Quantifying soil compaction effects on soil macropores and corn root morphology through image analysis

Barber, Beau

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129447 Copy

Description

Title

Quantifying soil compaction effects on soil macropores and corn root morphology through image analysis

Author(s)

Barber, Beau

Issue Date

2025-05-02

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Grift, Tony

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Grift, Tony

Committee Member(s)

• Wander, Michelle
• Allen, Cody
• Ugarte, Carmen
• Kamruzzaman, Mohammed

Department of Study

Engineering Administration

Discipline

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• X-Ray CT Scanning
• Image Analysis
• Soil Structure
• Porosity
• Tillage
• Planters
• Soil Compaction
• Agricultural Tire Configurations
• Corn Root Morphology

Abstract

Excessive soil compaction is among the most significant influences on soil quality and crop production worldwide. The source of excessive soil compaction is primarily due to the increase in agricultural machinery mass and changes in field management strategies, which have substantially increased agricultural productivity over the last century. The prevalence of excessive agricultural traffic-induced compaction has led to the development of a broad field of research attempting to understand the mechanisms of soil compaction in agriculture and how it could be managed, without making significant sacrifices to modern farming equipment and practices that have led to the high yielding production that civilization enjoys. Many methodologies exist to both analyze and manage the impacts of soil compaction, each with specific implications and conclusions that better inform the scientific understanding of soil behavior and its impact on agriculture. The goal of the research within this manuscript was to evaluate the soil compaction induced by different agricultural machine systems and field management decisions and the resulting impacts on soil quality and root morphology as they pertain to the soil compaction induced by these practices. This research involved three case studies that evaluate the impact of soil compaction induced by different agricultural practices on soil pore and corn root morphology via image analysis.

Graduation Semester

2025-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129447

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Beau Barber

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