Soil Compaction

Soil compaction is the compression of soil particles, closing the pore space that lets air, water and roots move through it, most often caused by the repeated weight of heavy farm machinery or livestock traveling over the same ground. Compacted soil restricts root growth and water infiltration and can persist for years, so avoiding it, through controlled traffic, reduced-weight equipment or timing field work to avoid wet soil, is a standing concern of soil management.