Effect of the number of tractor passes on soil rut depth and compaction in two tillage regimes

The initially high level of soil compaction in some direct sowing systems might suggest that the impact of subsequent traffic would be minimal, but data have not been consistent. In the other hand on freshly tilled soils, traffic causes significant increments in soil compaction. The aim of this paper was to quantify the interaction of the soil cone index and rut depth induced by traffic of two different weight tractors in two tillage regimes: (a) soil with 10 years under direct sowing system and (b) soil historically worked in conventional tillage system. Treatments included five different traffic frequencies (0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 passes repeatedly on the same track). The work was performed in the South of the Rolling Pampa region, Buenos Aires State, Argentina at 34°55′S, 57°57′W. Variables measured were (1) cone index in the 0–600 mm depth profile and (2) rut depth. Tyre sizes and rut depth/tyre width ratio are particularly important respect to compaction produced in the soil for different number of passes. Until five passes of tractor (2WD), ground pressure is responsible of the topsoil compaction. Until five passes the tyre with low rut depth/tyre width ratio reduced topsoil compaction. Finally, the farmer should pay attention to the axle load, the tyre size and the soil water content at the traffic moment.     

Seedbed compaction produced by traffic on four tillage regimes in the rolling Pampas of Argentina

The main function of primary tillage is to increase the soil's structural macro-porosity, but during secondary tillage operations over these freshly tilled soils, traffic causes significant soil compaction. In terms of soil conservation however, there is evidence that direct sowing is a more sustainable system, even though there is still insufficient information about the rheology of a non-tilled soil under traffic. The objective of this study was to compare the traffic intensity and soil compaction caused by four different tillage regimes currently used by Argentinean farmers (1 direct sowing with a tractor and planter weighing 127 kN and 3 conventional tillage systems with equipment weighing 55.2 kN). The work was performed in the east of the Rolling Pampa region, Buenos Aires State, Argentina at 34°25′S, 59°15′W. Variables measured were: (1) cone index in the 0–450 mm depth profile; (2) bulk density; (3) total soil porosity; and (4) rut depth. (a) Results indicated that in the depth range 0–150 mm with all tillage treatments, bulk density and cone index values generated by tractor traffic were greater than the 1.3 Mg m⁻³ and 1400 kPa respectively. Similarly in deeper layers these parameters were greater than 1.45 Mg m⁻³ and 2000 kPa respectively. Measurements revealed that traffic reduced topsoil porosity under direct sowing by an average of 7% and under conventional tillage by 7.6–14.8% confirming that both systems cause both topsoil and subsoil compaction.     

Calculating the contact area of trailer tyres in the field

The spectacular increase in the weight of self-propelled harvesters since the early 1980s also applies to trailed implements such as slurry spreaders, compost spreaders, cutter-blowers and general farm trailers. With axle loads exceeding 10 tonnes/axle (tandem 20 tonnes, tridem 27 tonnes), risks of severe compaction can now be expected, not only in field crops but also in grassland. Calculation tables for accurately evaluating contact surfaces of transport tyre, given their properties, load and inflation pressure, are insufficient at the present time. Equations for traction tyres are not suitable for trailer tyres.To overcome this deficiency, contact areas in the field were recorded on 19 sites, from soft to hard surfaces, using 24 different trailer tyres, with varying loads and inflation pressures. The regression calculations for evaluating the contact area apply to a total of 143 measurements.The dimensions of the tyre (width × unladen diameter), the load on the wheel and the inflation pressure are all highly significant variables for evaluation of the soil contact area. Considering the average residual standard deviation for each regression calculation, the best approximations are achieved by taking into account the tyre structure (cross-ply and radial), the width of tyre for cross-ply tyres and the type of tyre, in the case of a radial tyres (low profile or terra profile).Moreover, contrary to expectations, observations show that with low levels of load, reducing inflation pressure can also reduce the contact area.As regards soil hardness, observations show that there is no direct link between a hard soil and a reduced contact area; this relationship does not appear to be linear. The calculations are considered to be reliable on semi-firm to firm soil, frequently found on temporary grassland or natural grassland (penetration resistance 6.5–25.0 MPa).     

