Soil compaction under grazing of annual and perennial forages

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Mapfumo ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
M. A. Naeth ◽  
V. S. Baron
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Depth Interval ◽  
Heavy Medium ◽  
Relative Compaction ◽  
Proctor Test ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
The Impact

This study investigated the impact of heavy, medium and light grazing of meadow bromegrass an triticale on soil bulk density, relative compaction and penetration resistance. The study was conducted at Lacombe, Alberta, on a Orthic Black Chernozem of loam to silt loam texture. Sampling was conducted in fall 1995, spring 1996, fall 1996 and spring 1997. Core samples to a 15-cm depth were collected for measurement of bulk density and moisture content. Penetration resistance to 15 cm was measured with a hand-pushed cone penetrometer. The standard Proctor test was used to determine maximum bulk density. Relative compaction was the ratio of actual bulk density to the Proctor maximum bulk density expressed as a percentage. Surface (0–2.5 cm) bulk density and penetration resistance were significantly greater under heavily grazed than under medium and lightly grazed meadow bromegrass only for fall 1995. Differences in bulk density, relative compaction and penetration resistance for different grazing intensities in spring and fall 1996 and spring 1997 were either small or not significant. Generally, bulk density decreased over winter in the top 2.5 cm, was not consistent in the 5- to 10-cm depth interval and did not change in the 10- to 15-cm interval. Except in fall 1995, the relative compaction values for all grazing intensities and forage species were less than 90%, a value considered critical for plant growth. Generally, within each grazing level, there were minimal differences in bulk density, relative compaction and penetration resistance under triticale compared to those under meadow bromegrass. Key words: Bulk density, relative compaction, penetration resistance

Grazing impacts on bulk density and soil strength in the foothills fescue grasslands of Alberta, Canada

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Chanasyk ◽  
M. Anne Naeth
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Depth Interval ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Cone Index

Alberta foothills fescue grasslands are very productive ecosystems but there is concern that the traditional season-long (continuous) grazing regimes may be leading to soil deterioration due to compaction and increased soil strength. The objectives of this study were to quantify grazing effects on soil bulk density and soil strength of sloped areas in the Alberta foothills fescue grasslands at the Agriculture Canada Stavely Range Substation. The effects of two grazing intensities (heavy and very heavy) for two treatments (short duration and continuous) on these two parameters were compared to an ungrazed control. Soil bulk density and soil water to a depth of 7.5 cm were measured with a surface water/density gauge. Soil strength was measured with a hand-pushed cone penetrometer to a depth of 45 cm. Cone index, the maximum penetration resistance in a given depth interval, was used as a measurement parameter for soil strength.Grazing affected both soil bulk density and penetration resistance. Even short-duration treatments affected these soil properties, although their effects were similar for both heavy and very heavy grazing intensities. Distinction between heavy and very heavy continuous grazing treatments was clear for both bulk density and penetration resistance, with the very heavy treatment having the greatest detrimental effect on these two soil parameters for all treatments. Bulk density and soil strength values were always lowest in the spring after snowmelt and highest late in the growing season, reflecting the water status of these ecosystems. Identical treatment rankings were obtained using bulk density and penetration resistance, but cone index was a more sensitive indicator of the effects of grazing than bulk density. Key words: Grazing, fescue grasslands, bulk density, soil strength

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 Modeling and correction of soil penetration resistance for variations in soil moisture and soil bulk density

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wininton M. da Silva ◽  
Aloísio Bianchini ◽  
Cesar A. da Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Good Representation ◽  
Soil Resistance ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Resistance Value

ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe the behavior of models for adjusting data of soil penetration resistance for variations in soil moisture and soil bulk density. The study was carried out in Lucas do Rio Verde, MT, Brazil in a typic dystrophic red-yellow Latosol (Oxisol) containing 0.366 kg kg−1 of clay. Soil penetration resistance measurements were conducted in the soil moistures of 0.33 kg kg−1, 0.28 kg kg−1, 0.25 kg kg−1 and 0.22 kg kg−1. Soil penetration resistance behavior due to variations in soil moisture and soil bulk density was assessed by estimating the soil resistance values by non-linear models. There was an increase of the soil penetration resistance values as soil was losing moisture. For the same edaphic condition studied, small differences in the data of soil bulk density affect differently the response of soil resistance as a function of moisture. Both soil bulk density and soil moisture are essential attributes to explain the variations in soil penetration resistance in the field. The good representation of the critical soil bulk density curve as a limiting compression indicator requires the proper choice of the restrictive soil resistance value for each crop.

