Traffic Effects on Water Infiltration in Chisel‐Plow and No‐till Systems

Abstract

Traffic effects on pore structure and hydraulic properties of soils may be affected by site‐specific factors. The objective of this study was to determine if the effects of wheel traffic on infiltration rates in chisel‐plow and no‐till tillage systems differed among five Midwestern locations. Ponded and unsaturated (30‐, 60‐, and 150‐mm water tension head) infiltration rates were measured sequentially using infiltrometers after removing surface residues and the upper 2 cm of soil. Wheel traffic reduced ponded infiltration rates in both tillage systems at all locations, ranging from 95% in the chisel‐plow system in Iowa to approximately 55% in the chisel‐plow system in Missouri. Tillage systems significantly affected ponded infiltration rates at only two of the locations. At the Minnesota and Nebraska locations, no‐till reduced ponded infiltration rates in untrafficked interrows by 33 and 64%, respectively, compared with those in the chisel‐plow system. Ponded infiltration rates of trafficked interrows did not differ between tillage systems at any location. At the Iowa and Nebraska locations, the decrease in infiltration rate with an increase in tension head was greater for untrafficked interrows than for trafficked interrows in the chisel‐plow system. The large pores that drain at 30 mm of tension head accounted for a lower percentage of the water flow with ponding in trafficked interrows (73%) than in untrafficked interrows (88%). Infiltration rate comparisons between tillage systems should consider wheel traffic patterns.

Using the RUSLE to identify factors controlling erosion rates of mine soils

“…This traffic effect is supported by the studies of Ankeny, et al (1995), who reported reductions of up to 95 per cent in infiltration rates resulting from wheel traffic on agricultural soils. The higher bulk density of the cap site would also contribute to increased erosion.…”

A Comparison of Soil Properties after Five Years of No‐Till and Strip‐Till

“…Conversely, on a different study with similar fine‐textured soils, 10 yr after tillage establishment NT reduced INF and increased BD relative to conventional tillage (Lindstrom et al, 1981). Relative to conventional tillage systems, Ankeny et al (1995) showed no difference in INF in sites with less than 7 yr under NT, but INF decreased in NT sites with more than 10 yr since establishment. These results suggest that length of time since establishment of tillage treatments might be an important consideration when evaluating soil physical parameters.…”

Tillage effects on soil hydraulic properties in space and time: State of the science

“…The effects of tillage (CP versus NT) on ponded and tension infiltration were measured along with compaction effects (see Section 3.3) at five locations in the Midwestern USA (Ankeny et al, 1995). Ponded infiltration rates were affected significantly by tillage at only two sites.…”

“…The work of Freese et al (1993) discussed above (Section 3.1.1) showed the greatest effect of wheel tracks on sprinkle infiltration in chiselplowed areas, where the percentage of applied water infiltrating was reduced from 94% on no-track to 59% on wheel-track positions. Ankeny et al (1990Ankeny et al ( , 1995 studied the effects of wheel tracks on infiltration in CP and NT systems at five locations in the Midwest USA. Both ponded and tension infiltration measurements at three head values were collected (1995).…”