Reducing the risk of soil compaction by applying ‘Jordværn Online’® when performing slurry distribution

Abstract

Through a case study, it is shown that the potential of applying JORDVÆRN Online® as a decision-making tool aimed at supporting sustainable in-field traffic provided the farmer with the potential to improve and maintain the soil as a continued growth medium for the future agri-food production. The combination of CTF and optimal selected tyre configurations provides the farmer with the potential of cropping agricultural land without creating permanent soil compaction. Additional, the case study indicates an urgent need for the development of alternative systems for in-field traffic in wet conditions, e.g. multiple-axle trailers with real low-inflation tyres.     

固定道保护性耕作的试验研究

通过压实试验,分析了无压实以及小型拖拉机、中型拖拉机和联合收获机压实等处理方式的土壤容重、入渗率和耕作阻力。在此基础上,进行了两年的固定道耕作试验,结果表明,机具随机进地行走会造成对土壤的严重压实,降低土壤水分入渗,增加作业能耗,而固定道能够改善土壤结构,提高土壤蓄水能力,减轻地表径流,提高土壤作业适时性和准确性,在目前固定道占地20%的情况下,总产量没有减少     

Evaluation of bulk density of Albaqualf soil under different tillage systems using the volumetric ring and computerized tomography methods

The volumetric ring and the computerized tomography (CT) techniques were applied to study soil bulk density, in order to understand the compaction of an Albaqualf soil (Planosol) of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil (latitude 31°52′00″S and Longitude 52°21′24″W). Among six different tillage systems and crop rotations the greatest soil bulk density was measured for the continuous irrigated rice crop system and the lowest for the no-tillage treatment under rye grass straw. The CT method enabled the measurement of bulk density variations in the soil profile and indicated critical zones not observed by the volumetric ring method that measures only the mean sample soil bulk densities. A meaningful correlation between soil bulk densities measured by both methods was found, although the CT method presented more reliable results in comparison to the volumetric ring method. A 3% variation in bulk density was observed due to method intrinsic errors, probably also correlated to different samples sizes.     

Rules of thumb for minimizing subsoil compaction

Subsoil compaction is persistent and can affect important soil functions including soil productivity. The aim of this study was to develop recommendations on how to avoid subsoil compaction for soils exposed to traffic by machinery at field capacity. We measured the vertical stress in the tyre–soil contact area for two traction tyres at ca. 30‐ and 60‐kN wheel loads on a loamy sand at field capacity. Data on resulting stress distributions were combined with those from the literature for five implement tyres tested at a range of inflation pressures and wheel loads. The vertical stress in the soil profile was then predicted using the Söhne model for all tests in the combined data set. The predicted stress at 20 cm depth correlated with the maximum stress in the contact area, tyre inflation pressure, tyre–soil contact area and mean ground pressure. At 100 cm depth, the predicted vertical stress was primarily determined by wheel load, but an effect of the other factors was also detected. Based on published recommendations for allowable stresses in the soil profile, we propose the ‘50‐50 rule’: At water contents around field capacity, traffic on agricultural soil should not exert vertical stresses in excess of 50 kPa at depths >50 cm. Our combined data provide the basis for the ‘8‐8 rule’: The depth of the 50‐kPa stress isobar increases by 8 cm for each additional tonne increase in wheel load and by 8 cm for each doubling of the tyre inflation pressure. We suggest that farmers use this simple rule for evaluating the sustainability of any planned traffic over moist soil.     

Effect of tillage management on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean (Glycine max) based cropping systems under the rainfed conditions in North-West Himalayan Region

The study on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean based cropping system, viz., soybean–wheat (Glycine max 9 L., Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.), soybean–lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus) and soybean–field pea (Pisum sativum L., sensu lato), was carried out at the Hawalbagh experimental farm of Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture, Almora, Uttarakhand, India during 2001–2003 (29°36′ N, 79°40′ E). These cropping systems, under rainfed conditions, were evaluated with different tillage management practices, viz., zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT). Each tillage management practice, under each cropping system was evaluated for total energy output, energy input–output ratio, gross income, net income and marginal income, to variable cost of cultivation. Results revealed that the maximum energy was consumed in terms of chemical fertilizers, followed by seed and plant protection chemicals, in all cropping systems. Equivalent energy was used from literature for conversion purpose. The maximum output energy was observed in CT (44,253 MJ/ha), followed by MT for soybean–lentil cropping system (43,450 MJ/ha). The output–input energy ratio was maximum in ZT for soybean–lentil (4.9) followed by MT for soybean–pea cropping system (4.6). The economic analysis also revealed that the maximum benefits could be obtained from these sequences. Conventional tillage for all cropping sequences was found to be a better option as compared to minimum tillage and zero tillage. Benefit–cost ratios were higher in conventional tillage in all the three cropping systems. However, from the point of energy saving or cost reduction, zero tillage and minimum tillage may be considered depending on resources.     

