Traffic Pattern and Tillage System Effects on Corn Root and Shoot Growth

Abstract

Controlled wheel traffic is one way to manage compaction in no‐till and ridge‐till systems. This study was conducted from 1990 to 1992 at Kanawha, IA, on a Webster silty clay loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) to examine the effect of a wheel traffic pattern on corn (Zea mays L.) root distribution, shoot growth, and yield in no‐till, ridge‐till, and chisel‐plow tillage systems. The wheel traffic pattern was configured so that some rows would have wheel tracks on both sides, on one side, or on neither side. Bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, root length density, shoot dry weight, and yield were measured at several positions across the traffic pattern. In general, the effect of tillage systems was not significant averaged across positions. Position relative to the traffic pattern had some effect, however, on all measured parameters. Bulk density was greatest in trafficked interrows (1.36 Mg m~3) and least in untrafficked interrows (1.09 Mg m−3). Hydraulic conductivity near saturation was less in trafficked (39.4 μm s−1) than in untrafficked (104.7 μm s−1) interrows. Root length density in trafficked interrows was on average one‐third of that in untrafficked interrows. Root length density in a particular interrow also was influenced by the traffic pattern in the adjacent interrows. In 2 of the 3 yr, yields of rows with a trafficked interrow on only one side were 7% less than those of rows without trafficked interrows on either side. The wheel traffic pattern, and not just the presence or absence of wheel traffic, affected corn root growth and yield.

Can minor compaction increase soil carbon sequestration? A case study in a soil under a wheel-track in an orchard

“…The most important input with respect to soil carbon sequestration seems to be the plant-roots (Kong and Six, 2010). Others showed decreases in root length and biomasss in 0-0.15 m depth in wheel-tracks compared to row positions (Kaspar et al, 1991(Kaspar et al, , 1995. We reviewed the literature and found that even a small increase in soil resistance as low as 0.5 MPa by compaction would lead to a decrease in root length and biomass (Barzegar et al, 2006;Bingham et al, 2010).…”

Cereal rye cover crop effects on soil carbon and physical properties in southeastern Indiana

“…Care was also taken to sample in similar row positions on all plots and to avoid wheel tracks, but it is still possible that some less obvious wheel tracks were sampled, adding variability and making it very difficult to detect smaller changes due to the cover crop. Kaspar et al (1995) found that trafficked interrows had up to a 36% higher bulk density [84 lb ft ]) averaged across different tillage systems including chisel plow and no till, highlighting the need to plan sampling locations carefully.…”

Influência da posição relativa à linha de cultivo sobre a densidade do solo em dois sistemas de manejo do solo

“…A densidade é negativamente relacionada com a porosidade de aeração e positivamente relacionada com a resistência do solo à penetração das raízes (Archer & Smith, 1972;Ehlers et al, 1983;Silva et al, 1994). Os efeitos dos sistemas de preparo na variação da densidade do solo podem ser manifestados de forma diferenciada de acordo com a intensidade de tráfego e a posição relativa à linha de semeadura (Kaspar et al, 1991;Kaspar et al, 1995). No entanto, há carência de trabalhos que abordem este tema (Cassel, 1982;Kaspar et al, 1995;Silva et al, 1997).…”

“…Os efeitos dos sistemas de preparo na variação da densidade do solo podem ser manifestados de forma diferenciada de acordo com a intensidade de tráfego e a posição relativa à linha de semeadura (Kaspar et al, 1991;Kaspar et al, 1995). No entanto, há carência de trabalhos que abordem este tema (Cassel, 1982;Kaspar et al, 1995;Silva et al, 1997).…”