Impact of the mini-tractor grabber on soil-physical properties
2002
Tan, K.S. | Ooi, L.H., Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd., Locked Bag 212, Sg. Buloh Post Office 47000 Sg. Buloh, Selangor (Malaysia)
This study investigated the changes in soil physical properties as a result of repeated passes of the mini-tractor grabber (MTG) on a Rengam soil series and a local alluvium soil under oil palm. A MTG carrying 1000 kg of fertilizer to simulate the normal MTG load was instructed to make 1, 24 and 48 repeated passes on different plots. It was found that 24 continuous passes of the MTG caused a 15% increase in soil bulk density on Rengam soil, and an 8% increase in local alluvium soil. Doubling the number of passes to 48 did not result in a further increase. The existing MTG tracks recorded almost zero soil infiltration but this was confined only to the tracks and not the surrounding area. Soil penetration resistance recorded on a Rengam soil series showed an increase with depth until a constant value was reached, and the increase was more rapid on tracks with higher number of passes.
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