Prediction of trafficability and workability from soil moisture deficit

The relationship between the strength of field soils, under grass ley and winter wheat, and soil moisture deficit has been monitored over an 18 month period. The soil types selected represent a range of agricultural soils commonly found in Europe. Strong correlations were found to exist between moisture deficit and penetration resistance. This relationship has been used to develop a technique for predicting the average number of days on which land at a given site can be trafficked or worked during a year.