Effect of controlled traffic system on machine fuel saving in annual two crops region in North China Plain

Energy saving was one of the main benefits of controlled traffic system. Research on the energy conservation mechanism of controlled traffic system with medium and small scale agricultural machinery was conducted in the North China Plain, to quantify the energy benefits of controlled traffic system. Two treatments were included: zero tillage with controlled traffic (NTCN) and zero tillage with random traffic (NT). Results showed that controlled traffic system can increase soil compaction in traffic lane and reduce soil compaction in crop zone. Controlled traffic system can reduced machinery field working force significantly through lower tire rolling resistance from relatively harder permanent track, and lower tine opener working resistance from softer soil in crop zone. Compared with NT, NTCN reduced traction force by 14.6%, 13.3% and 13.3% at subsoiling, wheat and maize no-till planting. Consequently, fuel consumption was reduced in all machine operation in controlled traffic system. Compared with NT, two years total fuel consumption in NTCN was significantly reduced by 19.79 L/ha (23.7%). Besides, controlled traffic increased total annual yield and WUE by compensating yield loss in winter wheat through the yield benefit in summer maize, even though 30% of the field was occupied by the permanent traffic lanes. Although these results were preliminary, it was indicated that controlled traffic system was fuel saving system in small and medium machinery condition in North China Plain.