Influence of Soil Aeration on the Growth and Chemical Composition of Three Grass Species¹

Abstract

Synopsis Three grass species were grown in soil in which oxygen diffusion rates were varied by changing soil moisture tension and oxygen concentration. Root growth of Merion Kentucky bluegrass was greatly reduced or stopped in soil where oxygen diffusion rates were less than 5 to 9 × 1O −8 g./cm. 2 /min. Penncross creeping bentgrass and goosegrass roots grew well at rates below 5 ✕ 10 −8 g./cm. 2 Vmin. Nutrient accumulation was not appreciably decreased at low oxygen diffusion treatments.