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

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.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcella Biddoccu ◽  
Giorgio Capello ◽  
Eugenio Cavallo

<p>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’ 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 – 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<sup>-</sup><sup>1</sup>, 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.</p>


2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 957-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Halde ◽  
A. M. Hammermeister ◽  
N. L. Mclean ◽  
K. T. Webb ◽  
R. C. Martin

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.


Soil Research ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Henderson ◽  
A Levett ◽  
D Lisle

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viliam Nagy ◽  
Peter Šurda ◽  
Ľubomír Lichner ◽  
Attila J. Kovács ◽  
Gábor Milics

Abstract Soil compaction causes important physical modifications at the subsurface soil, especially from 10 to 30 cm depths. Compaction leads to a decrease in infiltration rates, in saturated hydraulic conductivity, and in porosity, as well as causes an increase in soil bulk density. However, compaction is considered to be a frequent negative consequence of applied agricultural management practices in Slovakia. Detailed determination of soil compaction and the investigation of a compaction impact on water content, water penetration depth and potential change in water storage in sandy loam soil under sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was carried out at 3 plots (K1, K2 and K3) within an experimental site (field) K near Kalinkovo village (southwest Slovakia). Plot K1 was situated on the edge of the field, where heavy agricultural equipment was turning. Plot K2 represented the ridge (the crop row), and plot K3 the furrow (the inter–row area of the field). Soil penetration resistance and bulk density of undisturbed soil samples was determined together with the infiltration experiments taken at all defined plots. The vertical bulk density distribution was similar to the vertical soil penetration resistance distribution, i.e., the highest values of bulk density and soil penetration resistance were estimated at the plot K1 in 15–20 cm depths, and the lowest values at the plot K2. Application of 50 mm of water resulted in the penetration depth of 30 cm only at all 3 plots. Soil water storage measured at the plot K2 (in the ridge) was higher than the soil water storage measured at the plot K3 (in the furrow), and 4.2 times higher than the soil water storage measured at the most compacted plot K1 on the edge of the field. Results of the experiments indicate the sequence in the thickness of compacted soil layers at studied plots in order (from the least to highest compacted ones): K2–K3–K1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-241
Author(s):  
Daniel DeArmond ◽  
João B S Ferraz ◽  
Fabiano Emmert ◽  
Adriano José Nogueira Lima ◽  
Niro Higuchi

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.


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 849-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
R A Tarpey ◽  
M F Jurgensen ◽  
B J Palik ◽  
R K Kolka

Periodic silvicultural thinnings (23.0, 27.6, 32.1 m2 ha-1 residual basal area) in a red pine stand growing on a sandy soil in north-central Minnesota over a 57-yr period increased soil compaction as the intensity of the thinning treatment increased. Of the three different methods used to measure soil compaction (bulk density, penetration resistance, and saturated hydraulic conductivity), saturated hydraulic conductivity was the most sensitive, decreasing by 60% in the 23.0 m2 ha-1 basal area thinning treatment, as compared with the uncut control. Soil bulk density measurements were more variable, but generally increased with increased thinning intensity. Few differences in soil penetration resistance were found among the three thinning treatments. In contrast, no evidence of soil compaction was detected in a northern hardwoods stand growing on a rocky loam soil in north-central Wisconsin that had three thinning treatments (13.8, 17.2, 20.6 m2 ha-1 residual basal area), a two- stage shelterwood harvest, and a 20-cm-diameter limit cut over a 50-yr period. With the increased demand for forest products, fuel reduction operations in high fire-risk stands, and biomass removal for energy production, more information is needed on the impact of multiple stand entries on soil compaction, and if compaction occurs, whether it will affect long-term soil productivity. Key words: Soil physical properties, bulk density, soil penetration resistance, hydraulic conductivity


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Moradi ◽  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino ◽  
Enric Terol ◽  
Gaspar Mora-Navarro ◽  
Alexandre Marco da Silva ◽  
...  

Agricultural activities induce micro-topographical changes, soil compaction and structural changes due to soil cultivation, which directly affect ecosystem services. However, little is known about how these soil structural changes occur during and after the planting of orchards, and which key factors and processes play a major role in soil compaction due to cultivation works. This study evaluates the improved stock unearthing method (ISUM) as a low-cost and precise alternative to the tedious and costly traditional core sampling method, to characterize the changes in soil compaction in a representative persimmon orchard in Eastern Spain. To achieve this goal, firstly, in the field, undisturbed soil samples using metallic core rings (in January 2016 and 2019) were collected at different soil depths between 45 paired-trees, and topographic variations were determined following the protocol established by ISUM (January 2019). Our results show that soil bulk density (Bd) increases with depth and in the inter-row area, due to the effect of tractor passes and human trampling. The bulk density values of the top surface layers (0–12 cm) showed the lowest soil accumulation, but the highest temporal and spatial variability. Soil consolidation within three years after planting as calculated using the core samples was 12 mm, whereas when calculated with ISUM, it was 14 mm. The quality of the results with ISUM was better than with the traditional core method, due to the higher amount of sampling points. The ISUM is a promising method to measure soil compaction, but it is restricted to the land where soil erosion does not take place, or where soil erosion is measured to establish a balance of soil redistribution. Another positive contribution of ISUM is that it requires 24 h of technician work to acquire the data, whereas the core method requires 272 h. Our research is the first approach to use ISUM to quantify soil compaction and will contribute to applying innovative and low-cost monitoring methods to agricultural land and conserving ecosystem services.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-243
Author(s):  
Taufik Rizaldi ◽  
Sumono Sumono

