Automatic steering systems allow agricultural vehicles to be driven permanently on the same tramlines. The soil in between the tramlines remains uncompacted, and can develop undisturbed. The aim is the sustainable improvement of soil structure. Agroscope is investigating the efficacy of the technique known as controlled traffic farming (CTF) for Switzerland in a simplified version (‘CTF light’).
With CTF light, the cultivation, harvesting and transport operations associated with high wheel loads, which are therefore especially critical in terms of soil compaction, are carried out on permanent tramlines. Tillage and sowing are not subject to any trafficking restrictions. The field trials showed that infiltration performance, water availability and soil rootability improve when this technique is used.