An Assessment of Soil Compaction after Logging Operations in Central Amazonia

Abstract In the forests of the Amazon Basin, there are still few studies on soil compaction caused by logging activities. This study evaluated an operation located on the property of a timber company in Central Amazonia, which uses harvesting techniques based on the harvesting system developed by the Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname. The timber-extraction method employed by the timber company consists of three activities: (1) skid trail construction with a track-type tractor, (2) log winching with a winch attached to the tractor, and (3) log skidding with a rubber-tired skidder. Soil bulk density and soil penetration resistance were quantified to 20 cm in depth. After a single tractor ingress and egress for trail construction, the soil incurred an increased root growth-limiting bulk density and penetration resistance. However, log winching did not cause significant soil compaction. The conclusions of the study were: (1) the greatest impact from this harvesting system came from the skid trail construction, (2) the technique of log winching limited forest floor compaction and disturbance that damages forest regeneration, and (3) log skidding during dry soil conditions limited increases in compaction and track formation.

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

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss2011-026 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 91 (6) ◽

pp. 957-964 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

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.

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

Bragantia ◽

10.1590/brag.2014.013 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 171-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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

Engenharia Agrícola ◽

10.1590/1809-4430-eng.agric.v36n3p449-459/2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 449-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

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.

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

Water ◽

10.3390/w11102118 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2118 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

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.

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The role of brush mats in mitigating machine-induced soil disturbances: an assessment using absolute and relative soil bulk density and penetration resistance

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2018-0324 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 164-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Eric R. Labelle ◽

Benjamin J. Poltorak ◽

Dirk Jaeger

Keyword(s):

Bulk Density ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Soil Bulk Density ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Forest Harvesting ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance ◽

Before And After ◽

Density Values ◽

Post Impact ◽

Mean Differences

Forest soils often exhibit low bearing capacities and as a result are often incapable of withstanding high axle loads. In New Brunswick, Canada, five different brush amounts (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg·m–2) were applied as brush mats on machine operating trails during a cut-to-length harvesting operation in a softwood stand to analyze soil disturbance as a result of off-road forest harvesting machine traffic. Soil absolute and relative bulk density and soil penetration resistance measurements were completed below the varying brush mats both before and after forwarding. The mean differences between pre- and post-impact absolute soil dry bulk density values recorded on track areas were 0.24 g·cm–3 for 5–20 kg·m–2 of brush and 0.33 g·cm–3 for 0 kg·m–2 of brush. On average, 40.5%, 17.9%, 14.3%, 15.5%, and 3.6% of all post-forwarding measurements exceeded the threshold for growth-impeding soil bulk density (80% standard Proctor density) for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg·m–2 of brush, respectively. Soil penetration values >3.0 MPa represented 23.7%, 15.0%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 0.7% of all post-forwarding test plots with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg·m–2 of brush, respectively. The results suggest that softwood brush mats of 10 to 20 kg·m–2 placed on machine operating trails play a considerable role in reducing forwarder-induced soil compaction and penetration resistance.

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Soil compaction effects on soil bulk density and penetration resistance and growth of spring barley (Hordeum vulgareL.)

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B - Soil & Plant Science ◽

10.1080/09064710802030070 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 265-272 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Enola Reintam ◽

Katrin Trükmann ◽

Jaan Kuht ◽

Edvin Nugis ◽

Liina Edesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bulk Density ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Spring Barley ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Soil Bulk Density

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The effects of soil water content and bulk density on the compactibility and soil penetration resistance of some Western Australian sandy soils

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr9880391 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 391 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

C Henderson ◽

A Levett ◽

D Lisle

Keyword(s):

Water Content ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Soil Water ◽

Soil Water Content ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Field Capacity ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Coarse Sand ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance ◽

Compactive Effort

Quantitative models to predict the effects of soil compaction on wheat yields are being developed for the northern sandplains of Western Australia. An understanding of the relationships between soil water content (W), bulk density (p), compactibility and soil penetration resistance (P) is required. Thirteen subsoils from W.A. sandplain soils were tested for compactibility. As the amounts of very coarse sand or clay in the soil increased, the maximum density (�max.) achieved with a standard compactive effort also increased, while the critical soil water content (Wcrit,.) for maximum compactibility declined. The effects of p and W on P were investigated for five of the soils. The value of P was only slightly affected as W was reduced to less than 70% of the field capacity water content. As the soils were dried further, P increased exponentially. At all water contents, an increase in p was found to markedly increase P. Particle size distribution could be used to predict �max. and Wcrit., but could not be related to the effects of changes in p and W on P. The implications for the measurement and effects of soil compaction in the field are discussed.

