Effect of subsoil compaction on rooting behavior and yields of wheat

Soil compactions are widely dispersed in the world but tend to be the most prevalent, where heavy machinery is used in agriculture. The increasing use of heavy machinery is the primary cause of soil and subsoil compaction. The impact of subsoil compaction on root growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) were evaluated during 2006 and 2007. Sub-soil compactions were created by three normal loads, i.e. 4.40, 6.40 and 8.40 kg and four number of passes of tractor, i.e. 1, 6, 11 and 16. The field was divided into 39 plots including a control plot, i.e. no passes of the tractor. The size of each plot was 400 square meter. A factorial randomized block design was followed in laying out the experiment and care was taken that all the 13 treatments and their replications are included in field experiments. It was observed that for all the compaction treatments in the field experiment on the wheat crop, 51–61% of wheat roots were confined in 0–15 cm, 17–20% in 15–30 cm and the rest 22–28% is below 30 cm soil layer. Sub-soil compaction reduced the wheat crop yields to a maximum of 23%. A statistical model is developed to predict crop yield considering the root length density of the crop. Average root diameters increased with the increase of the sub-soil compaction level. In sub-soil zone, average root diameter decreased with the increase of sub-soil compaction level.     

Soil response to track and wheel tractor traffic

Experiments were conducted on a Eudora silt loam to determine the effect of tracked and wheeled tractor traffic on cone penetration resistance and soil bulk density at three different soil-water content levels. Treatment plots were ripped to a depth of 0.45 m and irrigated 5 days prior to the experiment. Significant differences in penetration resistance and bulk density were observed between the treatments within the plowing depth (0.30 m). After the tractor passes, the average penetration resistance recorded was about 7.5% higher and the soil bulk density was about 3% higher in the wheel treatment plots. However, at the soil-water content level close to Proctor optimum (15% w/w), no significant difference was observed in the average penetration resistance of the two treatments.     

Traffic-soil-plant (maize) relations

Twenty-five treatments consisting of three vehicle contact pressures, 62, 41 and 31 kPa (0.63, 0.42, 0.32 kg/cm²), four numbers of tractor passes (1, 5, 10, 15,) before and after seeding groups, and a control of zero traffic were used to study the effect of soil compaction on corn plant root growth and distribution in a Ste. Rodalie clay soil. The average dry bulk density values for 0–20 cm depths measured during the season varied from a minimum of 0.89 g/cm³ to a maximum of 1.12 g/cm³ depending on the severity of the treatment. Root distribution maps were obtained for all the treatments by field measurements coupled with root washing methods. An average root density of 5.7 mg/g of soil in an uncompacted control plot was reduced to less than 2 mg/g in a plot with 15 passes of 0.63 kg/cm² contact pressure. Soil penetration resistance values in various plots were compared, and a statistical model was obtained in terms of the traffic treatments, soil moisture content and depth. Yield reductions and penetration resistance were compared to root distrubution density results.     

Establishment of safe axle loads for sugarcane soils under varying moisture content

Studies were conducted for the establishment of safe axle loads for sugarcane hauling vehicles beyond which detrimental soil compaction would be induced. The treatments involved running a loaded test vehicle in field strips previously chosen at random. Safe loads were established by testing the level of significance of the difference in induced soil compaction between treated and non-treated sections. Working under soil moisture contents of 21.4–27.1% (dry basis), safe axle loads for two 18.4 × 30 tires were found to be 55.6 and 60.0 kN for sandy clay loam and sandy loam soils with initial dry bulk density about 1.434 g/cm³. These corresponded to ground contact pressures of 111 and 120 kPa, respectively.     

Soil stress and compaction effects for four tractor tyres

Compaction effects and soil stresses were examined for four tractor tyres under three inflation pressures: 67, 100 and 150% of the recommended pressure. The four tyres were 18.4 R 38, 520/70 R 38, 600/65 R 38 and 650/60-38 and they carried a wheel load of 2590 kg. The 650/60-38 was a bias-ply tyre while the other three were radial tyres. Increased inflation pressure significantly increased all measured parameters: rut depth, penetration resistance and soil stress at 20 and 40 cm depth. The 18.4 R 38 caused a greater rut depth and penetration resistance than the other tyres, which did not differ significantly from each other. The soil stress was highest for the 18.4 R 38, followed by the 650/60-38. The low-profile tyres decreased compaction compared with the 18.4–38 tyre, mainly by allowing a lower inflation pressure. The use of low-profile tyres did not reduce compaction if not used at a lower inflation pressure. The bias-ply tyre caused a higher stress in the soil than the radial tyres when used with the same inflation pressure, but the compaction effects in terms of rut depth and penetration resistance were not greater for this tyre than for the radial low-profile tyres.     

