Because of these slow infiltration rates, surface runoff and evaporation are increased and soil water storage decreased. As erosion causes the paleosol horizons to be closer to the surface, runoff and soil erosion potential are increased. The exposure of clayey and hardpan paleosol horizons has created new problems in crop management. Seedbed preparation is often more difficult because these subsoils tend to form larger, more resistant clods with tillage than the former topsoil, Power requirements for tillage operations are usually increased. Seed-soil contact and soil moisture levels are often less than desirable.
Soil crusting also commonly results in poor seedling emergence.
Fertility Deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and zinc on exposed paleosol horizons have been reported at an increasing rate. These deficiencies are difficult to treat because small areas in the irregular Palouse landscape cannot easily be managed separately. Also, additional fertilizer alone will generally not correct the loss in soil productivity. Organic Matter Content Declining with Topsoil Loss Besides the direct impact of these paleosol horizons or other restrictive soil layers at or near the soil surface, loss of the overlying topsoil itself is detrimental to crop production. One of the reasons is the loss in soil organic matter.