Yield does not appear to be affected. A well structured soil will not compact as easily as a soil with poor structure. A soil with good structural stability will not erode or form a crust as easily as a poorly structured soil during intense rainfall. Organic matter contributes to structural stability by cementing soil particles and forming aggregates. Improvements to soil structure occur with soil microbe activity which is encouraged by plant residue decomposition.
Stability declines as organic matter content decreases in the topsoil.
The most practical and effective method of improving soil structural stability is to include a long-term forage in the rotation. Improvements from growing forage crops may continue over several years but can disappear with one year of corn production. Soil Compaction Compaction is defined as increased bulk density and reduction in soil pore space. This happens as the soil particles are forced closer together by the impact of equipment, animals and raindrops. The use of heavier tractors, combines and implements, particularly with earlier spring tillage, can cause problems under any tillage system.