Soil compaction is one of the most important soil factors that may delay crop development and drastically affect yield. Heavy machinery operating in the field under wet conditions is one of the most common reasons for over-compacted soil. High axle loads and improper tire pressure can lead to deeper and more severe soil compaction. Frequent passes by heavy machinery over the same soil areas, such as during tilling, planting, and harvesting, increase compaction. The cumulative effect of repeated traffic compacts the soil more severely over time.
Compaction affects soil properties by breaking down soil structure, reducing soil porosity, and its capacity to retain and transmit air and water. It reduces infiltration and permeability by decreasing the size and number of pores, leading to increased runoff and erosion, as well as poor water availability for plants.
Another issue with human-related soil compaction is animal trampling on fields, especially in wet conditions. One of the key factors affecting severity is higher animal densities, which increase the frequency and intensity of trampling, leading to more severe soil compaction. Animal weight and soil moisture should also be considered important factors.
Reduced water infiltration and soil permeability cause waterlogging in some areas, leading to other negative effects that decrease crop productivity. Waterlogged soil loses nutrients via leaching, surface runoff, and other biological processes like denitrification. Up to 2 lbs of N per day may be lost if the soil is wet and warm. Total losses observed were up to 140 lbs/acre in a season. Surface runoff is important for phosphorus losses and may account for up to 2-8 lbs/acre.
Knowing the causes of waterlogging areas in the field, as well as other areas with productivity issues due to compaction, is important to improve the overall investment return for the farm.
Ronin Agronomy offers soil scanning with the most advanced tools on the market, providing extra layers of field data. With these insights, farmers can effectively address problem areas. Ronin Agronomy operates in all three Prairie Provinces – SK, MB, and AB. Contact us to speak with your local senior precision agronomist about how our soil scanning services can help resolve issues in your field.