Soil compaction is not considered a widespread serious problem in Alberta. However, soil compaction can be a serious and unnecessary form of soil degradation that can result in increased soil erosion and decreased crop production.
“Soil compression by agricultural equipment can cause soil particles to become compacted,” says Ross McKenzie, research scientist – agronomy, with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Compacted soils can also be the result of natural soil-forming processes. Whatever the cause, preventing soil compaction is far better than trying to correct a compaction problem after it occurs.”
Read Also
Alberta crop diversification centres receive funding
The Government of Alberta has pumped $5.2 million of provincial funding into crop diversity research centres in Edmonton and Brooks.
A new factsheet from Alberta Agriculture looks at the causes of soil compaction, types of soil compaction, the effects of soil compaction and best management practices for preventing this problem.
A number of management options are presented in this new factsheet. These management practices can be easily implemented and will help minimize the risk of soil compaction. Some of these options include:
Keeping a protective residue cover on the soil surface to reduce the negative effects of rain or irrigation water causing soil crusting
Minimizing or eliminating soil tillage to prevent soil aggregate breakdown and the development of a tillage “hardpan”
Avoiding field traffic when soils are wet when possible – this can be more easily said than done, for example, when harvest schedules dictate the crop must come off despite wet field conditions
Reducing the wheel traffic load on the soil, which can be done by keeping axle loads to a minimum and using radial tires at low inflation pressures to create a larger footprint, minimizing the field traffic areas on fields, by loading wagons or trucks on a road (if it can be done safely) or on headlands
Improving soil organic matter and soil structure, and increasing biological activity in soil by using best agronomic management practices
The factsheet,Agricultural Soil Compaction: Causes and Managementincludes several photos and graphs. The factsheet can be viewed in the publications section of Alberta Agriculture’s website. Factsheets can also be ordered by calling the Ag-Info Centre toll-free at 310-FARM (7632).
