soil structure, cultivations and crop establishment: csf ......more effective than lgp tyres • no...

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© 2016

Soil Structure, Cultivations andCrop Establishment:

CSF Helpston 2016.

Philip WrightWright Resolutions Limited

Soil Structure, Cultivations and Establishment.

© 2016

Soil Structure – visual indicators

© 2016

Soil Structure: trafficking effects

After: Söhne (1958)

Axle Load

Pressure

© 2016

• Soil resistance to compaction is improved by Organic Matter• Note a small increase in OM% makes a big difference

12psi = 83kPa

20psi = 138kPa

35psi = 241kPa

Nutrient Availability

Key Component – Organic Matter

© 2016

Subsoiler Leg Geometry: principles

© 2016

After: Tullberg et al. 2003

Reduced pressure/axle weight and correct balance by ballasting;Note RESIDUE MANAGEMENT is key

Options for compaction reduction

Controlled traffic

Source: CTF Europe

© 2016

Setting up ballast & tyre pressuresBenefits of reduced ground pressure

© 2016

Cover Crops – benefits of getting roots down.

Moisture removal and restructuring

capabilities are key features!!

• Different modes of root growth – target & restructure compacted zones• Minimise nutrient loss through winter• Go before a later sown Autumn or Spring crop – moisture benefits• Incorporate / Graze or Spray off; possibility to direct drill next crop• TIMING of Cover crop desiccation is vital for effective Spring cropping

• Spring rotations - the key for grass weed control???• Note soil disturbance when establishing a cover and the next crop can imply different requirements.

© 2016

• Correctly-inflated low ground pressure tyres reduce

compaction, surface runoff and sediment loss from autumn

spray operations…

• Drilling the wheeling area has no consistent effect, as autumn

spray operation still causes compaction

• Novel rotary harrow usually more effective than LGP tyres

• No effect of treatments on wheelslip, fuel use or crop yield

Runoff

02468

101214

ControlTyre

Control +Harrow

Optimumtyre

Optimum+ Harrow

Run

off (

mm

)

Eroded soil

0200400600800

100012001400

ControlTyre

Control +Harrow

Optimumtyre

Optimum+ harrow

Sedi

men

t (kg

/ha)

After: Sustainable Arable LINK 2008/15

Soil Structure – Movement of Water & Nutrient

Up to 75% of run-off is from tramlines