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Critical soil bulk density for soybean growth in Oxisols

International Agrophysics ◽

10.1515/intag-2015-0050 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 441-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michel Keisuke Sato ◽

Herdjania Veras de Lima ◽

Pedro Daniel de Oliveira ◽

Sueli Rodrigues

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Clayey Soil ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Field Capacity ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Soil Bulk Density ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Soybean Root ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the critical soil bulk density from the soil penetration resistance measurements for soybean root growth in Brazilian Amazon Oxisols. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using disturbed soil samples collected from the northwest of Para characterized by different texture. The treatments consisted of a range of soil bulk densities for each soil textural class. Three pots were used for soybean growth of and two for the soil penetration resistance curve. From the fitted model, the critical soil bulk density was determined considering the penetration resistance values of 2 and 3 MPa. After sixty days, plants were cut and root length, dry mass of root, and dry mass of shoots were determined. At higher bulk densities, the increase in soil water content decreased the penetration resistance, allowing unrestricted growth of soybean roots. Regardless of soil texture, the penetration resistance of 2 and 3 MPa had a slight effect on root growth in soil moisture at field capacity and a reduction of 50% in the soybean root growth was achieved at critical soil bulk density of 1.82, 1.75, 1.51, and 1.45 Mg m-3 for the sandy loam, sandy clay loam, clayey, and very clayey soil.

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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

Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International ◽

10.9734/jaeri/2019/v18i130048 ◽

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).

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Effects of tractor traffic on soil compaction, water infiltration and soil erosion in tilled and grassed vineyards

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10352 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marcella Biddoccu ◽

Giorgio Capello ◽

Eugenio Cavallo

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Soil Erosion ◽

Water Content ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Grass Cover ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance ◽

Tillage Operation

Soil erosion is affected by rainfall temporal pattern and intensity variability. In vineyards, machines traffic is implemented with particular intensity from late spring to harvest, and it is responsible of soil compaction, that likely affects soil hydraulic properties, runoff, and soil erosion. Additionally, hydraulic and physical properties of soil are highly influenced by vineyards&#8217; inter-rows soil management. The effect of machines traffic on soil compaction, hydrological and erosional processes has been investigated on a sloping vineyards with different inter-row soil managements (tillage and permanent grass cover) in the Alto Monferrato area (Piedmont, NW Italy). During the investigation (November 2016 &#8211; October 2018) soil water content, rainfall, runoff, and soil erosion were continuously monitored. Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs), soil penetration resistance (PR) and bulk density (BD) were recorded periodically in portions of inter-rows affected and not by the machine traffic. In order to take into account temporal and management variability of soil compaction and hydrological properties, field-monitored data were statistically analysed, in order to identify existing relationships between climate and management variables and soil physical and hydrological variables. Very different yearly precipitation characterized the observed period, leading to higher bulk density and lower infiltration rates were in the wetter year, especially in the tilled vineyard, whereas soil penetration resistance was generally higher in the grassed plot, and in drier conditions. Soil bulk density and penetration resistance in tracked soil of the tilled plot increase, compared to the grassed plot, after only one to three tractor passages following tillage operation, especially in the topsoil (first 10 cm). Soil compaction affects water infiltration, especially in the wet year. In the tilled vineyard, one tractor passage on wet soil after tillage operation dramatically reduced Kfs from over 1000 to near 1 mm h-1, while with grass cover Kfs remained above the usual rain-intensity values, allowing water to infiltrate the soil. By means of linear and multilinear regression, significant relationships have been found to relate hydraulic conductivity and soil penetration resistance with soil water content, weather variables and a factor that takes into account the number of tractor passages and the elapsed time from last soil disturbance. Lastly, runoff and soil erosion were higher in the tilled plot, even if lower than the long-period average values. Indeed, in the wet year, management with grass cover reduced considerably runoff (-76%) and soil loss (-83%) compared to tillage and, in the dry season.

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