Risk of soil compaction increases again as soil moisture levels rise and heavy harvest equipment enters the fields. Nutrients Bacteria and fungi are becoming active, but not necessarily enough to provide nutrients to young plants. Side-dressing of nutrients may be useful. A low-N amendment, such as straw, may trigger N deficiency in a crop, as soil organisms use soil nitrate to decompose the high carbon amendment. Fall is a good time to test soil - leaving all winter to use test results for planning the next cropping season.
Water Compacted soils drain slowly.
The loose, rough surface of newly tilled soil readily allows rain water to infiltrate into the soil - unless a crust forms. High temperatures in July and August cause high water loss through evaporation and transpiration from plants. Soil water stores are at their lowest. Soil water levels begin to recharge as temperatures drop and evaporation and transpiration slow. Organisms Warming temperatures, air from tillage, and food from a plowed-down crop trigger a high level of activity.