Planter tire configuration effects on soil compaction with tracked and wheeled tractors

Abstract Excessive compaction of soil can negatively impact soil quality and crop production, especially for maize production. Planters are typically the first compacting pass from agricultural machinery post-secondary tillage, and there is usually no amelioration of compaction post-planting until after harvest. Most modern row-crop planters utilize side-by-side dual transport tires that form “pinch rows” which can result in elevated soil compaction on either side of the row, potentially reducing crop yield. Using in-line tandem planter transport tires may help prevent these “pinch row” effects and improve yield. Weight distribution controls, such as tire inflation systems and wing weight balancing systems, can also affect compaction levels and eventual yield. In this study, various tractor and planter configurations with differing compaction management features were evaluated via measurements of emergence, cone penetrometer pressure, soil macropore data derived from X-ray CT imagery, and row-specific yield in production-sized corn trials. Comparisons include effects of in-line planter tandems versus duals, tracks versus tires on tractors, and weight distribution controls. Results from the evaluation indicate that eliminating “pinch rows” by using an in-line tandem planter led to improvement in compaction prevention, resulting in improved emergence and yield. Using weight distribution and tire inflation controls variably affected the in-line tandem planter configurations pulled by tractors with tires, but did not affect a similar setup with tracked tractors.