ABSTRACT
The aim of this research was to verify morphologic and anatomic changes in the root system of the sunflower as well as in its productive attributes in function of the additional compression caused by tractor traffic in a typical Kandiustox (Oxisol). The research was conducted in the field, in 5 levels of compression: without additional traffic (C0); 1 (C1); 3 (C3); 6 (C6) and 11 (C11) paths of tractor. The physical properties of the soil and the distribution of the roots in the layers 0 – 0.05; 0.05 – 0.10; 0.10 – 0.15 and 0.15 – 0.20 m of depth were evaluated, besides the vegetal and reproductive characteristics and the anatomic changes in the roots. The soil compression by the machine traffic results in the reduction in the root area index (RAI) of the sunflower. The distribution of the sunflower’s roots occurs superficially in the soil’s profile and was reduced by a half when submitted to C11. The soil compression resulted in anatomic alterations in the roots, with changes in the diameter of the ducts, emerging of angle xilematic cells, crushing in the vascular cambium and occurrence of aerenchyma, typical in roots submitted to hypoxia. The plants presented less height, flower height, stem diameter, productivity and achenes mass, occurring a reduction in plant population. It was verified negative linear correlation between productivity and soil resistance to penetration, being 0.733 MPa a critical value, and positive linear correlation between macroporosity and RAI, with 0.264 m3∙m−3 considered as a critical value.
Key words
Helianthus annuus; anatomic alterations; root area index