Impacts of forage grazing and cultivation on near-surface relative compaction

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Twerdoff ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
E. Mapfumo ◽  
M. A. Naeth ◽  
V. S. Baron
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Depth Interval ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Volumetric Moisture Content ◽  
Relative Compaction

The study was conducted at the Lacombe Research Station, Alberta, on an Orthic Black Chernozem of loam to silt loam texture to investigate grazing impacts and cultivation on near-surface soil compaction. Four forages, smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss 'Carlton'), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rhem 'Paddock'), a mixture of triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack 'Pika') and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. AC Lacombe), and triticale were used for the study. Each forage species was subjected to heavy, medium and light intensity grazing. Measurements of bulk density and volumetric moisture content for the 0- to 10-cm depth interval were conducted using a surface moisture-density probe between spring 1994 and fall 1996. Relative compaction was calculated as the actual bulk density expressed as a percentage of the Proctor maximum density. Relative compaction values for all treatments and that for the benchmark were less than 90%, which is considered critical for limiting plant growth. Cultivation reduced bulk density under annual forages by only 3% and lowered it under heavy grazed annual treatments most. Regression analysis conducted on the dependence of bulk density to cumulative cow-days indicated a curvilinear relationship. Bulk density increased more rapidly with increasing cumulative cow-days for annuals compared to perennials. From a management perspective, adopting intensive rotational grazing systems for perennial and annual forages may not cause any serious surface compaction problems for soils in this area. Key words: Annuals, bulk density, cow-days, grazing intensity, perennials, volumetric moisture content

scholarly journals Penetration resistance according to penetration rate, cone base size and different soil conditions

Bragantia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Dias Valadão Junior ◽  
Aloísio Biachini ◽  
Franciele Caroline Assis Valadão ◽  
Rodrigo Pengo Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Penetration Rate ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Density Reduction ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Base Size ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Resistance To Penetration

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of penetration rate and the size of the cone base on the resistance to penetration under different soil moistures and soil bulk density. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x2x2x2 factorial arrangement, with the factors, soil bulk density of 1.0; 1.2; 1.4 and 1.6 Mg m-3, soil moisture at the evaluation of 0.16 and 0.22 kg kg-1, penetration rates of 0.166 and 30 mm s-1 and areas of the cone base of 10.98 and 129.28 mm² resulting in 32 treatments with 8 replicates. To ensure greater uniformity and similarity to field conditions, samples passed through cycles of wetting and drying. Only the interaction of the four factors was not significant. Resistance values varied with the density of the soil, regardless of moisture and penetration rate. Soil penetration resistance was influenced by the size of the cone base, with higher values for the smallest base independent of moisture and soil bulk density. The relationship between resistance to penetration and moisture is not always linear, once it is influenced by soil bulk density. Reduction in the area of the cone leads to an increase in the soil resistance to penetration.

Site preparation for Pinus establishment in south-eastern Queensland. 1. Temporal changes in bulk density

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Costantini ◽  
MR Nester ◽  
M Podberscek
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Preparation Technique ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Density Reduction ◽  
Poorly Drained Soils ◽  
The Impact

In south-eastern Queensland, Australia, standard site preparation practices used for Pinus plantation establishment are mounding (bedding) on poorly drained soils and blade cultivation (subsurface, wing rip) on well-drained soils. This paper reports the impacts of both site preparation treatments on soil bulk density over time. Following site preparation, the extent of bulk density reduction and the nature of bulk density consolidation was affected by soil type, soil depth and the site preparation technique used. On high strength, hardsetting soils, bulk density reductions from both mounding and blade cultivation persisted throughout the 28-month period, and contrasted with non-hardsetting soils in the plantation estate, which consolidated more rapidly and had higher bulk densities relative to precultivation levels for the period 4-28 months following site preparation. The studies reported in this paper were the first in south-eastern Queensland to investigate the impact of site preparation for Pinus establishment on the nature and longevity of bulk density reductions. Previously, plantation managers assumed that positive site preparation impacts would be relatively short-lived, and therefore developed a prudential policy of planting Pinus seedlings immediately following site preparation. For the soils studied, delays of 2-4 months, and perhaps up to 6 months, between site preparation and planting would not compromise Pinus growth, but would assist management planning.

