Effect of animal traffic on soil compaction in wheat pastures
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Authors: E. G. Krenzer, Jr., C. F. Chee, and J. F. Stone
Date: 1989
Journal: Journal of Production Agriculture
Volume: 2
Number: 3
Pages: 246
Summary of Methods: The authors worked to quantify soil compaction caused by animal traffic on red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) pasture, and determined how deep this soil compaction takes place. Soil bulk density and soil strength increased under animal traffic, showing that soil compaction occurred. The depth to which this compaction took place varied by location, extending as deep as 12-13 inches. The greatest compaction took place in the top 1 inch of soil. Soil water content was lower under grazing at two of the three locations tested, possibly from reduction in the number of large pores. The compactive effect in this study was partly due to the magnitude of the compactive effort, i.e., the greater the intensity of grazing, the greater the severity of compaction.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: red winter wheat, triticum aestivum, soil compaction, bulk density, soil strength, soil moisture
Annotation: Grazing was initiated after the wheat was at least 6 in. tall. Haskell, Perkins, and Lahoma (the 3 study areas) were grazed for 205, 143, and 45 animal d/acre, with grazing extending over 174, 55, and 75 d, respectively. Grazing intensity is defined as "ungrazed and "grazed".
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