This publication deals with the scope and nature of soil compaction and its remedies. Discussed are what compaction is and what it does, why it's becoming more prevalent, how to identify it and what to do about it. Compaction is the moving of soil particles closer together by external forces such as falling rain or livestock and implement traffic. This can result in the following types of problems. Compaction increases the resistance of soil to penetration by tillage equipment and plant roots.
Compaction can restrict soil drainage enough to cause significant planting delays.
This has been illustrated on a compaction plot at Purdue's Agronomy Farm. In one small area of a poorly drained but well-tiled field, the subsoil was purposely compacted by removing the plow layer, driving back, and forth over the exposed subsoil, then replacing the plow layer. A rain occurred a short time later. Long after the rest of the field was ready to plant, water was still standing in the compacted plot. This occurs commonly on the end rows in more level and naturally wetter fields.