Soil Compaction in Harvesting Operations of Phalaris arundinacea L.

Abstract

Tillage and harvesting operations of perennial forage crops have problems with soil compaction. The effects of this phenomenon are soil deterioration with reduced crop performance and yield. This study aims to assess soil disturbance by measuring the level of compaction caused by the harvesting operations of Phalaris arundinacea L. P. arundinacea is a species that lends itself to biomass production and phytoremediation of contaminated soils; it adapts to difficult soil conditions, outperforming other species in terms of ease of planting, cost, maturity time, yield, and contamination levels. The crop was sown in three plots of the experimental teaching farm of the University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy. Following a detailed analysis of the chemical–physical characteristics of the soil, minimum tillage was chosen in order to concentrate on harvesting operations, which were carried out with a disc mower coupled to a tractor. This was followed by penetration resistance and soil moisture measurements to verify the incidence of the operations and the effect of the type of crop on compaction. On the study site, measurements were taken at points that the wheels of the tractor had gone over and at points that they had not. The soil analysis results indicate different chemical–physical characteristics between the two areas, the texture being frankly sandy to clayey. Penetration resistance measurements indicated differences for the first 20 cm between the part that was covered by the tractor’s tyres and the part that was left touched but also between the three plots. Moisture influenced penetration resistance. This study provides an evaluation of the first data obtained from a project that will last four years and which will explore the dynamics between soil, cultivation, and harvesting operations, giving a fundamental basis for further investigation of further harvesting operations and soil characteristics, which are crucial for planning and managing crops and reducing impacts on the soil in order to preserve it.

Comparison between Different Mechanization Systems: Economic Sustainability of Harvesting Poplar Plantations in Italy

“…The working capacity is 0.25 ha/h, with a productivity of about 1250/1500 cuttings/ha/employee. The second is equipped with clamp injectors that carry out the transplantation, arranged radially and equidistant from each other on a large metal wheel that moves due to the drag caused by the movement of the tractor [32]. With the rotation of the wheel, when an injector element is found in a vertical position and perpendicular to the ground, The first machine consists of a metal track with meshes fixed inside another cylinder, through which a piston operates.…”

“…The second is equipped with clamp injectors that carry out the transplantation, arranged radially and equidistant from each other on a large metal wheel that moves due to the drag caused by the movement of the tractor [32]. With the rotation of the wheel, when an injector element is found in a vertical position and perpendicular to the ground, a special proximity switch, through a solenoid valve, controls the extension of a hydraulic jack that, in turn, pushing the injector element down, inserts the cutting into the soil.…”

“…In light of the above, the use of a semi-automatic cuttings transplanter, compared to the traditional manual or mechanization techniques of the first level, guarantees a significantly reduced working time and a limited use of labor [32].…”

Change of Some Soil Physical Properties in Newly Reclaimed Soils Following Poor Soil Management: A Case Study in Al-Qasasin, Egypt

“…Tillage practices alter the soil's chemical, physical, and biological properties, which can alter the roots' traits, growth, and development [18]. The soil physical and chemical properties vary between the samples obtained where the tractor's wheels crossed them and those taken elsewhere [19]. Compaction induced soil structure disturbance can lead to crusting, fast nutrient recycling, decreased water and air access to roots [6] and mostly damages big pores [20].…”