Effects of tillage systems on compaction and crop yield of Albic Luvisol in Croatia

This four-year experiment was conducted in north-west Slavonia (agricultural area of Croatia) to evaluate the effects of different tillage systems on compaction of silty loam soil (Albic Luvisol). The compared tillage systems were: (1) conventional tillage (CT), (2) conservation tillage (CM), (3) no-tillage system (NT), and the crop rotation was corn (Zea mays L.) – winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) – corn – winter wheat. For detecting the soil compaction, bulk density and penetration resistance were measured during the growing seasons. In all seasons and tillage systems, the bulk density and penetration resistance increased with depth and the greatest increase from surface to the deepest layer in average was observed at CT system. The bulk density and penetration resistance increased at all tillage systems during the experiment, but the greatest increase was also observed at CT system. The greatest bulk density (1.66 Mg m⁻³) and the greatest increase of 6.4% were observed at CT system in the layer 30–35 cm. In the first season, the bulk density was the greatest at NT system, but during the experiment the lowest average increase of 1.9% was observed at this system. The greatest penetration resistance of all measurements (5.9 MPa) was observed in the last season at CT system in depth of 40 cm. The lowest average increase of penetration resistance 11.4% was also observed at NT system. The highest yield of corn in the first season was achieved with CT system while in other seasons the highest yield of winter wheat and corn was achieved with CM system.     

Non-linear finite element analysis of cone penetration in layered sandy loam soil – Considering precompression stress state

Axisymmetric finite element (FE) method was developed to simulate cone penetration process in layered granular soil. The FE was modeled using ABAQUS/Explicit, a commercially available package. Soil was considered as a non-linear elastic plastic material which was modeled using variable elastic parameters of Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s ratio and Drucker–Prager criterion with yield stress dependent material hardening property. The material hardening parameters of the model were estimated from the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory – Auburn University (NSDL-AU) soil compaction model. The stress–strain relationship in the NSDLAU compaction model was modified to account for the different soil moisture conditions and the influence of precompression stress states of the soil layers. A surface contact pair (‘slave-master’) algorithm in ABAQUS/Explicit was used to simulate the insertion of a rigid cone (RAX2 ABAQUS element) into deformable and layered soil medium (CAX4R ABAQUS element). The FE formulation was verified using cone penetration data collected on a soil chamber of Norfolk sandy loam soil which was prepared in two compaction treatments that varied in bulk density in the hardpan layer of (1) 1.64 Mg m⁻³ and (2) 1.71 Mg m⁻³. The FE model successfully simulated the trend of cone penetration in layered soils indicating the location of the sub-soil compacted (hardpan) layer and peak cone penetration resistance. Modification of the NSDL-AU model to account for the actual soil moisture content and inclusion of the influence of precompression stress into the strain behavior of the NSDL-AU model improved the performance of FE in predicting the peak cone penetration resistance. Modification of the NSDL-AU model resulted in an improvement of about 42% in the finite element-predicted soil cone penetration forces compared with the FE results that used the NSDL-AU ‘virgin’ model.     

Measuring soil compaction and soil behavior under the tractor tire using strain transducer

Soil compaction can occur due to machine traffic and is an indicator of soil physical structure degradation. For this study 3 strain transducers with a maximum displacement of 5 cm were used to measure soil compaction under the rear tire of MF285 tractor. In first series of experiments, the effect of tractor traffic was investigated using displacement transducers and cylindrical cores. For the second series, only strain transducers were used to evaluate the effect of moisture levels of 11%, 16% and 22%, tractor velocities of 1, 3 and 5 km/h, and three depths of 20, 30 and 40 cm on soil compaction, and soil behavior during the compaction process was investigated. Results showed that no significant difference was found between the two methods of measuring the bulk density. The three main factors were significant on soil compaction at a probability level of 1%. The mutual binary effect of moisture and depth was significant at 1%, and the interaction of moisture, velocity, and depth were significant at 5%. The soil was compressed in the vertical direction and elongated in the lateral direction. In the longitudinal direction, the soil was initially compressed by the approaching tractor, then elongated, and ultimately compressed again.     

