You can increase soil density, particularly in lower layers, through tillage and the use of equipment.
The Role of Tillage and Equipment in Soil Density
Based on agricultural practices and soil science, a primary way soil density increases is through physical disturbance and pressure. Specifically, tillage and equipment use are significant factors.
- Compaction: Heavy machinery passing over the soil surface compresses the soil particles, reducing the pore space between them. This reduction in pore space directly leads to an increase in soil bulk density.
- Layer Formation: Repeated passes of equipment, especially during tillage, can create highly compacted layers beneath the depth of tillage.
Impact of Tillage on Different Soil Layers
The reference highlights a specific effect of tillage on soil density:
- Surface Layer: Tilling the top layer of soil before planting typically temporarily decreases its bulk density. This is because the soil is loosened and broken up.
- Sub-surface Layer: However, the action of tillage implements, such as plows, can push down on the soil layer directly below the tilled depth. This pressure, combined with the weight of the equipment, compacts this lower layer. The result is the formation of a compacted layer known as a plowpan or traffic pan, which has a notably higher bulk density.
In summary: While surface tillage initially reduces density, the overall process involving equipment weight and repeated passes, particularly the action of tillage implements, leads to increased density in the soil, especially in subsurface layers where compacted pans form.
Key Points on Increasing Soil Density:
- Heavy machinery operation.
- Repeated passes of equipment.
- Specific tillage practices that compact layers beneath the working depth.
- Formation of compacted zones like plowpans.
Understanding how soil density increases is crucial, particularly in agriculture, where high bulk density can negatively impact root growth, water infiltration, and aeration.
