Agricultural soil compaction

Soil sensitivity to compaction can be determined by a number of factors, with moisture content being the main factor to be mastered before working the soil. This book looks at the effects of compaction caused by agricultural mechanization and different cultivation techniques, on the physico-chemical parameters of agricultural soils in a Mediterranean climate with different soil textures. I first present a context for developing sustainable agriculture, avoiding the combined effects of compaction and tillage, and aiming to design cropping systems that maximize yields and minimize soil degradation. Through this work, I discuss the effect of compaction intensity on soil structure, and its consequences on the development of the durum wheat root system, as well as soil compressibility as a function of moisture variation. Lastly, I discuss the effect of the passage of farm machinery through the action of tires and weight on porosity, moisture content, penetrometric resistance, infiltration rate and microbial activity in the soil.