Rolling resistance and rut formation by implement tyres on tilled clay soil

The rolling resistance and rutting incurred by towed flotation implement tyres were investigated on an arable clay soil in three different soil strength conditions. Three radial (600/55R26.5) and two bias ply (600/55–26.5) tyres were compared. Experimental wheel loads were in the 35.4–36.4 kN range. Tyre inflation pressures, representing typical field operation, and road transport applications were in 100–150 kPa and 150–200 kPa, respectively. Soil strength was determined from mean soil penetration resistance (CI_0–15, in the layer 0–15 cm) and mean cohesion (C_0–10, 0–10 cm). Wheel rolling resistance evaluated by the coefficient of rolling resistance (CRR), rut depth (RD), driving speed, and field gradient were measured with the tyres mounted on a test trailer hitched to a tractor. CI_0–15 and C_0–10 values predicted the sinkage and the resistance to travel motion on clay soil reasonably well. When the CI_0–15 was less than 1 MPa and C_0–10 was below 100 kPa, CRR and RD increased rapidly. On average, CRR was 20% lower for the radials than the bias plies. In soft conditions (CI_0–15 ? 0.48 MPa), the radials produced 15% shallower ruts than bias plies, and the CRR was lower and RD shallower with field inflation pressures than with road pressures used. According to our results, flotation tyres can be recommended to agricultural machines when the implement or trailer is used in soft soil conditions.     

Modeling compaction in agricultural soils

Research was conducted to quantify the effect of tire variables (section width, diameter, inflation pressure); soil variables (soil moisture content, initial cone index, initial bulk density); and external variables (travel speed, axle load, number of tire passes) on soil compaction and to develop models to assess compaction in agricultural soils. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory soil bin at the Asian Institute of Technology in three soils, namely: clay soil (CS), silty clay loam soil (SCLS), and silty loam soil (SLS). A dimensional analysis technique was used to develop the compaction models. The axle load and the number of tire passes proved to be the most dominant factors which influenced compaction. Up to 13% increase in bulk density and cone index were observed when working at 3 kN axle load in a single pass using a 8.0–16 tire. Most of the compaction occurred during the first three passes of the tire. It was also found that the aspect ratio, tire inflation pressure and soil moisture content have significant effect on soil compaction. The initial cone index did not show significant effect. The compaction models provided good predictions even when tested with actual field data from previous studies. Thus, using the models, a decision support system could be developed which may be able to provide useful recommendations for appropriate soil management practices and solutions to site-specific compaction problems.     

Soil strength as affected by tillage system and wheel traffic in wheat -corn rotation in central Anatolia

This paper discusses the loading of a typical central Anatolian soil by the most commonly used corn and wheat production agricultural equipment. It further describes the effect that loading and soil conditions have on soil strength, namely compaction, and proposes techniques for minimizing undesired soil compaction. Experiments were carried out on a typical central Anatolian medium-textured imperfectly drained clay loam soil (Cambisol). Three different tillage methods and subsequently the same field operations were used for each rotation. Shear strength, penetration resistance, bulk density and moisture variations were detected in four sampling periods at each rotation. Tillage reduced the soil strength with the mouldboard plough causing the greatest loosening. However, natural processes and the vehicular traffic caused the soil to be re-compacted to about the same values as before. In any of the cases the obtained parameters did not exceed the critical values for plant growth except the penetration resistance in the 20–30 cm depth layer during corn production.     

Soil compaction patterns caused by off-road vehicles in eastern canadian agricultural soils

The interaction between vehicles and soils of varying properties and moisture contents can cause serious compaction and soil structure problems. This situation always confronts the farmer, who has to deal with the soil effects, and should be of foremost interest to agricultural machine manufacturers and dealers as well as other off-road vehicle users in order that they may employ the best vehicle configuration for various conditions.This study is oriented towards evaluating compaction behaviour under various loads, different soil conditions, number of passes, and tire sizes. Contour plots of change in dry density compared to the original density were obtained under the tire path cross sections for different loads, number of passes and soil moisture conditions.The increase in dry density change, determined for different numbers of passes, was sharp up to five passes and levelled off for further increases in the number of passes. Increase in dry density became as great as 30 pcf (0.48 g/cm³), illustrating the detrimental effect of repeated passes of a vehicle in the field.     

Measurement of compacted soil density in a compaction of thick finishing layer

The compaction of a soil is one of the important construction operations that influences the durability of soil structure. Therefore, the measurement of soil density, used to judge the degree of compaction, has to be performed exactly. Since a compaction of a thick finishing layer could be executed with the enlargement of compaction machinery and the improvement of productivity, new equipment which can measure the soil density in a deep stratum has to be developed. In this paper, we propose a method of accurately estimating compacted soil density based on the three dimensional stresses measured in the ground during compaction by a stress state transducer (SST). A tracked vehicle mounted with a vertical oscillator was used to compact a decomposed granite soil of 45 cm depth. A model experiment was executed at a frequency that was varied from 16 to 25 Hz, setting the load ratio of maximum oscillating force to the vehicle weight (4.9 kN) to be 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0. The three dimensional stresses in the ground were measured by use of the SST. Comparing the dry density converted from cone penetrometer test results and the dry density estimated from Baily’s formula, the compacted soil density at the lowest soil stratum could be estimated by measuring earth pressure using SST.     

