Effect of Soil Moisture Tension and Oxygen Concentration on the Growth of Corn Roots¹

Abstract

Synopsis Increases in soil moisture tension from 1 through 12 atm. brought about progressively smaller increases in radicle elongation, fresh weight, dry weight, and degree of seedling hydration. Growth properties were most sensitive in the range between 1 and 3 atm. At low moisture stress, oxygen concentration of the root atmosphere needed to be above 10.5% for maximum growth.