SSMG-34 (D. Rooney, M. Stelfiord, and D. Landolt)

Site-Specific Soil Compaction Mapping Using a Digital Penetrometer

Summary:

Soil compaction is generally defined as an increase of the natural density of soil at a particular depth. A density increase translates into less pore space, less plant available water, slower water transport, and a decrease in the root's ability to penetrate the compacted zone as it seeks out water and nutrients. Similarly, the increase in density due to compaction can serve to retard or divert the flow of water, resulting in ponding or excessive runoff. These factors may limit yield and inhibit effective site management for many crops. compaction can be measured with penetrometers. Recent advances in digital penetrometer systems can provide users with a simple way to map soil characteristics over large areas in the field. This guideline discusses the impact of compaction on crop growth, methods to measure compaction, and techniques to solve compaction problems.

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