Terramechanics research in the Soil Section of the Scottish Institute of Agricultural Engineering

This is a documentary article describing the Institute's work concerning terramechanics. A brief history of the Soil Section outlines its purpose in relating the characteristics of agricultural machinery, the physical properties of soils and crop growth behaviour. The facilities of the Soil Section are described and its success in developing a high-resolution gamma-ray probe to measure soil bulk density and a recording penetrometer is described. Soil compaction measurements have been carried out for alternatives to the conventional tractor wheel and use of a drop-cone to measure soil plastic limit has been developed. Current efforts are focused on performance measurements of multiple-wheel configurations, four-wheel-drive tractors, consideration of soil compaction under modern crawler tracks and research on the effects on crop yield of soil loosening below normal ploughing depth. Development of prediction models for soil compaction is a major interest.     

Tractor tire aspect ratio effects on soil bulk density and cone index

A 580/70R38 tractor drive tire with an aspect ratio of 0.756 and a 650/75R32 tire with an aspect ratio of 0.804 were operated at two dynamic loads and two inflation pressures on a sandy loam and a clay loam with loose soil above a hardpan. Soil bulk density and cone index were measured just above the hardpan beneath the centerline and edge of the tires. The bulk densities were essentially equal for the two tires and cone indices were also essentially equal for the two tires. Soil bulk density and cone index increased with increasing dynamic load at constant inflation pressure, and with increasing inflation pressure at constant dynamic load. In comparisons of the centerline and edge locations, soil bulk density and cone index were significantly less beneath the edge than beneath the centerline of the tires. Soil compaction is not likely to be affected by the aspect ratio of radial-ply tractor drive tires when aspect ratios are between 0.75 and 0.80.     

Changes in some mechanical properties of a loamy soil under the influence of mechanized forest exploitation in a beech forest of central Belgium

Modification of some soil mechanical properties (penetration resistance and consolidation pressure) induced by vehicle compaction during mechanized forest exploitation was studied in an acid and loamy leached forest soil of the loessic belt of central Belgium. In situ penetration tests and laboratory Bishop–Wesley cell tests were undertaken for the two main soil horizons of a beech high-forest, i.e. the eluvial E horizon (5–30 cm depth) and the underlying clay-enriched B_t horizon (30–60 cm depth). Both undisturbed and wheel-rutted soil areas were studied (E and B_t horizons vs. E_g and B_tg horizons).

Results show that: The experimental overconsolidation pressure of the eluvial reference horizon (E) is about 50 kPa higher than the value calculated from soil overburden pressure; this probably results from suction action during dry periods. The clay-enriched reference horizon (B_t) shows the same trends. In wheel-rutted areas, seven years after logging operations, the E_g horizon memorizes only 14.5% of the wheel induced stress due to forest machinery.

In the compacted B_tg horizon, the experimental overconsolidation pressure represents 96% of the exerted theoretical stresses due to harvesting actions. The good recording of the exerted stresses, after seven years, can be explained by: (1) The B_tg depth which keeps it from seasonal variations i.e. from desiccation–moistening or freeze–thaw cycling; (2) amorphous and free iron accumulation inducing a “glue” effect of the B_tg soil matrix, which could stabilize the soil structure and prevent recovery to initial conditions. These results provide clear evidence that on loessic materials, soil compaction due to logging operations leads to modifications in both physical (bulk density, total porosity) and mechanical (penetration resistance and consolidation pressure) soil properties.     

An empirical model to predict soil bulk density profiles in field conditions using penetration resistance, moisture content and soil depth

Cylindrical soil probes measuring 300 mm in diameter by 300 mm in height were prepared in the laboratory using samples extracted from a well drained loamy soil (FAO classification: Vertic Luvisol). These probes were compacted at different moisture contents [3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 (% w/w)] and using different compaction energies (9.81, 49.05, 98.1 and 981 J). The soil penetration resistance was determined by means of the ASAE 129 mm² base area cone and seven other different cones with base sizes of 175, 144, 124, 98, 74, 39 and 26 mm². The variability of the penetration resistance measurements increased as the size of the cone decreased. Nevertheless, the penetration resistance values proved to be independent of the cone used, as long as the size of the latter was equal to or greater than 98 mm². This confirms the possibility of using cones with areas smaller than the ASAE standard when measurements are to be carried out in dry soils with high levels of mechanical resistance. The experimental data were used to develop an empirical model, a linear additive model on a log–log plane, capable of estimating soil bulk density depending on soil penetration resistance, soil moisture content and depth. This model has provided good results under field conditions and has allowed soil bulk density profiles and accumulated water profiles to be accurately estimated.     