RELATIVE MEASURES OF SOIL BULK DENSITY TO CHARACTERIZE COMPACTION IN TILLAGE STUDIES ON FINE SANDY LOAMS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. CARTER
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Moisture Regime ◽  
Density Level ◽  
Soil Consolidation ◽  
Fine Sandy Loam ◽  
Relative Compaction

Field studies concerned with soil physical properties require methods to quantify and characterize soil compaction, especially for tillage experiments. The bulk densities of a Charlottetown and Gowanbrae fine sandy loam were related to a maximum or standard compaction state for each soil to obtain a measure of relative compaction. The two soils were both classified as Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzols. Relative compaction was closely related to the volume of macropores (r2 = 0.85). Over a 3-yr period, mouldboard ploughing loosened the soil to give an average relative compaction of 77%. Subsequent soil consolidation and settling increased relative compaction to 84% over the growing season. Direct-drilling maintained relative compaction at a limited range of 88–91%. Relative grain yield of cereals was related (r2 = 0.69) using a polynomial curve to relative compaction. A range of 77–84% relative compaction was associated with a relative grain yield ≥ 95%. A relative compaction of 84–89% was considered the equilibrium soil density level for the two soils under study. This range was related to a macropore volume of 13.5–10% which is adequate for permeability but possibly inadequate for optimum soil aeration under a humid soil moisture regime. Overall, relative compaction provided a useful index or standard to assess changes in soil bulk density and proved to be a biologically meaningful soil physical parameter. Key words: Soil compaction indices, relative compaction, Podzolic soil, fine sandy loam, cereal yield

scholarly journals Effects of tillage on soil physical properties and root growth of maize in loam and clay in central China  

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ji ◽  
Y. Zhao ◽  
X. Mu ◽  
K. Liu ◽  
C. Li
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Root Length Density ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Central China ◽  
Deep Tillage

Subsoil compaction can result in unfavourable soil physical conditions and hinder the root growth of maize. The effects of deep tillage and conventional tillage on soil physical properties and root growth of maize were studied during 2010–2011 at two sites (loam at Hebi and clay at Luohe) in central China. The results showed that soil penetration resistance, bulk density, water content and root length density were significantly affected by tillage, soil depth and year. Deep tillage had lower penetration resistance and lower soil bulk density, but higher soil water content than conventional tillage across years and depths. Averaged over the whole soil profile, deep tillage not only significantly decreased penetration resistance and soil bulk density, but significantly increased soil water content and root length density on loam, while deep tillage only significantly increased the root length density on clay. We conclude that deep tillage on the loam is more suitable for the root growth of summer maize.

scholarly journals Machinery-Induced Damage to Soil and Remaining Forest Stands—Case Study from Slovakia

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1289
Author(s):  
Zuzana Dudáková (Allmanová) ◽  
Michal Allman ◽  
Ján Merganič ◽  
Katarína Merganičová
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Forest Operations ◽  
Factorial Anova ◽  
Size Type ◽  
The Impact

The paper deals with the damage of the remaining stand and soil caused by harvesting using three ground-based forest operations methods (harvester-forwarder/cable skidder/animal-tractor). It compares the impact of the most common harvesting technologies applied in Slovakia and in Central Europe and thus contributes with valuable information to the knowledge on the suitability of their application in forests stands dominated by broadleaved tree species. Harvesting was performed in five forest stands located at the University Forest Enterprise of Technical University in Zvolen in central Slovakia from August to October 2019. Damage to remaining trees was assessed from the point of its size, type, and position of damage along stem. We expected lower damage of remaining trees in stands where harvesters were used because of the applied cut-to-length short wood system and fully mechanized harvesting system. In addition, we examined soil bulk density and soil moisture content in ruts, space between ruts, and in undisturbed stand to reveal the impact of harvesting machinery on soil. We expected greater soil bulk densities and lower soil moisture content in these stands due to the greatest weight of harvesters and in ruts created by machinery compared with undisturbed stand soil. The highest percentage of damaged remaining trees equal to 20.47% and 23.36% was recorded for harvester forest operations, followed by skidder (19.44%) and animal forest operations with 19.86% and 14.47%. Factorial ANOVA confirmed significant higher soil compaction in stands where harvesters were used (higer bulk density) than in stands where skidding was performed with the skidder and animal power. Higher soil moisture content was recorded in ruts created by harvesters and the skidder. The lowest soil moisture content was in undisturbed stands irrespective of the applied forest operation method.

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