Impacts of grazing systems on soil compaction and pasture production in Alberta

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. T. Donkor ◽  
J. V. Gedir ◽  
R. J. Hudson ◽  
E. W. Bork ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grassland Ecosystems ◽  
Moist Condition ◽  
Grazing Systems

Livestock trampling impacts have been assessed in many Alberta grassland ecosystems, but the impacts of animal trampling on Aspen Boreal ecosystems have not been documented. This study compared the effects of high intensity [4.16 animal unit month per ha (AUM) ha-1] short-duration grazing (SDG) versus moderate intensity (2.08 AUM ha-1) continuous grazing (CG) by wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis) on soil compaction as measured by bulk density at field moist condition (Dbf) and penetration resistance (PR). Herbage phytomass was also measured on grazed pastures and compared to an ungrazed control (UNG). The study was conducted at Edmonton, Alberta, on a Dark Gray Luvisolic soil of loam texture. Sampling was conducted in the spring and fall of 1997 and 1998. Soil cores were collected at 2.5-cm intervals to a depth of 15-cm for measurement of bulk density (Dbf) and moisture content. Penetration resistance to 15 cm at 2.5-cm intervals was measured with a hand-pushed cone penetrometer. The Dbf and PR of the top 10-cm of soil were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater by 15 and 17% under SDG than CG, respectively, by wapiti. Generally, Dbf in both grazing treatments decreased over winter at the 0-7.5 cm and 12.5-15 cm depths, suggesting that freeze-thaw cycles over the winter alleviated compaction. Soil water content under SDG was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than CG. Total standing crop and fallen litter were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater in CG treatment than the SDG. The SDG treatment had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less pasture herbage than CG areas in the spring (16%) and fall (26%) of 1997, and in the spring (22%) and fall (24%) of 1998, respectively. The SDG did not show any advantage over CG in improving soil physical characteristics and herbage production. Key Words: Bulk density, Cervus elaphus, moisture content, penetration resistance, pasture production

scholarly journals Effect of Soil Compaction and Bulk Density on the Growth and Yield of Soybean (Glycine max) on Sandy Clay Loam Soil of the Semi-arid Region of Northern Nigeria as Influenced by Tractor Wheel Traffic

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Abdu Dauda ◽  
Bukar Usman
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Clay Loam Soil ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Semi Arid Region

Soil compaction from farm machinery is an environmental problem. The effect of compaction on plant growth and yield depends on the crop grown and the environmental conditions that crop encounters. The effect of compaction from tractor traffic on soybean (Glycine max), variety TGX1448-2E, on a sandy clay loam soil in the semi-arid region of northern Nigeria was investigated for two growing seasons, 2015 and 2016. A randomized complete block design of the field of plots with treatments of 0,5,10, 15 and 20 passes of a tractor MF 390 was used. Each treatment was replicated three times. The soil bulk density, penetration resistance and soil moisture content for each applied load were measured and the yield from each treatment was determined.  Agronomic treatments were kept the same for all plots in both 2015 and 2016. Results showed increased soil bulk density, penetration resistance and soil moisture content with increased tractor passes. Highest grain yield was obtained at 5 tractor passes with a mean bulk density of 1.76 Mgm,-3 penetration resistance 1.70 MPa and moisture content 13.37% with a mean yield of 2568 kgha-1 and lowest was obtained from 20 tractor passes were 340 kgha-1. Statistical models were used to predict yield as a function of bulk density, penetration resistance,   moisture content, contact pressure, and a number of tractor traffic passes. Grain yield with respect to moisture content gave the best yield prediction (r2 = 0.94).           

scholarly journals Examination of the physical state of the soil under conventional and reduced tillage systems

2013 ◽  
pp. 183-186
Author(s):  
Géza Tuba
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Tillage Systems

he effect of reduced and conventional tillage systems on soil compaction and moisture content in two years with extreme weather conditions is introduced in this paper. The investigations were carried out in a long-term soil cultivation experiment set on a heavy textured meadow chernozem soil at the Karcag Research Institute. In 2010 the amount of precipitation during the vegetation period of winter wheat was 623.3 mm, 2.2 times higher than the 50-year average, while in 2011 this value was 188.7 mm giving only 65% of the average. The examinations were made after harvest on stubbles on 4 test plots in 5 replications in the case of each tillage system. Soil compaction was characterised by penetration resistance values, while the actual soil moisture contents were determined by gravimetry. The values of penetration resistance and soil moisture content of the cultivated soil layer were better in the case of reduced tillage under extreme precipitation conditions. It could be established that regular application of deep soil loosening is essential due to the formation of the unfavourable compact soil layer under 30 cm. Conventional tillage resulted in enhanced compaction under the depth of ploughing, the penetration resistance can reach the value of 4 MPa under wet, while even 8 MPa under dry soil status.

