Effect of Cover Crop, Slurry Application with Different Loads and Tire Inflation Pressures on Tire Track Depth, Soil Penetration Resistance and Maize Yield

Agricultural soils can be affected in their ecological functions by in-field traffic of agricultural machinery. A three-factorial research design was carried out a field experiment to test the effect slurry tanker filling level (filled, half-filled, empty), tire inflation pressure (high: 300 kPa, low: 100 kPa), and ground covering (+cover crop, ?cover crop) on track soil penetration resistance (averaged, 0–20 cm, 21–40 cm) after application fields spring. Additionally, grain yield subsequent culture considered. The total weight tractor combination 16,470 kg (empty), 25,940 (half-filled), 34,620 (filled). low increased mean tire–soil contact area 75% (filled), 38% 16% (empty tanker). results obtained show significant measured parameters. reduction depth highest filled (?17.8%). With increasing wheel load, reduced (0–20 increased. In subsoil (21–40 cm), much lower, indicating that preserves upper layers rather than lower ones. Furthermore, cover crops are linked higher degree deformation with tractor–slurry due loosening topsoil. Tire tracks were 15.0% deeper crop without crop. It is assumed mixtures different types root mass influence mitigation compaction an ameliorative way.