Compaction
Soil compaction can result in crop yield limitations due to reduced water and air movement in the soil as well as root growth restrictions. In modern cropland management systems some level of soil compaction cannot be avoided due to the use of large field equipment. However, the magnitude of compaction can be minimized by using simply best management practices. In addition, some soils are more easily compacted than others. For example, sandy soils are generally much more easily compacted than loamy or clayey soils. In fact, loamy and clayey soils found in Oklahoma will generally Shrink and swell during drying and wetting cycles. The movements of these soils will natural breakup compaction found in these soil types. Learn more about compaction from factsheet PSS-2244.
