Back H. L. Xu, S. Kato, K. Yamada, M. Fujita K. Katase and H. Umemura
International Nature Farming Research Center, Hata, Nagano 390-14, Japan
Full Paper (PDF File: 160KB)
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to examine effects of fertilizations of organic materials and applications of effective microbes (EM), which mainly include Lactobacillus, Rhodopseudomonas, Streptomyces and Aspergillus on soil-root interface water potential (ĵs-r) of sweet corn (Zea mays L. cv. Honey-Bantam). The contributions toĵs-r from root amount and root activity were analyzed using the Ohm's law. Plants were grown in 1/5000 a Wagner's pots each filled with a Andisols and six treatments were made as follows; 1) organic materials fermented anaerobically with EM added; 2) anaerobic organic materials; 3) organic materials fermented aerobically with EM added; 4) aerobic organic materials; 5) chemical fertilizers with EM applied; and 6) chemical fertilizers.
One month after sowing, as soil matric water potential decreased,ĵs-r was maintained higher in plants with organic fertilizations than those with chemical fertilizations and also higher in plants with EM applications than those without EM treatments. The relatively higherĵs-r in those plants was contributed by both their larger root amount and higher root activity. As a consequence, photosynthetic rates under soil water deficit conditions were also maintained relatively high in these plants. This suggested that high maintenance ofĵs-r favored plants to resist against water deficits. Moreover, the methodology adopted in this study is suggested as a practicable additional means to analyze the soil-plant water status under undisturbed conditions.