Impacts of harvesting and postharvest treatments on soil bulk density, soil strength, and early growth of Pinus taeda in the Gulf Coastal Plain: a Long-Term Soil Productivity affiliated study

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 601-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason C Carter ◽  
Thomas J Dean ◽  
Ziyin Wang ◽  
Ray A Newbold
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Gulf Coastal Plain ◽  
The Impact

At four sites in the Gulf Coastal Plain, mechanical whole-tree harvesting (MWT) removed more biomass and nutrients than hand-fell bole-only harvesting (HFBO). Soil compaction and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) regeneration growth varied among sites. At one location, MWT increased soil bulk density by 0.1 Mg·m–3, from 1.14 to 1.24 Mg·m–3, with no effect on tree growth. At a second location, where bulk density increased by 0.1 Mg·m–3, from 1.41 to 1.51 Mg·m–3, pine growth was reduced significantly. Soil strength at 15–20 cm depth increased by 0.3–0.5 MPa at both locations. However, where MWT reduced pine growth, herbaceous weed control mitigated the effect. Fertilization with N and P, where P was limiting, increased pine growth irrespective of other treatments. Where P was not limiting, addition of a complete fertilizer reduced the mitigating effect of weed control. Bedding reduced soil compaction without improving early tree growth; however, bedding was not tested on the two sites where soil compaction appeared to be at critical levels. Broadcast burning increased survival but reduced pine growth irrespective of harvesting method. Our results suggest that the impact of intensive management on site productivity varies among sites, is potentially accumulative, and is subject to change over time.

Effect of combined soil water and external load on soil compaction

Soil Research ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Hamza ◽  
S. S. Al-Adawi ◽  
K. A. Al-Hinai
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
External Load ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Water Infiltration

Reducing soil compaction is now an important issue in agriculture due to intensive use of farm machinery in different farm operations. This experiment was designed to study the influence of combinations of external load and soil water on soil compaction. Four soil water levels were combined with four external loads as follows: soil water—air-dry, 50% of field capacity, field capacity, and saturation; external load using different-sized tractors—no load (0 kg), small tractor (2638 kg), medium tractor (3912 kg), and large tractor (6964 kg). Soil bulk density, soil strength, and soil water infiltration rate were measured at 0–100, 100–200, and 200–300 mm soil depths. The 16 treatments were set up in a randomised block design with three replications. Combined increases in soil water and external load increased soil compaction, as indicated by increasing soil bulk density and soil strength and decreasing soil water infiltration rate. There was no significant interaction between soil water and external load for bulk density at all soil depths, but the interaction was significant for soil strength and infiltration rates at all soil depths. The ratio between the weight of the external load and the surface area of contact between the external load and the ground was important in determining the degree of surface soil compaction. Least compaction was produced by the medium tractor because it had the highest tyre/ground surface area contact. In general, the effects of soil water and external load on increasing soil bulk density and soil strength were greater in the topsoil than the subsoil.

Impact of Intensive Forest Management Practices on the Bulk Density of Lower Coastal Plain and Piedmont Soils

1985 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Gent ◽  
R. Ballard
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Mechanical Impedance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Intensive Forest Management ◽  
Lower Coastal Plain

Abstract Trafficking during harvesting significantly increased soil bulk density to depths of 3 to 6 inches in areas outside of primary skid trails and 9 to 12 inches in primary skid trails. On the Coastal Plain site, bedding was effective in offsetting soil compaction in areas outside of primary skid trails, forming a new soil surface, 7 to 8 inches in height, over the surface trafficked during harvest. Bedding may not be so effective in the skid trails, because the original soil surface under the bed was so compacted that root growth may be inhibited. On the Piedmont site, disking was effective in restoring bulk density to preharvest levels in the upper 3 to 5 inches of soil, but soil compaction in the upper 3 to 9 inches of drum-chopped areas may result in reduced root growth, because of mechanical impedance.

