Traffic lanes for controlled-traffic cropping systems

Abstract

Traffic lanes were constructed in a 5 ha research field, using knowledge obtained from research in soil bins and utilizing a Wide Frame Tractive Vehicle (WFTV) as the primary compaction device. Two dedicated, elevated lanes were built for each research crop zone. Average bulk density of subsoil under the completed lanes was increased 20% by the construction process, and was 86–95% of the peak obtained from standard Proctor tests. The lanes provided a firm base of support for the WFTV (which had a mass of 26·3 t) even after receiving 300 mm of rainfall within two winter months. Satisfactory tillage of surface soil and planting operations were performed using the WFTV when a conventional tractor would have been immobilized in the wet, underlying soil in the crop zones. Access zones half the width of the WFTV were created for servicing each crop zone. The access zones greatly facilitated the conduct of research from alongside the plots in the crop zones, and justified the preparation effort for redundant lanes.