Soil compaction under varying rest periods and levels of mechanical disturbance in a rotational grazing system

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 957-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Halde ◽  
A. M. Hammermeister ◽  
N. L. Mclean ◽  
K. T. Webb ◽  
R. C. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Intensive Treatment ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
Grazing System

Halde, C., Hammermeister, A. M., McLean, N. L., Webb, K. T. and Martin, R. C. 2011. Soil compaction under varying rest periods and levels of mechanical disturbance in a rotational grazing system. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 957–964. In Atlantic Canada, data are limited regarding the effect of grazing systems on soil compaction. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of intensive and extensive rotational pasture management treatments on soil bulk density, soil penetration resistance, forage productivity and litter accumulation. The study was conducted on a fine sandy loam pasture in Truro, Nova Scotia. Each of the eight paddocks was divided into three rotational pasture management treatments: intensive, semi-intensive and extensive. Mowing and clipping were more frequent in the intensive than in the semi-intensive treatment. In the extensive treatment, by virtue of grazing in alternate rotations, the rest period was doubled than that of the intensive and semi-intensive treatments. Both soil bulk density (0–5 cm) and penetration resistance (0–25.5 cm) were significantly higher in the intensive treatment than in the extensive treatment, for all seasons. Over winter, bulk density decreased significantly by 6.8 and 3.8% at 0–5 and 5–10 cm, respectively. A decrease ranging between 40.5 and 4.0% was observed for soil penetration resistance over winter, at 0–1.5 cm and 24.0–25.5 cm, respectively. The intensive and semi-intensive treatments produced significantly more available forage for grazers annually than the extensive treatment. Forage yields in late May to early June were negatively correlated with spring bulk density.

scholarly journals Silage maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings emergence as influenced by soil compaction treatments and contact pressures

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No, 7) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.F. Taser ◽  
O. Kara
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Silage Maize ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Contact Pressures

Soil compaction caused by mechanical force affects the vegetative and generative plant growth. Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of soil compaction treatments and soil contact pressures on bulk density, penetration resistance and silage maize emergence in a clay-loam soil. Soil compaction treatments were applied while planting as follows: Compaction on furrow surface (F-surface), compaction on furrow bottom (F-bottom), compaction on inter row (I-row), and non-extra compaction as a control (C). The soil contact pressures of 0.025, 0.051 and 0.076 MPa were applied while the control was 0.0085 MPa. Significant differences between soil compaction treatments and contact pressures were recorded in bulk density, penetration resistance and silage maize emergence. Percentage of emerged seedlings increased as the soil contact pressure was increased slightly. The lowest mean percentage of emerged seedlings (52.63%) was obtained with 0.076 MPa contact pressure in F-surface treatment and the highest mean value (81.58%) was obtained with 0.025 MPa contact pressure in F-bottom compaction treatment. The control treatment gave the 69% mean value under the non-irrigated condition.

scholarly journals Effect of PRPSOL soil conditioner on the physical status of the soil in conventional and reduced tillage systems

2014 ◽  
pp. 109-113
Author(s):  
Lilla Szűcs ◽  
Géza Tuba ◽  
József Zsembeli
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Gravimetric Method ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Soil Conditioner ◽  
Positive Effect

The effect of PRP-SOL soil conditional on soil compaction, moisture content and bulk density is studied in a long-term soil cultivation experiment from 1997 on a heavy textured meadow chernozem soil, in reduced and conventional tillage at Karcag Research Institute. Our investigations were made in the vegetation period of corn, in June and after harvesting, on stubble. Soil compaction was measured with a penetrometer, the actual moisture content was determined by gravimetric method. The bulk density values of the regularly cultivated soil layer of 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths were defined from undisturbed soil samples. We established that after 3 years the application of the soil conditioner has positive effect on soil compaction and moisture status of the top layer in the reduced tillage system. We could not figure out this positive effect in the case of conventional tillage.

scholarly journals Soil compaction of various Central European forest soils caused by traffic of forestry machines with various chassis

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. e038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Allman ◽  
Martin Jankovský ◽  
Valéria Messingerová ◽  
Zuzana Allmanová ◽  
Michal Ferenčík
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Moisture Content Level ◽  
European Forest

