Aeration porosity of soils for the maximum grain yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.), in greenhouse

Abstract

Experiments were carried out in greenhouse, at ESALQ/USP, in Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil, with soil samples of the A1 or Ap and B2 horizon of an Oxisol (LR) and an Alfisol (PVp) , without and with mineral fertilizer and lime , to verify the optimum aeration porosity, between 3 and 24%, for the maximal yield of common bean, cv. Aroana 80. The water content in the 2,5 1 of the soil sample in the pot was maintained between 100 and 70% of the field capacity. A preferential range (9 - 16%) of macropores or aeration pores (diameter greater than 0,05 mm) could be verified. And deslocated to a range between 24 and 29% of macropores, when a higher dry matter accumalation rate occur, besides a probably lower oxygen supply to the growth points of the roots in soils with small aggregates extremely water stable and with a higher water content.