Wheel Traffic Compaction - Agricultures #1 Enemy
The plant on the left in the above photo comes from an 100 ft section of row where the tire of the row crop sprayer unit ran.
If you double click on the above photo and check out the centre corn row you'll see where the tire of the sprayer unit ran on the corn row.
The above photo is a side angle shot of the same corn row showing stunted smaller plants that are expressing a purple florescence because of their restricted root development.
Tightened soil consolidation caused by the sprayers weight load is making these corn plants find it difficult to find air space in which to push their roots.This points out very clearly how crucial it is to avoid soil compaction.