Common Soil Problems
Common problems that we see are dirt related and can be mitigated over a period of time. How long it will take depends on your situation. We outline a few problems we encounter and their impacts below. Let us know which situation you're in and we'll work on a solution!
- Hydrophobic soil and large cracks drive water away with minimal absorption, taking vital nutrients with it.
- Heavily saturated low lying areas drown plant roots and makes it impossible to grow and fully mature a crop.
- Compacted soil has limited the root depth and nutrient uptake causing reduced resistance to the elements. Roots can not penetrate past the compacted layer.
- Compacted areas are a breeding zone for pests and fungi that wreck havoc on a crop. Compaction is a large contributor to profit loss in most farming communities.
- Pictures below identify the compaction areas of concern which limits crop growth and inhibits reaching maximum potential.
- Chart below shows root penetration strength is reduced as soil compaction increases. Depth of compaction can differ depending on use of land, however penetration will be the same.
- Reduction in compaction has lowered the bulk density of the soil allowing nutrients to get to the root zone resulting in higher yields.
- Left Chart is average penetration of Corn root depth as compaction (psi) increases. Soil becomes very hard at about 9 inches in this case, and makes it almost impenetrable and limits maximum yield potential.
- Right Chart is average penetration of Alfalfa root depth as compaction (psi) increases. Soil becomes very hard at about 8 inches in this case, and makes it almost impenetrable this crop and limits maximum yield potential.
- How much compaction do you have?
