INTRODUCTION TO THE SYMPOSIUM

Soil compaction is currently the most widespread but unrecognized problem in crop production across the USA and is particularly a serious problem for vegetable growers.
Compaction can result in reduced yield and quality of many vegetable crops but can also affect crop establishment by impeding seed emergence and rooting of transplants.
Compaction results from; wheels and equipment, human or animal traffic, wetting and drying, freezing, or other natural forces.
In addition, many growers are adopting new farming practices; several of these changes promote soil compaction.
It is evident that soil compaction is becoming a very serious problem for field crop and vegetable growers, but few viable solutions are being offered to reverse this trend.

A recent (1986) demonstration of soil compaction for the Vegetable Growers Field Day at the Horticulture Research Farm of Pennsylvania State University was eye-opening to all participants.
Of the 7 different vegetables direct seeded or transplanted, results indicated a 3-fold reduction in stand, a 7-fold reduction in yield and approximate 2 week increase in crop maturity in the compacted compared to the non-compacted check area.

The purpose of this symposium was to offer alternative tillage systems for growers who are consistently using production methods that annually result in soil compaction.
It was also intended to offer some short term solutions to a problem that requires long-term planning and coordination by all interested parties.

Controlled Traffic Cropping Systems for Management of Soil Compaction, XXII IHC

M. D. Orzolek

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1987.210.1