​​​Managing Soil Compaction in Agricultural Fields

December 2015 | 30 min., 30 sec.
by Randy L. Raper
Oklahoma State University

Summary

​Soil compaction has sometimes been referred to as the 'silent thief' because it reduces rooting, infiltration, water storage, aeration, drainage, and crop growth and can 'steal' profits! Soil compaction has been studied intensively for more than a century and yet, we still struggle with the effect that soil compaction has on crop production and the environment. In this presentation, we attempt to present the primary causes of soil compaction including trafficking weak soil, excessive loads, and soils which are somewhat predisposed to soil compaction. Suggestions are also made to alleviate soil compaction which varies from gradual improvement using conservation tillage systems to the immediate improvement offered by subsoiling. Additionally, methods are covered that producers can use to avoid compacting their soil, including reducing their axle load, using radial tires and maintaining proper inflation pressure, duals, tracks, and controlling their traffic. Unfortunately, few if any of our suggestions could be used to cure soil compaction because as long as vehicles are used to plant and harvest crops on the same soil that is used to produce crops, there will continue to be soil compaction and an endless battle to reduce the ill effects of soil compaction.

About the Presenter

Randy L. RaperRandy L. Raper graduated from Mississippi State University with a BS degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1983, and from Iowa State University with MS and PhD degrees in Agricultural Engineering in 1985 and 1987, respectively. In 1987, he moved to Auburn, AL where he conducted research with the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory on tillage and traction systems until 2002 when he was appointed Lead Scientist of the newly formed USDA-ARS Conservation Systems Research Team. In this position, he provided leadership for a multi-disciplinary rese​arch team of six scientists that was tasked with development of conservation agricultural systems that minimized inputs, maximized yields, reduced risk, and conserved natural resources. In 2009, he moved to Booneville, AR where he became the Research Leader of the USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center and the Co-Coordinator of the USDA Southeastern Biomass Feedstock Research Center. While at Booneville, he managed a 2300-acre research center that employed 22 people with 6 scientists and he conducted research on development of crop and soil management systems that were environmentally and economically sustainable. In 2012, he moved to Stillwater, OK to manage the 18 research stations and greenhouse facilities for the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station at Oklahoma State University. Recently, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. He has published extensively and has given invited technical lectures throughout the U.S. and the world. His awards have included the 2006 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Distinguished Lecturer, the 2007 USDA-ARS Scientist of the Year for the MidSouth Area, and the 2008 No-Till Innovator of the Year for Research and Education.​

Contact Information:
Email: randy.raper@okstate.edu

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