Soil compaction induced by careful logging in the claybelt region of northwestern Quebec (Canada)

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Brais ◽  
C. Camiré
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Wheel Track

Soil compaction induced by forest harvesting operations can reduce site productivity. Intensity, extent and persistence of soil compaction were assessed on fine- to medium- and coarse-textured soils. Severe compaction took place in the wheel track section of the skid trails. On fine- to medium-textured soils, half of the effects on the 0- to 10-cm and 10- to 20-cm mineral soil bulk densities (+11 and +8%) and half of the changes in the 10-cm depth soil strength (+69%) occurred in the course of the first two skidding cycles (cycle of half impact). On coarse soils, half of the effect on the 0- to 10-cm bulk density (+11%) occurred during the first three passes. Cycles of half impact for soil strength were 9, 14, 7 and 6 for the 2.5-, 5-, 10-, and 20-cm depths and corresponded to increases of 235, 402, 157 and 103% respectively. Compaction was more limited between track sections of trails. Six to twelve years following clearcutting on fine- to medium-textured soils, 0- to 10-cm soil bulk density was less in the skid trails than on the undisturbed sections of cutovers. Careful logging on moist, fine- to medium-textured soils is the safest way to limit the extent of soil compaction. On coarse-textured soils, spreading the traffic remains a valid option. Key words: Soil compaction, bulk density, soil strength, forest harvesting, careful logging

Soil physical property changes at the North American Long-Term Soil Productivity study sites: 1 and 5 years after compaction

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah S Page-Dumroese ◽  
Martin F Jurgensen ◽  
Allan E Tiarks ◽  
Felix Ponder, Jr. ◽  
Felipe G Sanchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
North American ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Soil Monitoring ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

The impact of forest management operations on soil physical properties is important to understand, since management can significantly change site productivity by altering root growth potential, water infiltration and soil erosion, and water and nutrient availability. We studied soil bulk density and strength changes as indicators of soil compaction before harvesting and 1 and 5 years after harvest and site treatment on 12 of the North American Long-Term Soil Productivity sites. Severe soil compaction treatments approached root-limiting bulk densities for each soil texture, while moderate compaction levels were between severe and preharvest values. Immediately after harvesting, soil bulk density on the severely compacted plots ranged from 1% less than to 58% higher than preharvest levels across all sites. Soil compaction increases were noticeable to a depth of 30 cm. After 5 years, bulk density recovery on coarse-textured soils was evident in the surface (0–10 cm) soil, but recovery was less in the subsoil (10–30 cm depth); fine-textured soils exhibited little recovery. When measured as a percentage, initial bulk density increases were greater on fine-textured soils than on coarser-textured soils and were mainly due to higher initial bulk density values in coarse-textured soils. Development of soil monitoring methods applicable to all soil types may not be appropriate, and more site-specific techniques may be needed for soil monitoring after disturbance.

scholarly journals Tillage is Necessary in Re-establishing Peach Orchards

1994 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-67
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
J. Kotcon ◽  
W.V. Welker
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Peach Trees

Three soil management treatments (cultivation, herbicide, and killed sod) were established in the drive middle of a 10-year-old apple orchard removed the year prior to planting peaches. The cultivation and herbicide treatments used preplant tillage, leaving a bare soil surface, whereas the killed-sod system was untilled. Peach trees (Prunus persica L. Batsch) were planted, and growth, yield, and soil bulk density were measured after 3 years. There were no differences in tree growth or yield for the three treatments These results were contrary to published reports that the killed-sod system increased early tree growth. The lack of growth response in the killed-sod system was attributed to the high soil bulk density remaining from the previous orchard. We concluded that truck and tractor traffic in the drive middle causes severe soil compaction, which may limit root development. The soil compaction can only be moderated by tillage.

