A system for measuring soil physical properties in the field

Abstract An automated soil sampler and a system for measuring the physical properties of soil cores in the field were developed for the study of soil compaction and tillage effects on soil physical properties. The system measures the bulk density, air-filled porosity, intrinsic air permeability, and moisture content on 47.6 mm diameter soil cores as well as measuring cone penetration resistance in the field. Results of a laboratory calibration study illustrated that the system measures the soil properties with acceptable accuracy. A main benefit of the system was the fact that it could measure all of the above properties on ten core samples down to a depth of 0.5 m, typically within 15 min. A field compaction study showed that the system was capable of detecting the effects of a 15.2 tonne axle load on the soil down to a depth of 0.4 m, 1 year after compaction.