Wheel traffic impact on soil conditions as influenced by tillage system in Central Anatolia

The increased limiting effects of soil compaction on Central Anatolian soils in the recent years demonstrate the need for a detailed analysis of tillage system impacts. This study was undertaken to ascertain the effects of seven different tillage systems and subsequent wheel traffic on the physical and mechanical properties of typical Central Anatolian medium textured clay loam soil (Cambisol), south of Ankara, Turkey. Both tillage and field traffic influenced soil bulk density, porosity, air voids and strength significantly except the insignificant effect of traffic on moisture content. Traffic affected the soil properties mostly down to 20 cm. However, no excessive compaction was detected in 0–20 cm soil depth. The increases of bulk density following wheel traffic varied between 10–20% at 0–5 cm and 6–12% at 10–15 cm depth. In additions, traffic increased the penetration resistance by 30–74% at 0–10 cm and 7–33% at 10–20 cm. Less wheel traffic-induced effects were found on chisel tilled plots, compared to ploughed plots. Soil stress during wheel passage was highly correlated with soil strength. Also, both tillage and traffic-induced differences were observed in mean soil aggregate sizes, especially for mouldboard ploughed plots. The obtained data imply that chisel+cultivator-tooth harrow combination provides more desirable soil conditions for resisting further soil compaction.     

Seasonal dynamics in wheel load‐carrying capacity of a loam soil in the Swiss Plateau

Subsoil compaction is a major problem in modern agriculture caused by the intensification of agricultural production and the increase in weight of agricultural machinery. Compaction in the subsoil is highly persistent and leads to deterioration of soil functions. Wheel load‐carrying capacity (WLCC) is defined as the maximum wheel load for a specific tyre and inflation pressure that does not result in soil stress in excess of soil strength. The soil strength and hence WLCC is strongly influenced by soil matric potential (h). The aim of this study was to estimate the seasonal dynamics in WLCC based on in situ measurements of h, measurements of precompression stress at various h and simulations of soil stress. In this work, we concentrated on prevention of subsoil compaction. Calculations were made for different tyres (standard and low‐pressure top tyres) and for soil under different tillage and cropping systems (mouldboard ploughing, direct drilling, permanent grassland), and the computed WLCC was compared with real wheel loads to obtain the number of trafficable days (NTD) for various agricultural machines. Wheel load‐carrying capacity was higher for the top than the standard tyres, demonstrating the potential of tyre equipment in reducing compaction risks. The NTD varied between years and generally decreased with increasing wheel load of the machinery. The WLCC simulations presented here provide a useful and easily interpreted tool to guide the avoidance of soil compaction.     

Simulating soil deformation using a critical-state model: II. Soil compaction beneath tyres and tracks

A critical-state finite element model was used to simulate compaction under single and dual tyres and tracks. The compaction involved deformations at three different scales, from small tyres with a contact area of about 70 cm² (single tyre) supporting a load of about 50 kg, to large tyres of about 1.2 m² (dual tyres) supporting a load of about 4500 kg. The predictions were compared with measured values for several different quantities. These included: rut depths; vertical displacement and shear strain: vertical stresses; and, void ratios and precompression stress measured on sampled soil cores. In general, the predictions and measurements agreed reasonably well. However, the agreement between prediction and measurement depended on the precision of measurements, soil disturbance, and the volume of soil involved in a measurement relative to the volume of soil influenced by the tyre or track. This study shows that the critical-state finite element model is useful, offering insight into the compaction process, the dependence of compaction on soil strength and compressibility, and practical implications for soil management.     

