If soil is left exposed by an unforeseen soil management or crop production problem, attempts should be made to incorporate straw into the soil surface. Any tillage to incorporate straw should be on the contour. Efforts should be made to divert any runoff containing soil to a settling pond prior to discharge. The presence of excess soil moisture at the time of any field operation is the main factor leading to soil compaction. Once soil is compacted it is very difficult to reverse the effects of the compaction.
Soil compaction is a serious, yet often invisible soil degradation process.
Compacted soil can be recognized by high bulk density, poor rooting, poor drainage, and reduced crop yield. Compaction may be the result of natural soil formation processes but is most likely due to cultivation practices. Lack of drainage leaves the soil moist. Moist soils are easily compressed by traffic or smeared by tillage implements. Tillage should cause fracturing rather than smearing.