<p><em>Aim of study: </em>The primary objective of this paper was to compare the effects of different types of forestry machine chassis on the compaction of the top layers of soil and to define the soil moisture content level, at which machine traffic results in maximum compaction.</p><p><em>Area of study:</em> Measurements were conducted in eight forest stands located in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The soil types in the stands subjected to the study were luvisols, stagnosols, cambisols, and rendzinas.</p><p><em>Material and Methods:</em> The measurements were focused on tracked and wheeled (equipped with low pressure tyres) cut-to-length machines, and skidders equipped with wide and standard tyres. The bulk density of soil was determined from soil samples extracted from the ruts, the centre of the skid trail, and the undisturbed stand. To determine soil moisture content, at which the soil is the most susceptible to compaction, the Proctor standard test was employed.</p><p><em>Main results:</em> The moisture content for maximal compaction fluctuated from 12% to 34.06%. Wheeled machines compacted the soil to 1.24 – 1.36 g.cm<sup>-3</sup> (30.3 – 35.4 % compaction) in dried state. Bulk density of soil in stands where tracked machine operated was lower, ranging from 1.02 to 1.06 g.cm<sup>-3</sup> (25.3 % compaction).</p><p><em>Research highlights:</em> All wheeled machines caused the same amount of soil compaction in the ruts, despite differences in tyres, machine weight, etc. Maximum compaction caused by forestry machines occurred at minimal moisture contents, easily achievable in European climatic conditions.  </p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> soil compaction; bulk density; soil moisture content limits; cut-to-length machines; skidders.</p>

scholarly journals A Study of Some Physical Properties of Two Different Soil Textures Planted with Conocarpus Trees (Conocarpuslancifolius. Engl)

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-145
Author(s):  
Nuhad S. S. AL- Wali ◽  
Kawthar A. AL- Mosawi
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Unplanted Soil ◽  
Mean Weight Diameter

This research has been conducted to study the effect of Conocarpus trees and their roots on some of soilphysical properties. The soil physical properties are moisture content , bulk density , total porosity , mean weight diameter (dry sieveing) and soil penetration resistance . Some soil samples are collected from two locations :the first location is Agric. College research, Garmat Ali, stations , Basra university , and the second location isZuwber province farm . The soil texture of the first location is silty clay which is classified as fine clay mixed Calcarioushy perthermictypictorrifluvent, while the soil texture of  the second location is sandy loam. This soil is classified with in species Entisol and under species psamments and high group , underhigh group and family (Typictorripsamments, Calcarious Mixed Hyperthermic).  The soil samples are collected from two soil depths( 0 – 30 and 30 – 60) from both locations are planted with Conocarpus trees, their ages ranged between 4 to 5 years . The trees height is 2.5 – 3.0 m . Another soil samples are also collected from unplanted soil  with Conocarpus trees. The results reveated that the silty clay soil is significantly surpassed the sandy loam soil in moisture content and mean weight diameter by a percentage of 68.76% and 32.91% respectively . Whereas, the bulk density and soil penetration resistance decreased , while the total porosity of the silty clay soil as compared with sandy loam soil .For unplanted soil, moisture content, the bulk density and the soil penetration resistance are increased as compared with planted soil . The soil depth (30 – 60)cm is surpassed soil depth of ( 0- 30)cm in giving higher values of moisture content andbulk density whereas it does not significantly affect the mean weight diameter and  soil penetration resistance .

scholarly journals Effect of Harvest Timing and Soil Moisture Content on Compaction, Growth and Harvest Yield in a Miscanthus Cropping System

Agriculture ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O’Flynn ◽  
John Finnan ◽  
Edna Curley ◽  
Kevin McDonnell
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Dry Soil ◽  
Early Harvest ◽  
Shoot Emergence

