Evaluation of Center Pivot Wheel Traffic and its Impact on Soil Compaction

Abstract

The machine wheel track is considered one of the essential factors affecting wheat crop yield and soil compaction. Therefore, the current investigation was implemented aiming at assessing the influence of center pivot wheel traffic on soil compaction and crop yield at center pivot wheel track and adjacent soil. The main results of the current study can be summarized as follows: 1-The highest soil penetration resistance was recorded at the wheel track between1.0-2.0cm depth. 2-The penetration resistance gradually reduced to 45.0cm on each side of the wheel track Thus, root depth and distribution area followed an opposite trend. 3-The plants grown adjacent to the track of the wheel (0-45cm apart from the wheel traffic) realized the spread of roots to a depth of 15cm.While the spread of wheat roots in the other areas was 18.0and20.0cm. 4-A decline in the density of roots of plants grown in the area adjacent to the wheel track compared to that of plants grown in other both areas. The average of root distribution area of plant grown of plant grown in the area adjacent to the wheel path (0-45cm apart from the wheel traffic) was approximately 320 cm 2 /plant, while the average values were 550 and 600 cm 2 /plant for other both areas (45-90and90-135cm apart from the wheel traffic, respectively). From the tabled data in this paper, it can be concluded that more care should be taken into consideration, in selecting the suitable system of seedbed preparation to avoid transporting pressure of the pivot wheel to adjacent soil.