling A. Taylor
Committee
H. B. Peterson
Committee
Phillip J. Hart
Committee
Theodore M. Burton
Abstract
It is generally accepted that soil structure is very important in keeping productivity at a high level. When soils are loose and friable, mechanical impedance to root growth and seedling emergence is greatly reduced. Such soils infiltrate greater quantities of precipitation, are better aerated, and possess a more favorable temperature than puddled soils. Essential plant nutrients are also more easily available in well aggregated soil.
In the last few years, several synthetic soil additives have been placed on the market. Extravagant claims have been made about the ability of these amendments to maintain soil structure, without a sound body of research data on which to base these claims. Advertising of the products which are on the market has been extensive. Much of this advertising would lead one to believe that these additives applied to any soil will increase stand and growth of plants resulting in greatly increased yields.
As a result of this, agronomists, county agents, and other extension workers are constantly being asked by farmers and gardeners about the value of these products and for advice on whether or not to apply them. Most of the work has been done either in the laboratory or on exceptionally poor land which represents an extremely small fraction of the land used for agriculture. The data from these experiments do not indicate what results can be expected from application of additives to either average or good farm land. Therefore, the results of applying additives to our general agriculture land should be determined so that large amounts of money are not wasted on valueless products.
Checksum
9b41fa26c99b61a1f761421d34913915
Recommended Citation
Ashcroft, Gaylen L., "Soil Additives and Their Effect on the Yield of Various Crops and the Physical Properties of an Agricultural Soil" (1954). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 3718.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/3718
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