The Effect of Residue Management and Vehicle Characteristics on Soil Compaction

Two soil compaction trials were conducted at Riverside and Kaalrug near Malelane in the northern irrigated area of the South African sugar industry. Treatments for the trial at Riverside were fresh citrus peel incorporated at 318 tons/ha (95 ton/ha dry material), dry cane trash at 30 tons/ha left on the soil surface and a combination of these two. Compaction was applied by driving a 30 ton rigid truck/trailer combination either on the interrow or the row. Treatments at the Kaalrug trial were compaction at various soil water contents using a 30 ton payload truck fitted with radial tyres, a similar vehicle fitted with high flotation tyres and a 52 kW tractor with a 5 ton payload trailer both fitted with radial tyres.