The evaluation of agricultural machines field trafficking intensity for different soil tillage technologies

Fields trafficking by wheeled farm machines results often in unfavourable soil compaction. In order to monitor trafficking intensity under different soil tillage technologies, every machine was equipped with a DGPS signal receiver before the entrance into the field under conventional, minimum and zero tillage technology. Positioning data was automatically logged every 2 s and the dimensions of tyres (mainly width) and wheel spacing were marked for every machine. Trajectories of farm machines trafficking and wheel tracks covering 1 ha area are shown for different technologies evaluated during one growing season. The results document that up to 95.3% of the total field area was run-over with a machine at least once during a year, when using conventional tillage. Up to 72.8% or 55.7% of the total field area was run-over when using minimum tillage and direct seeding, respectively. It was calculated that 145.6% of covered area can be run-over repeatedly for conventional tillage, 44.8% for minimum tillage and 18.4% only for direct seeding.     

Compaction of loamy soils due to tractor traffic in vineyards and orchards and its effect on infiltration in southern France

Viticulture and fruit culture in Mediterranean areas demand frequent tractor traffic in vineyards and orchards for tillage and for the application of herbicides and pesticides, resulting in soil compaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of soil compaction and its effect on infiltration in vineyards and orchards in an area in southern France, known for its wine and fruit production (Vaucluse). Compaction of both the topsoil and the subsoil was demonstrated with measurements of bulk density, penetration resistance and water retention characteristics. Subsoil compaction was attributed to wheel load, not to tillage, and was alleviated within 5 years after termination of tillage operations in vineyards. No effects of topsoil compaction on infiltration were expected on account of the slight differences in the values of infiltration parameters between wheel tracks and inter-rill areas. Effects of subsoil compaction on infiltration were examined with rainfall simulation tests. Under wet initial conditions and high rain intensities, no effect of soil compaction on infiltration was observed. This implies that the frequent tractor traffic associated with viticulture and fruit culture does not enhance run-off on loamy soils in Mediterranean areas.     

Soil cultivation effects on sediment and phosphorus mobilization in surface runoff from three contrasting soil types in England

To encourage the adoption of best management practices in a priority catchment (Hampshire Avon) in south-west England suffering from diffuse pollution, field demonstration areas were established over a 2-year period on three major soil types (a Chalk soil with an 8° slope, a Greensand soil on a 5° slope and an underdrained Clay soil with a 1° slope). Within each demonstration area, three replicate runoff plots measuring 15 m long and 2 m wide and each containing a tramline were established to monitor the effectiveness of cultivation date (early versus late) and cultivation method (traditional versus reduced) on suspended sediment and P mobilization in surface runoff. Reduced cultivation consisted of heavy discing (5–8 cm depth) instead of ploughing (20–25 cm depth). Soil cultivation effects were variable and site specific depending on weather, inherent soil susceptibility to structural degradation and management. Surface sealing of the Greensand soil, tramline compaction on the Chalk soil and direction of drilling on the Clay soil were key contributing factors. Late cultivation increased surface runoff up to 5-fold and mobilization of sediment and P by up to an order of magnitude compared to early drilling using traditional cultivation techniques. Concentrations of sediment and P in runoff from the Greensand and Chalk soils were consistently lower when the soil was minimally tilled than ploughed, even though a range of soil physical measurements indicated greater soil consolidation where the soil was not inverted. The benefits of reduced cultivation were attributed to better surface cover and a firmer surface for tractor wheelings. Early drilling, timeliness of cultivation to avoid soil compaction, better tramline management and reduced cultivation techniques would help reduce agriculture's impact on water quality in the catchment area.     

Carbon and nitrogen stocks in a Brazilian clayey Oxisol: 13-year effects of integrated crop–livestock management systems

Integrated crop–livestock management systems (ICLS) have been increasingly recommended in Brazilian agroecosystems. However, knowledge of their effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations and stocks is still limited. The study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of ICLS under two tillage and fertilization regimes on SOC and TN concentrations and stocks in the 0–30 cm soil layer, in comparison with continuous crops or pasture. The following soil management systems were studied: continuous pasture; continuous crop; 4 years’ crop followed by 4 years’ pasture and vice-versa. The adjacent native Cerrado area was used as a control. Under the rotation and continuous crop systems there were two levels of soil tillage (conventional and no-tillage) and fertility (maintenance and corrective fertility). The stock calculations were done using the equivalent soil mass approach. The land use systems had a significant effect on the concentrations of SOC and TN in the soil, but no effect was observed for the soil tillage and fertilizer regimes. For these two latter, some significant discrepancies appeared in the distribution of SOC and TN concentrations in the 0–30 cm layer. Carbon storage was 60.87 Mg ha⁻¹ under Cerrado, and ranged from 52.21 Mg ha⁻¹ under the ICLS rotation to 59.89 Mg ha⁻¹ with continuous cropping. The decrease in SOC stocks was approximately 8.5 and 7.5 Mg ha⁻¹, or 14 and 12%, for continuous pasture and ICLS respectively. No-tillage for 10 years after the conversion of conventional tillage to no-tillage under the continuous crop system, and 13 years of conventional tillage in continuous cropping did not result in significant changes in SOC stocks. The SOC and TN stocks in surface layers, using the equivalent soil mass approach rather than the equivalent depth, stress the differences induced by the calculation method. As soil compaction is the principal feature of variability of stocks determinations, the thickness should be avoid in these types of studies.     

