Journal• ISSN: 0167-4137
Developments in Agricultural Engineering
Elsevier BV
About: Developments in Agricultural Engineering is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Soil water & Soil compaction (agriculture). It has an ISSN identifier of 0167-4137. Over the lifetime, 135 publications have been published receiving 2215 citations.
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TL;DR: In the early part of the 19th century, draft animals were observed to cause soil compaction during cultivation, while during the second half and early years of the 20th centuries the use of steam engines for cultivation was accompanied by excessive compaction, unless cable traction was employed or soils were extremely dry.
Abstract: Summary There is widespread evidence for the prevalence of problems in crop production which are attributable to soil compaction caused by the passage of vehicles, implements and draft animals. Agricultural, horticultural and forestry crops are known to experience these problems in both temperate and tropical regions. Soil compaction problems were experienced in commercial production long before any coherent research was undertaken on this subject. During the early part of the 19th century, draft animals were observed to cause soil compaction during cultivation, while during the second half of the 19th and early years of the 20th centuries the use of steam engines for cultivation was accompanied by excessive compaction, unless cable traction was employed or soils were extremely dry. The introduction of the internal combustion engine for small tractors did not initially lead to widespread compaction problems but by the middle of the 20th century, and particularly during the past 30 years, mechanization has advanced to such a scale and intensity that compaction problems have become of worldwide importance. Soil compaction is now considered to be a multi-disciplinary problem in which machine/soil/crop/weather interactions play an important role and which may have dramatic economic and environmental consequences in world agriculture. However, recent progress in scientific understanding of the soil compaction process and its implications, improved insight into proper vehicle use and soil management, and the development of mechanization systems and novel running gear, provide new perspectives for reducing soil compaction problems in crop production.
297 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the strength of structured soils during loading depends on both effective stresses and neutral stresses, and soil compaction affects the inter- as well as the intra-aggregate pore size distribution and results in changes of several parameters of the effective-stress equation.
Abstract: Summary The strength of structured soils during loading depends on both effective stresses and neutral stresses Thus, soil compaction affects the inter- as well as the intra-aggregate pore size distribution and results in changes of several parameters of the effective-stress equation Furthermore, differences in the hydraulic conductivity of the bulk soil and in single aggregates, and also differences in the pore continuity must be considered Therefore, determination of compressibility and compactability requires physically and mechanically well-defined measurements and methods and a detailed analysis on both macro- and micro-scale, in order to deal adequately with the complex relationships between the requirements of growing plants and the soil physical characteristics as affected by loading
154 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present data and relationships showing the effects of compaction on soil hydraulic properties and water flow, and present numerically modeled water flow for some management systems, and identifies future directions for research.
Abstract: Summary Compactive processes affect soil hydraulic properties and associated soil water flow. Soil water retention and transport properties are altered in response to changes in pore space geometry. Soil water flow is affected not only by soil hydraulic properties but additionally by the distribution of sources and sinks of water in the soil system. Compaction can alter soil pore geometry, and can also affect sources and sinks of water by changing surface configuration, and crop rooting distribution. This paper reviews the literature and presents data and relationships showing the effects of compaction on soil hydraulic properties and water flow, presents numerically modeled water flow for some management systems, and identifies future directions for research.
123 citations
TL;DR: In this article, important indicators of soil aeration status, such as air-filled porosity, air permeability, relative gas diffusion coefficient, soil air composition, oxygen availability (ODR) and redox potential (Eh) are presented.
Abstract: Summary Important indicators of soil aeration status, such as air-filled porosity, air permeability, relative gas diffusion coefficient, soil air composition, oxygen availability (ODR) and redox potential (Eh) are presented. Relationships among these indicators and techniques of measurement are discussed. Field and laboratory experimentation is described. Compaction is shown to restrict aeration and thereby impair crop growth. Examples are given of field experiments, generally involving cereals, with compaction treatments applied either before sowing to simulate unalleviated previous compacton by harvest machinery or during seedbed preparation. Crops, particularly winter crops, are most vulnerable in wet, warm periods shortly after sowing or fertilizer application. Impaired crop growth resulting from compaction is attributed to the interacting effects of poor aeration and mechanical impedance. Poor aeration can also result in gaseous losses of plant-available nitrogen. Experimental evidence of recovery from compaction in undisturbed soils is also presented. Subject areas requiring further research efforts are identified.
114 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) has many design and management similarities to surface drip irrigation, but there are also some unique differences that affect uniformity, operation, and system longevity.
Abstract: When compared with other irrigation systems, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) has advantages and disadvantages that should be carefully considered. There are many design and management similarities to surface drip irrigation (DI), but there are also some unique differences that affect uniformity, operation, and system longevity. Factors that affect SDI uniformity are emitter clogging, root intrusion, root pinching, mechanical and pest damage, soil overburden and compaction, soil hydraulic parameters, and, possibly, system age. A typical SDI system often requires additional components, compared to DI, such as flushlines, additional air/vacuum relief valves, and pressure gauges and a flowmeter for system monitoring. Emitter flowrate and spacing, and dripline diameter, wall thickness, spacing, and depth are all important design criteria for SDI systems. Flushing of SDI driplines is also a key design criterion, and some designers prefer to begin their design with the flushing system. SDI can potentially provide a more consistent soil water and nutrient environment for optimum crop growth, but there can also be challenges in some regions, such as crop establishment, salinity management, soil water redistribution, and application of some agrochemicals. The application of SDI for some of the lower-value grain and fiber crops has been increasing, and this trend is likely to continue.
102 citations
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Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 10 |
| 1994 | 26 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1984 | 47 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1980 | 39 |