Report
Soil Compaction in Annual Crop Production: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions
Washington State University Extension fact sheet, 396E, Washington State University Extension
04/2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000007276
Abstract
Soil compaction is commonly understood to be a serious and widespread concern for agricultural production and environmental health. It results in poor soil structure, restricted water movement, and reduced biological activity, ultimately reducing crop yield and other critical soil functions. Additionally, it can cause environmental damage by increasing the potential for soil erosion and associated surface water pollution. This damage and its consequences are particularly concerning given that soil regenerates so slowly that it can effectively be considered a nonrenewable resource. This publication examines how agricultural activities cause compaction, under what conditions soils are particularly susceptible to compaction, how it is identified and measured, and how it can be repaired using implements and through management practices, such as cover cropping.
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Details
- Title
- Soil Compaction in Annual Crop Production
- Creators
- Justin Maltry (Author) - Washington State University, Department of Crop and Soil SciencesDouglas Parker Collins (Author) - Washington State University, WSU Extension ANRGabriel LaHue (Author) - Washington State University, Department of Crop and Soil SciencesAnand Jayakaran (Author) - Washington State University, WSU Extension ANR
- Academic Unit
- Publications, WSU Extension
- Series
- Washington State University Extension fact sheet; 396E
- Publisher
- Washington State University Extension; Pullman, Washington
- Number of pages
- 14
- Identifiers
- 99901209846201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Report