Soil compaction associated with typical farmmachinery in Northern China

摘要

The objective of this study was to better understand the effects of typical farm machineryon soil compaction in Northern China and to take suitable measures to avoid soil compaction. Springwheat seedbeds were selected as experiment plots, and were wheeled side by side using smalltractor, large tractor and combine harvester, respectively. Soil bulk density was measured andanalysis of variance was conducted to compare the differences of soil compaction associated withdifferent farm machinery.Results showed that depth of soil compaction by large tractor and combine harvester was below300 ～400 mm (below plow layer), which had serious impact on crop establishment and growth. Thesuitable range of bulk density for major crop growth such as wheat and maize in Northern china was1.1～1.4g.cm-3, in which condition filed operation even using small tractor had significant effect onsoil compaction. When crop was sensitive to bulk density, the consequence of soil compactioncannot be neglected. This situation needs to be improved in order to sustain agriculture development.