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Agricultural traffic impacts on soil

Abstract::
Alternate configurations of tires and tracks vary in their ability to generate tractive forces. These tractive elements also vary in the way that they impact the soil with some causing more soil disturbance than others. This soil disturbance includes soil compaction and rut formation which negatively impacts rainfall infiltration, rooting, and crop production while potentially increasing soil erosion and runoff. This paper will review a portion of the agricultural research that has been conducted related to soil impacts caused by the use of vehicle traffic in agricultural fields. Recommendations will also be made for ways to minimize the effects of vehicle traffic on soils when trafficking is necessary. These include: reducing axle load; reducing tractive element-soil contact stress by using radial tires, duals, and tracks; increasing soil drying prior to traffic; using conservation tillage systems which minimize vehicle traffic; using controlled traffic systems which eliminate random vehicle traffic across fields; and subsoiling to eliminate compacted soil profiles in crop growth zones. Soil compaction resulting from vehicle traffic may not be able to be completely eliminated, but it can be controlled and reduced through intelligent management of vehicle traffic.
Author(s):
Raper, R.L.
Subject(s):
soil compaction , subsoil , bulk density , soil strength , wheel tracks , soil degradation , trafficability , tires , wheels , soil physical properties , controlled traffic systems , agricultural soils , fields , subsoiling , literature reviews
Description:
Includes references
Source:
Journal of terramechanics 2005 July-Oct, v. 42, issue 3-4
Language:
English
Year:
2005
Collection:
Journal Articles, USDA Authors, Peer-Reviewed
File:
Download [PDF]   
Rights:
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.