EFFECT OF TRACTOR, TRAFFIC COMPACTION ON INFILTRATION RATE OF AGRICULTURAL SOIL IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, MUBI IN ADAMAWA STATE

By Allen A. Dusa

Department of Agricultural Engineering Technology,

 Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

 ABSTRACT

The effect of tractor, traffic compaction on infiltration rate of agricultural soils was examined on the field. The implements chosen for the experiment was Massey Ferguson four wheel drive model M.F. 435 with weight 3951kgt. The plough used was disc plough of weight 470kgt. Field sizes (4m wide and 20m long) were measured and marked out using tape and pegs. The tractor was driven to the marked edge of the field and was engaged in gear two. The speed of the tractor was 5km/h which was maintained throughout the practical by using the hand throttle. The tractor was driven along the length of the field. The number of passes of the tractor was varied (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). For each number of passes the bulk density of the soil and infiltration rate where the tires of the tractor passed was measured. The result revealed that bulk density increased as the number of tractor passes increased, while infiltration rate decreased with increase in bulk density. A simple linear regression analysis of infiltration on bulk density was performed using computer soft ware which yielded equations. For a given bulk density of soil the infiltration rate can be calculated from the derived equations.

Key words: Tractor, Field Compaction, infiltration.