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Influence of Cover Crop and Wheel Traffic on Soil Physical Properties in Continuous No‐Till Corn
Author(s) -
Wagger M. G.,
Denton H. P.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1989.03615995005300040036x
Subject(s) - loam , tillage , cover crop , bulk density , agronomy , no till farming , hydraulic conductivity , environmental science , row crop , conventional tillage , crop , mathematics , hydrology (agriculture) , soil water , soil science , geology , biology , agriculture , soil fertility , ecology , geotechnical engineering
Conservation tillage systems utilizing winter annual cover crops represent a different soil physical environment compared to conventional tillage systems. A field experiment was conducted for 3 yr on a Goldsboro fine sandy loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Aquic Paleudults) in the North Carolina Coastal Plain to assess effects of cover crop type and row position on soil physical properties under no‐tillage corn ( Zea mays L.) management. Bulk density (ρ b ), soil porosity, and hydraulic conductivity ( K sat) were measured in fallow, winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth.) systems with respect to three row positions (trafficked, untrafficked, and plant row). All traffic was controlled such that each corn row was bordered by a trafficked and untrafficked interrow. In general, soil physical properties were unaffected by cover crop type but strongly influenced by position. Bulk density was significantly higher in the trafficked vs. untrafficked position (1.74 vs. 1.52 Mg m −3 ) after 3 yr and tended to increase with time in the trafficked interrow. Associated with higher ρ b values in the trafficked interrow were significantly lower values for soil porosity and K sat. Total porosity in the trafficked position, averaged over cover crop type and 3 yr, decreased 21% below that of the untrafficked position. After 3 yr, K sat was 0.019 and 0.002 mm s −1 in untrafficked and trafficked interrows, respectively. These results suggest that controlled traffic patterns may be an important component in the management of continuous, conservation tillage systems.