SOIL TILTH
Ideal soil composition – known as soil tilth – is 50% soil and 50% pore space, with water and air equally distributed within the pore space. Soil compaction eliminates this needed pore space, and is a common yield-robbing culprit. It can be caused by:
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Numerous passes of heavy equipment
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Planting early in wet soil
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The hydraulic effect of heavy rains
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Repetitive conventional/traditional tillage at the same depth
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Varying soil textures throughout a field
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Lack of crop rotation
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