Different stocking rate effects on soil hydraulic conductivity measured with tension-infiltrometers in Catamarca (Argentina)

GHIBERTO, P.; FELLI, O.; PILATTI, M.A.; IMHOFF, S.

Filadelfia

Congreso; 18th World Congress of Soil Science; 2006

ASSS

Soil compaction due to pressures exerted by animal trampling is comparable with those exerted by agriculture machinery. Those pressures are even higher when the animal is moving due to the kinetic energy and because the animal weight is distributed on a small area (the hoofs). Higher stoking rates have been found to be more detrimental to soil physical properties than lower stoking rates. Increases in the stoking rates have been associated with lower hydraulic conductivities, higher soil bulk densities and higher soil strengths. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different cow stoking rates on the hydraulic conductivity (K) of an Entic Haplustoll in the Catamarca State