Harvesting Miscanthus × giganteus (J.M. Greef & Deuter ex Hodkinson & Renvoize) after shoot emergence is known to reduce yields in subsequent seasons. This research was conducted in Miscanthus to assess the effects on crop response and soil compaction of annually repeated traffic, applied both before new growth in the rhizomes (early harvest) and after shoot emergence (late harvest), at two different soil moisture contents. While an annual early harvest, yields more than a late harvest, because damage to new shoots is avoided, soil compaction may be increased following repeated harvests. Five treatments were tested: (a) An untrafficked control, (b) early-traffic on soil with typical soil moisture content (SMC) (early-normal), (c) early-traffic on soil with elevated SMC (early-elevated), (d) late-traffic on soil with typical SMC (late-normal) and (e) late-traffic on soil with elevated SMC (late-wet). The experiment was conducted on a Gleysol in Co. Dublin, Ireland during 2010 and 2011. Crop response effects were assessed by measuring stem numbers, stem height, trafficked zone biomass yield (November) and overall stem yield (January). Compaction effects were assessed by measuring penetration resistance, bulk density and water infiltration rate. Trafficked zone biomass yield in the early-dry and early-wet treatments was, respectively, 18% and 23% lower than in the control, but was, respectively, 39% and 31% higher than in the late-dry treatment. Overall, stem yield was significantly lower in the late-normal and late-wet treatments (10.4 and 10.1 tdm ha−1 respectively) when compared with the control (12.4 tdm ha−1), but no significant difference was recorded in overall stem yield between both early-traffic treatments and the control. Penetration resistance values were significantly higher in all trafficked treatments when compared with the control at depths of 0.15 m (≥54–61%) and 0.30 m (≥27–57%) and were significantly higher in 2011 when compared with 2010 at depths of 0.15 and 0.30 m. Baler system traffic in Miscanthus significantly reduced yields and significantly increased compaction annually. Miscanthus harvested early, on a dry soil, yielded 1.1 tdm ha−1 more than when harvested late on a dry soil. The yield advantage increased to 1.3 tdm ha−1 when early harvesting on a soil with 40–43% moisture content was compared with late harvesting on a wetter soil (51–52% moisture content). In this study, the magnitude of yield losses from compaction or other causes in early harvests was substantially lower than the yield losses, which resulted from shoot damage in late harvests. It is likely in similar climates that the results of this study would also apply to other perennial crops growing in similar soil types.

scholarly journals Effects of Tractor Passes on Hydrological and Soil Erosion Processes in Tilled and Grassed Vineyards

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Capello ◽  
Marcella Biddoccu ◽  
Stefano Ferraris ◽  
Eugenio Cavallo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Nw Italy

Soil erosion is affected by rainfall temporal patterns and intensity variability. In vineyards, machine traffic is implemented with particular intensity from late spring to harvest, and it is responsible for soil compaction, which likely affects soil hydraulic properties, runoff, and soil erosion. Additionally, the hydraulic and physical properties of soil are highly influenced by vineyards’ inter-rows soil management. The effects on soil compaction and both hydrological and erosional processes of machine traffic were investigated on a sloping vineyard with different inter-row soil managements (tillage and permanent grass cover) in the Alto Monferrato area (Piedmont, NW Italy). During the investigation (November 2016–October 2018), soil water content, rainfall, runoff, and soil erosion were continuously monitored. Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil penetration resistance, and bulk density were recorded periodically in portions of inter-rows affected and not affected by the machine traffic. Very different yearly precipitation characterized the observed period, leading to higher bulk density and lower infiltration rates in the wetter year, especially in the tilled vineyard, whereas soil penetration resistance was generally higher in the grassed plot and in drier conditions. In the wet year, management with grass cover considerably reduced runoff (−76%) and soil loss (−83%) compared to tillage and in the dry season. Those results highlight the need to limit the tractor traffic, in order to reduce negative effects due to soil compaction, especially in tilled inter-rows.

scholarly journals Cooperative effects of field traffic and organic matter treatments on some compaction-related soil properties

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metin Mujdeci ◽  
Ahmet Ali Isildar ◽  
Veli Uygur ◽  
Pelin Alaboz ◽  
Husnu Unlu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Common Vetch ◽  
Cooperative Effects ◽  
Tillage Practices

Abstract. Soil compaction is common problem of mineral soils under conventional tillage practices. Organic matter addition is an efficient way of reducing the effects of field traffic in soil compaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of number of tractor passes (1, 3 and 5) on depth dependent (0–10 and 10–20 cm) penetration resistance, bulk density and porosity of a clay textured soil (Typic Xerofluvent) under organic vegetable cultivation practiced in 2010–2013 growing seasons treated with farmyard manure (35 t FYM ha−1), green manure (GM) (common vetch, Vicia sativa L.) and conventional tillage (C). The number of tractor passes resulted in increases in bulk density and penetration resistance (C > GM > FYM) whereas the volume of total and macro pores decreased. The maximum penetration resistance (3.60 MPa) was recorded in C treatment with 5 passes in 0–10 cm depth whereas the minimum (1.64 MPa) was observed for FYM treatment with 1 pass in 10–20 cm depth. The highest bulk density was determined as 1.61 g cm−3 for C treatment with 5 passes in 10–20 cm depth, the smallest value was 1.25 g cm−3 in the FYM treatment with only 1 pass in 0–10 cm depth. The highest total and macro pores volume were determined as 0.53 and 0.16 cm3 cm−3, respectively, in 0–10 cm depth of FYM treatment with 1 pass. The volume of micro pores (0.38 cm3 cm−3) was higher in 0–10 cm depth of FYM treatment with 3 passes. It can be concluded that organic pre-composted organic amendment rather than green manure was likely to be more efficient in chasing compaction problem in soils.

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