Subsoil Compaction in Germany, the Loss of Soil Functionality, and some Environmental
Implications. (3524)
Authors:
W. Ehlers* - Univ. of Goettingen
R.R. Van der Ploeg - Univ. of Hannover R. Horn - Univ. of Kiel
Abstract:
Subsoil compaction is widespread in Germany, particularly in Eastern Germany. In the former so-called German Democratic Republic, with its large collective farms, soil protection was hardly an issue. In recent years also in former West Germany subsoil compaction is becoming a problem. Especially sugarbeet harvesters have grown extremely in size and weight during the past 15 years. The largest sugarbeet harvester presently weighs, when loaded with beets, more than 60 tons. Axle loads of such and other farm vehicles vary between 10 and 20 tons. In Germany, federal road traffic regulations restrict the axle load and the total weight of all road-using vehicles. The highest allowable single-axle load is 10 tons and the maximum allowable weight of trucks on German highways is 44 tons. Despite the German
"Soil Conservation Law" of 1998, on farm fields no restrictions exist. During late fall sugarbeet harvesters of 50 and 60 tons weight are used, even on wet soils.
Because large-scale subsoil compaction has lately been linked to numerous environmental problems, such as floods and N2O-emissions, concerned soil scientists and environmentalists are demanding federal or state regulations that control the axle loads and total weights of all farm vehicles. So far agricultural economists and engineers have been sharply opposing axle load and weight control legislation.
Speaker Information: Wilfried Ehlers, Univ. of Goettingen, Inst. of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Von-Siebold-Str. 8, Goettingen, 37075; Phone: ++49551394357; E-mail:
Session Information: Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 9:55 AM-11:15 AM Presentation Start: 10:00 AM
Keywords: Subsoil Compaction; Soil Functionality; Environment; Farm Vehicles