LONG-TERM WHEEL TRAFFIC EFFECTS ON SOIL PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS

This study determined the effects of long-term vehicular wheel traffic on soil physical properties for a Mattapex silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludult) under different tillage systems. Wheel traffic generally increased bulk density and soil strength. Wheel traffic resulted in over a 50% increase in soil strength when compared with non-wheel-tracked areas. The relative soil strength increase from wheel traffic was less for no-tilled soil than conventionally tilled soil. Wheel-traffic effects on bulk density and soil strength decreased with depth and were largely dissipated by 30-cm depth. Neither tillage system nor wheel traffic adversely changed soil physical properties so much that detrimental conditions for plant growth would be encountered. -from Authors