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Farm Equipment and Soil Compaction
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English
Abstract
Loads applied to soil by agricultural machines can increase soil bulk density and reduce crop, production. Over 80% of a field may be trafficked at least once each year when producing corn or soybeans. When most field operations are performed, soil has a moisture content near field capacity and, therefore, is in a compactable condition. Changes in bulk density, cone index, and surface elevation caused by traffic were found to depend upon the tillage system used. Combine wheels depressed the soil surface from 1 to 4 cm. Reductions in growth rate and yield of corn indicate that tillage for seedbed preparation does not remove the effect of wheel tracks made during that tillage. Lighter machines, lower ground pressures, appropriate tillage, and controlled traffic can minimize soil compaction effects on crop production.
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Citation
Erbach, D., "Farm Equipment and Soil Compaction," SAE Technical Paper 860730, 1986, https://doi.org/10.4271/860730.Also In
References
- Janzen D.C. Hefner R.E. Erbach D.C. 1985 Soil and corn response to track and wheel compaction Traction and Transport as Related to Cropping Systems Proc. Int. Conf. on Soil Dynamics Auburn, Alabama 5 1023 1037
- Veihmeyer F.J. Hendrickson A.H. 1931 The moisture equivalent as a measure of the field capacity of soils Soil Sci. 32 181 193