Soil compressibility and root system of sugarcane with and without controlled‑traffic farming

Abstract

The objective of this work was to compare the load‑carrying capacity of the soil in a mechanically harvested sugarcane area, without burning, in managements with and without controlled traffic farming. Controlled traffic was done adjusting the gauges of tractor and trailer, or adjusting the gauges and using autopilot. Soil samples were collected in volumetric cylinders in plant rows and inter‑rows (wheel rows), from 0.00–0.10 and 0.20–0.30-m soil depths. Root density was measured by images, obtained by scanning the collected roots in 0.25x0.10x0.10‑m monoliths. The management without controlled traffic showed a higher load‑carrying capacity of the soil in the planting rows, in both soil layers, which indicates a higher compaction. Greater root density occurred in the management with controlled traffic with gauge adjustment and use of autopilot, which made possible a higher load‑carrying capacity in wheel rows, and preserved structural quality in the plant rows, resulting in a greater root system development of sugarcane.