Contribution of Root Cap Mucilage and Presence of an Intact Root Cap in Maize (Zea mays) to the Reduction of Soil Mechanical Impedance

Abstract

The contributions of mucilage and presence of the intact root cap without mucilage to the lubricating effect of root cap (percentage decrease in root penetration resistance caused by decapping) were 43 % and 58 %, respectively. The lubricating effect of the root cap was about 30 % and unaffected by the degree of soil compaction (for penetrometer resistances of 0.52, 1.20 and 1.59 MPa).