Checking for Soil Compaction

Edwin Ritchey, Extension Soils Specialist, University of Kentucky
Lloyd Murdock, emeritus, University of Kentucky

Soil compaction stunted this corn.

Crop yields may be limited by soil compaction. Subsoiling is the most common method used to alleviate soil compaction, but is a time consuming and costly operation. If soil compaction is suspected, it is best to identify the areas in the field where it exists, what depth the compaction begins, and what depth the compaction ceases. The best method to document this information is with a soil penetrometer. Most county Extension offices have penetrometers that may be borrowed to make these measurements.