Soil characteristics and root growth in a catena across and outside the wheel tracks for different slurry application systems

Compaction of subsoils is a steady increasing challenge as induced by the increase in weight well power field machinery. We performed experiment with two different machinery systems used slurry application. A tractor-trailer combination (TT) was compared to tricycle-like self-propelled machine traction on all three wheels (SP). The maximum wheel load 88 and 114 kN for TT SP treatments, respectively. were equipped 710–800 mm wide tires inflated 300 kPa, while width inflation pressure most heavily loaded tire 1050 250 kPa. machines driven across soil replicate plots randomized block experiment. Traffic took place at water content close capacity. Immediately following experimental traffic, cores undisturbed sampled 30, 50 70 cm depths catena tracks. drained − 100 hPa matric potential prior measurement air permeability. For both systems, we measured significant differences properties outside volume pores > 30 µm, ε100, and/or permeability, ka, indicated loosening or closely edge treatment. bulk density, ρb, higher ε100 lower than depth under tire, also some decimetres from edge. Accordingly, ka lowest TT, permeability normalized unit that effect pore due increased rather tortuosity. rooting spring barley crop beneath wheeled tracks outside. This may reflect traffic although it cannot be excluded topsoil establishing has played role well. consider results effects repeated wheeling consistent horizontal stresses. encourage further studies including