Soil Compaction in Double‐cropped Wheat and Soybeans on an Ultisol

Abstract

Abstract In recent years double‐crop winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and soybeans [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] have become quite common in the southeastern USA. To minimize the time between harvest of the winter crop and planting of soybeans, many farmers have adopted reduced or no‐tillage systems. A 2‐yr experiment was conducted on an Ultisol in Georgia to assess the influence of these tillage practices on soil physical properties. Spring tillage treatments were no‐tillage, disking, and moldboard plow plus disking. Fall tillage prior to planting wheat was with a disk. Bulk density and mechanical impedance measurements indicated a compacted layer in the disked and notillage treatments at a depth of 0.15 to 0.25 m. This was attributed, in part, to the fall disking, and it persisted through the winter and into the next growing season.