In very wet or very dry soil, compaction multiplies the impact of stress on the plant and reduces plant yield. However, if adequate moisture and nutrients are supplied to the reduced root system, the effect of compaction will be negligible. Soil compaction can affect nutrient availability. It can increase incidence of soil borne plant diseases and reduce the beneficial microbial population. There has been relatively little research done on the effect of soil compaction on the yield of processing vegetable crops.
Compaction can reduce yield by reducing the quality, weight and size of the fruit.
It can delay plant development and maturity, reduce plant stand, height and seedling emergence. Subsoil compaction can reduce yields by delaying planting and other field operations. The reduction in crop yield and quality due to soil compaction is an economic cost to growers and processors. Compaction also increases input costs. Research has shown that the effects of subsoil compaction persist for some time even in years with heavy frost.