Mitigating Soil Compaction in Sugarcane Production: A Systems Approach Integrating Controlled Traffic Farming and Strip Soil Tillage

Soil compaction from repeated mechanized traffic in sugarcane cultivation reduces porosity, root growth, water infiltration and nutrient availability. Pre-consolidation stresses (σP) in sugarcane soils (70–210 kPa) are frequently exceeded by machine loads up to 595 kPa, producing bulk density (b) above 1.65 Mg m-3 and soil resistance to penetration (SR) beyond 2.0 MPa within the upper 0.40 m; approximately 80% of root biomass concentrates in this zone. Conventional whole-area subsoiling is energy-intensive, destabilizes soil structure and accelerates re-compaction, limiting long-term efficacy. This review proposes integrating strip soil tillage (SST) with controlled traffic farming (CTF) via a multifunctional implement that performs selective subsoiling, in-row chemical correction and targeted input application. The system is designed to mobilize 53% of the area, preserve inter-row structure, reduce fuel consumption by 43.5%, decrease CO2 emissions by 163-315.4 kg ha-1 and lower operational costs by 53.5% relative to conventional approaches. The implement features adjustable-depth subsoiler shanks with dedicated input dispensers, rotary hoes for organic amendment incorporation and GNSS-guided autopilot for precise in-row operations. Expected outcomes include improved soil physical quality, enhanced root development beyond 1.30 m, increased input-use efficiency and sustainable productivity gains under CTF–SST management. A literature review search up to 31 May 2025 supported the integration of SST and CTF as a viable strategy for sustainable soil management in sugarcane production.