Randy L. Raper1, F.J. Arriaga1, K.S. Balkcom1, J.N. Shaw2, D. Wayne Reeves1, and E.B. Schwab1. (1) USDA-ARS, 411 S. Donahue Drive, National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, Auburn, AL 36832, (2) Auburn University, 202 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849
Soil compaction often limits crop yields in the Southeastern U.S., particularly during periods of drought which have been prevalent during the last two growing seasons. However, conservation technologies including cover crops and in-row subsoiling have been proven to reduce the negative effects of soil compaction. However, the relative benefit of these technologies on large fields where terrain varies has not been studied. A large 22.5 acre field with varied topography in the Coastal Plain near Shorter, AL was used to evaluate how soil strength changes after conservation technologies were used. This field was severely degraded from annual conventional tillage for more 30 years but has shown great improvements in soil quality and productivity on every landscape position after conservation technologies were used. Soil bulk density, soil moisture, and cone index measurements were taken in different landscape positions and in conventional and conservation tillage systems to evaluate how these treatments had changed soil strength.
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