Field operations associated with UK asparagus production (re-ridging and intensive foot and vehicular trafficking of the wheelings) can result in severe deep-seated compaction in interrows, impacting on crop health and productivity. In this project, we investigate the long-term efficacy of a range of Best Management Practices (BMPs) targeted at preventing or remediating soil compaction in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) interrows as compared to Conventional practice. BMPs included (1) companion crops - Rye (Sereale cecale L.), Mustard (Sinapis alba L.), (2) interrow surface mulch applications (straw mulch and PAS 100 compost in combination with shallow soil disturbance (SSD)), (3) modifications of the conventional tillage practice (re-ridging (R) or not ridging (NR) and applying SSD or not applying SSD) and (4) a zero-tillage option. In general, companion cropping had no effect on soil compaction or water infiltration rates as compared to the Conventional practice. Application and incorporation of straw mulch or PAS 100 compost however significantly reduced soil compaction of the interrows to >0.45 m beyond the working depth of the subsoiler (0.25 m). Composts and mulches in combination with SSD significantly reduce deep-seated compaction of the interrows within 3 years of annual application. Further, Conventional practice equivalent treatment (Bare soil No-SSD R) was associated with significantly higher PR values as compared to the zero-tillage (Bare soil No-SSD NR). These findings show that the extremely high levels of deep-seated compaction in interrows, associated with re-ridging, foot and vehicular traffic can be alleviated using surface mulches in combination with SSD.

与英国芦笋生产相关的田间作业（重新起垄和密集的脚轮和车辆运输）可能导致行间严重的深层压实，影响作物健康和生产力。在该项目中，我们调查了一系列旨在预防或修复芦笋 ( Asparagus officinalis L.) 间行土壤压实的最佳管理实践 (BMP)与传统实践相比的长期功效。BMP 包括 (1) 伴生作物 - 黑麦 ( Sereale cecale L.)、芥菜 ( Sinapis alba)L.)，(2) 行间表面覆盖应用（秸秆覆盖和 PAS 100 堆肥结合浅层土壤扰动 (SSD)），(3) 对传统耕作做法的修改（重新起垄（R）或不起垄（NR） ) 和应用 SSD 或不应用 SSD) 和 (4) 零耕作选项。一般来说，与传统做法相比，伴作对土壤压实或水渗透率没有影响。然而，秸秆覆盖物或 PAS 100 堆肥的施用和掺入显着降低了间行的土壤压实度，超过深松机的工作深度 (0.25 m) > 0.45 m。堆肥和覆盖物与 SSD 相结合，在每年施用 3 年内显着减少了间行的深层压实。更多，与零耕（裸土 No-SSD NR）相比，传统实践等效处理（裸土 No-SSD R）与显着更高的 PR 值相关。这些研究结果表明，使用表面覆盖物与 SSD 相结合，可以缓解与重新起垄、步行和车辆交通相关的行列中极高水平的深层压实。