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Portable apparatus for separating roots from soil cores

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

P. O. Nwadukwe ,
S. Abdulmumin  and
Y. Arora
P. O. Nwadukwe
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Nigeria
S. Abdulmumin
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Nigeria
Y. Arora
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Nigeria
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Extract

One of the most widely used methods of root study involves obtaining soil cores and washing the roots contained free of soil (Wellbank & Williams, 1968; Ellis & Barnes, 1971; Kolesnikov, 1971; Schuurman & Geodewaagen, 1971; Bohm, Maduakor & Taylor, 1977). However, the process of root washing is time consuming and laborious. Some of the washing assemblies elsewhere (Peyev, 1952; Schuurman & Goedewaagen, 1971; Wellbank et al. 1974) have not gained popularity with researchers in developing countries because of the high costs involved or the sophisticated facilities needed. There is therefore a need for a low-cost root washing apparatus which can be fabricated with locally available materials. This note reports the development of such an apparatus.

Type
Short Notes
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 110 , Issue 2 , April 1988 , pp. 405 - 406
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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References

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