Subsoil compaction from tractor traffic in an olive (Olea europea L.) grove in Almería,Spain

This study was in an olive (Olea europea L.) grove in the Vélez Blanco District of Almería, Spain, where the soil is a typical Aridisol. The aim was to evaluate subsoil compaction caused by three different tractors currently used in olive groves. Measurements were made of (i) the cone index (CI), (ii) hydraulic conductivity (HC) and (iii) rut depth after passage of a light tractor (LT = 22.50 kN), a heavy tractor (HT = 42.60 kN) and a medium tractor (MT = 33.30 kN). The CI differed for the topsoil (0–200 mm) for each type of tractor after up to five passes. In this depth soil level, the CI was greatest for LT because the ground pressure (by narrow tyres) was greater than under the MT and HT. For deeper layers, there was a strong positive relationship between number of tractor passes and CI values, and the CI was greater for passes by the HT than the LT or MT. The HT resulted in shallower ruts up to the fifth pass, and the CI values were smaller because there was less ground pressure from this tractor than the others. In all treatments, tractor traffic caused varying decreases in HC in the 0–600 mm depth range. The main conclusion is that subsoil compaction is related directly to tractor weight. For the three tractors, topsoil compaction is caused by ground pressure and not on total axle load.     

Influence of soil water on stress–strain behaviour of a compacting soil in semi-arid Kenya

Depending on the top and subsoil textures, semi-arid soils exhibit cohesive and frictional properties that are associated with the relatively high soil strength, bulk density and penetration resistance. The objective of this study was to gain the knowledge of mechanical properties of the compacting chromic luvisols in order to improve the design of tillage tools. Therefore, we applied critical state soil mechanics to study the stress–strain behaviour of the luvisols using triaxial tests under laboratory conditions. Field investigations involved random collection of undisturbed soil samples which were subjected to triaxial testing first by isotropic consolidation and compression and then triaxial shearing. Plots of deviatoric stress against axial strain were made to determine the soil shear strengths at the critical states over different soil water levels and the two soil depths of 0–20 cm for the plough and 20–40 cm for the hard pan layers, respectively. An exponential model used to fit the deviatoric stress–axial strain test data accurately predicted the trends. Soil water significantly influenced the shear strength, cohesion (c′) and internal angle of friction (′) and hence the mechanical behaviour of the luvisols. The regression equations developed showed that c′ and ′ have quadratic relationships with soil water. The very high clay bonding strength in the subsoil (hard pan) layer resulted in high shear strength, bulk density and penetration resistance values for this soil layer. The increase in shear strength with decreasing water content affected the deviatoric stress–axial strain relationships between the upper and lower plastic limits of the sandy soil. Thus, as the soil dried, the soil ceased to behave in the plastic (ductile flow) manner and thus began to break apart and crumble. The crumbling was indicative of brittle failure. The transition stage from an increase to a decrease in c′ and ′ values with soil water occurred in the soil water content range of 6–10%. Knowledge of stress–strain behaviour of compacting soils is of practical significance in the design of appropriate tillage tools for the specific soil type.     

Traffic alternatives for harvesting soybean (Glycine max L.): Effect on yields and soil under a direct sowing system

This initially high level of soil compaction in some direct sowing systems might suggest that the impact of subsequent traffic would be minimal, but data have not been consistent. Soil compaction is caused by the high traffic intensity and weight of tractor and combines in harvest operations, especially when these operations are carried out on wet soil or with high-pressure tyres. Traffic effects on the yield of soybean and on some physical soil properties were studied over a period of 3 years. After this period, the reduction of traffic intensity from 38 to 15 Mg km⁻¹ ha⁻¹ produced an increase on the yields of 29.2% from the base year improving the incomes by US$134 ha⁻¹ besides the reduction of fuel consumption of 35.5%. With the results obtained in this work it can be assumed that traffic reduction at harvest has a good potential to increase yields and reduce soil compaction under direct sowing system on the Rolling Pampa Region, Argentina.     

