Overview
Soil Compaction is a decrease in soil volume and porosity, or increase in soil bulk density typically due to mechanical stress or caused naturally. Field traffic by machinery is a primary contributor to soil compaction today due to excessive machine/implement loading on the soil. Soil structure and texture along with soil conditions (wet vs. dry) impact the level of compaction induced by machinery and implements. Machine loading factors may include axle loads, wheel configuration or tracks, and loading frequency. It is estimated that between 75-80% of soil compaction occurs on the 1st pass. It is important to understand both surface compaction and subsoil/deep compaction and their impact on crop production.
The Ohio State University Digital Ag Program is committed to completing research and extension activities regarding soil compaction. The program has a strong focus on researching pinch row compaction from planters (tracked vs. wheeled tractor and planter configurations), and investigating the potential of utilizing smaller equipment to limit loading while maintaining efficiency and profitability.
2020 Precision University: Combating Compaction
Headling Presentations
- Introduction - Ohio State University Staff
- Conquering the Complexity of Compaction! Learning from Ontario, Canada - Ian McDonald, OMFRA
- Dealing with Soil Compaction Considering Equipment of Today - Mark Hanna, Iowa State University
- Agronomic and Environmental Impacts of Soil Compaction - Dr. Jason Warren, Oklahoma State University
- Contact Pressures and Equipment Setups - Dr. Scott Shearer, Ohio State University (coming soon)
- How to Properly Use Hand Soil Penetrometers - Ohio State University Extension
Identify: Recognizing Signs of Compaction
- Identifying and Managing Soil Compaction in Field Crop Production (University of Wisconsin Extension)
- Soil Compaction and What You Can Do About It (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach)
- Soil Compaction in Agricultural Production (Pioneer)
Evaluate: Quantifying the Impact of Compaction
- Effects of Soil Compaction (Penn State Extension)
- Soil Compaction (University of Minneota Extension)
Prevent: Stopping Compaction Before It Occurs
- Avoiding Soil Compaction (Penn State Extension)
- Appreciate Dry Soil Conditions to Avoid Compaction and Correct Its Effects (Penn State Extension)
- Soil Compaction Dangers (Penn State Extension)
- Improving Tractor Performance and Fuel Efficiency (Michigan State University)
- Sponsored: Is TrackTill a Viable Way to Combat Pinch Row Compaction? (Beck's Hybrids)
- How to Minimize Soil Compaction During Harvest (Nebraska Extension in Burt County)
- eFields Soybean Pinch Row Study (Ohio State University Digital Ag)
- eFields Corn Pinch Row Study (Ohio State University Digital Ag)
- How to Minimize Soil Compaction During Harvest (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach)
- Avoiding Compaction (Ohio State University Extension)
- Preventing Sidewall Compaction (Penn State Extension)
Manage: Handling Compaction After It Occurs
- Agricultural Soil Compaction: Causes and Management (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development)
- Soil Compaction Management at Harvest Time (Ohio State University Extension)
- Agronomy Management: How to manage each of the three main types of compaction in your fields (Grainews: Ross McKenzie)
- Soil compaction and ruts: What can you do? (University of Minnesota Extension)
General Soil Compaction Resources
- Soil Compaction (Pioneer Agronomy Sciences)
- Soil compaction: Causes, concerns, and cures (University of Wisconsin Extension)
- The Biology of Soil Compaction (The Ohio State University Extension)