Compaction on cultivated soils

Abstract

Many soils which, in their native state were mellow, of low apparent density, and highly permeable to water, have become compact and highly impermeable under cultivation. Other soils, although cultivated as often, still remain fairly permeable. Soils men have long advocated the necessity of reducing the amount of cultivation, and the desirability of selecting a time for field‐operations when the moisture‐content of the soil is such that the bearing power of the soil is adequate to safely carry the equipment. The importance of soil‐particle size in relation to compaction has not been stressed. Observations in citrus orchards in southern California indicated that cultivation produced the highest densities and the greatest reduction in water‐penetration on those soils in which there was a wide range of particle‐sizes, such a s the gravelly loams derived from igneous rocks high in quartz. This idea is in agreement with the FULLER curve concept used in designing concrete mixes, and in the construction of earth fill dams [see 3 of “References” at end of paper].

Soil Compaction in the Field and Corn Growth1

“…In 1959 there were no residual compaction effects on corn yields. 11 wide, 6" long, and 24" deep; points above line AB are for added-fertility, below AB for existing-fertility. r 0~05 = 0.576, r 0 .…”

Effect of Subsoiling and Deep Fertilizer Placement on Yields of Corn in Iowa and Illinois1

“…Subsoiling has considerable appeal to farmers, but research has shown few benefits from subsoiling in the North Central United States (2,3,8,10), where soils regularly freeze to considerable depth, although some benefits have been reported in the South and Southeast ( 6,7) and in the West (4), where little or no soil freezing occurs. Duley ( 1 ) has summarized the research in the Great Plains and found no evidence of general benefits from subsoiling.…”

Soil Compaction and Productivity Evolution in a Harvested and Grazed Mediterranean Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Forest

“…Most of the detrimental effects of soil compaction on vegetation were initially studied and characterized in agricultural systems where machinery impacts are high in intensity, frequency, and density [8][9][10]. Since the 1950s, this concern about the detrimental effects of compaction has been extended to forestry [1,[11][12][13][14][15].…”