Interrelation between soil compaction and field performances of different machinery at MADA’s rice field, Kedah, Malaysia
Operation of machinery on the field are causing damage that are clearly observed at the top soil level. However, because the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) region is spatially dispersed, assessing the extent and level of damaged soil layer is challenging. The study focused on aff...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/104152/1/RADIAH%20BINTI%20MAT%20NASIR%20-%20IR.pdf |
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| Summary: | Operation of machinery on the field are causing damage that are clearly
observed at the top soil level. However, because the Muda Agricultural
Development Authority (MADA) region is spatially dispersed, assessing the
extent and level of damaged soil layer is challenging. The study focused on
affected soil under various machinery weight and size, for different soil
conditions. In this study, a minimum of three plots with slightly different soil types
were put under test using four different types of machinery; rubber-wheeled
tractor (RWT); half-track tractor (HTT); mini combine harvester (CM); large
combine harvester (CB). The field tests were replicated for two seasons of paddy
plantation processes: tillage and harvesting. Before the test, soil field condition
was analysed to determine the soil texture. Soil damage was measured by
determining soil compaction quantified by bulk density (BD), soil penetration
resistance (SR) and soil moisture (SM). Machinery performances were also
evaluated in term of field efficiency (FE), effective field capacity (EFC), field
capacity (FC) and field machine index (FMI). The damaged soil compaction was
successfully quantified and compared for land preparation and harvesting in
Kedah, Malaysia. In this study the value 0.4 - 0.5 MPa for tractor and 0.6 – 0.7
MPa for harvester at 0-20 cm depth concluded that RWT, HTT, CM and CB are
the machines suitable for rice field operation. Based on machinery performance
only significant on EFC but here is no significant difference between the HTT
and RWT, and CM and CB in terms of FE, EFC and FMI. Lastly, map of BD, SM
and PR were created entire plot by using Geostatics particularly Kriging
interpolation method to develop maps using ArcGIS® software. This information
can be used by the farmer in order to improve farm’s machinery management. |
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