Soil Compaction and Its Effects

What is soil compaction and how does it affect soil properties?

What are the main causes of soil compaction in agriculture?

What are the on-site effects of soil compaction on plant growth?

How does soil compaction threaten food security?

What role does soil compaction play in greenhouse gas emissions?

What are the off-site effects of soil compaction?

How does soil compaction affect groundwater recharge?

What are the indicators of soil compaction in the field?

• Waterlogging on the surface

• Visible reduction in porosity

• Changes of soil structure

• Patterns of crop growth

What are the physical changes that occur when a soil is flooded?

• Soil swells and hard clods soften

• Puddling destroys structural aggregates

• Soil becomes a sludge

• Air exchange between atmosphere and soil is improved

What happens to the nitrogen in the incorporated plant residues when a soil is flooded?

• It changes to the ammonium form

• It remains unchanged

• It is lost through denitrification

• It is converted to nitrate