The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)

Extremely low field emergence rates for canola are primarily attributed to soil compaction from field traffic during and after planting. This study aimed to determine the critical compaction level for canola emergence across different soil types. A laboratory experiment was conducted using sandy loa...

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Main Authors: Ernest Owusu-Sekyere, Ying Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1976
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author Ernest Owusu-Sekyere
Ying Chen
author_facet Ernest Owusu-Sekyere
Ying Chen
author_sort Ernest Owusu-Sekyere
collection DOAJ
description Extremely low field emergence rates for canola are primarily attributed to soil compaction from field traffic during and after planting. This study aimed to determine the critical compaction level for canola emergence across different soil types. A laboratory experiment was conducted using sandy loam, silt clay, and clay soils, compacted to five levels (zero to four) using Proctor hammer drops after sowing canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.). The lab results were validated through two years of field experiments in sandy loam, applying four compaction levels (zero to three) using a tractor. Soil properties (bulk density and surface resistance) and canola growth parameters (plant emergence rate, count, height, and above-ground biomass) were measured. Zero compaction resulted in lower bulk density and surface resistance across all soil types. Laboratory results showed maximum emergence rates of 95% for sandy loam, 100% for silt clay, and 60% for clay, while field emergence rates were 63% and 87.59% in the first and second years, respectively, both at zero compaction. Recommendations include light or no compaction for sandy loam, and zero compaction for silt clay, while clay soil did not achieve the 80% emergence target at any compaction level. These results can assist agricultural producers in optimizing their seeding equipment setup and managing field traffic for canola production.
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spelling doaj-art-3fb8d23487254a738faf062910a6be622024-11-26T17:43:34ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722024-11-011411197610.3390/agriculture14111976The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)Ernest Owusu-Sekyere0Ying Chen1Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, CanadaDepartment of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, CanadaExtremely low field emergence rates for canola are primarily attributed to soil compaction from field traffic during and after planting. This study aimed to determine the critical compaction level for canola emergence across different soil types. A laboratory experiment was conducted using sandy loam, silt clay, and clay soils, compacted to five levels (zero to four) using Proctor hammer drops after sowing canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.). The lab results were validated through two years of field experiments in sandy loam, applying four compaction levels (zero to three) using a tractor. Soil properties (bulk density and surface resistance) and canola growth parameters (plant emergence rate, count, height, and above-ground biomass) were measured. Zero compaction resulted in lower bulk density and surface resistance across all soil types. Laboratory results showed maximum emergence rates of 95% for sandy loam, 100% for silt clay, and 60% for clay, while field emergence rates were 63% and 87.59% in the first and second years, respectively, both at zero compaction. Recommendations include light or no compaction for sandy loam, and zero compaction for silt clay, while clay soil did not achieve the 80% emergence target at any compaction level. These results can assist agricultural producers in optimizing their seeding equipment setup and managing field traffic for canola production.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1976soilcompactionsurface resistancecanolaemergence ratebiomass
spellingShingle Ernest Owusu-Sekyere
Ying Chen
The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)
Agriculture
soil
compaction
surface resistance
canola
emergence rate
biomass
title The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)
title_full The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)
title_fullStr The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)
title_short The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)
title_sort effect of varying compaction levels on soil dynamic properties and the growth of canola i brassica napus i l
topic soil
compaction
surface resistance
canola
emergence rate
biomass
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1976
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