Soil compaction affects structural quality in areas under no-tillage systems and reduce crop yield, particularly in clayey soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of three compaction states on crop yield and soil physical attributes in two Oxisols under no-tillage and chiseling. The soil bulk density (Ds), soil resistance to penetration (Rp) and crop yield of the wheat, soybean and corn were determined. One Oxisol (LVd) has 550g kg-1 of clay and other (LVdf) 610g kg-1 clay, located in Rio Grande do Sul plateau. The experiment was run from 1999 to 2001 in a commercial crop field mapped with respect to soil resistance to penetration. Three states of compaction were separated and mapped: a) EC1- higher compaction state located at the head of crop site; b) EC2- medium state of compaction and; c) EC3 lower state of compaction toward central part of the site. To serve as no compacted area a plot was chiselled. The highest values of Ds (1.62 e 1.54Mg m-3) and Rp (3.4 e 3.8MPa), respectively for LVd and LVdf, cultivated under no-tillage system, were found in the layer of 0.07-0.12m. The systematic mobilization by chiseling mechanisms of the planters reduced Ds in 26% on LVd e 15% on LVdf, compaction in the layer of 0.00-0.05m in relation the depth of 0.07-0.12m. The highest soil compaction state (EC1) in relation the lower state of compaction (EC3) in the two Oxisols decreased crop yield of wheat in 18% and 34%, respectively for LVd e LVdf and corn in 24% on LVdf, but not of soybean. The soil chiseling increased corn and wheat grain yield in relation to the three states of soil compaction.
soil compaction; no-tillage; crop yield