Mitigation of subsoil recompaction by light traffic and on-land ploughing: I. Soil response

Mechanically loosened subsoil has been shown to be prone to recompaction. We addressed a sandy loam that had been mechanically loosened by a subsoiler to a depth of 35 cm in 1997 and again in 1998. Perennial grass/clover was grown with limited traffic intensity in 1999 and 2000. A recompaction experiment was conducted in 2001 and 2002 when the soil was grown with oat and winter wheat, respectively. Using the formerly loosened plots, on-land ploughing was compared with traditional mouldboard ploughing with the tractor wheels in the furrow. In addition, the loosened plots were either light-trafficked (<6 Mg axle load and <100 kPa inflation pressure) or heavy-trafficked (10–18 Mg axle load and 200 kPa inflation pressure), respectively. Finally, the soil loosened by non-inversion deep tillage was referenced with a conventional ploughing–harrowing tillage system that never received the subsoil treatment. The conventional treatment was also grown with the grass/clover in 1999 and 2000. On-land ploughing and light traffic was applied in 2001 and 2002 instead of traditional ploughing and traffic for the conventional treatment. Penetration resistance and bulk density was recorded in the field. Undisturbed soil cores were taken in 1998, 1999 and 2002 from the 7–14, 18–27 and 25–30 cm layer and used for measuring total porosity, pores >30 μm and air permeability at −100 hPa matric potential. The results showed that on-land ploughing mitigated recompaction of the upper part of the formerly loosened subsoil. In contrast, only small differences in recompaction between heavy and light traffic were observed. The mitigation of subsoil recompaction was needed for the loosened soil to provide an upper subsoil with similar—not better—pore characteristics than the non-loosened soil in the conventional treatment. The structural conditions in the plough pan improved for the conventional treatment from 1998 to 2002 as indicated by an almost doubling in air permeability. This was interpreted as being related to the growing of grass/clover ley in 1999 and 2000 combined with a shift from traditional tillage and traffic to on-land ploughing and light traffic when growing cereals in 2001 and 2002. Results on root growth and crop yield are reported in an adjoining paper.     

Soil compressibility and penetrability of an Oxisol from southern Brazil, as affected by long-term tillage systems

The precompression stress value defines the transition from the reloading curve to the virgin compression line in the stress–strain curve, which can be used to quantify the highest load or the most intense predrying previously applied to the soil. Thus, in soils with well-defined structured soil horizons, each layer can be characterized by such mechanical strength. Penetration resistance measurements, on the other hand, can be used to determine total soil strength profiles in the field. The effect of long-term tillage systems on physical and mechanical properties was determined in undisturbed and remolded samples collected at 5 and 15 cm depth, 6 months after applying no-till (NT), chisel plow (CP), and conventional tillage (CT) treatments, along with the application of mineral fertilizer and poultry litter. The compressibility tests were performed under confined conditions, with normal loads varying from 10 to 400 kPa after a defined predrying to −6 or −30 kPa. Penetration resistance was determined in the field, after seeding, in three positions: seeding row (SR), untrafficked interrow (UI), and recently trafficked interrow (TI). No-till system showed greater soil resistance to deformation than tilled treatments, as determined by the higher precompression stress and lower coefficient of compressibility. When original soil structure was destroyed (remolded samples), smaller differences were found. The application of extra organic matter (poultry litter) resulted in a reduction of precompression stress in undisturbed samples. Penetration resistance profiles showed greater differences among tillage treatments in the upper layer of the untrafficked interrow, where NT system showed the higher values. Smaller differences were found in the seeding row (with lower values) and in recently trafficked interrow (with higher values), showing that even traffic with a light tractor after soil tillage reduced drastically the effect of previous tillage by loosening up the soil. On the other hand, the tool used to cut the soil and to open the furrow for seeding, incorporated in the direct seeding machine, was sufficient to realleviate surface soil compaction.