What is Soil Compaction?
Photo Credit: https://www.ndsu.edu/soilhealth/?page_id=410
The level at which soil particles are compressed together resulting in reduced pore space between them, which can impede root growth. Soil compaction can be caused by low organic matter levels, poor structure, heavier texture, dispersion caused by low calcium levels versus sodium and magnesium, tillage and traffic.
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| Title | Source | Resource type and date | Short Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil Compaction: The Silent Thief | University of Missouri | Extension Webpage
Oct 1993 |
Generally, a good soil for crop production contains about 25 percent water and 25 percent air by volume. This 50 percent is referred to as pore space. The remaining 50 percent consists of soil particles. Anything, for example tillage and wheel traffic, that reduces pore space results in a dense soil with poor internal drainage and reduced aeration. |
| Soil compaction | University of Minnesota Extension | Extension Webpage
2018 |
Improving soil structure is the best defense against soil compaction. A well-structured soil holds and conducts the water, nutrients and air necessary for healthy plant root activity. |
| Soil compaction | North Dakota State University | Extension Webpage
2014 |
Soil compaction reduces the total pores space of a soil, limited pore space is restrictive to air and water movement throughout the soil. Compaction can be caused by tillage, wheel traffic, crop rotation, or raindrop impact. |
| Soil Health Demonstration: Compaction | Soil Health Nexus | How-to Video
May 2019 |
Charles Ellis from University of Missouri Extension shows how to analyze soil compaction. |
| Soil Health Assessment: Soil Core Test | Soil Health Nexus | How-to Video
May 2019 |
Todd Lorenz with University of Missouri Extension shows how to use a core sampler instead of a soil pit. |
| On-Farm Soil Monitoring for Water Resource Protection: Farm Assessment for Water Resource Protection | Purdue University | Extension Publication Dec 2003 |
These five on-farm soil monitoring methods are intended to replace analytical soil tests. These monitoring methods and indicators include: Water infiltration rate, earthworm count, soil aggregate stability, penetration compaction, and plant and crop residue cover. |
| How to Understand and Interpret Soil Health Tests | Purdue University | Extension Publication Jun 2018 |
Purdue and CCSI did some research using some commercial soil health tests. This document describes some descriptions and guidelines that came out of doing that work. |
| Title | Source | Resource type and date | Short Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil Quality Information | Penn State | Extension Webpage
Aug 2012 |
Healthy soils yield healthy crops, But what is healthy soil and how do we achieve it? |
Last reviewed 10/1/19