Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
22
Soil compaction
What is soil compaction?
Soil compaction can occur when the crumbly structured nature of a virgin soil in
good condition is collapsed by stock or machinery traffic, or by too harsh or too
many cultivations. Prolonged rainfall can also lead to compaction of dispersive
soils. Compaction can occur in surface or sub surface layers, or both (Figure 36 on
p. 116).
Plant roots find it difficult or impossible to penetrate compacted layers,
leading to poorer crops and pastures.
What does soil compaction do?
Compacted soil is less permeable to water, leading to reduced absorption of rain
and irrigation water. Because pore spaces between the soil particles are smaller and
fewer in number, this causes more rainfall to run off and be lost from the farm,
thus reducing potential yields.
Plant roots may find it difficult or impossible to penetrate compacted layers,
leading to poorer crops and pastures with less drought tolerance. The soil has
fewer and smaller spaces between soil particles, reducing plant root respiration and
desirable microbiological activity. This leads to poorer plant growth and an
increase in plant diseases.
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