Yield Potential of Soybean as Related to Soil Compaction Induced by Farm Traffic
1975
Nelson, W. E. | Rahi, G. S. | Reeves, L. Z.
Injudicious traffic on the farm causes undesirable compaction of the soil, that might result in appreciable reduction in the yield of crops. The present studies were conducted for 3 years (1970 to 1972) on a Norfolk sandy loam soil (Typic Ochrult) to evaluate the effect of tractor traffic on the yield performance of soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr. ‘Bragg’]. There were five traffic combinations comprising zero, four, and eight tractor passes made on the outside only, and on both sides of a set of two 1.1 m wide plant rows. These combinations, 0-0-0, 4-0-4, 4-4-4, 8-0-8, and 8-8-8, were replicated three times. In the control plots (0-0-0), the distance between the tractor tire path and the outside of the plant row was maintained to a minimum of 38 cm. Penetration resistance indices and soil moisture content at different depths, development of root system, and the yield of soybean were determined during each crop season. Four and eight passes made either on the outside or both sides of the plant rows compacted the soil considerably, which seemed to affect the availability of soil moisture and the yield of soybean adversely. The plants in the control plots apparently made better utilization of soil moisture. This was evidenced by more developed and extensive root system, and higher yields of the soybean.
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