'n Evaluering van faktore wat verdigting van grond, waarop mielies in die Hoëveldstreek verbou word, beïnvloed.

Abstract

The investigation demonstrated that a relationship exists between clay content and the maximum bulk density to which soil can be compacted.Findings showed that maximum bulk density increases as clay content rises to approximately 19 percent, but decreases with any further increase.Each soil sample has a specific optimum water content for compaction, which increases alongside clay content.The study also found that tractor traffic and various tillage methods (ripping, disc harrowing, and mouldboard ploughing) caused significant compaction in Bleeksand series soil, adversely affecting root development