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Effect of Tractor Traffic, Surface Mulch, and Seedbed Configuration on Soil Properties¹

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the effects of three seedbed configurations, four mulch rates, and tractor traffic confinement on soil properties that affect soil-water relations of a sandy soil with cotton as a test crop. The lack of water limits crop production on dryland sandy soils in the Southern High Plains.

Undisturbed soil cores were taken from the 0- to 7.5-, 7.5- to 15-, and 22.5- to 30-cm depths in the trafficked and nontrafficked interrows and crop rows of the flat, ridge, and furrow treatments. Surface mulch rates of 0, 5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 tons/ha of cotton-bur mulch were applied annually after seedbed preparation to each split plot. Tractor traffic was confined to the same path each year using cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as a test crop.

Mulching at rates > 11.2 tons/ha reduced the bulk density, increased hydraulic conductivity, air porosity, total porosity, and organic matter content even in the trafficked interrows. Hydraulic conductivity of the crop rows increased eight-fold with heavy mulch applications. Hydraulic conductivity increased three-fold, bulk density was reduced, and air porosity increased as a result of controlling tractor traffic even without mulch.

¹ Contribution from Soil, Water, and Air Sciences, Southern Region, ARS, USDA, in cooperation with the Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., Texas A&M Univ.

² Soil Scientist and Agricultural Engineer, Southern Region, ARS, USDA, Big Spring, Texas 79720.

Received for publication November 27, 1972. Accepted for publication May 21, 1973.