ROBERT LEIBY DAVID DUNBAR Lehigh Co. Extension Agents Soil compaction is defined as a process of rearranging soil parti cles to decrease pore space and in crease bulk density (weight per unit of volume). An ideal soil might have 50 per cent pore space. Compaction re duces the movement of gases and water in the soil, increases soil strength, and reduces crop yields significantly. Soil oxygen is essential for seed germination, root development, nutrient uptake, and soil microb activity. Restricted water move ment prevents beneficial drainage BUSH HOG* NEW... NEW... NEW DIVISION OF ALLIED products corporation JM A Winning with quality. -T v/ K 1U» 4 ! BUSH HOG* ATH-900 SERIES FINISHING MOWERS Designed for use by commercial operators and owners of homes with large lawns to maintain, Bush Hog's ATH-900 Finishing Mower features a full 90-inch cutting width. The unique tunnel design of the ATH-900 allows you to mow in heavier, thicker condi tions. And the special design of the deck eliminates "dead spots.* Floating top and lower linkage work to prevent the scalping problems often encountered when mowing on uneven terrain. And the four pneumatic tires are standard equpiment to help reduce the shock loads of rugged cutting requirements. Maintenance is easy, with quick access to all grease zerts. KELLER'S FARM MACHINE. INC. Quakertown, PA 215-836-4046 CHAMBERSBURG FARM SERVICE MARSHALL EQIKPMIMJT CO. Chambersburg, PA 717-264-3533 B ®y cr * PA 412-783-6333 ANDERSON TRACTOR SALES. INC. Shrewsbury. PA 717-238-6213 NORMAN D. CLARK & SON. INC. Loysville, PA 717-789-3117 FARMER’S EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY CO.,INC. Airville, PA 717-862-3967 FARMBRSVTLLB EQUIPMENT CO. Ephrata, PA GEORGE N. GROSS. INC. Dover, PA 717-292-1673 GROWER’S EQUIPMENT CENTER. INC. Biglerville, PA 717-677-7133 A. L. HERR & BROS. QuarryviUc, PA 717-786-3521 Soil Compaction Worth when soils are wet and limits the availability of water to roots when soils are dry. The increased soil strength caused by compaction directly blocks root growth. Plants growing in compacted soils are slow to emerge. Stand and plant size are variable. Leaves may be off-color due to nutrient deficiency. Roots are shallow and malformed. Plants are especially susceptible to moisture stress (from either too much or too little water). Compaction symptoms that may be observed in soil include crusting and cracking of soil sur faces, excessive erosion, ruts and standing water, higher power re SEE Y 717-354-2150 quiremcnts for tillage, and only partial decomposition of crop re sidues. Because water lubricates soil particles, wet soils compact more readily than dry soils.'Fine-textur ed soils and soils with variable particle sizes compact more easily than uniformly coarse textured soils. Organic matter helps pre- - vent soil compaction and reduces bulk density. Freezing/thawing and wetting drying help to correct compaction in surface soil, but deep compac tion is difficult to treat Mechani cal subsoiling gets limited and/or temporary results. The best ap proach is to minimize compaction BUSH HOG BB SERIES BOX BLADES Four models designed for a wide variety of Jobs around the farm, and applicable for landscaping and construction chores. • Choice of widths - 48” to 84” • Two cutting edges work in forward or reverse • Mounts to a wide range of tractors, maximum of 40 HP • Scarifier teeth are standard equipment • Heavy reinforced A-frame • Excellent for grading, backfilling, leveling topsoil and gravel •UR LOCAL BUSH HOG D MARSHALL MACHINERY. INC. Honcsdale, PA 717-729-7117 NICARRY EQUIPMENT INC. Reading. PA 218-926-2441 NICHOLS FARM EQUIPMENT Bloomsburg, PA 717-784-7731 NORTH-EAST DISTRIBUTORS & EQUIP. West Clifford, PA 717-222-9020 CHARLES S. SNYDER, INC. Tamaqua, PA 717-386-8945 STANLEY’S FARM SERVICE Klingerstown, PA 717-648-2088 BTOLTZFUS FARM SERVICE Cochranville, PA 21S-593-2407 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Perbfuary 19, 1994-C9 Preventing by the following means: • Reduce tillage. Consider using minimum tillage or no-till plant ing practices. • Don’t till or move equipment (or animals) on wet soils. The dri er, the better. If its’ too wet to till, it’s also too wet to spread manure. • Reduce traffic on fields. Aer ial applications or wider equip ment could help. • Reduce weight of tractors and implements. However, remember that excessive tire slippage also causes compaction. Tandem wheels can distribute weight and j>Ur.SEU..TBADE on BtNT TIiHOUOH THE BUSH HOG LANDSCAPE RAKES « New For Here's your best choice in a dependable tool that's ideal for seedbed preparation, landscaping, spreading gravel or topsoil and removing rocks and debris from fields and farmyards. Bush Hog’s Landscape Rakes are recommended for tractors with a maximum 35 HP, and are available in 5, 6, or 7-foot widths. High carbon spring steel tines are spaced at 1 ” intervals, for more thorough leveling or rock removal. These rakes pivot a full 360 degrees, a feature that assures a more versatile operation. And the pivot pin is 1 % ’’ solid steel- for greater durability. ;aler STRALET FARM SUPPLY, INC. TRACTOR PARTS COMPANY Bloomsburg, PA 717-784-0250 UMBERGER’S OF FONTANA Lebanon. PA 717-867-8161 C. J. WONSIDLER BROS. Quakertown, PA 215-536-1935 New Tripoli. PA 215-767-7611 Oley, PA 215-987-6257 LESLIE G. FOGG. INC. Bridgeton, NJ 609-935-5145 PEACH COUNTRY FORD TRACTOR Richwood, NJ 609-589-3953 RODIO TRACTOR SALES Hatnmonton, NJ 609-561-0141 FRANK RTMON & SONS Washington, NJ 201-689-1464 reduce compaction. • Increase soil organic matter. Use cover crops, manure, crop re sidue, mushroom compost, deep rooted forage crops, and a rotation cropping system. • Improve both surface and sub surface drainage when appropri ate. Most of the previous observa tions and guidelines relating to soil compaction were gleaned from a presentation by Doug Bee gle, Penn State agronomist, at our recent Crops Days. LR SERIES 717-292-2631 Dover, PA
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