The position of harvesting traffic does affect yield

Field trials were conducted at two locations to quantify the effect of harvesting traffic on soil physical properties and sugarcane response. Treatments consisted of traffic overthe- row, traffic near-the-row and traffic in the inter~row by a fully laden haulout after harvest. Data were collected at 2 sites and in cane up to 5th ratoon. Undisturbed soil cores were collected for measurement of soil bulk density. Soil cone resistance was also measured. Measurements were undertaken before harvest and after harvest of the plant crop and after harvest of each ratoon crop. Crop response was assessed through stalk population counts and final yield in plant cane and each ratoon. Bulk density and soil cone resistance increased in the row after traffic over-the-row compared with traffic near-the-row and in the inter-row. Stalk population and yield showed few significant differences due to the position of traffic, but there was a significant varietal difference. Traffic over the row, however, tended to have lower yield compared with traffic nearthe-row and down the inter-row.