The effect of movement of tractors and mobile systems on soil compaction and the yield of various maize hybrids in the conditions of Southern Serbia

Abstract

Movement of tractors and mobile systems during the plant production can be divided into the movement of the interior of the plot and the movement on the headlands. Both movements result in soil compaction of various intensity, whereby the compaction is more expressed on the headlands, unlike the interior of the plot due to lower speeds in turning. The consequences of compaction create unfavorable conditions for growth and development of cultivated crops, permanent soil damage, reduction of yields and increase production costs. The paper shows the results of measuring the impact of tractors and mobile systems movement on soil compaction changes and the yield of various maize hybrids. The tests were carried out in the conditions of the Jablanica County, and the soil compaction was measured by the Eijkelkamp 6.0 penetrolоger in accordance with EN 5140, while the soil moisture was measured by the Theta probe. Cone resistance was measured at the inner part and the edges of the plot at the beginning of the vegetation (emergence phase) and at the end of the vegetation (harvesting phase). The aim was to determine the effects of changes in soil compaction, on the growth, development and yield of various maize hybrids. The obtained results showed that the soil compaction in the emergence phase of maize on the headlands was on average higher by more than 92% in relation to the interior of the plot. In the harvesting phase on the headlands, more intensive soil compaction values were measured in relation to the plot’s interior, and the soil compaction increased more than 57%. Due to the more intensive soil compaction on the headlands, the yields of maize on average were reduced more than 60%, compared to the plots interior.