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 A Comparison of Soil Compaction Associated with Four Ground-Based Harvesting Systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Bustos ◽  
Andrew Egan
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Equipment Selection ◽  
Farm Tractor ◽  
Harvesting Systems

Abstract A study of soil compaction associated with four harvesting systems—a forwarder working with a mechanized harvester and a rubber-tired cable skidder, a farm tractor, and a bulldozer, each of them coupled with a chainsaw felling—was conducted in a group selection harvest of a mixed hardwood stand in Maine. The bulldozer system was associated with the highest percentage differences in soil bulk density measured in machine tracks (16.9%), trail centerlines (15.7%), and harvested group selection units (13.1%) versus adjacent untrafficked areas, whereas the forwarder system was associated with the lowest percentage differences in soil bulk density measured in machine tracks (3.5%), trail centerlines (1.2%), and harvested group selection units (6.3%) versus adjacent untrafficked areas. Results will help to inform loggers and foresters on equipment selection, harvest planning, and the conservation of forest soils and soil productivity.

scholarly journals Impact of Soil Compaction on Bulk Density and Root Biomass ofQuercus petraeaL. at Reclaimed Post-Lignite Mining Site in Lusatia, Germany

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric K. A. Twum ◽  
Seth Nii-Annang
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Lignite Mining ◽  
Mining Soil ◽  
The Impact

The impact of soil compaction on bulk density and root biomass ofQuercus petraeaL. was assessed after 85 years of reclamation of post-lignite mining soil at Welzow-South, in Lusatia, Germany. Bulk density of core soils sampled from 20 to 25 cm, 100 to 105 cm, and 200 to 205 cm depths and oven-dried biomass ofQ. petraearoots sampled from 0 to 30 cm and at successive depths of 20 cm, up to 210 cm depth at compacted and uncompacted sites were determined. Bulk density was significantly higher at 20 to 25 cm (1.74±0.09 g cm−3) and 100 to 105 cm (1.65±0.06 g cm−3) depths of the compacted site. Likewise, compaction induced significant greater root biomass within the 0 to 70 cm depth with higher bulk density; root biomass at this depth was 2-fold greater compared to the uncompacted site. Root biomass decreased with soil depth and showed significant relationship with depth at both sites. The result indicates that, after 85 years of reclamation, the impact of soil compaction persisted as evident in higher bulk density and greater root biomass.

Soil bulk density effects on soil microbial populations and enzyme activities during the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) planted in large pots under field exposure

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Li ◽  
B. L. Ma ◽  
T. Q. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Enzyme Activities ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Microbial Populations ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Plant Growth Stages

Soil compaction associated with inappropriate maneuvering of field equipment, and/or modern cropping system negatively affect soil physical properties, and thus, may limit microbial activities and biochemical processes, which are important to nutrient bioavailability. An experiment was carried out using the pot-culture technique to determine the effect of bulk density on soil microbial populations and enzyme activities in an Eutric Cambisol sandy loam soil (United Nations’ classification) planted with maize (Zea mays L.) in the Experimental Farm of Henan Agricultural University, Henan, China (34°49′N, 113°40′E). Numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes and the enzyme activities of invertase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, urease, protease, and phosphatase were determined at various stages during the plant growing season. Microbial numbers were negatively and linearly related to soil bulk density. With increases in soil bulk density from 1.00 to 1.60 Mg m-3, total numbers of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes declined by 26-39%. The strongest correlations between the soil microbial population and bulk density occurred at the plant growth stages of the 6 fully expanded leaf (V6) and anthesis (R1), with R2 > 0.90 (P< 0.01) for all three microorganism categories. Increasing soil bulk density was related quadratically to the activities of soil invertase and polyphenol oxidase, protease and catalase. It appears that the greatest activities of most soil enzymes occurred at a bulk density of 1.0 to 1.3 Mg m-3, which are optimum for most field crops. The plant growth stages also had an important impact on soil enzyme activities and microbial populations, with strong positive associations between soil microorganisms and enzyme activities with crop growth. Key words: Maize, soil enzymes, microbial population, soil compaction, bulk density, Zea mays

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