Agricultural traffic management systems and soil health

Description

This chapter examines the relationship between agricultural traffic and soil compaction. It begins by reviewing research on how agricultural traffic affects soil compaction as well as ways of measuring soil compaction and its effects. It then discusses a range of potential techniques to avoid soil compaction. These include: controlled-traffic farming, low ground pressure tyre systems as well as tracks and gantry systems. The chapter also discusses the relationship between different tillage practices and soil compaction. It includes a case study based on research conducted by the authors.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 How agricultural traffic affects soil compaction 3 Measuring soil compaction and its effects 4 Techniques to avoid soil compaction: controlled traffic farming 5 Techniques to avoid soil compaction: low ground pressure tyre systems 6 Techniques to avoid soil compaction: tracks and gantry systems 7 Tillage practices and soil compaction 8 Case study 9 Conclusion 10 Where to look for further information 11 References