Soil compaction is an important component of the land degradation syndrome which is an issue for soil management throughout the world. It is a long standing phenomenon not only associated with agriculture but also with forest harvesting, amenity land use, pipeline installation, land restoration and wildlife trampling. This review concentrates on the impact of soil compaction on practical soil management issues, an area not previously reviewed. It discusses in the context of the current situation, the causes, identification, effects and alleviation of compaction. The principal causes are when compressive forces derived from wheels, tillage machinery and from the trampling of animals, act on compressible soil. Compact soils can also be found under natural conditions without human or animal involvement. Compaction alters many soil properties and adverse effects are mostly linked to a reduction in permeability to air, water and roots. Many methods can be used to measure the changes. In practical situations, the use of visual and tactile methods directly in the field is recommended. The worst problems tend to occur when root crops and vegetables are harvested from soils at or wetter than field capacity. As discussed by a farmer, the effects on crop uniformity and quality (as well as a reduction in yield) can be marked. By contrast, rendzinas and other calcareous soils growing mainly cereals are comparatively free of compaction problems. The effect of a given level of compaction is related to both weather and climate; where soil moisture deficits are large, a restriction in root depth may have severe effects but the same level of compaction may have a negligible effect where moisture deficits are small. Topsoil compaction in sloping landscapes enhances runoff and may induce erosion particularly along wheeltracks, with consequent off‐farm environmental impacts. Indirect effects of compaction include denitrification which is likely to lead to nitrogen deficiency in crops. The effects of heavy tractors and harvesters can to some extent be compensated for by a reduction in tyre pressures although there is concern that deep‐seated compaction may occur. Techniques for loosening compaction up to depths of 45 cm are well established but to correct deeper problems presents difficulties. Several authors recommend that monitoring of soil physical conditions, including compaction, should be part of routine soil management.

Increased awareness of the role of soil structure in defining the physical fertility or quality of soil has led to the need for a simple assessment relevant to the environmental and economic sustainability of soil productivity. A test is required that is usable by farmer, consultant and researcher alike. Here an assessment of soil structure quality (Sq) is described which is based on a visual key linked to criteria chosen to be as objective as possible. The influences of operator, tillage and crop type on Sq value were tested. The test takes 5–15 min per location and enough replicates were obtained for statistical comparison of data sets. The assessments of individual operators were influenced to an extent by differences between fields, making the use of multiple operators desirable. Differences in soil management were revealed by the test and related to differences in soil physical properties (bulk density, penetration resistance and porosity) and crop growth. Indicative thresholds of soil management are suggested. The assessment should be viewed as complementary to conventional laboratory assessments of soil structure. Visual soil structure assessment can indicate to the soil scientist where to sample and what soil measurements are likely to be worthwhile.

The compaction of soil alters its structure, increases its bulk density and decreases its porosity. These changes can be detected by careful and systematic visual and tactile examination directly in the field. These changes also reduce the permeability of soil to water and air and may alter the pattern of root growth. Further signs of compaction may be induced such as the creation of waterlogged zones or of dry zones caused by shallow rooting denying access to deeper reserves of water. Furthermore, there may be a reduction in nutrient uptake from dry soil. Under wet conditions anoxic pockets may form with associated biochemical changes, some of which are visible. Changes in mineral nitrogen may take place through denitrification and a reduction in nitrification. The criteria used to identify compaction in the field include patterns of crop growth, pale leaf colours, waterlogging on the surface or in subsurface layers above compaction, an increase in soil strength, changes to soil structure, soil colour and the distribution of roots and of soil moisture. Manifestation of soil compaction in crops is also dependent on the weather and is influenced by crop type and variety, and stage of growth. Many soilborne diseases are made worse by stress to the crop which might be induced by compaction caused by drier or wetter conditions in the root zone. Where, when and how to identify compaction in the field are discussed and the techniques used are described. Specific examples of the identification of compaction are given, covering a wide range of situations.

No abstract

Cu-enriched pig-mannre slurry was applied to grassland at two rates, 5000 and 10,000 gal/ac (56,000 and 112,000 I/ha), on three occasions, supplying a total of 5-4 lh/ac (61 kg/ha) and 10-8 lb/ac (12-2 kg/ha) Cu, respectively. At the higher rate, soO Cu extractahle with EDTA increased from 24 ppm to 7-3 ppm Cu in samples taken to a depth of 3 in. (7-5 cm) and Cu in herhage DM increased from 9-1 ppm to 21-2 ppm Cu (mean of 5 cuts). Much of the additional Cu in the herhage was thought to he derived from external contamination. In otiier tests, leafy herhage sampled a few hours after applying slurry contained 338 ppm Cu in the DM.Samples of sofl and herhage were taken in 1969, 1970 and 1971 from farm grassland that had received Cu-enriched pig-manure slurry each year; levels of Cu increased in tiie soQ, Cu levels in herhage were variahle and appeared to he aifected hy the rate of grass growth.The evidence suggests tiiat there is at present littie risk of Cu toxicity following applications of Cu-oiriched pig-manure slurry; the greatest risk to susceptihie stock would appear to he hy ingesting either grazed or conserved herhage contaminated with slurry. To avoid possihle hazards from a huild-up of Cu in tiie soil, a maximum annual application of ahout 8-5 lh/ac (9 5 kg/ha) Cu is suggested until more is known on tiie availahility of Cu in slurry to crops and grass.