Publication Date
1997
Description
The objectives of this study were to find out if lighter machines with less number of wheel-passes are favourable for harvesting grassland under wet conditions. A field trial on an ecological experimental farm in Norway was performed with two different mechanization systems. One was a conventional mechanization system with reduced ground pressure tractor driving a forage harvester and grass trailers, and one less wheeling system with reduced ground pressure where a two-wheel tractor with a mower was putting the grass in a swath and a self loading trailer was picking the swath up. The field work was carried out as normal farm practice. After two years of experimentation, results show that conventional machines have the largest influence on soil compaction. This is shown by increased penetrometer resistance, reduced infiltration rate and reduced volume of air filled pores. Regarding yield and botanical composition there are no clear tendencies.
Citation
Lund, M, "The Effect of Harvest Techniques on Yield, Botanical Composition and Soil Structure in an Organic Clover Grass Sward" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 30.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session19/30
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effect of Harvest Techniques on Yield, Botanical Composition and Soil Structure in an Organic Clover Grass Sward
The objectives of this study were to find out if lighter machines with less number of wheel-passes are favourable for harvesting grassland under wet conditions. A field trial on an ecological experimental farm in Norway was performed with two different mechanization systems. One was a conventional mechanization system with reduced ground pressure tractor driving a forage harvester and grass trailers, and one less wheeling system with reduced ground pressure where a two-wheel tractor with a mower was putting the grass in a swath and a self loading trailer was picking the swath up. The field work was carried out as normal farm practice. After two years of experimentation, results show that conventional machines have the largest influence on soil compaction. This is shown by increased penetrometer resistance, reduced infiltration rate and reduced volume of air filled pores. Regarding yield and botanical composition there are no clear tendencies.
