Abstract

PETRACCI, Pablo F.. ¿Puede el pisoteo de los Cauquenes (Chloephaga spp.) ocasionar compactación del suelo en cultivos de trigo (triticum aestivum)?. Hornero [online]. 2011, vol.26, n.2, pp.95-103. ISSN 0073-3407.

Does trampling by sheldgeese (Chloephaga spp.) cause soil compaction in wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields? Sheldgeese (Chloephaga picta, Chloephaga poliocephala y Chloephaga rubidiceps) have been considered a pest of agricultural croplands in Argentina since 1931, and different measures have been implemented to control their populations. However, these species have been listed as Vulnerable, Threatened, and Endangered, respectively, because of their reductions in population numbers. It has been suggested that they can impact the economy through grazing and the associated crop losses, especially on wheat. Beyond their potential direct effects, sheldgeese have also been traditionally held responsible for soil compaction through trampling. This idea was tested by comparing soil resistance to penetration in a wheat field in areas grazed and ungrazed by the Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta). Soil resistance increased with depth but no differences were found between grazed and ungrazed areas. Trampling by sheldgeese was not associated with soil compaction under the studied conditions, thus it would not represent a problem warranting the implementation of management strategies to control their population numbers.

Keywords : Chloephaga picta; Sheldgeese; Soil compaction; Trampling; Wheat.

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