Silage maize emergence is reduced by wheel traffic due to increased soil bulk density and penetration resistance

Abstract

Effects of wheel traffic on plant emergence in conventional and conservational tillage systems for silage maize have been studied. Compaction parameters investigated were as follows: pre-planting in entire plot area, post-planting in entire plot area, post-planting intra-rows, post-planting inter-rows and a control (no extra compaction); using a conventional tillage system such as mouldboard plough and disc harrow, and conservational tillage such as chisel plough with tooth harrow and rotary tiller. Penetration resistance, bulk density, maize mean emergence dates and percentage of emerged seedlings were measured. Soil bulk density and penetration resistance in pre-planting and post-planting compaction treatments in the entire plot area were higher than the other compaction treatments. Compaction caused by pre-planting resulted in lower silage maize emergence than the other compaction treatments. The mean percentage emergence of seedlings was higher in the rotary tiller conservational tillage system than that of the other tillage systems. The mean percentage emergence of seedlings was higher in control and post-planting intra-rows compaction. In conclusion, the percentage of emerged seedlings was affected negatively by the wheel traffic treatments. Compaction treatments caused by tractor wheel traffic in tillage systems increased soil bulk density and penetration resistance. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.