Penelitian dilakukan di Desa Lubuk Bayas Kecapamatan Perbaungan Kabupaten Serdang Bedagai pada lahan sawah bertekstur lempung berpasir dengan kadar air 49.17% dan dry bulk density 1.26 g/cm3. Tahanan penetrasi tanah ditentukan melalui pengukuran tahanan penetrasi plat dengan menggunakan penetrometer secara langsung di sawah. Pengukuran dilakukan dengan ukuran plat 5x5 cm2, 5x10 cm2, 5x15 cm2 dan 5x20 cm2. Sudut penekanan 90o, 75o, 60o, 45o, 30o dan kedalaman penekanan 4 cm, 8 cm, 12 cm, 16 cm dan 20 cm. Dari hasil pengukuran diperoleh bahwa semakin besar ukuran plat maka gaya penekanan semakin besar namun tahanan penetrasi tanah semakin kecil. Sedangkan semakin dalam plat masuk ke tanah maka tahanan penetrasi tanah semakin besar. Semakin besar sudut penekanan tahanan penetrasi tanah semakin besar. Untuk ukuran plat, sudut tekan dan kedalaman penekanan plat yang sama pada kedalaman lumpur yang berbeda akan menghasilkan gaya penekanan dan tahanan penetrasi tanah yang berbeda. The study was conducted in Lubuk Bayas Village, Perbaungan Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai District, in paddy fields with sandy clay texture with a water content of 49.17% and dry bulk density of 1.26 g / cm3. Soil penetration resistance iwas determined by measuring plate penetration resistance using a penetrometer directly in the rice field. Measurements were made with a plate size of 5x5 cm2, 5x10 cm2, 5x15 cm2 and 5x20 cm2. The angle of emphasis was 90o, 75o, 60o, 45o, 30o and the depth of emphasis was 4 cm, 8 cm, 12 cm, 16 cm and 20 cm. Results showed that the larger the plate size found, the greater the compressive force, but the penetration resistance of the soil got smaller. Whereas the deeper the plate entered the ground, the greater the penetration resistance of the soil occurred. The greater the angle of suppression the greater the penetration penetration of the soil. For the plate size, the pressure angle and depth of the same plate compression at different mud depths will result in a different force of suppression and soil penetration resistance.


Author(s):  
A. V. Zhukov

<p>GIS-APPROACH application has allowed establishing that usual wheels of machine-tractor units carry out considerable influence on soil which exceeds visible borders of a track of wheels on the dimensions. This influence shows in augmentation of soil penetration resistance at 100-155 % in comparison with the control on depth of 0-10 cm and on 20-30 % on depth of 45-50 %. It is impossible to exclude that influence of wheels proceeds more deeply, than tests have been conducted. Critical for cultivated plants value of soil penetration resistance in 3 MPa under the influence of usual wheels of agricultural machinery comes nearer practically to a surface. Character of profile changes of hardness in various regions influences of wheels allows assuming the long season of a relaxation of soil for achievement of background values of soil penetration resistance. The further researches are necessary for an establishment of concrete indicators of dynamics. Negative influence of an overstocking does not confine only deterioration of conditions of growth of assemblages of rootlets of plants. Infringement of processes of moving of moisture in the soil, the accelerated evaporation and the slowed down processes of a filtration and an infiltration, destruction of modular frame, activization of erosive processes is possible. The understanding of these processes will give the chance volume understanding of real influence of running systems of machine-tractor devices on bedrock. Region intensive influence of dual wheels is circumscribed by the top soil layers (0-15 cm). The major feature of influence of dual wheels is absence of an overstocking above critical levels. It is impossible to exclude possible positive influence of moderate inspissations of soil under the influence of dual wheels for growth of agricultural crops and moisture conservation in soil. The cumulative negative effect on soil crossed vehicles traces is probable. The long season of a relaxation of soil after anthropogenic transformation can create a network of traces of vehicles in the field. In region crossings of traces negative effects considerably increase.</p> <p><em>Keywords: hardness of bedrock, GIS-TECHNOLOGY, technique influence</em></p>


2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No, 7) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.F. Taser ◽  
O. Kara

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.


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