Physical and hydraulic characteristics in compacted clay soils

To determine and compare the differences in soil water suction between uncropped and cropped plots, a 52-plot experiment was used. Three average tyre to soil contact pressures of 31, 41 and 62 kPa as well as four numbers of machines passes (1, 5, 10 and 15) and control plots of zero traffic were used as pre-seeding machinery compaction treatments for the investigation. Soil dry bulk density, soil moisture content, soil suction, rainfall, water table depth and corn yield were all measured. The results showed that, with increasing tyre contact pressure, there was a corresponding increase in soil suction during the growing season in both uncropped and cropped plots. A family of curves was drawn for soil suction versus tyre contact pressure for different numbers of days and also for soil suction versus volumetric water content at varying contact pressures and times of the season. Growth performance of corn plants was best in moderately compacted plots. Dry bulk density and penetrometer resistance were related to traffic treatments.     

Soil stress state orientation beneath a tire at various loads and inflation pressures

Stress state transducers (SSTs) were used to determine the orientation of the major principal stress, σ₁, in soil beneath the centeline of an 18.4R38 radial-ply R-1 drive tire operated at 10% slip. Two soils, a sandy loam and a clay loam, were each prepared twice to obtain two density profiles. One profile of each soil had a hardpan and the soil above the hardpan was loose. The soil in the second profile was loosely tilled. The stress state was determined at a depth of 358 mm in the sandy loam and 241 mm in the clay loam soil. The tire was operated at two dynamic loads (13.2 and 25.3 kN), each at two levels of inflation pressure (41 and 124 kPa). When the orientation of σ₁ was determined directly beneath the axle, the mean angles of tilt in the direction of travel ranged from 6 to 23 degrees from vertical. Inflation pressure did not significantly affect the angle when the dynamic load was 13.2 kN in the sandy loam soil, and neither inflation pressure nor dynamic load significantly affected the angle in the clay loam soil. When the dynamic load was 25.3 kN in the sandy loam soil, the orientation of the major principal stress determined directly beneath the axle was tilted significantly more in the direction of travel when the tire was at 41 kPa inflation pressure than when at 124 kPa. These changes in stress orientation demonstrate the importance of measuring the complete stress state in soil, rather than stresses along only one line of action. The changing orientation of σ₁ as the tire passes over the soil indicates the soil undergoes kneading and supports future investigation of the contribution of changes in stress orientation to soil compaction.     

Influence of the axle load, tyre size and configuration on the compaction of a freshly tilled clayey soil

Enhancement of the potential root growth volume is the main objective of farmers when they establish a conventional tillage system. Therefore, the main function of primary tillage is to increase soil’s structural macroporosity. In spite of this, during secondary tillage operations on these freshly tilled soils, the traffic on seedbeds causes significant increases in soil compaction. The aim of this paper was to quantify soil compaction induced by tractor traffic on a recently tilled non consolidated soil, to match ballast and tyre size on the tractors used during secondary tillage. The work was performed in the South of the Rolling Pampa region, Argentina. Secondary tillage traffic was simulated by one pass of a conventional 2WD tractor, using four configurations of bias-ply rear tyres: 18.4×34, 23.1×30, 18.4×38 and 18.4×38 duals, two ballast conditions were used in each configuration. Soil bulk density and cone index in a 0 to 600 mm profile were measured before and after traffic. Topsoil compaction increased as did ground pressure. Subsoil compaction increased as total axle load increased and was independent from ground pressure. At heavy conditions, topsoil levels always showed higher cone index values. From 150 to 450 mm depth, the same tendency was found, but with smaller increases in the cone index parameter, 22 to 48%, averaging 35%. Finally, at the deepest layer considered, 600 mm, differential increases due to the axle load are great enough as to be considered similar to those found in the upper horizon, 36 to 64%, averaging 55%. On the other hand, bulk density tended to be less responsive than cone index to the traffic treatments. Topsoil compaction can be reduced by matching conventional bias-ply tyres with an optimized axle weight.