LAUSR

In this study, we investigated the relationship between ground-penetrating radar (GPR) response and agriculture properties of soil with a view to understanding how the constraint of soil degradation may influence the properties. GPR field data measurements were made at a location with soil types, properties, and disturbances caused by tractor movement. The data were processed, and empirical equations relating soil physical properties and material properties of soil media were considered for the analysis of the field data. The results showed a change in the reflection coefficient and increase in the GPR wave velocity when comparing the records of the initial parts of the GPR records, lasting about 2.5 ns, of the signal response of soil subjected to compaction as a result of 10 tractor passes, with those obtained prior to movement of the tractor. The summation of the absolute value of GPR wave amplitude in the analyzed results clearly shows that the amplitude of the signal corresponding to the compressed ground is twice and even three times smaller than the amplitude recorded before the tractor runs. The results prompted the design of a relatively simple method for tracking changes in soil properties based on the results of GPR measurements, which show that zones subjected to direct tire pressure are easy to delineate and are not limited to the part that is directly under the tire, but extend about 0.5 m. It thus shows that there is a relationship between the penetration resistance induced by a change in porosity and changes in the coefficient of reflectivity and the velocity of radar waves.