Question

What are the causes of soil compaction?

Answer 1

Factors which lead to or favour soil compaction are

- use of heavy vehicles, equipment on field and

- type and condition of soil also plays an important role in causing soil compaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The causes of soil compaction are as follows –

a) Use of heavy machines on field – Use of heavy axle machines with weight exceeding 10 tons causes compaction of soil to greater depth.

b) Frequent and early planting also causes soil compaction due to continuous weight on soils.

c) Soil type - Soils with low level of organic matter are more susceptible to compaction as they do not have gravels (aggregate) to resist the compaction forces.

d) Soil condition – Wet clay soils are easily compactible as compared to sandy soil.

Answer 2

It causes soil pore spaces to become smaller, and it reduces water infiltration rate into soil, and decreases the rate that water will penetrate into the soil root zone and subsoil.