The aim of this chapter is to explore the concept of controlled traffic farming (CTF) as a means of confining soil compaction to the least possible area of horticultural fields, its positive outcomes and how it can be achieved. The chapter highlights the deleterious effects of soil compaction on the health of soils and productivity of crops. Excessive compaction has been caused by the increasing mass of farm machinery and its use in random patterns across the land. In addition to fully integrated CTF, a seasonal CTF system (sCFT) is also considered where not all machines can be integrated and robots can be used as an alternative to CTF for reducing soil compaction. Depending on the degree of confinement and machinery integration, CTF can improve soil porosity and permeability while reducing aggregate size and soil tare from harvested root crops. Access to the land can also be extended by virtue of the establishment of permanent traffic lanes. Annual and perennial crop yields, both below and above ground, generally respond positively to the absence of traffic with responses thought to be associated with improved rooting and nutrient uptake. Remediation of compaction through subsoiling cannot be relied upon to sustain yield compared with CTF. CTF can reduce energy inputs by up to 50% due to lower soil strength and easier seedbed generation, often reflected in fewer machinery passes. Consequently, with lower energy inputs and improved soil health, greenhouse gas and particularly nitrous oxide emissions can be substantially reduced (up to 44%). With lower energy inputs and greater yields, farm gross margins are generally improved with both CTF and sCTF, but their extent is governed by other costs, such as automatic steering systems. Transitioning to CTF needs a whole systems approach that recognises the challenges of lower inputs and the preclusion of ploughing (unless a seasonal system is adopted). More diverse cropping systems increase the timescale for change and the likely costs of conversion, but both can be reduced by careful planning and lead to lower production costs. Short-term renting of land is an additional challenge but could be diminished by wider adoption of CTF. The future use of gantries, which are initially a more costly transition, are also considered and the potential for such systems to overcome many of the shortcomings of existing machinery while adding many other advantages. Overall, CTF integrated with very small autonomous vehicles, is considered the most practical means of addressing the present conflict between using large and heavy machines and improving soil health. The wider adoption of CTF will play a key role in supporting sustainable horticultural practice and particularly its future manifestation in the form of wide span or gantry tractors. The chapter includes two farm case studies that highlight aspects of the adoption process.

Controlled Traffic Farming in Horticultural Systems

章节
发表日期：

2025年

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W. C. T. Chamen,
J. E. McPhee

摘要

The aim of this chapter is to explore the concept of controlled traffic farming (CTF) as a means of confining soil compaction to the least possible area of horticultural fields, its positive outcomes and how it can be achieved. The chapter highlights the deleterious effects of soil compaction on the health of soils and productivity of crops. Excessive compaction has been caused by the increasing mass of farm machinery and its use in random patterns across the land. In addition to fully integrated CTF, a seasonal CTF system (sCFT) is also considered where not all machines can be integrated and robots can be used as an alternative to CTF for reducing soil compaction. Depending on the degree of confinement and machinery integration, CTF can improve soil porosity and permeability while reducing aggregate size and soil tare from harvested root crops. Access to the land can also be extended by virtue of the establishment of permanent traffic lanes. Annual and perennial crop yields, both below and above ground, generally respond positively to the absence of traffic with responses thought to be associated with improved rooting and nutrient uptake. Remediation of compaction through subsoiling cannot be relied upon to sustain yield compared with CTF. CTF can reduce energy inputs by up to 50% due to lower soil strength and easier seedbed generation, often reflected in fewer machinery passes. Consequently, with lower energy inputs and improved soil health, greenhouse gas and particularly nitrous oxide emissions can be substantially reduced (up to 44%). With lower energy inputs and greater yields, farm gross margins are generally improved with both CTF and sCTF, but their extent is governed by other costs, such as automatic steering systems. Transitioning to CTF needs a whole systems approach that recognises the challenges of lower inputs and the preclusion of ploughing (unless a seasonal system is adopted). More diverse cropping systems increase the timescale for change and the likely costs of conversion, but both can be reduced by careful planning and lead to lower production costs. Short-term renting of land is an additional challenge but could be diminished by wider adoption of CTF. The future use of gantries, which are initially a more costly transition, are also considered and the potential for such systems to overcome many of the shortcomings of existing machinery while adding many other advantages. Overall, CTF integrated with very small autonomous vehicles, is considered the most practical means of addressing the present conflict between using large and heavy machines and improving soil health. The wider adoption of CTF will play a key role in supporting sustainable horticultural practice and particularly its future manifestation in the form of wide span or gantry tractors. The chapter includes two farm case studies that highlight aspects of the adoption process.