Comparison of Track and Tire Effects of Planter Tractors on Corn Yield and Soil Properties

摘要

Soil compaction remains a serious concern throughout crop production areas of the world because of its deleterious effects on crop yield and soil quality. Many studies indicate significant yield losses due to compaction, others indicate significant differences in yield loss between tires and track, yet others show no differences at all for reasons that have not been fully explained. To investigate tractive method effects on corn ( Zea mays L.) yield, Clarion-Nicollet-Webster soil was compacted with four-wheel drive and mechanical front-wheel drive class tractors equipped with both tires and tracks. The planter centerline was offset from the tractor drawbar to obtain plant data from crop rows with a range of distance values from the tire centerline. Plant emergence, grain yield, and penetrometer resistance were analyzed to determine compaction treatment and distance effects, and no significant treatment differences were found. A method for estimating critical soil stress levels required to cause structural degradation was also implemented; these results similarly suggest that treatment differences should not be observed