Photo credit: STRATUS
The prevention of soil compaction by reducing the load per cm² of soil and by taking care of the soil’s carrying capacity is very important because the resolving of deep soil compaction (compaction just below the topsoil, 30-50 cm) is difficult. Resolving of deep soil compaction can be done by a combination of deep tilling, deep rooting crops and subsequent maximal prevention of recompaction.
Reducing the load per cm² of soil can be done by optimization of tyre size and pressure, by dividing the load over several wheels, by minimizing the total load as much as possible and by using semimounted machinery. In addition, the carrying capacity of the soil against compaction needs to be considered and this is much lower when the soil is wet and when it is freshly cultivated.
Deep tilling to resolve soil compaction needs to be considered carefully. After deep tilling, deep rooted crops should be cultivated and measures that ensure maximal prevention for re-compaction need to be taken. Deep tilling, when done careless, can result in even deeper and stronger compaction. The use of deep rooting crops only is likely not sufficient to resolve deep compaction.
Conservation tillage practices have less deep compaction.
In some cases, use of fixed field pathways via RTK-GPS navigation can prevent compaction in the remaining field, often done in intensive vegetable production.